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Mystic Springs #4
The Santa Claus of Mystic Springs
What if Father Christmas is on the naughty list?
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Mystic Springs, but all is not still or calm with the department store Santa
The amateur dramatics club is full of big egos and legends-in-their-own-heads, so their spats aren't unusual. But when the theatre owner is shot dead during the Christmas play, it's Santa who pulls the trigger.
With the arrival of an unwelcome ex, a petition to end Discrimination Against Spirits, and a second attack by St Nick, the chances of a quiet Christmas seem to be quickly disappearing.
Has Santa really gone bad? Or is there more to it?
Town medium Connie and her dead sister Sage are both avoiding their own festive conundrums. A mistletoe murder is just the distraction they need.
The Santa Claus of Mystic Springs is book four in the Mystic Springs Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, where the living and the dead work together to solve crime. Spooky, not scary, this is a cozy series with no swearing, violence or sex scenes. Each book can be read as a standalone or read in order.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Mystic Springs, but all is not still or calm with the department store Santa
The amateur dramatics club is full of big egos and legends-in-their-own-heads, so their spats aren't unusual. But when the theatre owner is shot dead during the Christmas play, it's Santa who pulls the trigger.
With the arrival of an unwelcome ex, a petition to end Discrimination Against Spirits, and a second attack by St Nick, the chances of a quiet Christmas seem to be quickly disappearing.
Has Santa really gone bad? Or is there more to it?
Town medium Connie and her dead sister Sage are both avoiding their own festive conundrums. A mistletoe murder is just the distraction they need.
The Santa Claus of Mystic Springs is book four in the Mystic Springs Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, where the living and the dead work together to solve crime. Spooky, not scary, this is a cozy series with no swearing, violence or sex scenes. Each book can be read as a standalone or read in order.
166 pages, ebook
Published December 9, 2018
63 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 10, 2018
I do so enjoy reading about sisters Connie and Sage. I even forget that Sage is a ghost. Someone killed Santa in public and the suit is missing. I always love how they whittle down the suspect list to get to the murderer and it's always someone that I least suspected. I ended up crying. I'm reading in bed and crying. Read this and you will cry too.
December 30, 2018
A fun holiday whodunnit! A lot of characters to keep track of but still a well planned mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
September 28, 2019
As the story moves forward and the characters grow into themselves, there's trouble afoot at Mystic Springs and no one is safe from the aftermath! Can Connie overcome her insecurities and allow herself to actually experience love for the first time in her life? Things are coming to a head and with growth comes a bit of struggle and pain. Loads of twists and turns with this one. Great read!
December 4, 2018
Connie's best friend Nick is back in town and has been invited to act in the town's Christmas production as Santa Claus, of course and he invited Connie and Taylor, was well as Sage and Patton to be his guests at the show. The production was not really up to scratch, not even for a small town Am-dram group but they were really there to see Nick preform.... and certainly not to see the producer being shot in cold blood, right on stage, before the whole town. To add to the confusion, Sage's ex husband has turned up, someone she has not seen nor expect to see in forever.
I love the Mystic Spring mysteries and this I think is my all time favourite so far - not giving a reason as it will be a spoiler. I wish Connie would allow herself to love Taylor's twin babies, especially as she was the very first townsfolk to have welcomed the family and looked after them from the start. I am sure the bond was forged way back then. And I am so glad that Nick is back in town - he is so much fin and so good for Connie too. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
I love the Mystic Spring mysteries and this I think is my all time favourite so far - not giving a reason as it will be a spoiler. I wish Connie would allow herself to love Taylor's twin babies, especially as she was the very first townsfolk to have welcomed the family and looked after them from the start. I am sure the bond was forged way back then. And I am so glad that Nick is back in town - he is so much fin and so good for Connie too. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
December 9, 2018
Dreams can come true
What a terrific read. Okay the plot was good and well thought out but the ending just made me go aaah! Absolutely loved it! Wonderful characters and the byplay between them was a thing of beauty. Loved it!!
Things are good or as good as they can get with Connie trying to keep an emotional distance between herself and Taylor's twins. She is scared of loving them and then losing them. However things get blown of course when Sage's husband suddenly makes an appearance. Why is he here? They had both agreed that they would spend their afterlife apart. Now they and their respective Sheriff's are attending the Christmas play when the director and narrator is shot dead in front of the audience. Was it really Nick in the Santa outfit? As the four investigate they have an assault, another murder and a poisoning to deal with. Will they find the killer before more people are killed? What does Sage's husband want? How will Christmas turn out? Will Connie ever let herself love the twins?
What a terrific read. Okay the plot was good and well thought out but the ending just made me go aaah! Absolutely loved it! Wonderful characters and the byplay between them was a thing of beauty. Loved it!!
Things are good or as good as they can get with Connie trying to keep an emotional distance between herself and Taylor's twins. She is scared of loving them and then losing them. However things get blown of course when Sage's husband suddenly makes an appearance. Why is he here? They had both agreed that they would spend their afterlife apart. Now they and their respective Sheriff's are attending the Christmas play when the director and narrator is shot dead in front of the audience. Was it really Nick in the Santa outfit? As the four investigate they have an assault, another murder and a poisoning to deal with. Will they find the killer before more people are killed? What does Sage's husband want? How will Christmas turn out? Will Connie ever let herself love the twins?
August 6, 2019
It’s Christmas time in Mystic Springs and the town is gaily coated. Even Connie the town medium has gotten into the holiday spirit .Connie is encouraged by her friend Nick to attend the Christmas pageant as he has secured the coveted role of Santa Claus. Connie attends a dress rehearsal and quickly sees that the plays director, Lionel Wright has not exactly endeared himself to cast and crew . In a pivotal scene a young girl questions the existence of Santa Claus . Santa does appear and rather than comfort the child shoots the director.. The whole town knows Nick is playing Santa but is he capable of murder? Along with solving a murder there are two sweet burgeoning love stories one in the spirit world and the other in the human world. Many suspects are considered and its a testament to Mona’s skills to keep you guessing until the very end.
May 30, 2020
I loved this Christmas season story with Sage and Connie. Connie works with Taylor to solve the mystery of who killed Lionel, the theatre owner, while the theatre group is performing a Christmas play. First suspect is Connie's friend Nick who is playing Santa. Connie is sure it is not him but Taylor isn't so sure. A couple of more things happen that make it even more complicated to find the guilty party. I like the storyline of the "spirits" living side by side with the living. Sage's spirit husband shows up at the same time as the murder. Sage's spirit boyfriend is wondering why he is there now, and this puts him on the suspect list. Connie and Taylor are getting more serious but with Taylor's twins, Connie is afraid to let her emotions go "all in" and risk getting attached. Good mystery and good Christmas story with a really good ending.
February 7, 2020
Short, clean paranormal mystery
This book was slightly shorter than the usual in the series. Although these books are touted as being able to be read as standalones, I would suggest reading them in order. I accidentally read this one before Book 3 and was wondering why Sage seemed more mature and how the romance between Connie and her Sheriff had progressed this far. (However, I'm still wondering about the romance, because there still seems to be a gap).
These are simple, quick mysteries that take place in a town that enables ghosts to be seen by the living. No strong language, no sexual scenes. In this installment, Connie's romance gets more serious. I think that's why I enjoyed this one more than usual. 3-1/2 Stars.
This book was slightly shorter than the usual in the series. Although these books are touted as being able to be read as standalones, I would suggest reading them in order. I accidentally read this one before Book 3 and was wondering why Sage seemed more mature and how the romance between Connie and her Sheriff had progressed this far. (However, I'm still wondering about the romance, because there still seems to be a gap).
These are simple, quick mysteries that take place in a town that enables ghosts to be seen by the living. No strong language, no sexual scenes. In this installment, Connie's romance gets more serious. I think that's why I enjoyed this one more than usual. 3-1/2 Stars.
June 19, 2019
A Christmassy cozy that I can wholeheartedly recommend!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go… lalala
I love Mystic Springs. I especially love all the characters. I love Connie. And I loved the ending. There was fun, there was suspense; it was spooky not scary, like it says in the blurb, and that was totally true. It was light-hearted, and (always a plus in mysteries) I was surprised. Such a pleasant read! Good plot, good pace. Very charming! If you fancy a good cozy mystery with a paranormal twist, then go to Mystic Springs!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go… lalala
I love Mystic Springs. I especially love all the characters. I love Connie. And I loved the ending. There was fun, there was suspense; it was spooky not scary, like it says in the blurb, and that was totally true. It was light-hearted, and (always a plus in mysteries) I was surprised. Such a pleasant read! Good plot, good pace. Very charming! If you fancy a good cozy mystery with a paranormal twist, then go to Mystic Springs!
December 10, 2018
I find it very interesting that every other chapter is either Sage's point of view it Connie's. I thought it would be odd, but it comes out just right. Sage and Connie are sisters. Sage is a spirit whereas Connie is very much alive. I love the dynamics between the two of them. The characters are all well written including the devious ones. I enjoyed them all. The plot is very good and has interesting twists. I actually felt like I was with the characters and loved every minute of it!
December 14, 2018
AN AWESOME READ!!
This book, was AWESOME, start to finish!!
Santa Claus gets up on stage and murders the guy in charge of auditions, for a play. Santa escapes and then a woman is found murdered!
Can Sherriff Taylor, Connie, and our two ghosts, Sage and the ex-Sheriff Patton, figure out, who the murder is? Excitement builds as they try to figure out, who done it!! A very surprising ending!!
This book, was AWESOME, start to finish!!
Santa Claus gets up on stage and murders the guy in charge of auditions, for a play. Santa escapes and then a woman is found murdered!
Can Sherriff Taylor, Connie, and our two ghosts, Sage and the ex-Sheriff Patton, figure out, who the murder is? Excitement builds as they try to figure out, who done it!! A very surprising ending!!
April 4, 2020
I enjoyed the story in this book, but it is still plagued with errors that detract from the reading experience.
The persistent punctuation errors surrounding dialogue in the first three books have been corrected, finally, in this book. However, verb tense errors and capitalization errors still abound.
The story is good enough as to make the grammar mistakes bearable, which is rare. Therefore I will continue with the series in hopes that improvements continue.
The persistent punctuation errors surrounding dialogue in the first three books have been corrected, finally, in this book. However, verb tense errors and capitalization errors still abound.
The story is good enough as to make the grammar mistakes bearable, which is rare. Therefore I will continue with the series in hopes that improvements continue.
January 3, 2025
This Mystic Springs mystery follows Connie as she struggles with how close she can get to Taylor and the babies, and as a new spirit pops into town disrupting the budding romance between Sage and Patton. It's heartbreaking to watch Connie struggle so much with how to interact with the babies, but wow does the ending make up for it. As for the Santa rampage ... so many suspicious people around town and not that solid of a motive but wow so dramatic.
December 12, 2020
Santa is a murderer?! Can it really be? Santa wouldn't murder anyone. At least Connie's friend who plays Santa would not murder someone. So, who took his place? As Connie and Sage wrestle with personal issues, they are helping to find the person who is imitating Santa and killing people. There are only a few suspects and they need to find the person fast before they kill again.
April 22, 2025
Fun seasonal mystery
When Santa shoots the director of the Christmas play, Connie's friend Nick is the prime suspect. Investigating being her closer to Taylor and the world of the actors. A fun light Christmas mystery with great characters. I did work it out quite quickly but the story is well written and entertaining.
When Santa shoots the director of the Christmas play, Connie's friend Nick is the prime suspect. Investigating being her closer to Taylor and the world of the actors. A fun light Christmas mystery with great characters. I did work it out quite quickly but the story is well written and entertaining.
December 3, 2018
I loved The Santa Claus of Mystic Springs. It is a great Christmas mystery. I liked the development of the characters throughout the story. You were kept guessing about the mystery until the last few pages of the book. The ending was wonderful.
December 25, 2018
Lovely quick Christmas read
The next one in the Mystic Springs cosy mystery series. Good characters, good pace, as always an unexpected twist or two. Thoroughly enjoyed...I even stayed up after my late night Christmas Eve wrapping session to finish it.
The next one in the Mystic Springs cosy mystery series. Good characters, good pace, as always an unexpected twist or two. Thoroughly enjoyed...I even stayed up after my late night Christmas Eve wrapping session to finish it.
January 18, 2019
Book 4 of the Mystic Springs series. Did Santa Clause just kill a man on stage at the local Christmas play? It was a unique concept of ghosts working with the living to solve a murder! The characters are quirky, serious and fun all at once. I recommend reading the series in order.
February 10, 2020
Wonderful Christmas story
This story started out a little odd, but you really need to read the whole thing to understand. This is just a special, sweet story that is so very much needed.
This story started out a little odd, but you really need to read the whole thing to understand. This is just a special, sweet story that is so very much needed.
April 22, 2020
I love this series. I thought that Books 1, 2 and 3 were much stronger. The plot line of Bernie - Sage’s husband showing up was lost. This book became more caught up in the personal story between Connie and Taylor vs the story itself.
December 10, 2018
Amazing!
I loved this book. For about 20 pages i got mixed up on who was a ghost and who wasnt, then i was ok.
I loved this book. For about 20 pages i got mixed up on who was a ghost and who wasnt, then i was ok.
December 11, 2018
Perfect!
Such a wonderful book. True, there is a murder to be solved, but the hopes and dreams and fears of the characters are real. And the ending...just perfect!
Such a wonderful book. True, there is a murder to be solved, but the hopes and dreams and fears of the characters are real. And the ending...just perfect!
December 15, 2018
Another fantastic cozy mystery with Connie and Sage and our favorite characters in Mystic Springs. Santa may be a murderer , but Christmas is not lost, and in the end we all hope we get the gift we really want. Definitely grab a copy curl up and enjoy.
June 25, 2019
Loved this one
Great holiday cozy mystery. Each book in the series gets better & better. I can't wait to read the next book.
Great holiday cozy mystery. Each book in the series gets better & better. I can't wait to read the next book.
May 2, 2020
Great series
Very much enjoying the entire series. Intriguing characters and fabulous story line. Can't wait to read more about this little town
Very much enjoying the entire series. Intriguing characters and fabulous story line. Can't wait to read more about this little town
May 5, 2020
Really cool series. I hope to read more from it. And I really like the main characters.
October 13, 2020
The lighthearted mystery we all need this year
I love the way spirits & full bodies co-exist. A bit of drama solved, Christmas & mommies, what could be better.
I love the way spirits & full bodies co-exist. A bit of drama solved, Christmas & mommies, what could be better.
November 30, 2020
A nice mystery.
A nice holiday mystery. I like the plot and the characters. There is humor. It is funny to see a ghost protest about discrimination against ghosts .
A nice holiday mystery. I like the plot and the characters. There is humor. It is funny to see a ghost protest about discrimination against ghosts .
August 27, 2021
Another excellent episode.
November 8, 2021
The story follows the same formula as the previous two. An engaging yarn but for my liking the ending was way too twee.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews