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Artzy Chicks Mysteries #1
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: The Golden Rings of Christmas
CHRISTMAS MIRACLES ABOUND Lily, LauraLea and the rest of the Artzy Chicks crew are busy preparing for another merry white Christmas at the Massanutten Mountain resort. Their art gallery has taught dozens of glitter classes and served gallons of Mulled Wine to their patrons. Their friend and local medical examiner, Dr. Kenzie Zimbro stops by to shop. Lily and LauraLea invite her to join them for a celebration but she turns them down, and informs them she will be working through the holiday season. The ladies detect a sadness in Kenzie they hadn't noticed before. A few days later, during a massive blizzard, Kenzie is forced to confront her demons when she investigates the death of a man in the snow. At first glance it appears as a bear attack. Despite what the local police deputy reports, Kenzie knows a Virginia black bear couldn't have killed the man. Her persistence leads to much more than solving a murder. A Christmas story of love, grief, and forgiveness.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2018
111 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Judith Lucci
63 books426 followersDr. Judith Lucci is an Amazon bestselling author who writes what she knows. She is the author of the Alex Destephano Medical Thriller Series and the soon to be released Michaela McPherson, Private Eye, a series centered on a retired homicide detective from Richmond, Virginia who really can’t retire.
“Before I wrote fiction, I was an academic writer who published research, theoretical works, text books and just about anything a nurse or college professor needed to publish to survive. The differences in academic writing and writing fiction are dramatic. Writing what I know propels me to pull from my clinical experiences, some good, some not and use popular fiction as a means to teach and advocate for others. My books have three purposes, to engage the reader, to entertain them and to educate about healthcare and perhaps, the darker side of hospital life.
I am a nurse and hold graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. I have always been a reader and a writer and I love it. I am a member of the Virginia Writers Club, The Shenandoah Valley Writers and Sisters in Crime.
When I’m not writing I am probably teaching, paining on silk as I am a multi-media artist or playing with my many dogs. Please feel free to contact me at judithlucciwrites@gmail.com. I am excited about meeting you!
“Before I wrote fiction, I was an academic writer who published research, theoretical works, text books and just about anything a nurse or college professor needed to publish to survive. The differences in academic writing and writing fiction are dramatic. Writing what I know propels me to pull from my clinical experiences, some good, some not and use popular fiction as a means to teach and advocate for others. My books have three purposes, to engage the reader, to entertain them and to educate about healthcare and perhaps, the darker side of hospital life.
I am a nurse and hold graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. I have always been a reader and a writer and I love it. I am a member of the Virginia Writers Club, The Shenandoah Valley Writers and Sisters in Crime.
When I’m not writing I am probably teaching, paining on silk as I am a multi-media artist or playing with my many dogs. Please feel free to contact me at judithlucciwrites@gmail.com. I am excited about meeting you!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 30, 2018
Christmas peace
What a wonderful uplifting story. Loved the way it covered loss, grief, love and the peace that comes with acceptance. Great characters that pull you in and whose emotions you share.
The Artsy Chicken were building up to Christmas with special events that their customers loved. However they were worried about the local ME. She showed signs of grief and loss that couldn't be hidden. This is her story. Called to to dead body she drives through driving snow, horrendous traffic to make it up to the mountain were the body had been found. Although the local police called this a bear mauling, she didn't think so. Plus there was a strange ring under one of the victims hands that gave off warmth when she held it. A new seconded officer told her about another ring that he had found. Going along the trail with him they find two more but only she can feel the warmth. Once back by the body they find another strange officer by himself keeping watch. All the others had gone! When the body gets to the morgue strange things happen. Why does the victim look like her dead husband? What is going on?
What a wonderful uplifting story. Loved the way it covered loss, grief, love and the peace that comes with acceptance. Great characters that pull you in and whose emotions you share.
The Artsy Chicken were building up to Christmas with special events that their customers loved. However they were worried about the local ME. She showed signs of grief and loss that couldn't be hidden. This is her story. Called to to dead body she drives through driving snow, horrendous traffic to make it up to the mountain were the body had been found. Although the local police called this a bear mauling, she didn't think so. Plus there was a strange ring under one of the victims hands that gave off warmth when she held it. A new seconded officer told her about another ring that he had found. Going along the trail with him they find two more but only she can feel the warmth. Once back by the body they find another strange officer by himself keeping watch. All the others had gone! When the body gets to the morgue strange things happen. Why does the victim look like her dead husband? What is going on?
November 2, 2018
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: The Golden Rings of Christmas is the first book in Judith Lucci’s Artsy Chicks Mystery series. This is a well-written and heartwarming story with a cast of interesting characters and a hint of the paranormal activity. Ms. Lucci has provided her readers with a powerful message about the need for those who have suffered the loss of a loved to move beyond their grief.
Just a few days before Christmas, Kenzie Zimbro, a still-grieving widowed medical examiner for a five-county wide area in rural Virginia, and her four-year-old black lab, Solomon, are heading to a reported bear mauling at The Lookout on Massanutten Mountain. She’s on her way to a potential crime scene, but makes a quick stop at Artisans Gallery, a charming shop that sells wonderful art and gifts created by local artists, and provides art and craft classes. Kenzie enjoys talking with two of the Artsy Chicks, LauraLea, the gallery’s owner, and Lily, an author and one of the artists, and has taken every class they’ve offered at least once. LauraLea and Lily sense sadness in Kenzie, but are unaware that she lost her husband, Gabe, almost two years ago in a tragic auto accident caused by a reckless driver. When she arrives at the scene, Officer Richard Derek hasn’t even had his men secure it, footprints are everywhere, and the police are standing around joking and talking about going bear hunting. While a bear mauling isn’t unheard of in the Virginia mountains, they don’t usually occur during a snowstorm in the winter when the bears are hibernating, and Kenzie doubts that’s what happened. Kenzie meets Benson Roberts, a police officer who recently moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, at the scene and he helps her during the investigation.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Just a few days before Christmas, Kenzie Zimbro, a still-grieving widowed medical examiner for a five-county wide area in rural Virginia, and her four-year-old black lab, Solomon, are heading to a reported bear mauling at The Lookout on Massanutten Mountain. She’s on her way to a potential crime scene, but makes a quick stop at Artisans Gallery, a charming shop that sells wonderful art and gifts created by local artists, and provides art and craft classes. Kenzie enjoys talking with two of the Artsy Chicks, LauraLea, the gallery’s owner, and Lily, an author and one of the artists, and has taken every class they’ve offered at least once. LauraLea and Lily sense sadness in Kenzie, but are unaware that she lost her husband, Gabe, almost two years ago in a tragic auto accident caused by a reckless driver. When she arrives at the scene, Officer Richard Derek hasn’t even had his men secure it, footprints are everywhere, and the police are standing around joking and talking about going bear hunting. While a bear mauling isn’t unheard of in the Virginia mountains, they don’t usually occur during a snowstorm in the winter when the bears are hibernating, and Kenzie doubts that’s what happened. Kenzie meets Benson Roberts, a police officer who recently moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, at the scene and he helps her during the investigation.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 10, 2018
On Massanutten Mountain, LauraLea, Lily and other Artzy Chicks gear up for a snowy Christmas. Lots of classes taught and drinking of spiced wine are all part of the festive game plan at the art gallery. When Dr. Kenzie, medical examiner, dropped by, she wasn’t in great spirits due to a sad loss in her life. She has to go to a crime scene where she was told a black bear mauled someone. She is suspicious of this because bear mauling is practically unheard of during winter in the Virginia mountains. Kenzie and Benson Roberts, a police officer met recently and will couple up to crack the case. In the heart of an immense snowstorm, Dr. Kenzie will come face to face with danger. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: The Golden Rings of Christmas: A Massanutten Tale is book 1 in the (Artzy Chicks Mysteries series.) It is a great tale for the Christmas season that deals with hardships and new beginnings and finding love. Fast paced and with a wonderful cast of cherished characters; I say hats off to the talented author, Judith Lucci. And the cover is beautifully done as well.
November 19, 2018
Whoa didn't see that coming!
First let me say this was a fun story for me to read. It was fun because I grew up, worked and live in the area that this story takes place in. It was so cool to be able to know what the areas in the story really look like. That said this story literally took my breath away. Along with Kenzie I'm trying to figure out why you have a dead male on top of a mountain resort, at Christmas in a snow and sleet storm that the resort cops were saying was mauled by a bear. Really! Who is the man and why do gold rings keep showing up. Then you have the weird cop watching over the body on the mountain show up at the autopsy. When I found out who the dead man was and why I literally lost my breath away. No wonder Kenzie hit the floor and passed out. I had no idea what was coming. Whoa what a mystery story! If you love mysteries I highly recommend this one. I can't wait to read the other books in this series!
First let me say this was a fun story for me to read. It was fun because I grew up, worked and live in the area that this story takes place in. It was so cool to be able to know what the areas in the story really look like. That said this story literally took my breath away. Along with Kenzie I'm trying to figure out why you have a dead male on top of a mountain resort, at Christmas in a snow and sleet storm that the resort cops were saying was mauled by a bear. Really! Who is the man and why do gold rings keep showing up. Then you have the weird cop watching over the body on the mountain show up at the autopsy. When I found out who the dead man was and why I literally lost my breath away. No wonder Kenzie hit the floor and passed out. I had no idea what was coming. Whoa what a mystery story! If you love mysteries I highly recommend this one. I can't wait to read the other books in this series!
May 23, 2020
Book two – The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: The Golden Rings of Christmas – Judith Lucci
Kinzie Zimbro, she's a widowed medical examiner for a five-county wide area in rural Virginia. She's heading to a reported bear mauling on Massanutten Mountain. When she arrives, the lead police man is showing to be incompetent. The crime scene hasn't been secured, footprints are everywhere, and the police are standing around smoking and telling jokes. He is also embarrassed when he learns that the victim was not killed by a bear.
This was a touching story that has a touch of the paranormal in it. It's about learning to move on past your grief when you've lost someone dear to you. I have not read Judith before, although I do have a couple of hers in my TBR pile. I will definitely be moving her books higher on my list.
Kinzie Zimbro, she's a widowed medical examiner for a five-county wide area in rural Virginia. She's heading to a reported bear mauling on Massanutten Mountain. When she arrives, the lead police man is showing to be incompetent. The crime scene hasn't been secured, footprints are everywhere, and the police are standing around smoking and telling jokes. He is also embarrassed when he learns that the victim was not killed by a bear.
This was a touching story that has a touch of the paranormal in it. It's about learning to move on past your grief when you've lost someone dear to you. I have not read Judith before, although I do have a couple of hers in my TBR pile. I will definitely be moving her books higher on my list.
November 8, 2018
This is book one in the Artsy Chicks Mystery series. Well-written and heart-warming that brought a few tears to my eyes.
Days before Christmas, Kenzie Zimbro, medical examiner who is still grieving the loss of her husband from two years ago, is on her way to a potential crime scene, a reported bear mauling at The Lookout. While a bear mauling isn’t unheard of in the Virginia mountains, they don’t usually occur when the bears are hibernating, and Kenzie doubts that’s what happened. Kenzie meets Benson Roberts, a police officer who recently moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, at the scene. Can this pair solve the crime? You will have to read it to find out.
Days before Christmas, Kenzie Zimbro, medical examiner who is still grieving the loss of her husband from two years ago, is on her way to a potential crime scene, a reported bear mauling at The Lookout. While a bear mauling isn’t unheard of in the Virginia mountains, they don’t usually occur when the bears are hibernating, and Kenzie doubts that’s what happened. Kenzie meets Benson Roberts, a police officer who recently moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, at the scene. Can this pair solve the crime? You will have to read it to find out.
November 28, 2018
The most wonderful crime of the year
This is a sweet, easygoing read. It is an interesting introduction to the characters and location. The plot moves along and has a bit of a Christmas puzzle for one of the characters. I enjoyed the Banter and interactions between the characters. Throw in a bit of a miracle and you have a neat Christmas tale. I am glad to review this book.
This is a sweet, easygoing read. It is an interesting introduction to the characters and location. The plot moves along and has a bit of a Christmas puzzle for one of the characters. I enjoyed the Banter and interactions between the characters. Throw in a bit of a miracle and you have a neat Christmas tale. I am glad to review this book.
December 1, 2018
This was not your usual murder or Christmas story. I think that is why I enjoyed it so much. It was fun and very heartwarming. And I loved that the “magic” of Christmas was an integral part of the story. I did wonder how the body was explained to the authorities at the end of the story. I guess that was part of the magic. I will happily read other cozy holiday stories by this author. Although I have to admit that I did kinda miss the explosions.
November 4, 2018
A Beautiful Christmas Story
This is a beautiful Christmas story about,loss a nd having a second chance at love.
The storyline and amazing characters had me in tears.
This book is recommended for those who love Christmas stories.
This is a beautiful Christmas story about,loss a nd having a second chance at love.
The storyline and amazing characters had me in tears.
This book is recommended for those who love Christmas stories.
November 4, 2018
A nice cozy Christmas mystery.
I just finished reading Ms. Lucci's Christmas story and it brought a few tears to my eyes. Love, magic, and an angel all come together in this sweet story.
I just finished reading Ms. Lucci's Christmas story and it brought a few tears to my eyes. Love, magic, and an angel all come together in this sweet story.
November 8, 2018
A Christmas mystery thriller. Right up my alley. This is a tale not to be missed with many twists and turns. Not forgetting love. grief and forgiveness as Author Judith Lucci so rightly described. This book left me spellbound for more. Waiting with bated breath for Book 2.
January 17, 2019
Lighthearted & sweet.
I enjoy reading about the artsy ladies and their different personalities. It shows older women in a great light. Not sure I would like yo live in that snowy climate, but fun to read aboug.
I enjoy reading about the artsy ladies and their different personalities. It shows older women in a great light. Not sure I would like yo live in that snowy climate, but fun to read aboug.
April 16, 2021
Not your normal Judith Lucci books. This had an feeling of wonder and mystic qualities to it. To go into it would be to give it away other than to say it revolves around some interesting ladies and Christmastime.
December 16, 2021
Miraculous Story
I don't know why this book isn't reviewed yet; it's awesome. A wonderful Christmas story, different from most others but filled with peace, hope, love and joy.
I don't know why this book isn't reviewed yet; it's awesome. A wonderful Christmas story, different from most others but filled with peace, hope, love and joy.
December 28, 2021
Read about 10 pages and the spelling and grammatical errors were too frequent to carry on.
January 3, 2025
Cute, fun Christmas read. I listened on audiobooks and I liked the two different voices of narration, but sometimes the guys voice was annoying.
March 13, 2025
Simple story that handles grief at Christmas
November 30, 2018
Did not finish...25% through the book and still wondering where the most wonderful crime of the year is! There is talk about a man killed by a bear that I assume is said crime, but too bored to find out. The writing is decent enough, though there are some typos and a lot of repetition. 1/4 of the way through a cozy Christmas mystery should have more going on than a bunch of women eating food, drinking beverages, talking about their dogs, and making crafts all the while talking about eating food, drinking beverages, talking about their dogs, and making crafts. The book even shifts POV in the third chapter for some reason before switching back. I'm sure there is a target audience for this. But I prefer for a short cozy mystery to actually get on with the mystery before chapter 5 without rambling on for four chapters and 1/4 of the book. Also had language in it, if anyone is wondering. Disappointed and won't be reading this author again.
December 29, 2017
Medical examiner Kenzie Zimbro, or Dr. Z to most, and he dog Solomon brave the sleet and snow to examine a body found near Lover's Lane. The man appears to have been mauled by a bear, and the case is viewed as such by the local police. But the man's death is suspicious in Kenzie's eyes, especially when she and a newcomer to the area find several gold rings near the body, and a mysterious security (Officer Angel) guard from the resort shows up when least expected. Back at the morgue, Kenzie discovers the body to be that of her husband, who died two years ago. With the help of 'Officer Angel', Kenzie is able to say her final goodbyes to her husband and her overwhelming grief, and move into the New Year with a sense of peace.
Short cozy with paranormal elements, probably less than 50 pages.
Short cozy with paranormal elements, probably less than 50 pages.
November 2, 2018
Judith Lucci, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
I've enjoyed this author's Crescent City Series and now this story. Well written, heartwarming story with a set of interesting, charming characters. You're expecting a murder, but it's not the death usually found in crime dramas.
It's a real Christmas story, the real meaning of Christmas. Said too much already.
Merged review:
Judith Lucci, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
I've enjoyed this author's Crescent City Series and now this story. Well written, heartwarming story with a set of interesting, charming characters. You're expecting a murder, but it's not the death usually found in crime dramas.
It's a real Christmas story, the real meaning of Christmas. Said too much already.
I've enjoyed this author's Crescent City Series and now this story. Well written, heartwarming story with a set of interesting, charming characters. You're expecting a murder, but it's not the death usually found in crime dramas.
It's a real Christmas story, the real meaning of Christmas. Said too much already.
Merged review:
Judith Lucci, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
I've enjoyed this author's Crescent City Series and now this story. Well written, heartwarming story with a set of interesting, charming characters. You're expecting a murder, but it's not the death usually found in crime dramas.
It's a real Christmas story, the real meaning of Christmas. Said too much already.
November 6, 2018
Oh how I'd love to live amongst these wonderful women in such an amazing setting! Lily and LauraLea run the local area gallery and are best of friends. Sometimes that's hard to tell and quite funny when they snip at each other. Kenzie is the local medical examiner and takes any art class they offer if she has the time. Unfortunately she's on call for the two days before Christmas. Sure enough, she gets a call about a dead body that's been mauled by a bear at The Lookout, also known as Lovers Lane. This case is weird from the beginning and it's up to Kenzie to figure it out with the help of Benson, some type of cop on a case in the area. This is a funny, surprising and sweet cozy and I absolutely loved it!
January 9, 2018
Once again, great character development and very good story line, but some of the extra/double words were a little frustrating. Will try another by this author.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews