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Charlie Cooper Mystery #4.5
Jingled
This is a holiday SHORT story, but long enough for you to enjoy it with a glass of eggnog...or two glasses...*wink*
The holiday season has arrived in Springston…and at the Coopers’ house. Soft snow outside, creamy eggnog inside – it’s the perfect Christmas Eve for Charlie Cooper, the town’s most clumsy undercover detective.
Not to mention the yummy turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, thick gravy and all the other delicious dishes made by Charlie’s mom for the whole family and Charlie’s two best friends and crime fighting partners, Marge and Celeste.
With such a perfect Christmastime in sight, nothing could really go wrong. Or could it? Well, there’s nothing like being held at gunpoint on Christmas Eve to bring joy into your heart.
When the food gets mysteriously ruined, the Christmas tree almost wrecked and apparently having a nice holiday feast just isn’t about to happen, Charlie wonders about that so-called Christmas spirit.
One thing is for Charlie will always remember this year’s holiday as “barely surviving Christmas at the Coopers’ house”.
The Charlie Cooper series so
JAMMED - book #1
PICKLED - book #2
DICED - book #3
GLAZED - book #4
You can also visit www.deanyray.com. Would be happy if you stop by.
The holiday season has arrived in Springston…and at the Coopers’ house. Soft snow outside, creamy eggnog inside – it’s the perfect Christmas Eve for Charlie Cooper, the town’s most clumsy undercover detective.
Not to mention the yummy turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, thick gravy and all the other delicious dishes made by Charlie’s mom for the whole family and Charlie’s two best friends and crime fighting partners, Marge and Celeste.
With such a perfect Christmastime in sight, nothing could really go wrong. Or could it? Well, there’s nothing like being held at gunpoint on Christmas Eve to bring joy into your heart.
When the food gets mysteriously ruined, the Christmas tree almost wrecked and apparently having a nice holiday feast just isn’t about to happen, Charlie wonders about that so-called Christmas spirit.
One thing is for Charlie will always remember this year’s holiday as “barely surviving Christmas at the Coopers’ house”.
The Charlie Cooper series so
JAMMED - book #1
PICKLED - book #2
DICED - book #3
GLAZED - book #4
You can also visit www.deanyray.com. Would be happy if you stop by.
- GenresCozy Mystery
70 pages, ebook
Published November 15, 2018
80 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Deany Ray
42 books239 followershttps://www.facebook.com/deanyraybooks/
Deany Ray has always wanted to be a writer so she decided to take the plunge and dive into it.
She loves writing cozy mysteries, as this is what she likes to read the most.
Her favorite activities are traveling, going to the movie theatre, meeting up with friends and having cooking sessions with her awesome mom.
Deany Ray has always wanted to be a writer so she decided to take the plunge and dive into it.
She loves writing cozy mysteries, as this is what she likes to read the most.
Her favorite activities are traveling, going to the movie theatre, meeting up with friends and having cooking sessions with her awesome mom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 22, 2021
It's Christmas Eve at the Cooper's house and all is just about perfect. Mom is cooking and baking, Charlie is making the dessert (not her best achievement, but she's determined, Dad and her brothers are roasting chestnuts out on the grill and Charlie's two best friends and crime solving partners are present and accounted for.
The chestnuts start exploding, sending everyone to cower on the ground. The neighbors call the cops ... the cops break through the front door pointing their guns at them expecting .. .something. The Christmas tree lays on the floor ... all the pretty ornaments rolling here and there. The wonderful food that was on the table is now spread all over the kitchen.
Who ... or .... what is going on? Charlie and her family and friends are wondering about that so-called Christmas spirit.
One thing is for sure: Charlie will always remember this year’s holiday as “barely surviving Christmas at the Coopers’ house”.
Just in time for Christmas, this is a light-hearted, a laugh-out-loud , fast-paced, humorous mystery. The characters feel like family. The ending leaves the reader with a smile, and a warm feeling all the way through.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this holiday short story. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
The chestnuts start exploding, sending everyone to cower on the ground. The neighbors call the cops ... the cops break through the front door pointing their guns at them expecting .. .something. The Christmas tree lays on the floor ... all the pretty ornaments rolling here and there. The wonderful food that was on the table is now spread all over the kitchen.
Who ... or .... what is going on? Charlie and her family and friends are wondering about that so-called Christmas spirit.
One thing is for sure: Charlie will always remember this year’s holiday as “barely surviving Christmas at the Coopers’ house”.
Just in time for Christmas, this is a light-hearted, a laugh-out-loud , fast-paced, humorous mystery. The characters feel like family. The ending leaves the reader with a smile, and a warm feeling all the way through.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this holiday short story. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 15, 2018
Tickled me
A wonderful funny read that tickled my funny bone. Just be aware that it is only 73% of the page count. The Christmas feast that wasn't or was it?
Christmas Day and the cooking is well underway whilst they await the arrival of her two colleagues. Her father and brothers are busy roasting the chestnuts outside. However the arrival of her two BFF's is broken by the sound of what seems to be gunfire. A dash outside has them ducking exploding chestnuts until her dad manages to pull the pan off the fire. Throw in a destroyed gingerbread house, the SWAT team, a Tarzan impression, a ruined dinnery, a fire hazard and a grey squirrel for a feast that isn't! What will they do now? Is Christmas ruined or is it just going to be better but different?
A wonderful funny read that tickled my funny bone. Just be aware that it is only 73% of the page count. The Christmas feast that wasn't or was it?
Christmas Day and the cooking is well underway whilst they await the arrival of her two colleagues. Her father and brothers are busy roasting the chestnuts outside. However the arrival of her two BFF's is broken by the sound of what seems to be gunfire. A dash outside has them ducking exploding chestnuts until her dad manages to pull the pan off the fire. Throw in a destroyed gingerbread house, the SWAT team, a Tarzan impression, a ruined dinnery, a fire hazard and a grey squirrel for a feast that isn't! What will they do now? Is Christmas ruined or is it just going to be better but different?
November 10, 2021
3.5 rounded up. A fun, fast paced novella. It made me laugh a few times.
January 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jingled by Deany Ray
This was a cute little holiday short that I easily read in one sitting (preferably with a festive drink in hand 😉). Going in knowing it’s a short story definitely helped set expectations, and for the most part it delivered a fun, Christmassy moment.
I really enjoyed Charlie as a main character — a clumsy undercover detective spending Christmas Eve with family, friends, and lots of food is already a win in my book. The cozy holiday vibes were strong, and the chaos that unfolds added some humor and light suspense that kept things interesting.
That said, because it is so short, everything wraps up pretty quickly. I found myself wanting just a little more depth and breathing room for the story to really shine. Still, it was entertaining, festive, and perfect if you’re in the mood for a quick holiday read without a big commitment.
Overall, a fun, cozy Christmas short that’s easy to enjoy — especially if you love holiday mishaps, quirky characters, and a dash of chaos 🎄📚
This was a cute little holiday short that I easily read in one sitting (preferably with a festive drink in hand 😉). Going in knowing it’s a short story definitely helped set expectations, and for the most part it delivered a fun, Christmassy moment.
I really enjoyed Charlie as a main character — a clumsy undercover detective spending Christmas Eve with family, friends, and lots of food is already a win in my book. The cozy holiday vibes were strong, and the chaos that unfolds added some humor and light suspense that kept things interesting.
That said, because it is so short, everything wraps up pretty quickly. I found myself wanting just a little more depth and breathing room for the story to really shine. Still, it was entertaining, festive, and perfect if you’re in the mood for a quick holiday read without a big commitment.
Overall, a fun, cozy Christmas short that’s easy to enjoy — especially if you love holiday mishaps, quirky characters, and a dash of chaos 🎄📚
November 7, 2018
Jingled, A Charlie Cooper Mystery Christmas short story is a special treat, especially since Charlie is one of my favorite cozy characters.
I have been reading about her and the girls from the beginning and have enjoyed it immensely.
It's Christmas, and it is being celebrated in the Cooper household. Everyone is enjoying themselves and eagerly awaiting dinner time, when strange things begin to happen.
From chestnut attack, to destroyed Christmas tree and decorations, to police busting in the door and ruined feast...
Someone or something is dead set on ruing the holiday.
Join Charlie and the gang in this fabulously funny and entertaining seasonal read and celebrate holiday with funniest and quirkiest lady detectives with lots of laugh and some holiday miracles.
I have been reading about her and the girls from the beginning and have enjoyed it immensely.
It's Christmas, and it is being celebrated in the Cooper household. Everyone is enjoying themselves and eagerly awaiting dinner time, when strange things begin to happen.
From chestnut attack, to destroyed Christmas tree and decorations, to police busting in the door and ruined feast...
Someone or something is dead set on ruing the holiday.
Join Charlie and the gang in this fabulously funny and entertaining seasonal read and celebrate holiday with funniest and quirkiest lady detectives with lots of laugh and some holiday miracles.
December 7, 2023
This has to be one of the best Christmas stories I’ve ever read! There was plenty of the signature Charlie Cooper story humor and craziness as one disaster after another occurred when her family and two friends were attempting to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner. There was even a little mystery in it as well. Marge cracked me up as she kept blaming the disasters on a ghost lol.
But Marge was right about this Christmas Eve turned out, it was truly magical once they’d gone over to the diner. What an amazing night, and there might’ve been a little happy eye leakage on my part as I read. Just. So. Good. 😊
I received a free copy of this book via a BookFunnel promotion several years ago, and I’m voluntarily reading and reviewing it.
But Marge was right about this Christmas Eve turned out, it was truly magical once they’d gone over to the diner. What an amazing night, and there might’ve been a little happy eye leakage on my part as I read. Just. So. Good. 😊
I received a free copy of this book via a BookFunnel promotion several years ago, and I’m voluntarily reading and reviewing it.
December 28, 2021
A very different Christmas mystery. This one keeps you guessing, is it
human, or ghost. Lots of antics from the start to finnish, you laugh so
hard at just about all the way through the story. You really will be
surprised at who done it, but I'm not telling. You have to read it to find out.
I really enjoyed the ending of the story, it really made and brought the story
together to a perfect Christmas ending. The book dose contain some
colorful metaphors in it. Other than that the book was great, and I really
enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Debra H.
human, or ghost. Lots of antics from the start to finnish, you laugh so
hard at just about all the way through the story. You really will be
surprised at who done it, but I'm not telling. You have to read it to find out.
I really enjoyed the ending of the story, it really made and brought the story
together to a perfect Christmas ending. The book dose contain some
colorful metaphors in it. Other than that the book was great, and I really
enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Debra H.
December 3, 2018
It's more of a holiday mystery involving family and friends who find disaster at every step of the way in this 70-page short.
I enjoyed parts of it. Hey, I love Christmas with all its joys and coming-together of friends and family. Then again, people who are stupid don't pull me in to a story. Which is not particularly fair of me, as it was only that last disaster that could have been averted if someone had been thinking.
It's cute enough.
I enjoyed parts of it. Hey, I love Christmas with all its joys and coming-together of friends and family. Then again, people who are stupid don't pull me in to a story. Which is not particularly fair of me, as it was only that last disaster that could have been averted if someone had been thinking.
It's cute enough.
November 26, 2020
I would consider this holiday farce more of a novella than a short story. It's a story filled with all sorts of laughable occurrences to make a holiday memorable but not necessarily good. Think of the Chevy Chase movie, Christmas Vacation. Too many humorous situations to list. This could become a holiday classic.
If you enjoyed Christmas Vacation, you're bound to like this book. I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion in a review.
If you enjoyed Christmas Vacation, you're bound to like this book. I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion in a review.
December 12, 2023
This was easily the most chaotic, jam packed with humor, keeps you on your toes, holiday short story, that I’ve ever read. I was quite literally in tears from laughter numerous times. The Cooper family and their mishaps are so relatable to things that would happen to my family on Christmas, that I felt like I was reading a story from my life 😂 I absolutely loved every second and will now be reading every book in this series. My only complaint is that there wasn’t more pages 🤣
December 3, 2018
Just not comfortable with the way this is going--one chapter in, and there's been some language (probably mild by most people's standards, but I'm not comfortable with it), several references to drinking, and an unidentified but likely embarrassing present that's supposed to get things moving with her "sexy" boyfriend. Not my style.
December 5, 2018
A funny Christmas story. This is part of s series.
Charlie and her friends go to her parents' house for Christmas Eve. Once there, strange things begin to happen. One disaster after another ruins their Christmas dinner. I laughed and felt sorry for the Cooper family at the same time. I was not surprised when they found the culprit. I still enjoyed the story.
Charlie and her friends go to her parents' house for Christmas Eve. Once there, strange things begin to happen. One disaster after another ruins their Christmas dinner. I laughed and felt sorry for the Cooper family at the same time. I was not surprised when they found the culprit. I still enjoyed the story.
December 17, 2019
Great Christmas story!
What a great story for Christmas!! Charlie's Christmas Eve was a five-star silly, ridiculous, wonderful affair! I laughed so hard I was crying. I've read all Deany Ray's books, but this was the kicker. Her sense of humor is fantastic. Be sure to read this book!!! It's definitely worth it!
What a great story for Christmas!! Charlie's Christmas Eve was a five-star silly, ridiculous, wonderful affair! I laughed so hard I was crying. I've read all Deany Ray's books, but this was the kicker. Her sense of humor is fantastic. Be sure to read this book!!! It's definitely worth it!
January 27, 2021
Funny Christmas Eve story for the reader, but Charlie, family, and guests weren't having much fun! Marge insisted the house was haunted. The neighbor thought they were being held at gunpoint. Every time they left the house, they returned to a disaster.
Don't miss this very short and fun addition to the series. Merry Christmas to all no matter when you read it!
Don't miss this very short and fun addition to the series. Merry Christmas to all no matter when you read it!
Read
October 27, 2021I loved this book, except for one bad word. Why she had to do that I don't know .Other than that, I couldn't read it for laughing. I was actually crying I laughed so hard. There's a series, but I don't know if she will do the same for them. I don't use bad language, and I don't read it either. So that one word ruined a funny, funny book for me.
November 6, 2018
What a fun and delightful comedy of errors.
If it can go wrong for Christmas Dinner at the Coopers, it does.
As many mishaps that can possibly be put into a short story is there. Along with a great fell good and all around happy ending just for Christmas.
If it can go wrong for Christmas Dinner at the Coopers, it does.
As many mishaps that can possibly be put into a short story is there. Along with a great fell good and all around happy ending just for Christmas.
November 22, 2018
I'm Still Laughing!!
This episode of Charlie, Marge and Celeste was beyond funny. I laughed throughout the entire book. This was a total surprise of the "Who" in a "Who Done It" mystery that will leave you laughing even after its done being read.
This episode of Charlie, Marge and Celeste was beyond funny. I laughed throughout the entire book. This was a total surprise of the "Who" in a "Who Done It" mystery that will leave you laughing even after its done being read.
April 1, 2020
I was laughing out loud more than once while reading this short story!
This short story is so funny! It could only happen in Charlie Cooper’s world. This is one Christmas Eve that the family and friends of Charlie Cooper will be talking about for years to come!
This short story is so funny! It could only happen in Charlie Cooper’s world. This is one Christmas Eve that the family and friends of Charlie Cooper will be talking about for years to come!
November 10, 2021
Not a bad story. It has some amusing moments. But the "mystery" never felt like anything significant and the various problems were met with too much angst. The ending was predictable by about the halfway point in the book.
March 28, 2023
The continuous strings of disasters at the Cooper's Christmas Eve had me crying as some of it seemed so ludicrous. Thankfully, the ending was the saving grace showing what Christmas is all about, the community coming together in times of need.
July 4, 2024
Funny & Entertaining
Such a cute story of a family's Christmas being ruined by a trapped squirrel. Totally made a mess, but thanks to their restaurant, & many friends & neighbors who heard of their plight, their Christmas Eve dinner was not ruined.
Such a cute story of a family's Christmas being ruined by a trapped squirrel. Totally made a mess, but thanks to their restaurant, & many friends & neighbors who heard of their plight, their Christmas Eve dinner was not ruined.
October 24, 2024
Oh my! What a delightful Christmas read! What havoc ensued! Although I’m not sure why the one friend is so scared of ghosts, of all things, the entire situation was a calamity!
Super short and easy to read, this book will make you grateful for a mess free Christmas Eve dinner!
Super short and easy to read, this book will make you grateful for a mess free Christmas Eve dinner!
December 3, 2018
Loved the mystery, have read all the series and this was a nice addition.
March 6, 2019
Excellent story
Charlie and family at Christmas. Very entertaining i can't want for the next book very funny and a quick read
Charlie and family at Christmas. Very entertaining i can't want for the next book very funny and a quick read
March 4, 2020
Quick read with laugh out loud moments!!!
November 6, 2020
Best Christmas story ever
This story reminds me of my life this year. But this is more fun. I will definitely be.reading more of this author.
This story reminds me of my life this year. But this is more fun. I will definitely be.reading more of this author.
December 24, 2020
A quick, fun story of Christmas gone wrong. Who’s to blame? Is the house haunted? Can the holiday be saved?
Grab a cup of cheer and find out!!
Grab a cup of cheer and find out!!
October 17, 2021
Really cute short Christmas story. Nice and easy read.
October 28, 2021
Oh what fun! Although some of the actions were just plain silly, the ending made up for it. Received as a complimentary review copy from the author in return for an honest review.
November 15, 2021
This is a wonderful short story. I enjoyed it very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews