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Lucy Stone #12 & 20
'Tis the Season Murder
Christmas has come to Tinker's Cove, Maine, and sleuthing skills are at the top of Lucy's Stone's wish list in these two beloved mysteries--now collected in one festive volume for the very first time! . . .
NEW YEAR'S EVE MURDER
After the annual parade of Christmas presents in Tinker's Cove has ended, Lucy Stone and her daughter are ready to ring in the new year in style. Elizabeth has won mother/daughter winter makeovers in Manhattan from Jolie magazine! But the all-expenses-paid trip is bound to have some hidden costs--and one of them is murder. Soon it will be up to Lucy to dress down a killer before the ball drops in Times Square . . .
CHRISTMAS CAROL MURDER
Lucy Stone is excited about acting in the town's production of A Christmas Carol. But a real-life Scrooge has everyone feeling frosty. While Tinker's Cove has fallen on hard times, Downeast Mortgage owners Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner are raking in profits from misfortune. So when Marlowe is murdered, the suspects are many. But Scribner claims Marlowe's ghost has come to warn him of his own impending demise--and he's soon receiving death threats. Now Lucy will have to solve the case faster than she can say "Bah! Humbug!." . .
NEW YEAR'S EVE MURDER
After the annual parade of Christmas presents in Tinker's Cove has ended, Lucy Stone and her daughter are ready to ring in the new year in style. Elizabeth has won mother/daughter winter makeovers in Manhattan from Jolie magazine! But the all-expenses-paid trip is bound to have some hidden costs--and one of them is murder. Soon it will be up to Lucy to dress down a killer before the ball drops in Times Square . . .
CHRISTMAS CAROL MURDER
Lucy Stone is excited about acting in the town's production of A Christmas Carol. But a real-life Scrooge has everyone feeling frosty. While Tinker's Cove has fallen on hard times, Downeast Mortgage owners Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner are raking in profits from misfortune. So when Marlowe is murdered, the suspects are many. But Scribner claims Marlowe's ghost has come to warn him of his own impending demise--and he's soon receiving death threats. Now Lucy will have to solve the case faster than she can say "Bah! Humbug!." . .
416 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2019
203 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Meier
70 books2,070 followersLeslie Meier lives in Braintree and Harwich (Cape Cod), Massachusetts. She is the creator of 'Lucy Stone', a reporter and amateur sleuth in the fictional seaside village of Tinker's Cove, Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 27, 2025
Lucy does get herself into trouble!!! Enjoying all these shorties. Fun to read in between novels and catch up!
January 30, 2020
NEW YEAR'S EVE MURDER, 4.5 Stars
It is New Year’s Eve and Lucy Stone is excited to be able to spend it in New York with her oldest daughter Elizabeth. They are part of a team of mothers and daughters after Elizabeth won a winter makeover contest. The grand prize winners will win $10,000. As Lucy and husband Bill have gotten a letter informing them that they will be that much short for Elizabeth’s next year of college, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Aside from looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with Elizabeth, Lucy hopes to visit with her long-time friend Samantha. However, they have a very full agenda, including fittings, photo shoots and the like.
As all of the pairs are working hard at the activities, suddenly Nadine Nelson, the fashion editor, falls ill and dies. Nadine wasn’t always well-liked, and the rumor mill was very much at work, so foul play is definitely suspected. What’s worse is that Elizabeth falls seriously ill and is hospitalized with very similar symptoms that affected Nadine before her death.
Lucy is an amateur detective, and she jumps right in to track down the killer. Most definitely time is of the essence. As always, this cozy mystery was a quick read it had just enough bite and intrigue to engage me in one sitting. Usually Lucy solves these crimes in her hometown of Tinker’s Cove. She has her work cut out for her in the Big Apple. New Year's Eve Murder was a very enjoyable story and had a delightful conclusion. I have been enjoying these stories and this is book 12 of 26. I look forward to continuing with the series.
CHRISTMAS CAROL MURDER, 3 Stars
It is Christmas in Tinker's Cove and Lucy Stone is busy as usual. However, times in the little town in Maine are not easy. Christmas is not going to be a lovely holiday for everyone. However, those at Downeast Mortgage are unseemly celebrating other people's losses. His murder comes as no surprise, and suspects are plentiful.
Lucy does what she does best. She decides to find the killer, even if it interferes with her job, family and even her desire to take classes.
Christmas Carol Murder, by the title alone, reminded me a bit of the Dickens classic. With a not-so-unexpected ghost, the typical twists and turns, and the danger Lucy always seems to find make this a delightful edition to the series.
I have enjoyed this series to-date, and have less than ten left. Since I love cozy mysteries, I am thrilled to have found this series and it holds a warm place in my heart.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
It is New Year’s Eve and Lucy Stone is excited to be able to spend it in New York with her oldest daughter Elizabeth. They are part of a team of mothers and daughters after Elizabeth won a winter makeover contest. The grand prize winners will win $10,000. As Lucy and husband Bill have gotten a letter informing them that they will be that much short for Elizabeth’s next year of college, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Aside from looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with Elizabeth, Lucy hopes to visit with her long-time friend Samantha. However, they have a very full agenda, including fittings, photo shoots and the like.
As all of the pairs are working hard at the activities, suddenly Nadine Nelson, the fashion editor, falls ill and dies. Nadine wasn’t always well-liked, and the rumor mill was very much at work, so foul play is definitely suspected. What’s worse is that Elizabeth falls seriously ill and is hospitalized with very similar symptoms that affected Nadine before her death.
Lucy is an amateur detective, and she jumps right in to track down the killer. Most definitely time is of the essence. As always, this cozy mystery was a quick read it had just enough bite and intrigue to engage me in one sitting. Usually Lucy solves these crimes in her hometown of Tinker’s Cove. She has her work cut out for her in the Big Apple. New Year's Eve Murder was a very enjoyable story and had a delightful conclusion. I have been enjoying these stories and this is book 12 of 26. I look forward to continuing with the series.
CHRISTMAS CAROL MURDER, 3 Stars
It is Christmas in Tinker's Cove and Lucy Stone is busy as usual. However, times in the little town in Maine are not easy. Christmas is not going to be a lovely holiday for everyone. However, those at Downeast Mortgage are unseemly celebrating other people's losses. His murder comes as no surprise, and suspects are plentiful.
Lucy does what she does best. She decides to find the killer, even if it interferes with her job, family and even her desire to take classes.
Christmas Carol Murder, by the title alone, reminded me a bit of the Dickens classic. With a not-so-unexpected ghost, the typical twists and turns, and the danger Lucy always seems to find make this a delightful edition to the series.
I have enjoyed this series to-date, and have less than ten left. Since I love cozy mysteries, I am thrilled to have found this series and it holds a warm place in my heart.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 19, 2019
‘Tis the Season Murder by Leslie Meier contains two Lucy Stone holiday mysteries. Christmas Carol Murder (Book Twenty) and New Year’s Eve Murder (Book Twelve) give us a look back at Lucy at different stages in her life. While I had read both books previously, it did not hinder my enjoyment. I had a good time reading about Lucy’s adventures. New Year’s Eve Murder has Lucy and Elizabeth heading to Manhattan for a winter makeover that Elizabeth won from Jolie magazine. There are some humorous situations in this story that had me giggling. Lucy was looking forward to spa treatments and instead receives harsh criticism from Jolie magazines editors. Her lobster watch and duck boots garnered quite a bit of attention. Christmas Carol Murder has Lucy taking to the stage in the local production of A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Cratchit. When Jacob Marlowe ends up dead, many of the town’s residents believe it is karma. Jacob and his partner, Ben Scribner at Downeast Mortgage have been raking in the dough with the foreclosure of properties (and then selling them off for a profit). Lucy has her work cut out for her if she is going to solve this crime. The suspect is longer than Eloise’s Christmas list (I like the movie version with Julie Andrews playing Nanny). I found both stories to be well-written and engaging. It amazes me at how far Lucy Stone has come since Mistletoe Murder. There is a preview of Invitation Only Murder at the end. If you are looking for two entertaining Christmas cozy mysteries, then check out ‘Tis the Season Murder. ‘Tis the Season Murder has murder, mayhem and merriment.
July 6, 2020
New Year’s Eve Murder
I enjoyed reading this book. It was nice see another side of Lucy. Since Lucy and her daughter are on a mother/daughter trip to NYC Lucy seems a little more relaxed. She isn’t stressing about chores or what the other kids are doing. The mystery was a little slower than usual but still entertaining.
Christmas Carol Murder
This is a charming spin on a old classic. I enjoy reading about Lucy’s investigations. She can sometimes be a little nosy and get herself in to dangerous situations but she is likable. The mystery is fast paced with several twists and turns.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was nice see another side of Lucy. Since Lucy and her daughter are on a mother/daughter trip to NYC Lucy seems a little more relaxed. She isn’t stressing about chores or what the other kids are doing. The mystery was a little slower than usual but still entertaining.
Christmas Carol Murder
This is a charming spin on a old classic. I enjoy reading about Lucy’s investigations. She can sometimes be a little nosy and get herself in to dangerous situations but she is likable. The mystery is fast paced with several twists and turns.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
October 7, 2019
Lucy's daughter Elizabeth won mother/daughter winter makeovers in New York from a popular magazine and the two are looking forward to spending some time together.
With Christmas over they are excited to head off on their adventure and be pampered for a few days. When one of the beauty consuls dies and it ends up being murder and not the flu Lucy can't help but to look at all those around them. She soon learns that things are much worse than she thought and when Elizabeth ends up very sick she knows she must find the culprit in hopes that no one else will fall ill.
In this second story Lucy can't wait to participate in A Christmas Carol, a production the town puts on every year. When one of her cast mates is murdered she wants to find the killer so the show can go on. With death threats showing up it looks like another murder is set to happen but Lucy hopes that she can figure out what's going on before another death occurs. The show must go on but will all the actors be alive to pay their parts?
This is a wonderful combination of two holiday stories that gives you a look into the Stone's holiday season. A fun read that will have you looking forward to the holidays.
With Christmas over they are excited to head off on their adventure and be pampered for a few days. When one of the beauty consuls dies and it ends up being murder and not the flu Lucy can't help but to look at all those around them. She soon learns that things are much worse than she thought and when Elizabeth ends up very sick she knows she must find the culprit in hopes that no one else will fall ill.
In this second story Lucy can't wait to participate in A Christmas Carol, a production the town puts on every year. When one of her cast mates is murdered she wants to find the killer so the show can go on. With death threats showing up it looks like another murder is set to happen but Lucy hopes that she can figure out what's going on before another death occurs. The show must go on but will all the actors be alive to pay their parts?
This is a wonderful combination of two holiday stories that gives you a look into the Stone's holiday season. A fun read that will have you looking forward to the holidays.
November 28, 2019
I had never read any Leslie Meier but she had always been on my list of cozy authors to check out since I love holiday themed mysteries and many of hers seemed to fit the bill. Unfortunately it seems that she just might not be an author for me.
I read half of the first book in this collection, New Year's Eve Murder, and I've lost interest, so much so that I won't be reading the second book, Christmas Carol Murder. While parts of the story appealed to me (the mother-laugher bonding, the New York sights and sounds), I found the whole thing to be somewhat dated (it looks like it was originally published 15 years ago and it apparently hasn't aged super well) and I just couldn't really move past that. Maybe one day I'll try a more recent publication to see if that makes a difference for me.
ARC Provided by NetGalley
I read half of the first book in this collection, New Year's Eve Murder, and I've lost interest, so much so that I won't be reading the second book, Christmas Carol Murder. While parts of the story appealed to me (the mother-laugher bonding, the New York sights and sounds), I found the whole thing to be somewhat dated (it looks like it was originally published 15 years ago and it apparently hasn't aged super well) and I just couldn't really move past that. Maybe one day I'll try a more recent publication to see if that makes a difference for me.
ARC Provided by NetGalley
January 6, 2020
I have enjoyed Meier’s books in the past. I believe that originally these two stories were bypassed for publication. My guess is that in order to capitalize on holiday book sales these two titles were slapped together for a quick sale.
Where do I start? The first story was a mishmash of characters, long and boring descriptions of New York sites, and a very implausible plot line. I had to push myself to get through it.
The second story was a Scrooge redo that Meier cobbled together. I skimmed this story because it was so weak.
Very disappointing. I do point a finger at publishers who were looking for some inevitable holiday sales. Hopefully next time Meier won’t cave in to that. In recent books her writing continues to improve. But ugh to this rotten apple.
Where do I start? The first story was a mishmash of characters, long and boring descriptions of New York sites, and a very implausible plot line. I had to push myself to get through it.
The second story was a Scrooge redo that Meier cobbled together. I skimmed this story because it was so weak.
Very disappointing. I do point a finger at publishers who were looking for some inevitable holiday sales. Hopefully next time Meier won’t cave in to that. In recent books her writing continues to improve. But ugh to this rotten apple.
September 13, 2019
This book is made up of two books, New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder. Both are very good although there's no true investigating. In the first Lucy Stone the main character is in New York city with her daughter for a makeover and gets dragged into an anthrax scare. Eventually she finds that a terrorist group is operating in New York and she is instrumental in catching them. In the second book Lucy is mostly working for and investigating stories for her newspaper focusing on the amount of social injustices and foreclosure in her town when she helps identify a bomber who's been affected by it all. I enjoyed the books. #TisTheSeasonMurder #NetGalley
November 17, 2019
When anyone asks for a cozy mystery recommendation, the top of the list is Leslie Meier. Her family of characters and their communities may see the scene of many a crime, but they always manage to solve the mystery in the nick of time and still keep their sense of humor. The holiday editions are always a favorite and this re-issue of a couple of my favorites is indeed a nice holiday gift to me!!! Join Lucy and her co-horts as they do what they do best...solve crime.
November 27, 2019
‘Tis the Season Murder includes two previously released seasonal murder mystery by Leslie Meir which packaged together work very well together. Whilst on one hand they have season tidings, the other hand provides a cosy, hot chocolate by the fireplace domestic mystery that warms the heart..
The first of these two tales is New Year’s Eve Murder which leaves the town of Tinker Cove for the big city lights of New York City. Lucy Stone and her daughter win a makeover trip with a leading fashion magazine. When a death occurs and Lucy’s daughter is in danger, the mystery pursues. This is where Meir really knows her characters and makes them come alive. They are on par with a Fannie Flagg novel where each has their own personality and mostly are people you really would like to get to know.
What makes this story interesting is that Meir relies on first impressions and then changing this as the novel progresses. The plotting and story are very well done and the reader gets an invested interest to reach its exciting conclusion.
Christmas Carol Murder has Lucy back in her hometown working at the local paper when a mail bomb blows away the most cankerous man in Tinker Cove. From this starting point, we have the town of Tinker Cove which is small but has a drive-in McDonald’s and a local IGA so not sure how small this town is. This is not a grip or criticism but more of wonder on the workings of this town which as this is a series of book, probably is better spelled out if you follow the exploits of Lucy.
Again we have a large cast of characters that are wonderfully put together and against the Christmas backdrop work wonderfully. Meir again changes things up by placing the murder and town against political hot potatoes dealing with foreclosures, taxes and small town life and how these affect your neighbours, family and friends. We have a nearby college which has an Act Up student body protesting against social and political consciousness which works extremely well with the confines of the novel.
The novel really benefits from the small town cosy setting and the neighbourly way things pursue. The murder mystery found within its pages works very well and again the reader is totally invested in this world. Meir produces books that really warms the reader into this world.
Together we have an even collection of two very well put together books to give a festive treat to all readers. Although this doesn’t have the thriller excitement of other mystery thrillers, there is something to be said to be able to produce a realistic murder mystery with likeable characters, the murderer to be three dimensional and have understanding and a bit of sadness on the road they decided to take against a backdrop of everyday life. Lucy Stone and her family seem real and deal with every day conflicts as they go from day to day like everyone. There is no great fanfare but Meir doesn’t lead this to be boring but more about being practical. Meir has a wonderful sense of being with her characters and plots and I thoroughly enjoyed these two stories immensely.
Highly recommend for nothing is better on a cold winter night than a cosy murder mystery with likeable characters you would love to get to know more about.
The first of these two tales is New Year’s Eve Murder which leaves the town of Tinker Cove for the big city lights of New York City. Lucy Stone and her daughter win a makeover trip with a leading fashion magazine. When a death occurs and Lucy’s daughter is in danger, the mystery pursues. This is where Meir really knows her characters and makes them come alive. They are on par with a Fannie Flagg novel where each has their own personality and mostly are people you really would like to get to know.
What makes this story interesting is that Meir relies on first impressions and then changing this as the novel progresses. The plotting and story are very well done and the reader gets an invested interest to reach its exciting conclusion.
Christmas Carol Murder has Lucy back in her hometown working at the local paper when a mail bomb blows away the most cankerous man in Tinker Cove. From this starting point, we have the town of Tinker Cove which is small but has a drive-in McDonald’s and a local IGA so not sure how small this town is. This is not a grip or criticism but more of wonder on the workings of this town which as this is a series of book, probably is better spelled out if you follow the exploits of Lucy.
Again we have a large cast of characters that are wonderfully put together and against the Christmas backdrop work wonderfully. Meir again changes things up by placing the murder and town against political hot potatoes dealing with foreclosures, taxes and small town life and how these affect your neighbours, family and friends. We have a nearby college which has an Act Up student body protesting against social and political consciousness which works extremely well with the confines of the novel.
The novel really benefits from the small town cosy setting and the neighbourly way things pursue. The murder mystery found within its pages works very well and again the reader is totally invested in this world. Meir produces books that really warms the reader into this world.
Together we have an even collection of two very well put together books to give a festive treat to all readers. Although this doesn’t have the thriller excitement of other mystery thrillers, there is something to be said to be able to produce a realistic murder mystery with likeable characters, the murderer to be three dimensional and have understanding and a bit of sadness on the road they decided to take against a backdrop of everyday life. Lucy Stone and her family seem real and deal with every day conflicts as they go from day to day like everyone. There is no great fanfare but Meir doesn’t lead this to be boring but more about being practical. Meir has a wonderful sense of being with her characters and plots and I thoroughly enjoyed these two stories immensely.
Highly recommend for nothing is better on a cold winter night than a cosy murder mystery with likeable characters you would love to get to know more about.
November 23, 2019
This book contains two short books by Leslie Meier that are set during the Christmas season. In the first, New Year’s Eve Murder, Lucy Stone and her daughter Elizabeth travel to NYC to participate in a holiday mother-daughter make-over contest, sponsored by the magazine Jolie, along with nine other mother-daughter couples. During the contest, one of the editors of the magazine is killed, and Elizabeth Stone falls ill, from anthrax exposure. You can bet Lucy is going to be closely involved in this one because of Elizabeth. Though unfamiliar with the setting and most of the players, Lucy jumps right into the fray, ferreting out clues and events that led to and are the result or the death and Elizabeth’s brush with anthrax, hoping to figure out who murdered the Jolie employee and poisoned Elizabeth. In the second story, Lucy is back in Tinkers Cove, ME, where she, her family and everyone else in town is getting ready for Christmas. However, this will be a lean holiday for many, as the recession is on-going and a large number of families’ homes are being repossessed by one of the town’s major lenders, Downeast Mortgage, whose co-owners, Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner, are about as heartless as possible. Things get a bit dicey when Jake receives a “Christmas” letter bomb, which explodes when opened, killing Jake and burning down his house. Naturally, Lucy is interested, partly because of her reporter position at the town rag and partly because it is in her nature. As she gets further involved, Lucy begins to uncover clues and red herrings, all of which she must go through to find out what really is going on. To add to the story, she and her family are preparing for the holidays, her husband becomes a member of the town finance committee, her older daughter Sara decides to join a school community activist group, and Lucy gets a bit part in the town’s Christmas play, a version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
These are both pretty good books. Both are rather short and are quick reads. As usual, Lucy shines in all her roles (mother, ace reporter, friend and confidant, wife of Bill, etc.). The second story also has an underlying empathy with the recession and people losing homes, which I liked, while the first touches on another somewhat political topic, anthrax. Lucy, as ever, is the perfect example of mother/reporter/friend/prominent town resident. Tinker’s Cove is a charming Maine small town, which, if you are like me and have read most of the series, comes across as genuine Maine and almost feels like home after all the tales. The two stories are different, but both have the underlying setting of the holidays. I think both stories were previously published, but together, they make a charming holiday tale that will get any reader into the spirit. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
These are both pretty good books. Both are rather short and are quick reads. As usual, Lucy shines in all her roles (mother, ace reporter, friend and confidant, wife of Bill, etc.). The second story also has an underlying empathy with the recession and people losing homes, which I liked, while the first touches on another somewhat political topic, anthrax. Lucy, as ever, is the perfect example of mother/reporter/friend/prominent town resident. Tinker’s Cove is a charming Maine small town, which, if you are like me and have read most of the series, comes across as genuine Maine and almost feels like home after all the tales. The two stories are different, but both have the underlying setting of the holidays. I think both stories were previously published, but together, they make a charming holiday tale that will get any reader into the spirit. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
November 10, 2019
Leslie Meier practically created the holiday themed cozy mystery. Beginning in 1991, her sleuth, Lucy Stone has moved from a call center worker for LL Bean to a seasoned reporter for the Tinker Cove Pennysaver. The books are not time locked, Lucy Stone's family has aged appropriately and her family life has had ups and downs of normal living. The author's writing style is self reflective comedic which skillfully lends to social commentary as well as plotting captivating mysteries.
"Tis the Season Murder is a compilation of 2 earlier books: New Year's Eve Murder (2005) and Christmas Carol Murder (2013). New Year's Eve Murder was book 12 in the Lucy Stone series. Here she and her daughter, Elizabeth leave Tinkers Cove ME for a trip to New York City. They are part of a mother/daughter make over sponsored by "Jolie" magazine. The behind the scenes descriptions of magazine life provide the only dated aspect of this book. Thirteen years later, the glossy fashion magazines have all but disappeared. Nevertheless Meier;s tale still holds interest. Meier's mentioned in an interview that she does not know much about guns. She tests herself by providing a multitude of other ways to kill a character. Nadine's death is particularly intriguing. This was a quick read that did reflect the tenor of the mid 2000's
The second book, Christmas Carol Murder is set in Tinker's Cove. Here Meier has created her own retelling of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Lucy has joined the town players taking the part of Mrs. Cratchitt. In Tinker's Cove,
Ben Scriber stands in for Scrooge, complete with his own 'ghost' Jake Marlowe. In the previous book Lucy and Elizabeth had some mother daughter confrontations. Here Sara, the middle daughter, is completely insufferable. Among Meier;'s talents is the ability to write lovable characters that the reader still would like to send to time out. This is not a Christmas tale oozing with sweetness. It is a wry take at Maine winter and what is needed to wake up a modern day Scrooge. This novel aged well.
One can not go wrong with a Meier cozy. Two books for the price of one.. such a great bargain.
Full disclosure: I received this ARC copy from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
"Tis the Season Murder is a compilation of 2 earlier books: New Year's Eve Murder (2005) and Christmas Carol Murder (2013). New Year's Eve Murder was book 12 in the Lucy Stone series. Here she and her daughter, Elizabeth leave Tinkers Cove ME for a trip to New York City. They are part of a mother/daughter make over sponsored by "Jolie" magazine. The behind the scenes descriptions of magazine life provide the only dated aspect of this book. Thirteen years later, the glossy fashion magazines have all but disappeared. Nevertheless Meier;s tale still holds interest. Meier's mentioned in an interview that she does not know much about guns. She tests herself by providing a multitude of other ways to kill a character. Nadine's death is particularly intriguing. This was a quick read that did reflect the tenor of the mid 2000's
The second book, Christmas Carol Murder is set in Tinker's Cove. Here Meier has created her own retelling of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Lucy has joined the town players taking the part of Mrs. Cratchitt. In Tinker's Cove,
Ben Scriber stands in for Scrooge, complete with his own 'ghost' Jake Marlowe. In the previous book Lucy and Elizabeth had some mother daughter confrontations. Here Sara, the middle daughter, is completely insufferable. Among Meier;'s talents is the ability to write lovable characters that the reader still would like to send to time out. This is not a Christmas tale oozing with sweetness. It is a wry take at Maine winter and what is needed to wake up a modern day Scrooge. This novel aged well.
One can not go wrong with a Meier cozy. Two books for the price of one.. such a great bargain.
Full disclosure: I received this ARC copy from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
March 21, 2025
Nobody stumbles into murder quite like Lucy Stone. Tis the Season Murder bundles two previously published holiday mysteries: New Year’s Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder. Both have murder, holiday chaos, and Lucy doing what she does best — quietly holding everyone else’s mess together while a body drops somewhere in the background. But let's be real: one of these stories works, and the other one feels like wearing someone else’s shoes and tripping over the laces.
In New Year’s Eve Murder, Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth head to New York City (or so we're told) for a mother-daughter makeover with Jolie magazine. Sounds fun, right? Glamorous! Stylish! High energy! Instead, it reads like an awkward field trip. Lucy feels completely out of place — and honestly, so does the entire setting. The city never comes alive; it’s just background noise while Lucy fumbles around in scenes that feel stiff and detached. The magazine drama and murder plot have tension, but it’s all muted. You can feel the book itself wishing it were back in Tinker’s Cove. By the end, I wanted someone to hand Lucy a pair of fuzzy socks and a plane ticket home.
Then there’s Christmas Carol Murder, and thank Frosty, we’re back where the series shines. Tinker’s Cove may be drowning in recession gloom and foreclosure drama, but at least it feels real. The stakes are heavier than usual — bombs in mailboxes, financial stress looming over every family — but Lucy’s balancing act of town drama, murder-solving, and community theater makes sense here. Is it cozy? Not exactly. But it’s grounded. You feel the weight of the town, the people, the consequences. Even when it’s bleak, it works because this is her world.
Lucy’s not flashy. She’s not a super sleuth. She’s a mom, a part-time reporter, a community member who just keeps showing up, even when things get messy. That’s what makes her so likable — she’s always in over her head, but she never stops trying. The city didn’t suit her, and it didn’t suit the book. But plop her back in Tinker’s Cove with holiday stress and suspicious neighbors? That’s the magic.
3.5 stars — half awkward detour, half solid return to form. Cozy murder mystery fans will enjoy Lucy doing what she does best, but be prepared to power through the part where everyone — including the plot — just wants to go home.
In New Year’s Eve Murder, Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth head to New York City (or so we're told) for a mother-daughter makeover with Jolie magazine. Sounds fun, right? Glamorous! Stylish! High energy! Instead, it reads like an awkward field trip. Lucy feels completely out of place — and honestly, so does the entire setting. The city never comes alive; it’s just background noise while Lucy fumbles around in scenes that feel stiff and detached. The magazine drama and murder plot have tension, but it’s all muted. You can feel the book itself wishing it were back in Tinker’s Cove. By the end, I wanted someone to hand Lucy a pair of fuzzy socks and a plane ticket home.
Then there’s Christmas Carol Murder, and thank Frosty, we’re back where the series shines. Tinker’s Cove may be drowning in recession gloom and foreclosure drama, but at least it feels real. The stakes are heavier than usual — bombs in mailboxes, financial stress looming over every family — but Lucy’s balancing act of town drama, murder-solving, and community theater makes sense here. Is it cozy? Not exactly. But it’s grounded. You feel the weight of the town, the people, the consequences. Even when it’s bleak, it works because this is her world.
Lucy’s not flashy. She’s not a super sleuth. She’s a mom, a part-time reporter, a community member who just keeps showing up, even when things get messy. That’s what makes her so likable — she’s always in over her head, but she never stops trying. The city didn’t suit her, and it didn’t suit the book. But plop her back in Tinker’s Cove with holiday stress and suspicious neighbors? That’s the magic.
3.5 stars — half awkward detour, half solid return to form. Cozy murder mystery fans will enjoy Lucy doing what she does best, but be prepared to power through the part where everyone — including the plot — just wants to go home.
September 26, 2019
'Tis the Season Murder is a "box set" of two previously published holiday themed books.
New Year's Eve Murder (originally published 2006) 1 Star
This is not very holiday themed. It seems as if the original intent of this book was a love letter to NYC post-911 and it was shoehorned into the week after Christmas to give it a holiday title.
I had to go check the original publication of this book because I would have thought it was 2002/2003 based on the dated pop culture references.
If the book was written in 2003, it would tie in with the popularity of Devil Wears Prada and explain the shift from rural Maine to NYC. This author tries really hard to make the magazine world setting work but it feels forced. I find it hard to believe that a magazine would have makeover contest winners shipped in to NYC the day after Christmas and New Year's. Also most colleges are on break too so there wouldn't be a dorm full of kids going to classes as referenced in the book.
Overall, it was hard to overlook so many things that seemed off in this book. And Lucy was just so judgy and superficial in this book. I don't recall her bugging me in previous books like she did in this one.
Christmas Carol Murder (originally published 2013) 3 Stars
I was too irritated with New Year's Eve Murder to reread this book. I read this book in December 2017. Here is my review from then.
A good Christmas cozy mystery. Surprised it was written in 2013. It feels more 2008-2010 when the housing bubble burst.
*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*
New Year's Eve Murder (originally published 2006) 1 Star
This is not very holiday themed. It seems as if the original intent of this book was a love letter to NYC post-911 and it was shoehorned into the week after Christmas to give it a holiday title.
I had to go check the original publication of this book because I would have thought it was 2002/2003 based on the dated pop culture references.
If the book was written in 2003, it would tie in with the popularity of Devil Wears Prada and explain the shift from rural Maine to NYC. This author tries really hard to make the magazine world setting work but it feels forced. I find it hard to believe that a magazine would have makeover contest winners shipped in to NYC the day after Christmas and New Year's. Also most colleges are on break too so there wouldn't be a dorm full of kids going to classes as referenced in the book.
Overall, it was hard to overlook so many things that seemed off in this book. And Lucy was just so judgy and superficial in this book. I don't recall her bugging me in previous books like she did in this one.
Christmas Carol Murder (originally published 2013) 3 Stars
I was too irritated with New Year's Eve Murder to reread this book. I read this book in December 2017. Here is my review from then.
A good Christmas cozy mystery. Surprised it was written in 2013. It feels more 2008-2010 when the housing bubble burst.
*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*
November 25, 2019
5 Stars
What a great book for the holiday season! Both of these stories are bang on amazing!! I think they are among my most favorite in the entire series. I like the addition of the kids Zoe and Elizabeth in both of the books. It made it seem more real somehow.
I loved the trip to New York and the whole anthrax connection. I believe this particular book was written around 9-11 so I understand why it was brought into the story. Real life jumps into fictional life. I hated that Lucy’s daughter got sick and they were strapped for money due to the tuition increase. I like how Lucy held to her morals and came out a winner in the end in both the mystery and her life situation.
The story centered around Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol was truthfully kind of depressing. It all centered on people’s houses going into foreclosure and how the company behind that made people mad enough to kill. I really had no idea the culprit of this. I feel like the author’s real life might have seeped into this since it is told with so much honesty and depth.
Just two great books that are set during the holidays. I am happy to have them bound up in one volume. They were two I had not read yet so it was a great treat for me to dig into this.
Just a great cozy mystery twosome. If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out!
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
What a great book for the holiday season! Both of these stories are bang on amazing!! I think they are among my most favorite in the entire series. I like the addition of the kids Zoe and Elizabeth in both of the books. It made it seem more real somehow.
I loved the trip to New York and the whole anthrax connection. I believe this particular book was written around 9-11 so I understand why it was brought into the story. Real life jumps into fictional life. I hated that Lucy’s daughter got sick and they were strapped for money due to the tuition increase. I like how Lucy held to her morals and came out a winner in the end in both the mystery and her life situation.
The story centered around Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol was truthfully kind of depressing. It all centered on people’s houses going into foreclosure and how the company behind that made people mad enough to kill. I really had no idea the culprit of this. I feel like the author’s real life might have seeped into this since it is told with so much honesty and depth.
Just two great books that are set during the holidays. I am happy to have them bound up in one volume. They were two I had not read yet so it was a great treat for me to dig into this.
Just a great cozy mystery twosome. If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out!
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
November 22, 2019
Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed the Lucy Stone novels I have read but I have not read them all by any means. So it is a delightful treat when two that I had not read were released in a Christmas duo. They are both set around Christmas time. The first one dates to just after 911 when a theme of terrorism was top of mind. Lucy’s daughter won a mother-daughter make-over contest where the final contestants are invited to NYC to compete for the prize money that would come in very handy for college. The proceedings take a dark turn when one of the primary people of the magazine hosting the contest dies of anthrax poisoning and Lucy’s daughter somehow is also infected. It’s a good story with both the behind the scenes storyline of the contest and the thrilling investigation as Lucy tries to find those responsible for nearly killing her child. She finds them but not before they find her.
The second is set at a later time when he middle daughter is now in college and rebelling against authority and her parents. This time there is a rather blatant homage of A Christmas Carole including the names of the characters. Don’t worry it is all fun and while there is plenty for Lucy to investigate, like Scrooge, there is a reformation in the end.
Together they may not get you in the Holiday Spirit but they certainly will give your hours of reading entertainment. Four purrs and two paws up.
The second is set at a later time when he middle daughter is now in college and rebelling against authority and her parents. This time there is a rather blatant homage of A Christmas Carole including the names of the characters. Don’t worry it is all fun and while there is plenty for Lucy to investigate, like Scrooge, there is a reformation in the end.
Together they may not get you in the Holiday Spirit but they certainly will give your hours of reading entertainment. Four purrs and two paws up.
November 20, 2019
This is a combination of two books...New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder.
New Year's Eve Murder
This book in the Lucy Stone series was a little different than the others because it takes place outside of Tinker's Cove. This time, Lucy gets involved in her typical sleuthing in New York. I always enjoy the books in this series and though different than usual, still very entertaining. There are lots of characters to keep track of, but it keeps your interest. So a fun cozy mystery that fits when you want to curl up in your recliner with a cup of cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, and a good book.
Christmas Carol Murder
One more sleuthing adventure with Lucy Stone has arrived. I enjoy the books in this series and how the family members age at an appropriate rate. While Lucy loves her family, it is interesting to see how the different personalities react with other family members as well as teenage angst and maturing into young adults affects the family dynamics.
This is a book that could touch your heart if you've had to personally deal with the financial and/or health problems with which many of the characters have to face. While moments of emotional upheaval and fear arise, you still experience hope, love, forgiveness, and holiday generosity by the time the adventure ends.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
New Year's Eve Murder
This book in the Lucy Stone series was a little different than the others because it takes place outside of Tinker's Cove. This time, Lucy gets involved in her typical sleuthing in New York. I always enjoy the books in this series and though different than usual, still very entertaining. There are lots of characters to keep track of, but it keeps your interest. So a fun cozy mystery that fits when you want to curl up in your recliner with a cup of cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, and a good book.
Christmas Carol Murder
One more sleuthing adventure with Lucy Stone has arrived. I enjoy the books in this series and how the family members age at an appropriate rate. While Lucy loves her family, it is interesting to see how the different personalities react with other family members as well as teenage angst and maturing into young adults affects the family dynamics.
This is a book that could touch your heart if you've had to personally deal with the financial and/or health problems with which many of the characters have to face. While moments of emotional upheaval and fear arise, you still experience hope, love, forgiveness, and holiday generosity by the time the adventure ends.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 20, 2019
This is a combination of two books...New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder.
New Year's Eve Murder
This book in the Lucy Stone series was a little different than the others because it takes place outside of Tinker's Cove. This time, Lucy gets involved in her typical sleuthing in New York. I always enjoy the books in this series and though different than usual, still very entertaining. There are lots of characters to keep track of, but it keeps your interest. So a fun cozy mystery that fits when you want to curl up in your recliner with a cup of cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, and a good book.
Christmas Carol Murder
One more sleuthing adventure with Lucy Stone has arrived. I enjoy the books in this series and how the family members age at an appropriate rate. While Lucy loves her family, it is interesting to see how the different personalities react with other family members as well as teenage angst and maturing into young adults affects the family dynamics.
This is a book that could touch your heart if you've had to personally deal with the financial and/or health problems with which many of the characters have to face. While moments of emotional upheaval and fear arise, you still experience hope, love, forgiveness, and holiday generosity by the time the adventure ends.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
New Year's Eve Murder
This book in the Lucy Stone series was a little different than the others because it takes place outside of Tinker's Cove. This time, Lucy gets involved in her typical sleuthing in New York. I always enjoy the books in this series and though different than usual, still very entertaining. There are lots of characters to keep track of, but it keeps your interest. So a fun cozy mystery that fits when you want to curl up in your recliner with a cup of cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, and a good book.
Christmas Carol Murder
One more sleuthing adventure with Lucy Stone has arrived. I enjoy the books in this series and how the family members age at an appropriate rate. While Lucy loves her family, it is interesting to see how the different personalities react with other family members as well as teenage angst and maturing into young adults affects the family dynamics.
This is a book that could touch your heart if you've had to personally deal with the financial and/or health problems with which many of the characters have to face. While moments of emotional upheaval and fear arise, you still experience hope, love, forgiveness, and holiday generosity by the time the adventure ends.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 8, 2019
Tis the Season Murder gives us two Lucy Stone mysteries. I love coming back to visit Lucy and her family even though these were previously released. So waiting on the new Lucy Stone to come out. Lucy is a small town reporter who many times ends up sleuthing a mystery she finds. Readers have watched Lucy's children grow and leave the nest. They have seen how her family has changed. I love when you can follow so closely.
New Year's Eve Murder: After all the Christmas jolliness has commenced, Lucy's daughter, Elizabeth, won a mother/daughter makeover in New York. However, what is suppose to be a fun time and a great way to ring in the New Year, turns deadly. When Elizabeth is struck with a unknown disease, Lucy must work to find out what it is and where she contracted it from. Will she be able before the clock strikes in the New Year?
Christmas Carol Murder: Lucy is happy to be acting in the town production of The Christmas Carol. The town has hit hard times so bringing some cheer is what Lucy hopes will happen. The only happy people are mortgage tycoons, Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner. However, when one turns up dead, Lucy must find out who done it before someone Bah Humbug's the other.
I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
New Year's Eve Murder: After all the Christmas jolliness has commenced, Lucy's daughter, Elizabeth, won a mother/daughter makeover in New York. However, what is suppose to be a fun time and a great way to ring in the New Year, turns deadly. When Elizabeth is struck with a unknown disease, Lucy must work to find out what it is and where she contracted it from. Will she be able before the clock strikes in the New Year?
Christmas Carol Murder: Lucy is happy to be acting in the town production of The Christmas Carol. The town has hit hard times so bringing some cheer is what Lucy hopes will happen. The only happy people are mortgage tycoons, Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner. However, when one turns up dead, Lucy must find out who done it before someone Bah Humbug's the other.
I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
October 8, 2019
Tis the Season Murder gives us two Lucy Stone mysteries. I love coming back to visit Lucy and her family even though these were previously released. So waiting on the new Lucy Stone to come out. Lucy is a small town reporter who many times ends up sleuthing a mystery she finds. Readers have watched Lucy's children grow and leave the nest. They have seen how her family has changed. I love when you can follow so closely.
New Year's Eve Murder: After all the Christmas jolliness has commenced, Lucy's daughter, Elizabeth, won a mother/daughter makeover in New York. However, what is suppose to be a fun time and a great way to ring in the New Year, turns deadly. When Elizabeth is struck with a unknown disease, Lucy must work to find out what it is and where she contracted it from. Will she be able before the clock strikes in the New Year?
Christmas Carol Murder: Lucy is happy to be acting in the town production of The Christmas Carol. The town has hit hard times so bringing some cheer is what Lucy hopes will happen. The only happy people are mortgage tycoons, Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner. However, when one turns up dead, Lucy must find out who done it before someone Bah Humbug's the other.
I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
New Year's Eve Murder: After all the Christmas jolliness has commenced, Lucy's daughter, Elizabeth, won a mother/daughter makeover in New York. However, what is suppose to be a fun time and a great way to ring in the New Year, turns deadly. When Elizabeth is struck with a unknown disease, Lucy must work to find out what it is and where she contracted it from. Will she be able before the clock strikes in the New Year?
Christmas Carol Murder: Lucy is happy to be acting in the town production of The Christmas Carol. The town has hit hard times so bringing some cheer is what Lucy hopes will happen. The only happy people are mortgage tycoons, Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner. However, when one turns up dead, Lucy must find out who done it before someone Bah Humbug's the other.
I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
December 7, 2019
While I do like reading holiday themed books, many of them tend to fall in the romance genre, so to mix things up this year, I read 'Tis The Season Murder by Leslie Meier, which contains two previously published novels — New Year's Eve Murder (2005) and Christmas Carol Murder (2013). Both stories are part of the Lucy Stone Mystery series.
New Year's Eve Murder centers around Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth winning a trip to Manhattan from a mother/daughter makeup contest courtesy of a magazine. After one of the magazine editors is killed and Elizabeth is exposed to anthrax, it's up to Lucy to track down the killer.
Christmas Carol Murder is set in Tinker's Cove, Maine and centers around the murder of Jake Marlowe, one of the co-owners of Downeast Mortgage. While she's not at rehearsals for the town's production of A Christmas Carol, she's trying to figure out who wanted to kill Marlowe.
Overall, I enjoyed reading both stories in 'Tis The Seasons Murder; though my favorite out of the two is Christmas Carol Murder as the plot was slightly better. Both stories are well-written with interesting characters, lively dialogue, and great descriptions.
New Year's Eve Murder centers around Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth winning a trip to Manhattan from a mother/daughter makeup contest courtesy of a magazine. After one of the magazine editors is killed and Elizabeth is exposed to anthrax, it's up to Lucy to track down the killer.
Christmas Carol Murder is set in Tinker's Cove, Maine and centers around the murder of Jake Marlowe, one of the co-owners of Downeast Mortgage. While she's not at rehearsals for the town's production of A Christmas Carol, she's trying to figure out who wanted to kill Marlowe.
Overall, I enjoyed reading both stories in 'Tis The Seasons Murder; though my favorite out of the two is Christmas Carol Murder as the plot was slightly better. Both stories are well-written with interesting characters, lively dialogue, and great descriptions.
September 11, 2019
Tis the Season by Leslie Meier is a compilation and reissue of two previous Lucy Stone mysteries.
Even though I have read every Lucy Stone installment, I enjoyed going back and reading # 12 and 20 again. ( I am a huge fan.)
I will always love Lucy. She is real, relatable, strong, resourceful, and hilarious.
This combo got me into the holiday spirit (woohoo) despite the current hot weather and is great for long-term fans to reread, or for fans reading Lucy Stone for the first time.
Excellent
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am submitting this review to my GR account immediately and will post to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.
Even though I have read every Lucy Stone installment, I enjoyed going back and reading # 12 and 20 again. ( I am a huge fan.)
I will always love Lucy. She is real, relatable, strong, resourceful, and hilarious.
This combo got me into the holiday spirit (woohoo) despite the current hot weather and is great for long-term fans to reread, or for fans reading Lucy Stone for the first time.
Excellent
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am submitting this review to my GR account immediately and will post to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.
September 11, 2019
Tis the Season by Leslie Meier is a compilation and reissue of two previous Lucy Stone mysteries.
Even though I have read every Lucy Stone installment, I enjoyed going back and reading # 12 and 20 again. ( I am a huge fan.)
I will always love Lucy. She is real, relatable, strong, resourceful, and hilarious.
This combo got me into the holiday spirit (woohoo) despite the current hot weather and is great for long-term fans to reread, or for fans reading Lucy Stone for the first time.
Excellent
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am submitting this review to my GR account immediately and will post to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.
Even though I have read every Lucy Stone installment, I enjoyed going back and reading # 12 and 20 again. ( I am a huge fan.)
I will always love Lucy. She is real, relatable, strong, resourceful, and hilarious.
This combo got me into the holiday spirit (woohoo) despite the current hot weather and is great for long-term fans to reread, or for fans reading Lucy Stone for the first time.
Excellent
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am submitting this review to my GR account immediately and will post to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.
October 29, 2019
You get two “Lucy” stories in this book. The first stars her and Elizabeth and what a story it is. They win make-overs, but get involved in a whole lot more. The second has us learning more about Sara. College age can definitely have a lot to deal with. Both these story lines are very good and deal with problems that someone you know or have known has dealt with. They are written in a way that makes them good reads, but you just might have some deeper thoughts that are closer to home. I enjoyed both stories and the characters that I got to hang out with. I hope you have a chance to visit with the good folks of Tinker’s Cove. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
November 10, 2019
You have two Lucy Stone mysteries in one book and they are wonderful for the Christmas season in Tinker's Cove, Maine! New Year's Eve finds Lucy and Elizabeth in New York after winning a mother/daughter makeover. Elizabeth inhales a powder and ends up in hospital, Lucy is set to find out who poisoned the magazine consultant who is murdered and is responsible for her daughters illness. The second story is The Christmas Carol Murder where Lucy is cast in the Christmas Carol Play and the story mimics the play in Tinker Cove with a little girl needing a kidney and the town people struggling with foreclosures and lost wages! Great reads for the holiday with Lucy as small time reporter solving the crimes! This cozy series is a much needed comfort read.
January 17, 2020
This is a two for one and both stories were very enjoyable also, these stories are not in chronological time as the Christmas story takes place earlier in the series than the New Year's story.
First off is a little after Christmas plot.
What a great story, and fresh storyline for the Lucy Stone series. This was an up beat story with Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth not only getting along but seemingly enjoying each others company while participating in the Mother-Daughter, Jolie magazine makeover. This is one in a long line of Lucy Stone cozy mysteries and of the few that takes place away from Tinker's Cove. It is great as a stand alone, meaning that you would not need to have read a previous book from the series to be able to keep up with the cast of characters. That might be because there were so few regulars once Lucy and Elizabeth had to the Big Apple for their big adventure. Very easy to follow along and very enjoyable to read.
The second story is just as good with a retelling of the Christmas Carol in duplicate with art mimicking real life as Lucy plays the part of Mrs. Cratchet while also playing the part of investigative reporter. Both stories offer a little real life drama and social awareness. I did enjoy the makeover story more than the Christmas Carol due to the family dynamics.
First off is a little after Christmas plot.
What a great story, and fresh storyline for the Lucy Stone series. This was an up beat story with Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth not only getting along but seemingly enjoying each others company while participating in the Mother-Daughter, Jolie magazine makeover. This is one in a long line of Lucy Stone cozy mysteries and of the few that takes place away from Tinker's Cove. It is great as a stand alone, meaning that you would not need to have read a previous book from the series to be able to keep up with the cast of characters. That might be because there were so few regulars once Lucy and Elizabeth had to the Big Apple for their big adventure. Very easy to follow along and very enjoyable to read.
The second story is just as good with a retelling of the Christmas Carol in duplicate with art mimicking real life as Lucy plays the part of Mrs. Cratchet while also playing the part of investigative reporter. Both stories offer a little real life drama and social awareness. I did enjoy the makeover story more than the Christmas Carol due to the family dynamics.
December 31, 2025
This was two stories New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder both were really fun. I enjoyed the holidays with Lucy Stone and her family. In New Year's Eve Murder Lucy and her Daughter go to Manhattan for a Mother daughter makeover. While there, there is a murder and Lucy decides to figure out who killed the Man and why. In Christmas Carol Murder Lucy is invited to be in the play the Christmas Carol and she will play Mrs. Cratchett. Meanwhile the town is facing a major crisis in home foreclosures and one of the owners of the business is killed by a Christmas package that was delivered to his home. I really enjoyed both of these stories and highly recommend them.
October 29, 2019
I love Leslie Meier’s series about Lucy and her family/ friends in Tinker Cove. And awesomely enough, there are two books in one for this book. In one, she and her daughter win a trip to NYC! A dead fashion editor, a crazy illness for her daughter, and figuring out how to squeeze a $10,000 college tuition bill into their house budget are things that Lucy needs to solve. In book 2, Lucy lands a part in the local play, houses are being foreclosed on, and the local bad banker gets blown up. Overall, both books were great and can’t wait to read more in the series!
February 11, 2020
Lucy Stone is back with 2 holiday cozy's to enjoy. This is a reprint of books 12 and 20 from the Lucy Stone series. (New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder). Lucy and Elizabeth head to NYC for a mother/Daughter makeover with tuition due when they return. In story 2 the town's people have hit hard times and the banks are foreclosing on many properties. Both are good cozy's with all the normal characters present and accounted for. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 16, 2019
I have seen Ms. Mier's on several websites and I ran across this new book "Tis the SeasonMurder (A Lucy StoneMystery) and the cover looked like a fun cozy mystery that I might enjoy. I was mistaken. I thought the book was extremely slow going. Everything under the sun was discussed before the murder even took place. I was not interested anymore at this point and though I tried I could not finish it.
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