What do you think?
Rate this book
Jennifer Hunter #1
The Slay of the Santas
You better watch out...you better not cry...or you might be the next to die.
It’s Christmas time in the snowy, quaint town of Middlebridge, Wisconsin, and Jennifer Hunter -- a sweet, organized second-grade teacher who has a mind for sleuthing -- is ready to spend her Christmas break crocheting, baking, and relaxing. But before the school bell can ring for Christmas break, her best friend and Middlebridge’s Lieutenant, Jake Hollow, shows up in her classroom, but he’s not there to bring a cup of Christmas cheer. There’s a murder in town, and he needs Jennifer’s help solving the crime.
Jennifer soon discovers that not only is the killer targeting retired Santa Clauses, but he’s also staging his victims like scenes from the Charles Dickens novel A CHRISTMAS CAROL. As Jake and Jennifer follow the clues, more questions than answers start to What is this Society of Santas they keep hearing about? Why is the killer leaving behind empty pudding packages at each crime scene? And what in the world does the book A CHRISTMAS CAROL have to do with the victims?
Add to that a tight-lipped orphan boy who’s housing a pack of puppies in one of the victim’s buildings, a quirky book store owner who lies about ever having sold a copy of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and Jennifer’s date with a fellow school teacher that ends in total disaster. In between holiday parties, family obligations, baking, and creating handmade Christmas presents, Jennifer must craft together an investigation that catches the killer and saves the Santa Clauses in town. Otherwise, the night before Christmas might be their last.
This clean, cozy mystery will captivate readers with Jennifer’s amateur sleuthing that entangles her in snow-deep shenanigans, cryptic car chases, and more chocolate pudding than she ever imagined. Readers will fall in love with the quick-witted and craft-loving Jennifer Hunter, who is down-to-earth and has a heart as warm as a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night. The charming friendship between Jennifer and Lieutenant Jake Hollow epitomizes the quaint, familial feel that lives in small towns, especially those sleepy hamlets with snow-capped houses and a love for Christmas. THE SLAY OF THE SANTAS is an exhilarating page-turner with cliffhangers around every corner, and it will bring the joy of the holiday season all year round.
Readers who love cozy mysteries like Jessica Beck’s PUMPKIN PLEAS, Betty Hechtman’s BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, and Joanna Campbell Slan’s KIKI LOWENSTEIN SERIES and readers who have holiday favorites like Charles Dickens’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN, and O’Henry’s “THE GIFT OF THE MAGI,” will be enchanted by Kacey Gene’s THE SLAY OF THE SANTAS.
It’s Christmas time in the snowy, quaint town of Middlebridge, Wisconsin, and Jennifer Hunter -- a sweet, organized second-grade teacher who has a mind for sleuthing -- is ready to spend her Christmas break crocheting, baking, and relaxing. But before the school bell can ring for Christmas break, her best friend and Middlebridge’s Lieutenant, Jake Hollow, shows up in her classroom, but he’s not there to bring a cup of Christmas cheer. There’s a murder in town, and he needs Jennifer’s help solving the crime.
Jennifer soon discovers that not only is the killer targeting retired Santa Clauses, but he’s also staging his victims like scenes from the Charles Dickens novel A CHRISTMAS CAROL. As Jake and Jennifer follow the clues, more questions than answers start to What is this Society of Santas they keep hearing about? Why is the killer leaving behind empty pudding packages at each crime scene? And what in the world does the book A CHRISTMAS CAROL have to do with the victims?
Add to that a tight-lipped orphan boy who’s housing a pack of puppies in one of the victim’s buildings, a quirky book store owner who lies about ever having sold a copy of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and Jennifer’s date with a fellow school teacher that ends in total disaster. In between holiday parties, family obligations, baking, and creating handmade Christmas presents, Jennifer must craft together an investigation that catches the killer and saves the Santa Clauses in town. Otherwise, the night before Christmas might be their last.
This clean, cozy mystery will captivate readers with Jennifer’s amateur sleuthing that entangles her in snow-deep shenanigans, cryptic car chases, and more chocolate pudding than she ever imagined. Readers will fall in love with the quick-witted and craft-loving Jennifer Hunter, who is down-to-earth and has a heart as warm as a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night. The charming friendship between Jennifer and Lieutenant Jake Hollow epitomizes the quaint, familial feel that lives in small towns, especially those sleepy hamlets with snow-capped houses and a love for Christmas. THE SLAY OF THE SANTAS is an exhilarating page-turner with cliffhangers around every corner, and it will bring the joy of the holiday season all year round.
Readers who love cozy mysteries like Jessica Beck’s PUMPKIN PLEAS, Betty Hechtman’s BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, and Joanna Campbell Slan’s KIKI LOWENSTEIN SERIES and readers who have holiday favorites like Charles Dickens’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN, and O’Henry’s “THE GIFT OF THE MAGI,” will be enchanted by Kacey Gene’s THE SLAY OF THE SANTAS.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2019
170 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 30, 2019
Was an ok book....the mystery part with the pudding was eh. I did however enjoy the characters. Also loved the ending....that was a complete surprise. Now I have to read the next book in the series!!!! Not looking good for Jake though.....she’s gonna be mad!!! Happy Reading :)
November 24, 2019
The Santa's got too much chocolate pudding
A great first in series. A wonderful plot of chocolate pudding, Santa's, murder and a Christmas Carol. What do all these have in common - Jennifer (a teacher, soft small but observant) and Jake (a bemouth of a handsome police detective). The characters shine through the read with their quirks and personality leaving you with a tremendous read that might have sounded 'silly' if treated differently.
School has closed for Christmas but she still has to finish her presents off before she heads home. However the death of an ex-Santa, a large amount of chocolate pudding and a missing copy of the Christmas Carol stop her in her tracks. Another death, more chocolate pudding and another copy of the Christmas Carol. A chocolate pudding assault, an attempt to run her off the road, a chocolate pudding bomb, an arrest, a kidnapping and swimming in chocolate pudding. Why have the men been killed? What is the significance of the chocolate pudding? And why the missing copies of the Christmas Carol?
A great first in series. A wonderful plot of chocolate pudding, Santa's, murder and a Christmas Carol. What do all these have in common - Jennifer (a teacher, soft small but observant) and Jake (a bemouth of a handsome police detective). The characters shine through the read with their quirks and personality leaving you with a tremendous read that might have sounded 'silly' if treated differently.
School has closed for Christmas but she still has to finish her presents off before she heads home. However the death of an ex-Santa, a large amount of chocolate pudding and a missing copy of the Christmas Carol stop her in her tracks. Another death, more chocolate pudding and another copy of the Christmas Carol. A chocolate pudding assault, an attempt to run her off the road, a chocolate pudding bomb, an arrest, a kidnapping and swimming in chocolate pudding. Why have the men been killed? What is the significance of the chocolate pudding? And why the missing copies of the Christmas Carol?
November 27, 2020
OH SNAP!!!
You have got to read this book!!!! It is by far one of the BEST mysteries I have read in a long time. The whole book from start to finish has you swept away!!! I could not put it down. It kept dragging me in and leading me on. You will love the main characters. I was sad that it ended, BUT you have to read till the very end, because bam!...it has you sucked right in to the next book! That's where I'm going. Thanks!!!😄
You have got to read this book!!!! It is by far one of the BEST mysteries I have read in a long time. The whole book from start to finish has you swept away!!! I could not put it down. It kept dragging me in and leading me on. You will love the main characters. I was sad that it ended, BUT you have to read till the very end, because bam!...it has you sucked right in to the next book! That's where I'm going. Thanks!!!😄
February 24, 2020
I enjoyed this book because it had the Agatha Christie or Elizabeth Peters feel but in modern times. It was quite at the same level but the feel was the same. The mystery wasn't a known and the events were definitely out of the ordinary. Not sure if it's sustainable for the author but it's looking good.
December 31, 2020
Holiday cozy
Nice cozy mystery set at Christmas. It was an interesting original plot with a full cast of characters.
Puffy is apparently a favorite word, and was never once used to describe clouds. Another proofreader would help with a few typos, and the heroine's beautiful crocheting was considered knots.
Nice cozy mystery set at Christmas. It was an interesting original plot with a full cast of characters.
Puffy is apparently a favorite word, and was never once used to describe clouds. Another proofreader would help with a few typos, and the heroine's beautiful crocheting was considered knots.
January 21, 2020
Fun read
I enjoyed the storyline and Jennifer's relationship wirh Jake. Jennifer, a second grade teacher, is overscheduled for Christmas. Too many things to do, but then there is a murder. Then two.
I enjoyed the storyline and Jennifer's relationship wirh Jake. Jennifer, a second grade teacher, is overscheduled for Christmas. Too many things to do, but then there is a murder. Then two.
January 25, 2020
A quiet Christmas break. Not quite
Jennifer is set for a relaxing break. When a mystery arrives, she is sidetracked and solving it becomes paramount. I won’t tell ya if she solves it, but I highly recommend you read it.
Jennifer is set for a relaxing break. When a mystery arrives, she is sidetracked and solving it becomes paramount. I won’t tell ya if she solves it, but I highly recommend you read it.
July 30, 2021
Mystery at its best
This story and characters were on point, just the type of mystery that keeps you guessing and needing more. Anyone who likes a goid ho?I day mystery Wii really like this book. Can't wait to read the next one.
This story and characters were on point, just the type of mystery that keeps you guessing and needing more. Anyone who likes a goid ho?I day mystery Wii really like this book. Can't wait to read the next one.
December 29, 2023
I loved this book! Each chapter kept me interested and had me playing detective page after page. Read in less than 24 hours. I also loved the large print for my old eyes!! Can’t read to read another by the author!
November 27, 2019
Fun, sweet mystery
Slay of the Santas has characters that you cant help but like and the story keeps you reading! L❤ hope to see a second book very soon!
Slay of the Santas has characters that you cant help but like and the story keeps you reading! L❤ hope to see a second book very soon!
December 17, 2019
Quick holiday cozy for fans of Joanne Fluke. Fun characters and a small town setting make this a likable read. Looking forward to more.
December 25, 2019
Killing Santas
I loved this very interesting mystery about someone killing Santas. There is plenty of intrigue and mini mysteries within also.
I loved this very interesting mystery about someone killing Santas. There is plenty of intrigue and mini mysteries within also.
January 20, 2020
Good mystery.
Why are Santas dying ? That is what starts this twisty novel. It did keep my interest for sure. I will read more of this author's work.
Why are Santas dying ? That is what starts this twisty novel. It did keep my interest for sure. I will read more of this author's work.
Read
January 26, 2020Loved it.going to get the others
July 22, 2021
Hilarious yet scarey
Our author has perfected mixing humor with suspense. The character development is excellent and the plot quite complex yet cohesive.
Our author has perfected mixing humor with suspense. The character development is excellent and the plot quite complex yet cohesive.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews