Missing in Seattle

Sandie James #0.5

by Tessa Kelly

A mother searching for her missing teenage son. A puppy lost in the woods. Is there a sinister connection?

Stranded in an unfamiliar city on Christmas Eve, Sandie James must find the answer before the unthinkable happens. Or before she winds up lost like them.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

47 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2019

About the author

Tessa Kelly is the award-winning author of the SANDIE JAMES MYSTERIES series.

A former teacher with a degree in French, Tessa spent several years living in an uptown Brooklyn neighborhood, frequenting its many cafes and coffee shops and getting to know it from the inside and out. During her undergrad years, she has worked at a bakery just like the one depicted in her novel, where she developed a lifelong fondness for cheesecake brownies.

These days, when not writing, she loves to be outside exploring hiking trails, often wandering off the beaten path. Her other passions include baking, learning foreign languages, and reading.

Follow me on Amazon for news about my new releases!

Reviews

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandie is stuck in Seattle for Christmas when she comes across a dogfighting ring! This was an interesting short story. As happens with short stories, you don’t really get to know the characters and the story moves quickly. I liked the peek at Sandie. She seems to have a story to tell. She also seems like a kind and caring, somewhat inquisitive and definitely fearless character. Hans is also an interesting character. Perhaps he will show up again in the Sandie James cozy mystery series this is from. I enjoyed this story and will be adding the series to my TBR. No dead bodies but there is a mystery to solve and there is a sprinkling of romance. You can easily read this on your lunch hour. It will help keep the work stress down.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a storm causes flights to be grounded in Seattle, Sandie James is disheartened as her holiday plans are suddenly torpedoed. A chance encounter with an animal rights group leads to a mystery and a new friendship.

While this was a compact story, it packed a lot of oompf. Sandie is a sympathetic character and so are the people she meets. The villains are appropriately "villainous" enough and warrant their just deserts.

I'm hoping to read more from this author who brought one of my most favourite cities to life.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful story that is perfect for the Christmas season. I enjoyed reading this and I am hoping there will be a lot more stories for these wonderful characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is about a vicious group of thugs who think dog fighting is fun. Luckily a puppy managed to escape & lead a couple of hikers to the event. Also a boy who was protesting had disappeared but the police said he’d just left home! When the hikers go to the police they seem to take an interest & go to the area. Luckily the puppy is there, but, everything else except for a tuft of hair, has gone. So Sandy & Hans who met by accident decide to stake out the area where the missing boy sat & watched a shop.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this introduction to Sandie's character so much and sure wish Hans was gonna be part of the regular series. I've had this little story for quite a while now, not sure why I just got around to reading it. Now I definitely wanna start reading the regular series! I just love the sweet little pup that Sandie took care of then adopted! Can't wait to see what fun mysteries the regular series has in store for me as a newbie to it.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandie walks into another mystery when an activist she speaks to goes missing. She must use the help of new friends to solve this mystery and avoid the danger. I enjoyed this holiday mystery and recommend Missing in Seattle.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this prequel to the Sandie James series and the introduction of Marlowe into their lives. Set during the holidays with a chance meeting that started out cold but ended up warm in this bite size mystery will have you longing for some holiday cheer any time of the year.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Christmas story. About how Marlowe came into Sandie's life. About enjoying whatever life throws at you. And about saving Christmas.
I already read the first 3 books in this series, but I'm glad I can continue reading with the 4th...

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This actually takes place before the other books in the series. It gives a wonderful backstory to how Marlowe was adopted and I was never so happy to see the bad guys arrested as I was in this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story about Sandy’s unexpected stay in Seattle, WA over Christmas when her flight gets cancelled. Little did she know that adventure, new friends, and danger awaited her and would be a life changing event.

[Kate Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet Christmas story.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read that I really enjoyed. The main character is Sandie. She has been running away from her past for the last couple of years. She ends up trapped In Seattle because of ice storms. She meets Hans and they end up going for the day to a nearby island to explore. They find a dog-fighting ring hiding in the woods. They get caught trying to help a young man escape. Will they manage to get away ?

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short prequel is an excellent introduction to the Sandie James stories. I loved the way the author was able to quickly pull in the reader: great MCs, tight storyline, and lovely writing. I only wished the story had been longer! I cannot wait to dive into the books in this series!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandie James is stranded in Seattle, now expecting a lonely Christmas in a strange city. Although she was fortunate to meet Hans Osswald, a backpacker on a trip around the world who shoves her out of the way of a drunk driver, it doesn’t appear that she will have a quiet holiday after all.

While exploring an island village, a stray puppy leads them to what appears to be an arranged illegal dogfight. They ran to get help from the police and ran into Marty, a boy searching for his missing older brother. Clues seem link the teen and the puppy, and Sandie is worried that the missing teenager is in serious danger. Can Sandie and her friends save the boy before something horrible happens to him?

This is a wonderful prequel to introduce the Sandie James series. We meet some great characters and see justice done. What more could you ask for? (And I absolutely love the book’s cover!)

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a short sweet book, I can’t say too much as it was really not long so my opinion of how the series will go is still up in the air, but it made me interested enough to move on to book 1 at some point.
Sandie is a nice enough character, and I liked how she cared about the dogs. The man she meets was nice as well, but I gather he might not be a returning character, which is okay.

As short as this was, we were able to see Sandie and understand her motivation for wanting to travel and be away for a while, and how she was starting to get better with time. I look forward to getting to see what she gets into next!

[Julie Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing in Seattle - A Christmas Story, Book 0.5 (A Sandie James Cozy Mystery) by Tessa Kelly
A missing boy, stray puppy and a dog fighting ring. Sandie James is stranded in Seattle when her flight is canceled. Saved from being run down by a drunk driver Sandie becomes friends with Hans who pushed her out of the way. Together they get embroiled in a missing person and a dangerous dogfighting ring. Great writing, interesting story. This prequel is a great introduction to the Sandie James Mystery series. Can be read in one sitting. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Intro to Sandie James
This short story was an excellent introduction to Sandie James. Sandie is stuck in Seattle over Christmas with no friends or family, but she manages to help solve a missing persons case and bring an end to a local crime ring with the help of another world traveler. The story was interesting and exciting and kept me entertained. i especially enjoyed being able to read the first chapter in the next book, which has me hooked! I'll definitely be reading more in this series.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandie and Hans meet wandering around Seattle over the holidays. Hans luckily rescues Sandie from a drunk driver.

An impulsive decision to hike on an island together leads them to some scary moments involving a dog fighting ring


Action, adventure, romance and puppy dogs

A great holiday themed read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I can't read a Christmas story unless it's the Christmas season. I guess we'll call this Christmas in July season then. Great characters, and an endearing and heartwarming story line that captures your attention. Wonderful characters you can't help but fall in love with. Perfect for any season of the year.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sandie James Christmas Mystery, this is a short mystery story of Sandie and the man she meets Hans as they look for a missing teen Jake. There is suspense, drama, danger, villains, mystery, dogs, and a budding romance. I enjoyed reading this book, and want to read the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing in Seattle: A Christmas Story is a prequel to the Sandie James Cozy Mystery Series by Tessa Kelly.

This book introduces us to Sandie who is traveling and gets stranded in Seattle over Christmas. It is a quick read that gives a little background of her life before the series and with her on her own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just traveling, enjoying her trip when her plane became grounded. The weather was not good. Trying to decide what to do as Christmas was near, she barely escaped being hit by a car. A man with a distinct accent pushed her away from disaster even hurting her some. She was set back until she realized he was protecting her

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Kelly is my favourite new-to-me author this month. I say this month because I tend to read a lot of new-to-me authors. But the takeaway here for you is I absolutely this book. It was great quick read, featuring interesting and appealing characters. And the story was ever so charming, and entertaining. Loved it and I can’t wait for the chance to read more from Tessa Kelly.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story with some mystery and action too! Perfect for the holiday season, with a lost puppy and two young people far from home near the end of the year. You will love all the characters - and the story continues, since this is a prequel. I'll be reading the next book too - the sneak peek was enticing!

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable fast paced short cozy mystery story. The prequel to the Sandie James series introduces us to this charming lady as she begins her amateur slueth activities. A few exciting scenes and a sweet little puppy keeps the story entertaining to the end.

I received a free copy from the author when signing up for her newsletter. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Willow Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a heart warming Christmas Story. I really like her characters. And her books. This is the 4th book by her I have read and all were great!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Waloven · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to introduce a new cozy-mystery series. An unexpectedly long layover leads the main character to a new life and puppy and friends at Christmas time. Nice little holiday read. You just never know what life has in store for you.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good cozy, I really enjoyed it. The story was good the characters were great and the little hint of romance didn't hurt either. I look forward to reading another one of Sandie James books they are really entaining.

[Cozy Mystery Fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5. A very sweet, little cozy mystery about a young woman trying to find herself after a very bad breakup. She ends up in Seattle, and an adventure begins, meeting with danger and new friends.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful story with complex and interesting characters. a refreshing read! Love the cover! looking forward to reading more by this author!