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Christmas Village Cozy #2
Grievance in Gingerbread Alley
When Augusta (Gus) Chance takes a break from her duties as Sheriff of Mystic Notch to indulge in her hobby of playing jazz piano in Christmas Village she never imagines that a surprise from her past will cause her to become embroiled in the investigation of a suspicious death.
She soon discovers that Christmas Village isn’t the idyllic holiday retreat that it appears to be. Something sinister is lurking beneath all that Christmas cheer and the village regulars are harboring dangerous secrets.
What does the murder have to do with the maids-a-milking, the swans-a-swimming and the partridge in the pear tree? Gus is on a mission to find out, but she soon discovers that solving a murder is not so easy when you don’t have the benefit of a sheriff’s badge.
This humorous Christmas cozy mystery novella features Sheriff Gus Chance from Leighann Dobbs’ Mystic Notch series in a twisty old-fashioned who done it in a warm and cozy Christmas village setting.
She soon discovers that Christmas Village isn’t the idyllic holiday retreat that it appears to be. Something sinister is lurking beneath all that Christmas cheer and the village regulars are harboring dangerous secrets.
What does the murder have to do with the maids-a-milking, the swans-a-swimming and the partridge in the pear tree? Gus is on a mission to find out, but she soon discovers that solving a murder is not so easy when you don’t have the benefit of a sheriff’s badge.
This humorous Christmas cozy mystery novella features Sheriff Gus Chance from Leighann Dobbs’ Mystic Notch series in a twisty old-fashioned who done it in a warm and cozy Christmas village setting.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2019
171 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Leighann Dobbs
134 books1,862 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 10, 2020
Not as good as the novels
I guess it’s that Gus isn’t very warm and cuddly and we don’t see a softer side of her here. Christmas town would make a great series and the locals were pretty interesting. Maybe our author could soften up Gus a little bit for the future. She is an interesting character-—She’s a Barbi doll sheriff who plays Jazz, after all! Why is she so aloof? Why wasn’t she spending anytime with her sister? Might they get along better? Inquiring minds what to know.
I guess it’s that Gus isn’t very warm and cuddly and we don’t see a softer side of her here. Christmas town would make a great series and the locals were pretty interesting. Maybe our author could soften up Gus a little bit for the future. She is an interesting character-—She’s a Barbi doll sheriff who plays Jazz, after all! Why is she so aloof? Why wasn’t she spending anytime with her sister? Might they get along better? Inquiring minds what to know.
November 21, 2019
Just love this new series! This book is the second one. They are all based around the snowy tourist town of Christmas Village. The main characters are from other series written by Leighann Dobbs. The books are easy to read and can be read in any order. It’s a great way to start off this holiday season.
January 31, 2022
Augusta, known as Gus, is taking a short vacation in the town of Christmas Village. In this short novella, Gus who is the sheriff in her home town of Mystic Notch, is hoping to indulge a harmless passion - playing jazz piano at a bar. She is standing next to a woman who suddenly drops dead - Gus, without thinking, looks over the body and detects froth about her mouth indicating she was poisoned. Gus is stopped by Winters, the sheriff of Christmas Village, who was Gus' instructor at the police academy.
The victim, Vicky, was looking into the care of the birds used in the village as part of the re-enactment of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." She felt they weren't well cared for, but the sisters who owned the bird store insisted they were - the nests were all heated and the pond in which the seven swans swam was heated, etc. Comfort and Joy, the twin owners of the bird shop are Gus's first suspects.
Despite the problems of investigating Vicky's death without the resources of the police department at her disposal and while trying to avoid Winters, makes some progress in this Christmas obsessed village, and with the help of a new friend and her partner in playing jazz at the bar, does solve the case.
I certainly enjoy a good mystery and a story that takes place in an interesting locale, but Christmas Village seems somewhat stilted and unbelievable. Still, if you're looking for a quick read to get you in the mood or Christmas, this will fill the bill.
The victim, Vicky, was looking into the care of the birds used in the village as part of the re-enactment of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." She felt they weren't well cared for, but the sisters who owned the bird store insisted they were - the nests were all heated and the pond in which the seven swans swam was heated, etc. Comfort and Joy, the twin owners of the bird shop are Gus's first suspects.
Despite the problems of investigating Vicky's death without the resources of the police department at her disposal and while trying to avoid Winters, makes some progress in this Christmas obsessed village, and with the help of a new friend and her partner in playing jazz at the bar, does solve the case.
I certainly enjoy a good mystery and a story that takes place in an interesting locale, but Christmas Village seems somewhat stilted and unbelievable. Still, if you're looking for a quick read to get you in the mood or Christmas, this will fill the bill.
December 16, 2019
Grievance in Gingerbread Alley is the second of the Christmas Village Cozies. They’re both quick fun reads and I read this one right after the first.
Gus is on vacation in Christmas Village, playing jazz piano at the North Pole Lounge. She knows Christmas Village can’t be as perfect and cheery as it seems. While she’s out and about she watches as a protester keels over, obviously poisoned, and she can’t help investigating. The woman was protesting the treatment of the birds in Christmas Village: the partridge, French hens, geese, swans, turtle doves. There are lots of suspects in her death with the birds’ caretakers and the philandering husband and his mistress, at the top of the list.
The problem, at least for Gus, is that the local detective in charge was one of her teachers at the police academy. They apparently never got along well, and not Detective Winters is insisting Gus stay out of the way. So Gus, and her sidekick Ivy, have to find out their answers by sneaking around and asking unofficial questions. The residents are all a bit quirky, and there’s at least a bit of magic going on, but the murder is a good old-fashioned mystery.
This was a good addition to my Christmas reading. It was cute and a good book to read while hubby was watching hockey on tv.
Gus is on vacation in Christmas Village, playing jazz piano at the North Pole Lounge. She knows Christmas Village can’t be as perfect and cheery as it seems. While she’s out and about she watches as a protester keels over, obviously poisoned, and she can’t help investigating. The woman was protesting the treatment of the birds in Christmas Village: the partridge, French hens, geese, swans, turtle doves. There are lots of suspects in her death with the birds’ caretakers and the philandering husband and his mistress, at the top of the list.
The problem, at least for Gus, is that the local detective in charge was one of her teachers at the police academy. They apparently never got along well, and not Detective Winters is insisting Gus stay out of the way. So Gus, and her sidekick Ivy, have to find out their answers by sneaking around and asking unofficial questions. The residents are all a bit quirky, and there’s at least a bit of magic going on, but the murder is a good old-fashioned mystery.
This was a good addition to my Christmas reading. It was cute and a good book to read while hubby was watching hockey on tv.
December 31, 2019
Gus Discovers it's not Easy to Solve a Murder if you aren't Police!
This is the 2nd Book in this series that takes place in Christmas Village & I love the fact Leighann is using characters from her other series! Gus is a sheriff in the Mystic Cove Mysteries but on vacation in Christmas Village to play jazz on the piano. With the help of the woman playing saxophone with her, they solve the murder. The detective in charge in Christmas Village was Gus's instructor at the police academy & made her feel she was inadequate but surprises her in the end!! I thought it was a very good book & look forward to the next story!!
This is the 2nd Book in this series that takes place in Christmas Village & I love the fact Leighann is using characters from her other series! Gus is a sheriff in the Mystic Cove Mysteries but on vacation in Christmas Village to play jazz on the piano. With the help of the woman playing saxophone with her, they solve the murder. The detective in charge in Christmas Village was Gus's instructor at the police academy & made her feel she was inadequate but surprises her in the end!! I thought it was a very good book & look forward to the next story!!
December 19, 2019
Clever Christmas story
This is a fun read for Christmas. I liked having Gus Chance as a main character. She’s on vacation at a Christmas village to play jazz. Of course, a murder gets in the way. Enjoyed the characters which includes the town itself. I’m hoping the insight Gus got on Willa’s investigative skills carries into the Mystic Notch series. If you are a Leighann Dobson fan, you’ll like this novella.
This is a fun read for Christmas. I liked having Gus Chance as a main character. She’s on vacation at a Christmas village to play jazz. Of course, a murder gets in the way. Enjoyed the characters which includes the town itself. I’m hoping the insight Gus got on Willa’s investigative skills carries into the Mystic Notch series. If you are a Leighann Dobson fan, you’ll like this novella.
March 16, 2021
Plodding and uninspired
This time we have Sheriff Augusta (Gus) Chance in a cross-over from Mystic Notch visiting Christmas Village; apparently this is the vacation spot of choice for secondary characters. The mystery is not compelling, the motive is banal, Gus comes across as a paranoid nut job, and the author fails to take advantage of the holiday charm of the location. And what's up with the snowmen?!
This time we have Sheriff Augusta (Gus) Chance in a cross-over from Mystic Notch visiting Christmas Village; apparently this is the vacation spot of choice for secondary characters. The mystery is not compelling, the motive is banal, Gus comes across as a paranoid nut job, and the author fails to take advantage of the holiday charm of the location. And what's up with the snowmen?!
December 31, 2020
These short Christmas novellas are the cutest cozy mysteries ever by Leighann Dobbs. Her comical use of everything "Christmasy" and the "Twelve Days of Christmas" song is nothing short of brilliant. I'm glad to see her comical side and really appreciate the light-hearted humor and crime solving--especially during a pandemic when a laugh is sorely needed!
January 1, 2021
Another really enjoyable and fast and fun story. What I love most about this little series is that the author is taking characters from her other series and placing them within these stories. It makes it even more fun.
I’m completely obsessed with the snowmen!
I hope Dobbs decides to do more books in Christmas Village.
I’m completely obsessed with the snowmen!
I hope Dobbs decides to do more books in Christmas Village.
December 16, 2019
"Twas Not Long Before Christmas!"
Leighann is such a creative author whose books always captivate me. Here in the Christmas entertainment tale, every character is given a Christmas name. Great, great short story! You'll not stop laughing and smiling.
Leighann is such a creative author whose books always captivate me. Here in the Christmas entertainment tale, every character is given a Christmas name. Great, great short story! You'll not stop laughing and smiling.
December 25, 2019
Christmas village sounds a little creepy
A great cast of characters for this Christmas themed story , adding in Gus from Mystic Falls and putting her in Willas position is a fun way to help her see what Willa does is hard and deserves a little more understanding.
A great cast of characters for this Christmas themed story , adding in Gus from Mystic Falls and putting her in Willas position is a fun way to help her see what Willa does is hard and deserves a little more understanding.
January 11, 2020
Christmas village whodunit
This one, while cute, is a bit sappy. The author did a good job of integrating the twelve days of Christmas into a cozy mystery, but it did come off a bit trite. Fortunately it was short and a pleasant afternoon diversion.
This one, while cute, is a bit sappy. The author did a good job of integrating the twelve days of Christmas into a cozy mystery, but it did come off a bit trite. Fortunately it was short and a pleasant afternoon diversion.
December 28, 2020
Enjoyed it
A great story had me guessing until the end
A great cast of characters and some from another series
Makes me want to read the authors other series
Will check them out in the new year
A great story had me guessing until the end
A great cast of characters and some from another series
Makes me want to read the authors other series
Will check them out in the new year
November 27, 2022
When series collide, let the fun begin!
When Gus, the sheriff from the author’s Mystic Notch series (highly recommended by me!) takes a holiday vacation to play piano in a jazz club, murder and intrigue follow her. A delightful short story with a holiday flavor!
When Gus, the sheriff from the author’s Mystic Notch series (highly recommended by me!) takes a holiday vacation to play piano in a jazz club, murder and intrigue follow her. A delightful short story with a holiday flavor!
January 19, 2020
Cute little mystery. Leigh Ann Dobbs writes some very interesting stories. Always one of my favorite authors. A good read if your short on reading time.
June 1, 2020
Another short, light and fluffy novella.
November 14, 2020
A wonderful quick read
This is a wonderful quick read that is sure to leave you craving more of Christmas Village and their wonderful residents.
This is a wonderful quick read that is sure to leave you craving more of Christmas Village and their wonderful residents.
December 10, 2020
Another short run Christmastime mystery.
December 20, 2020
Quick fun story
August 18, 2022
I love this series. It's nice to see people from other series put in another series.
July 27, 2025
Fun Holiday story, quirky characters and a good mystery!
December 9, 2019
Fun
I have enjoyed other books by this author. I enjoyed the characters and the different approach the main character had to go. Definitely recommend this book.
I have enjoyed other books by this author. I enjoyed the characters and the different approach the main character had to go. Definitely recommend this book.
December 5, 2019
Very cute!!
Incredibly silly, but fun!! With all the negative in the world. Everyone should read a fun Xmas novel!!! Can’t wait for the next one!!
Incredibly silly, but fun!! With all the negative in the world. Everyone should read a fun Xmas novel!!! Can’t wait for the next one!!
February 14, 2022
Another cute, short story involving Ember Quinn. This was another fun and quick novella in Christmas Village.
November 16, 2019
Augusta "Gus" Chance, sheriff of Mystic Notch, New Hampshire, has traveled to Christmas Village to play the jazz piano in the North Pole Lounge. She has found Ivy Peterson, a saxophone player from Christmas Village to accompany her.
Little did she know that she would find herself trying to solve a murder while she was on vacation without her badge or gun.
Leaving her small AirBnB apartment she sees a disturbance in the street. A woman is trying to post fliers about saving the birds in Christmas Village. Suddenly she falls face first to the street obviously dead.
Detective Kristine Winters and Detective Noel are the officers in charge of the investigation. Detective Winters was Gus's nemesis and instructor while attending the police academy. She tells Gus that she does not want Gus that she is in charge in Christmas Village, not Gus!
There are many suspects in the death of Vicky Smithers in town. There are Comfort and Joy from Ruffled Feathers; Mary Dunn from Town Hall; Kevin Smithers, her husband; Wanda Garland from Good Tidings Cafe and Yule Navidad who runs the reindeer transport and toy factory. Kevin and Wanda are high on the list because Kevin was having an affair with Wanda.
Ivy is a young lady wanting to learn to investigate. Gus thinks it might be a good idea to have someone from Christmas Village so the two begin to investigate.
This is a very well written, short Christmas story. It is a must read for those who love Christmas stories.
Little did she know that she would find herself trying to solve a murder while she was on vacation without her badge or gun.
Leaving her small AirBnB apartment she sees a disturbance in the street. A woman is trying to post fliers about saving the birds in Christmas Village. Suddenly she falls face first to the street obviously dead.
Detective Kristine Winters and Detective Noel are the officers in charge of the investigation. Detective Winters was Gus's nemesis and instructor while attending the police academy. She tells Gus that she does not want Gus that she is in charge in Christmas Village, not Gus!
There are many suspects in the death of Vicky Smithers in town. There are Comfort and Joy from Ruffled Feathers; Mary Dunn from Town Hall; Kevin Smithers, her husband; Wanda Garland from Good Tidings Cafe and Yule Navidad who runs the reindeer transport and toy factory. Kevin and Wanda are high on the list because Kevin was having an affair with Wanda.
Ivy is a young lady wanting to learn to investigate. Gus thinks it might be a good idea to have someone from Christmas Village so the two begin to investigate.
This is a very well written, short Christmas story. It is a must read for those who love Christmas stories.
November 29, 2019
Even on vacation Gus Chance
Solved the mystery of Vicky's murder and gets to play jazz piano. Now she will appreciate Willa more now that she had this experience.
Solved the mystery of Vicky's murder and gets to play jazz piano. Now she will appreciate Willa more now that she had this experience.
November 21, 2019
4.6 stars for Grievance in Gingerbread Alley!
Lots of fun dreaming of a little town set up as a Christmas Village. Of course Christmas is my favorite season, so I wouldn't mind being there. I enjoyed Gus as sheriff in the other series and thought it was interesting having her play jazz in this one. Terrific quick Christmas read. Enjoy!
Lots of fun dreaming of a little town set up as a Christmas Village. Of course Christmas is my favorite season, so I wouldn't mind being there. I enjoyed Gus as sheriff in the other series and thought it was interesting having her play jazz in this one. Terrific quick Christmas read. Enjoy!
November 10, 2019
A great Christmas murder mystery
Gus is in Christmas Village! So, a different main character than in book 1, but if you’re familiar with Mystic Notch, then you know her already. But now she isn’t in her capacity as a Sheriff, she’s there as a tourist, and to play jazz. Christmas Village seems so idyllic with its quaintness and joy, but there’s an undercurrent that Gus picks up on. When she witnesses someone dying, she suspects murder. But she has to take a different approach in this investigation, as she isn’t the Sheriff here. So the thinks “What would Willa do?” (Willa is her sister and an amateur sleuth). So she can’t be her usual blunt self because she has no authority. Great story! A quick read, with a well-developed mystery and a lot of Christmas cheer! Loved it!
Gus is in Christmas Village! So, a different main character than in book 1, but if you’re familiar with Mystic Notch, then you know her already. But now she isn’t in her capacity as a Sheriff, she’s there as a tourist, and to play jazz. Christmas Village seems so idyllic with its quaintness and joy, but there’s an undercurrent that Gus picks up on. When she witnesses someone dying, she suspects murder. But she has to take a different approach in this investigation, as she isn’t the Sheriff here. So the thinks “What would Willa do?” (Willa is her sister and an amateur sleuth). So she can’t be her usual blunt self because she has no authority. Great story! A quick read, with a well-developed mystery and a lot of Christmas cheer! Loved it!
November 15, 2019
When Sheriff Gus from Mystic Notch goes on vacation to play jazz in Christmas Village, she can't help but get involved in a murder investigation. Having the lead detective be a teacher from her police academy days just adds to the stress of it all.
Over all a fun read...
Over all a fun read...
November 6, 2019
Gus is in Christmas Village to relax and play some jazz, while on vacation from Mystic Notch. While heading to her apartment, one of the residents are causing a commotion, then she simply drops dead. When Gus takes a look at the body, she sees signs that the death may be a murder. When her former teacher in the academy she graduated from pronounces it natural causes? Gus takes it upon herself to solve the murder and prove her former instructor wrong.
Another fun story from Leighann Dobbs. This one brings some familiar characters along for the ride while introducing some new ones.
Another fun story from Leighann Dobbs. This one brings some familiar characters along for the ride while introducing some new ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews