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Made in Savannah #15

Christmas Family Style

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The Garlucci Family reunites to celebrate Christmas in Savannah. After the festivities turn deadly, Carlita faces a list of suspects as long as Santa’s naughty list.

“Christmas Family Style” is Book 15 in the Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Series

BONUS: RECIPE INCLUDED!


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The Garlucci Family is reunited as they prepare to celebrate Christmas in historic Savannah, Georgia. Carlita is thrilled to have all of her children and grandchildren with her once again.

Pete treats Carlita and her family to a special surprise when he invites them to join him on board The Flying Gunner for the Merry Bay Christmas boat parade. There is dinner and dancing, and even Santa is on hand for the children.

Carlita’s oldest son brings his wife and new baby, along with Brittney’s bodyguards, courtesy of her father, who happens to be a NY mob boss.

The festive event takes a sudden turn when someone goes missing. Foul play is suspected with Mercedes and Pirate Pete shooting to the top of a long list of suspects.

Will Carlita and her family get to the bottom of what happened during the Christmas boat parade? Or will Christmas be ruined when someone Carlita loves is arrested and accused of murder?

Join Carlita and the rest of the Garlucci family and friends for a festive, fun-filled Christmas holiday in historic Savannah, Georgia.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2020

856 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

Hope Callaghan

184 books764 followers
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★ AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ★
★ 2017 Mom's Choice Award ★

Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books.

She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.

Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.

When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Kitten  Peters.
1,017 reviews5 followers
November 22, 2020
Love this series

Everyone lives Christmas time, until there is a murder. So what if the victim is a HOZEY, loud mouthed pain in the rear. Lots if people wanted her dead, and the plot twists until you find the killer. Great, quick read series.
Profile Image for Amary Chapman.
1,665 reviews27 followers
September 24, 2020
When mob boss's daughter Brittany's bodyguard is murdered, Carlita fears for her family and friends. As Vinnie's wife she attended a boat party in which the bodyguard was subdued and locked up as to not create further problems. When Carlita and Pete went to let her out when the boat docked...she was gone. When her body it pulled from the water everyone she had a disagreement is now a suspect. Carlita doesn't believe it was any of her people and works with family and friends to find answers before an agent of said mob boss makes his own decision on the guilty party. Fun read with interesting characters
Profile Image for Valerie Irwin.
317 reviews6 followers
September 17, 2020
More. More...I Want More!!!!!!!

If you're a fan of the Garlucci Family, like me, you've been waiting for this new book and you won't be disappointed!!!!!! What an adventure! The entire family is gathering at Carlitia's and Mercedes apartment, located in the building housing the family pawn shop. Pete, Carlita's special friend, has arranged for the entire family to join him on his replica pirate ship for a special evening dinner while participating in the festive holiday boat parade complete with firework! Such a fun evening!!!!!! What could possibly go wrong???? Only a over protective bodyguard with an attitude could put a damper on this fantastic evening....and that's just what she does! But that is just the beginning!!!

A missing person, a body found, secrets are spilled, fingers are pointed and soon, those closest to Carlita, including her daughter, Mercedes, is in the short list of murder subjects! And the ending......!!!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!!! I can't wait!!!
Profile Image for RO G'ma.
1,061 reviews43 followers
September 14, 2020
Christmas Family Style is the fifteenth book in Hope Callaghan’s awesome Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery series. The storyline flows smoothly in this clean and enjoyable read. This well-plotted mystery is steady paced with a great storyline, affable characters, and an intriguing mystery with twists and red herrings that kept me turning the pages and guessing until the final reveal. I highly recommend all the books written by this author to readers who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries.

Carlita Garlucci and two of her four adult children are living in Savannah, Georgia, where she’s the owner of an apartment building and two businesses, Savannah Swag Pawn Shop and Ravello’s, an Italian restaurant. Carlita and her husband, Vinnie, had four children, three sons, Vinnie Jr., Tony, and Paulie, and one daughter, Mercedes. On his deathbed, Vinnie made Carlita promise to get their sons out of the “family.” Vinnie, Jr., who is married to Brittney, the only daughter of mob boss, Vito Castellinis, manages his father-in-law’s casino in New Jersey and is heavily involved in the “family.” Vinnie and Brittney have an infant son, named after his father and grandfather. Tony runs the family’s pawn shop, is married to a previous tenant, Shelby, and lives in the apartment above the restaurant with his wife and her young daughter, Violet. Paulie is the mayor of Clifton Falls, New York. He and his wife, Gina, have triplets, Gracie, Noel, and PJ, Paulie’s namesake. Mercedes, a published author, shares an apartment with her mother and enjoys spending time with their tenant, Sam Ivey, an ex-police officer.

It’s Christmastime, and Carlita Garlucci is overjoyed that all her children and grandchildren are spending the holiday with her. She has lots of fun and exciting activities planned for the entire family, plus Pirate Pete Taylor has invited everyone to an exciting evening planned for everyone. When Roxy Ciccone, one of Brittney’s bodyguards, causes a scene on Pete’s ship, The Flying Gunner, he sequesters her in a locked room on the ship. Roxy goes missing, and when her body is discovered in the river, Mercedes, Pete, and several others close to Carlita become persons of interest. Carlita is determined to clear everyone’s name and solve the mystery surrounding Roxy’s disappearance and death.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Meg.
229 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2020
The Garlucci family have gathered together to celebrate Christmas in Savannah, and Carlita is delighted to have them. As usual, whenever the family gets together there is fun times and chaos is a given. When Pirate Pete invited the family onboard his pirate ship for the annual boat parade, everyone was excited about the adventure. Little did they know the adventure would become stressful as Brittany’s new bodyguard, Roxie, creates a scene by provoking many of Carlita’s family and friends. When she gets into an altercation with Mercedes, Pirate Pete fires his gun and hauls Roxie off to a “cell” until the boat cruise is over. When they go to release her, she has disappeared!

I really enjoy this series by Hope Callaghan. The characters become like the friends you want to visit. Elvira’s antics make me laugh and over the series I have enjoyed watching Dernice, Elvira’s sister, develop into a character that is a great addition to the storyline. This is an entertaining cozy, with characters that are easily liked. The plot keeps you moving through the story with a variety of suspects to keep you guessing. A well written cozy that does not disappoint. I was gifted a copy by the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
58 reviews
September 28, 2020
The Garlucci family Christmas get together, plus some!!
Carlita finally has her whole family home.
Vinnie and Brittney with baby Vinnie from New Jersey, taking Mercedes room.
Paul and Gina and the triplets from New York bunking with Tony and Shelby and Violet that live across the alley.
Daughter Mercedes is rooming with friend Autumn during the stay.
Lots of holiday cheer and a murder to boot.
Pete the Pirate, Carlita's love interest, has planned a christmas surprise that involves his pirate ship
and a lot of their friends, in a lighted boat parade down the river.
Being in the "family" Brittney come along with two bodyguards, one gets unruly and ends up dead and tossed over the side.
Will they make it through the festivities without getting incarcerated??!!
I would recommend this book along with the Savanah Series or any of Hope's other series to anyone that love good clean fun cozy mysteries.
Profile Image for Katy.
1,509 reviews6 followers
October 3, 2020
What do you do when you're a a widow to a low-level Mafia member who wants you to get the kids out of the business? Begin a new life in Savannah! Carlita has moved to Savannah with daughter Mercedes, another son is mayor to a small town in upstate NY, but her son Vinnie is a casino boss in Jersey and married to the daughter of a Mafia don. Carlita though is excited because her family is arriving for Christmas vacation with her.

All goes well until Carlita's daughter-in-law's bodyguard is murdered on the Christmas boat festival parade. Who did it, why, and why did they need Jersey Joe to visit and investigate?


Cute story. I' read other Made in Savannah mysteries.
Profile Image for Linda Klager.
1,016 reviews48 followers
November 21, 2020
I was interesting in this Christmas book set in Savannah, Georgia.

Carlita Garlucci is a widow. On her husband's deathbed he asked her to get her family out of the Mafia. Carlita is trying to do that and has asked her family to move to Savannah.

Carlita is doing her best to have a wonderful family Christmas. She has a new boyfriend and he invited Carlita and her family to come aboard his Pirate Ship for a cruise. Unfortunately, there is one member of the party that goes missing and later on they find out that something really terrible has happened.

The family investigates and solves the crime.
1,175 reviews
December 3, 2020
The Garlucci Family is all together to celebrate Christmas. While attending the Christmas boat parade on “The Flying Gunner” Roxie, Brittney’s bodyguard, is murdered. Since Roxie was very special to Vito, Brittney’s dad, he wants to murder solved and solved quickly. He sends his best “lawyer” to investigate. The boat was full of guest so anyone could have done it. Elvira is a suspect along with her sister, Pete and Mercedes Who will discover the murderer first? While this is happening, Carlita is Pete are getting close. Will this relationship develop into something more serious? I have enjoyed all of Hope’s book and always look forward to the next book. The characters are wonderful.
Profile Image for Cher  Kelley.
199 reviews
January 9, 2021
I love this series! Strong women, great characters. The "family" is more than just the Garluccis. Brittney brings another "family" when she marries a Garlucci son, her dad is the mob boss, so there's that. While Carlitta tries keeping her sons out of the mob, 1 married into it. His wife has a snsrky woman body guard that no one likes. It's Christmas time and everyone is visiting Savannah to celebrate it, along with said body guard!
Trouble ensues and a death at one of the celebrations, everyone is a suspect!
I had so much fun reading this that it was done in two nights! Looking forward to the cruise crossover! Because I totally love that series too. Millie and Carlitta should hit it off!
Profile Image for Renate Deutsche Oma.
1,390 reviews
September 17, 2020
Hope Callaghan crafts a page turning well paced holiday who dun it mystery with red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Explore Savanah's history with our delightful sleuth Carlita and take a Christmastime Boat Parade on Pete's Pirate ship with a comical speaking parrot. Who isn't intrigued with Pirate Tales and Hidden Tunnels? Will Carlita's daughter-in-law's mafia connection undo Carlita's family businesses? The troubles Carlita encounters makes the reader chuckle, especially since Carlita can never escape her nemesis Elvira. Broken Spaghetti Risotto recipe include.
128 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2020
Merry Christmas

When Carlitta has her four children all gather in Savannah for the Christmas holiday she is excited to have all her children under her roof as such. There are the usual body guards thrown into the mix and one brings her own baggage. When Pete invites the family and their friends for a surprise they are excited but it ends with a murder and Mercedes and Pete , as well as others being suspects. The family goes in to full detective mode to save the family and Christmas. I enjoyed this book and the end was a total surprise. Vinnie, the eldest son presented the entire family with a surprise vacation. As usual Hope Callaghan has knocked it out of the ball park again!!!!!
168 reviews2 followers
October 10, 2020
Savannah cozy number 15

Although it would be ideal to start with number one in the series, Hope adds the list of characters in the front so you can see the relationships. Set in beautiful Savannah, GA, Carlotta strives to maintain three businesses and establish her family in a new city after her husband passes away. Here is always a mystery to solve but she has amazing friends and a close family. Very enjoyable cozy with lots of plot twists and crazy neighbors.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Wolf.
35 reviews
August 9, 2021
Great book

This book was really great. I love this family and their love for each other. I love the adventures that they have. I also love learning about Savanna. I have never been there but I feel like I have been. At this point I only have one book left in this series. I am going to read it now but I am not happy about it as it is my last one. Hopefully the author will write another one soon.
20 reviews
May 12, 2022
A Fun Read!

This is actually my second reading of the Savannah series, and I am enjoying them all over again. It is great to sit down with a mystery and get to know the people involved. Hope introduces new characters and weaves them into the picture while maintaining the continuity with the established storyline. So much fun to read. Not all about perfect, not outlandish. Good, clean stories with believable people who have believable lives. I love all of Hope's work.
15 reviews
September 18, 2022
Carlucci Christmas

I can’t give enough praise for Hope Callaghan’s multiple series’. She keeps the reader engaged with interesting interwoven tales. I don’t review every book because they would all be very similar with words of glowing praise and take up time I can use reading. They are not for the super intellectual, but they are perfect for those who read for the pleasure of the written. I’m always disappointed when a series ends, but I am thrilled to begin a new one!
Profile Image for Valerie Hartup.
116 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2020
I so love this series!

Carlita is back and her wonderful family with ‘family’ ties are back in Savannah to celebrate Christmas together. As always, trouble appears and a top level member of the ‘family’ comes down to take care of things. Will Christmas be ruined if Carlita can’t figure things out?
Profile Image for Denota.
153 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2020
Perfection first page to last!

Wonderful story with delightful characters. Loved it start to finish. Great family a d wonderful friends. This is how every grandparent wants to build and save memories. Truely a loving Enjoy. Thank you for all the memories it stirred for me. I'll be smiling all day
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
September 18, 2020
Christmas "Family" Style.

The whole family is in Savannah for Christmas, and where Vinnie and Brittney go so does the "family" security. This time the female bodyguard rubs everyone the wrong way, and someone decides her holiday is over. Carlita and crew need to solve the murder before the police target one of their expanded family.
Profile Image for EmbGram.
217 reviews
September 22, 2020
Garlucci family Christmas turns deadly

All of Carlita's family are together for a memorable Christmas, but Pirate Pete's party on his ship turns deadly. One of Vinnie's wife's bodyguards went missing. Unfortunately, she is like a daughter to Vinnie's father-in-law, a Mafia boss. Will Carl it a and her friends and family find the peep before there is a Mafia battle execution?
17 reviews
November 12, 2020
Christmas family style

Always a good clean page turner. The characters become friends and it always seems like I'm cheering someone on. Christmas is one of my favorite times for faith, friends and family.
Can't wait to read the Garlucci family on their next travels with Millie. Great job Hope.🌷
Profile Image for Jen Gulseth.
4 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2021
I can't get enough!!

I've been to Savannah several times, and the author does an amazing job with the city's descriptions. As far as the characters are concerned, each one is believable and lovable in their own way. I wish I was part of their family! I look forward to additional books in the series as they never get old or monotonous.
104 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2022
The Garlucci's

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Made in Savannah books and this one did not disappoint! As an avid reader, I am always looking for new, interesting and engaging books. I spend the majority of my "free time" reading so I go thru quite a few books. Excitedly awaiting the next installment!
141 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2022
Who Did It, This Time?

It is amazing how so many incidents acquiring police actions can happen to one family! Even tho, this happens to the Garlucci family the books are never boring or repetitive. What can go wrong on a Christmas boat parade while on a pirate ship? You will have to read the book to find out.
Profile Image for Jenny.
81 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2023
Loved it!

I have enjoyed every book in this series so far and this one is the most suspenseful one yet. I always look forward to Elvira's antics but I also like the other characters too. They make a great crime solving team. I also enjoy the budding romances that appear here and there. I'll be sorry when this series is over.
403 reviews
November 28, 2023
Reading another book about the Garlucci family is always a treat. Spending Christmas with them is just phenomenal. Having read most books in this series they feel like my family. I have watched not only the main characters grow but the ancillary characters are well developed. I look forward to the next one in the series involving a cruise. I love this author and the Savannah story!
20 reviews
September 21, 2020
The best yet, I can not put it down . I love this writer work so much, it is fun, relaxing, and keeps you on your toes. I read her books like some people like chocolate . Great can not wait for the next one.
15 reviews3 followers
September 22, 2020
Love this series and author

Lots of mystery, no gore and always an entertaining read. Love this series as well as her other series. Good plots and twists, no bad language but usually plenty of fun.
Profile Image for Francine.
142 reviews
September 24, 2020
Fun book

Another great book in this fun series. It’s a fast, easy mystery to read. The storyline is interesting & keeps you guessing until the very end. The characters are amusing & likable. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Veronica Knack.
148 reviews
September 25, 2020
Another Great Garlucci Adventure

Carlita and her family find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery while gathering for Christmas. Many possible suspects but I'm glad the culprit was discovered. Discovering who do proved to be a great adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

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