Death Of A Christmas Carol

Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #13.5

by Lee Hollis

Previously published in Christmas Card Murder

Season’s Greetings—murder is in the cards . . .

The Island Times Christmas soiree gets off to a scrooge-y start when Hayley Powell, Mona Barnes, and Rosana Moretti receive a Christmas card from the town flirt, Carol Waterman—who threatens to run off with one of their husbands . . . !

The ladies chalk it up to an imprudent prank . . . until they find Carol mistletoe-up under her tree . . .

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Mystery, Novella, Holiday, Audiobook, Cozy

Unknown Binding

About the author

Lee Hollis is the pen name for Rick Copp and his sister Holly Simason.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas time murders! I read this stand-alone and as part of a trio-anthology. Lee Hollis writes some fun holiday murder mysteries (light investigation, more about the holiday spirit with fave characters). Recommended.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Carol, the town flirt is found strangled with string lights under her Christmas tree after having sent a group Christmas card to Hayley, Mona and Rosana saying she was running off with one of their husbands. Suspicion ensues (some reasonable, some not) and there are two mysteries to clear: who was Carol having her most recent affair with and who killed her? The murderer wasn't difficult to suss out and had I read more than one book in this series previously, I probably would have been able to tell which husband had cheated.

This also referenced an old movie that I've never seen but now have added to my list to watch: A Letter to Three Wives (starring Ann Sothrm, Linda Darell, Jean Crain and Kirk Douglas). Also, this had recipes after Hayley's paper articles (I loved those) and while most didn't appeal to me, I always love seeing recipes in books. I do think the Christmas Pin Wheel Appetizers sounded good.

This was a fast, fun read and just what I needed. I enjoyed it so much, I looked up some more of these seasonal cozies at the library and Yule Log Murder which has three stories, one of them featuring the characters in this story and I'm already enjoying it.

Recommend.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The story is a little over the top, but I guess it’s acceptable in a cozy murder mystery.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I just love my Lee Hollis' books. These books are humorous, entertaining and a pleasure to read. This short novella was a joy to read yet it was quite suspective too.

In all their books, Hayley Powell, our main character, is usually the focus of story, where one of the secondary character is killed and she along with her group of hilarious friends try to solve the mystery in a scary but yet funny and mysterious ways.

However, in this book, we get to see a softer side of Mona Barnes and her delicate feelings. Mona is described as a tough, large and loud woman, who is fairly independent with alot of kids and a slouch of a husband, Dennis. Dennis, although a good husband, mostly sits on the couch and watches TV, continuous, neglecting Mona and their kids.

I highly recommend this book and all Lee Hollis books, always! 💕 💞

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this and enjoyed the narrator, Eliza Foss. The story was amusing. The two bonuses for me were to a) find out about a film called A LETTER TO THREE WIVES (good one!) and b) enjoy listening to some clever recipes for Christmas holiday treats.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the characters. Story was fun too. I will definitely check out this series.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to go back and read this one after reading book 14. I kind of knew one thing that was going to happen but I don't think it ruined the story. Love these in betweens!!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of a Christmas Carol is written by a new to me author. This was a humorous, fast-paced novella. The characters are entertaining, and you want to know more about them.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is anew to me author and I really liked the storyline the telling of it the recepies included etc. This is part of a series but like me I hadn’t read any of the others and I wasn’t lost although I have a feeling that you’d get to know the characters and stuff if you read in order. I read this as one of my Christmas books this year.
No sexual references or any language so I can recommend this book to my preteen advanced reading friends and anyone who wants a good book .

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death of a Christmas Carol (Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery #13.5)" by Lee Hollis focuses on Hayley, her best friend and her boss's wife as they try to figure out who did in the local cougar (human version). She claimed to be running off with one of their husbands, but was later found dead in her own home when the ladies when to check on her. All their husbands had shown up at the party and seem to have good alibis.

[Kasey Loftis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little cozy mystery. I have not read many of the Hayley Powell books, only what was included in the holiday trilogies, so I didn't know the characters or their stories very well. It was still a pretty decent book regardless. I loved the concept of the crazy Carol who couldn't keep her hands off of everyone's husbands. It was easy to see who might want to kill her-every woman in the town. I would have enjoyed this as a full-length book.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short Christmas murder mystery. A Christmas card sent to three, but a note saying she's leaving town with one of their husbands. Did one of their husbands kill. An interesting story.

[Ann Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read---short story version of Christmas Card

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters and stories are getting old. Same old

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect short story murder mystery! Holiday fun, affairs, parties and friends trying to solve a murder. Ended well too!

[Elana Lanzetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

short little mystery read

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay for me. The Rosana character drove me up a tree.