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Rebel Without a Claus : A Little Tombstone Novelette
It’s Christmas time at Little Tombstone, a rundown roadside tourist attraction in the tiny town of Amatista, New Mexico, and the annual visit from Santa Claus to the children of the village doesn’t quite go as planned.
Edgar Martinez, who’s played Santa every Christmas for the past twenty years, fails to make an appearance. He doesn’t even call.
The show must go on, so a substitute Santa takes Edgar’s place. But when Emma decides to investigate why Edgar, who is normally a rock of reliability, didn’t show up for the twenty-first year running to put on his size XXXL crimson crushed velvet Santa suit, she discovers that Edgar seems to have disappeared altogether.
Edgar Martinez, who’s played Santa every Christmas for the past twenty years, fails to make an appearance. He doesn’t even call.
The show must go on, so a substitute Santa takes Edgar’s place. But when Emma decides to investigate why Edgar, who is normally a rock of reliability, didn’t show up for the twenty-first year running to put on his size XXXL crimson crushed velvet Santa suit, she discovers that Edgar seems to have disappeared altogether.
63 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2020
56 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Celia Kinsey
27 books20 followersCelia writes quirky cozy mysteries.
Visit celiakinsey.com to sign up for periodic updates and get sneak peeks at Celia's upcoming books.
The Little Tombstone Mysteries:
The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly
Rebel Without a Claus
Lonesome Glove
Something Borrowed, Something Chewed
Tamales at High Noon
The Trifleman (Newsletter Bonus)
The Felicia's Food Truck One Hour Mysteries:
Fit to Be French Fried
Hamburger Heist
Pizza Pie Puzzler
Hotdog Horrors
Stand-Alone Short Mysteries:
Gnome for Christmas
Visit celiakinsey.com to sign up for periodic updates and get sneak peeks at Celia's upcoming books.
The Little Tombstone Mysteries:
The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly
Rebel Without a Claus
Lonesome Glove
Something Borrowed, Something Chewed
Tamales at High Noon
The Trifleman (Newsletter Bonus)
The Felicia's Food Truck One Hour Mysteries:
Fit to Be French Fried
Hamburger Heist
Pizza Pie Puzzler
Hotdog Horrors
Stand-Alone Short Mysteries:
Gnome for Christmas
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 29, 2022
This is the 2nd book in the Little Tombstone Mysteries series by Celia Kinsey. In this short novelette, there is a man no one is able to find with more alibis from everyone asked. Georgia's 6 year old son Maxwell is determined to have a Ye Olde Christmas Celebration. Earp the elderly pug is pressed into service as the main Angel in Maxwell's entertainment. Short, quick read/listen 1 hour 20 minutes it is once again not a real narrator but an AI generated narration, which I am still not a fan of. The antics of an elderly pug and a home schooled 6 year old make this a cute book to read/listen too.
December 27, 2020
These "Pug" Short Stories are the Most Fun
I read the first book of this series back quite a while ago and loved it. I just rediscover this series and plan to read them all. Earl, the pug dog, is without a doubt a fun read and the way the witty dialog is written, one cannot contain at least a smile if not a downright belly laugh. This story is set around Christmas and Santa is missing. I laughed all the way through. What a witty author and an outlandish story! You just have to read it for yourself. I love Earl! And the rest of the characters!
I read the first book of this series back quite a while ago and loved it. I just rediscover this series and plan to read them all. Earl, the pug dog, is without a doubt a fun read and the way the witty dialog is written, one cannot contain at least a smile if not a downright belly laugh. This story is set around Christmas and Santa is missing. I laughed all the way through. What a witty author and an outlandish story! You just have to read it for yourself. I love Earl! And the rest of the characters!
December 4, 2024
At Christmas in Little Tombstone, a local named Edgar Martinez always dresses up as Santa, to the delight of the children. This year, however, Edgar is a no-show, which is very much out of character for him. He never even notified anyone he wouldn't make it. Emma finds a substitute, but she can't help worrying about Edgar. When she goes to check on him, she gets differing stories from his various family members. Is Edgar safe, or has he fallen victim to foul play?
The story was cute and fun and perfect for the season. Characters were portrayed well, including Earp, the ancient pug that Emma inherited from her great aunt. I also adored her nephew, Maxwell, who was determined to celebrate a medieval Christmas. YE OLDE Christmas, as he called it. It was more of a holiday story than a mystery, but that suited me just fine. I often think that not all mysteries need to involve a murder.
Four stars
The story was cute and fun and perfect for the season. Characters were portrayed well, including Earp, the ancient pug that Emma inherited from her great aunt. I also adored her nephew, Maxwell, who was determined to celebrate a medieval Christmas. YE OLDE Christmas, as he called it. It was more of a holiday story than a mystery, but that suited me just fine. I often think that not all mysteries need to involve a murder.
Four stars
March 3, 2021
Hear ye, hear ye! I truly enjoy this series! I love everything about these stories - the Ye Olde pug, all the town characters and the fun mysteries that pop up. Celia Kinsey's style of writing engages the reader and have lots of interesting twists and turns to the plots. Kinsey is quite possibly my favorite cozy mystery author! This Christmas theme story is adorable! I read Christmas books year round because they are my best. I love the boy's relationship with Earl, the pug! Precious!
December 5, 2022
So Funny!
My favorite characters of this novella are the extremely precocious 6-year-old Maxwell and the pug Earp. Their efforts to create Maxwell’ s medieval “Ye Olde Christmas Revels” were so funny, as Maxwell is really into dressing Earp daily in the many costumes his Grandmother left them, along with Earp. She said she would never let Earp go around naked, so he had quite a wardrobe. Enjoy for some laughs for Christmas!
My favorite characters of this novella are the extremely precocious 6-year-old Maxwell and the pug Earp. Their efforts to create Maxwell’ s medieval “Ye Olde Christmas Revels” were so funny, as Maxwell is really into dressing Earp daily in the many costumes his Grandmother left them, along with Earp. She said she would never let Earp go around naked, so he had quite a wardrobe. Enjoy for some laughs for Christmas!
December 20, 2020
Great mystery
This has got to be one of the best short mysteries I have ever read. After finishing the REBEL WITHOUT A CKAUS. I looked up more books in the series. The characters are well written and the story plot was great. Want something good to read but you don't have a lot of time.I highly recommend REBEL WITHIUT A CAUSE.
This has got to be one of the best short mysteries I have ever read. After finishing the REBEL WITHOUT A CKAUS. I looked up more books in the series. The characters are well written and the story plot was great. Want something good to read but you don't have a lot of time.I highly recommend REBEL WITHIUT A CAUSE.
December 18, 2022
This is a 3.25 🌟 read rounded ⬇️ to 3 🌟.
A heart-warming pugly little Christmas read that introduces the characters in a new series by author Celia Kinsey. With a mini mystery to solve, a cheeky pug that is constantly costumed and a delightful 6yo child genius, this was a perfectly light read for this time of the year.
A heart-warming pugly little Christmas read that introduces the characters in a new series by author Celia Kinsey. With a mini mystery to solve, a cheeky pug that is constantly costumed and a delightful 6yo child genius, this was a perfectly light read for this time of the year.
January 23, 2023
Christmas in the Desert!
In a tiny town in the desert it's Christmas time and a little band of towns people prepare foe Christmas. The tale is about the town Santa is missing and the villagers find a substitute and investigate where he had disappeared to. The rest of the story involves a 6 year boy and his costumed dog. Very short story.
In a tiny town in the desert it's Christmas time and a little band of towns people prepare foe Christmas. The tale is about the town Santa is missing and the villagers find a substitute and investigate where he had disappeared to. The rest of the story involves a 6 year boy and his costumed dog. Very short story.
December 18, 2020
This is a delightful, short Christmas tale featuring a precocious boy, a put upon pug, and a woman who can't help but poke her nose into others' business. The mini mystery is interesting and the entire book is well written.
March 1, 2021
2.5 stars. This was very cute and short, ending at 90% to make room for the beginning of the next installment of the series. I liked the idea of Ye Olde Christmas! What a fun and imaginative celebration they had. :)
June 30, 2022
Very cute!
I love Maxwell! The story mystery is resolved in fairly short order, and it on to the Christmas party as orchestrated by the adorably precocious Maxwell. Quirky characters and a different setting add to the fun of the book. I think I'm hooked!
I love Maxwell! The story mystery is resolved in fairly short order, and it on to the Christmas party as orchestrated by the adorably precocious Maxwell. Quirky characters and a different setting add to the fun of the book. I think I'm hooked!
December 9, 2022
Emma Iverson decides to investigate when the man playing Santa doesn't show up and his family doesn't give matching reasons for his absence.
A fun and cute story with developed characters and a very intelligent 6 year olds idea of a Christmas set in the Middle ages
A fun and cute story with developed characters and a very intelligent 6 year olds idea of a Christmas set in the Middle ages
February 27, 2023
This is a short story about Christmas and how they make you feel even when they don't seem to be a normal Christmas. This about a simple , crazy Christmas back home after the death of Great-Aunt Geraldine. This tells us it more about the feeling you get than what other people may think.
December 20, 2020
Unusual short story
A cast of unusual characters, Christmas program by a young imaginative boy and entertainment by himself and a pug. A medevil repast with friends ends the day
A cast of unusual characters, Christmas program by a young imaginative boy and entertainment by himself and a pug. A medevil repast with friends ends the day
January 21, 2021
Really cute short story. I will definitely read more of this series.
June 30, 2021
Excellent comfort reading.
August 3, 2021
enjoyable read. i love a good mystery. great book cover. i have suddenly found Celia and i am enjoying her style.
December 18, 2022
Quick holiday cozy read. Cute.
October 19, 2024
Funny
This short but heartwarming story demonstrates that all is not as it seems. Missing Santa, secrets everywhere, and new family holiday traditions bring life to this story.
This short but heartwarming story demonstrates that all is not as it seems. Missing Santa, secrets everywhere, and new family holiday traditions bring life to this story.
November 26, 2024
Cute short story
December 20, 2024
just plain heartwarming!
Now I want Ye Olde Christmas Revels this Christmas!!! And thank the stars, no one had to die! Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
Now I want Ye Olde Christmas Revels this Christmas!!! And thank the stars, no one had to die! Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
December 22, 2025
Nah. This is not my type of the short stories.
December 30, 2025
#115 of 2025
#5 of #holidayreads2025
#5 of #holidayreads2025
May 27, 2024
I loved this short story. Well written and perfect for the holiday season.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews