Chasing Tinsel

Miranda Vaughn Mysteries #1.5

by Ellie Ashe

Two years after she was accused of fraud, Miranda Vaughn is finally back to work. But instead of returning to her highly paid position as an investment banker, she’s selling discount make-up at Prospect Point Mall to make a little extra holiday cash. It’s not a great job, but Miranda wants to make this Christmas special for the people who stood by her during her trial and in the aftermath of her acquittal. Plus, keeping herself busy with work keeps her from thinking about her looming birthday. Or thinking about Jake Barnes, the federal agent who saved her life and then disappeared without a trace.

But strange things are afoot at Prospect Point, from the shady elves with the neck tattoos to the shadowy figures she sees in the parking garage. Is trouble following Miranda—again? And is that really Jake she keeps seeing in the holiday crowd, or is it just her mind, and heart, playing tricks on her?

** Previously published in the Cozy Christmas Capers holiday anthology, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing in December 2014. **

Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Novella, Short Stories, Ebooks, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read to start off the year.
I hadn't read any of this series so I had no idea it was a series, but I enjoyed the writing so I will probably see if I can find the rest, which I guess is the point of having a free short story.

[ASHLEY TOTH · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a novella, it was cute! Had me captured in the very beginning. Can't wait to read more of Miranda Vaughn and her mysteries.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Ellie Ashe's Chasing Tinsel, the 5th installment in the Miranda Vaughan Mystery Novella series, this short 62-paged novella would keep you in the holiday spirit beyond the Christmas Season. Two years after she was acquitted from fraud, Miranda's back to work and hoping to look for some money. But during this holiday season, she works at a mall as a retail clerk for a makeup counter. Though a temporary job, she sells cosmetics and make-up supplies with Brianna, another clerk. But when she suspects two people shoplifters dressed as elves, she makes a run for it and chased them. Except she's not allowed to. But she befriends a mall Santa Claus named John Murphy and gets to know him better. She later learns that looks can be deceiving when the other mall Santa Clauses rob the jewelry store. The FBI sworn him and arrest John Murphy on the spot. While she tried to keep up with the holiday spirit, she'll spend her holiday birthday alone with her aunt and opens a charming gift from "John" that cheered her up. It had a charming ending to put a smile on your face.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

great novella that follows Chasing the Dollar and before Dropping the Dime. Miranda is still ostracized from the financial industry so she is making some money for the holidays by working in a run down mall. She befriends one of the Santas working there, but Murph may not be who he says he is.

For a novella this was well written and the storyline flowed nicely. I kept wondering what was up and turns out there are a few "mysteries" going on...will you be able to figure them out?!

[Shanna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun page turner

I had this book on my kindle app for a bit but never read it until now. I actually started reading it not realizing it was not the first in the series but I really enjoyed it. I'll go back and read the first so things will probably make more sense (like Jake haha) but it was still a great read even on its own. Looking forward to reading more.

[Mari Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

Fun fast book. This is the second in a series book, and some how I missed the first one. Didn't let that stop me from reading out of order. Was not confused on the characters or the plot.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light fun holiday read! Lots of Christmas related cheer, and I really liked the heroine, she is very relatable (is that a word) anyway - I will be checking out Ellie Ashes other Miranda Vaughn mysteries!

[Julie Hillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas short sprinkled with intrigue

A lovely Christmas themed whodunit with Miranda being centre stage. Befriending the mall Santa and saving the charity donations from the elves will Miranda realise the spirit of Christmas? Or will she be let down again?

[Diana M. Caruthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute and short Christmas mystery book. Can read in one sitting. Well written and has my interest in picking up this author’s other works in the future. Found on Stuff your Kindle Day and definitely was a great find.

[Chili Diane Evance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Santa

Miranda is working through the holiday rush and can’t wait for her last day at work. She befriends the best Santa ever that the store has hired and is glad he’s so nice to the kids. But what could possibly go wrong. Well, it is Christmas Eve.

[Annissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Cute Novella ...

I am actually really, pleastly, surprised. I read because it would be a quick little read. To be honest, trying to meet my book goal for the year.

I have to say, though, I really enjoyed it and actually am interested in trading more of the series!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun cozy novella

Might be spoliers. But hey, I had almost figured out too early, which is why I gave it 4 instead of 5. You have a retail worker in the weeks leading up to Xmas, naughty Santas, nasty elves, a sad assistant manager, and a bakery in the family. Fun quick read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing tinsel

This was a pretty good read. I liked the characters especially Miranda. I wouldn't mind reading more of these mysteries.

[Roslyn Donohoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.

I enjoyed reading this. Great storyteller and must look out for more by this author. Well worth the read. You won't be disappointed.

[Lynda Hendershot Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Christmas cozie.

This was a fun read. It had some interesting characters and a few surprises. It was a nice Christmas time story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas mystery!

I’m new to this series but definitely want to read more! The characters were great & the mystery was well written.

[Dakota Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute little novella. Christmas is over but the constant snow has been keeping my Christmas spirit alive. I wouldn’t read this again but it’s a sweet short story with holiday cheer.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Christmas short story.

[Bookdragon (JT) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick.

Quick read maybe would have enjoyed more over Christmas. Honestly the Murphy thing throw me and I don't think I'd be so happy at the end with a certain present.

[N.M. Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good short story to start the holiday season. enough action to keep you entertained, fun characters and a cute ending.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Kindle Unlimited, not the best nor the worse have read

Miranda Vaughn Mysteries:
Chasing the Dollar (book #1) Dropping the Dime (book #2) Chasing Tinsel (holiday short story)
** Previously published in the Cozy Christmas Capers holiday anthology, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing in December 2014. **
One Red Cent (short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection) Lucky Penny (book #3)

[Deb Diem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chasing Tinsel by Ellie Ashe is a fairly short read, perfect for those with limited time for reading. Ms Ashe has delivered a well-written book. Miranda's story is full of humor and drama. I enjoyed this quick read and look forward to reading more from Ms Ashe in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

[susan barron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute plot

Enjoyable SHORT read with fun characters. Again, my holiday pleasure. Not much more to say as novella isn't much longer than this review. Too many words for a review.

[carol thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing tinsel

This is an enjoyable short story with a Christmas theme, looking forward to the next one in the series by this author.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrills, spills, chills

Good characters, layered story lines, interesting situations. I enjoyed this new-to-me series. I have already purchased the first book in the series. Thank you Ms. Ashe.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a freebie for my Kindle and thought it was a great introduction to Ellie Ashe's writing --- was an easy read as it was like maybe 70 pages, but good!

[Anna Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome short read and I enjoyed it enough to try another book by this author in the future.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the woman in this story is working two jobs during the periods before Christmas and it's the second job is not in the best area

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miranda worked at a mall during the Christmas where she became friendly with an elderly guy playing Santa Clause. Due to her keen observations she uncovers a theft ring involving the dwarves working at the mall, a couple she thought was buying an engagement ring and the very old man himself. The old guy was a former mob guy but due to continuously hiding from the law his money was low and so he put together a plan to steal from the mall.