Deadly Christmas

Detective Sarah Spillman #6.5

by Renee Pawlish

It's Christmas time, and Sarah Spillman is attending a charity gala at wealthy Niles Mayfield's house. The party should be a fun affair, but her evening is upended when a murderer strikes.

The suspects are as long as Santa's naughty list, and surprises abound as Sarah races to find a killer before a Grinch strikes again.

This novella is approximately thirty thousand words and features an appearance by private investigator Reed Ferguson.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2021

About the author

From the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.

Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.

Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.

The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off

The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released

The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest

Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.

The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.

To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....

on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/

on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish

Reviews

[Roger]

Deadly Christmas (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 8), my fiftieth read from author Renee Pawlish. I read it in one sitting, in just a few hours. Great characters, great storyline, a must-read! Yeah, it is that good! As Pawlish expands her writings over 3 primary characters it has improved all three. This is be her best book yet. With guest appearances by Reed Ferguson, his wife Willie and Sarah's significant other Harry, oops, no spoilers. Buy the book. Read the book for yourself. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to the next book in this series when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Janet Graham]

Christmas Gala Is Not So Jolly
This story is part of a police procedural series. Although it is numbered as book 12, it actually goes just before book 7. A character from another of the author's series is also in this story; Reed Fergusen. This is a fun story. Our main detective has been invited to an exclusive holiday gala that is filled with high-brows and celebrities. It is a wonderful event until one of the hosts is found dead. Everyone, staff, and guests need to be interviewed before they can go home. In costume with no food or drink, waiting to be interviewed by detectives. Merry Christmas!

[Albert]

This is a Christmas Special that should not be missed. Sarah Spillman attends a party and ends up with a murder to solve. This story shows Sarah at her best, solving a crime under difficult circumstances.

Although a novella, the story packs a lot into a small package. Not only are the regulars from her novels present, but Reed Furgeson makes an appearance also along with his wife Willie.

I really enjoyed this one. Ms. Pawlish has shown she can shine with both the full length novel and the shorter novella. Great job.

[Tracy]

At the risk of being repetitive, this is the best Sarah Spillman Mystery yet! Who doesn't like a good costume party? And it's Christmas time! True, the murder does put a damper on the festivities but Sarah and company are on it. It helps that Reed Ferguson, Private Detective, is at the party and offers his help, despite Sarah's misgivings. This is another good, clean mystery with all my favorite characters and no explicit language but many interesting twists and turns to the story-line. I cannot recommend this series, and this author enough!

[Becky]

Pawlish has another hit on her hands with this new Sarah Spillman book. A fabulous costume Christmas gala with a murderer amongst them means Sarah wasn't able to fully enjoy the party. I enjoyed the entire book!

[Betty]

Deadly Christmas is a holiday novella by Renee Pawlish Even though the story is short, it contains a lot of mystery. It was nice to have Sarah Spillman and Reed Ferguson back in action together again. Nice quick holiday read. I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Sandy Adams]

Not my favorite.

A rather blah story...."difficult" wife killed, two odd confessions, a lot of dithering around before these so called seasoned officers decide to pursue the most obvious.

[Scott Kalas]

Just never reached the level I was expecting

Maybe because it was a short story but I think it could have been shorter. Who was going to turn out to be the murder required no detective.

[Mike Harris]

More of a novella than a full book - but I'm going to count it anyway. This is, I believe, the first in the Spillman series where Reed Ferguson makes an appearance.

[Patricia]

Subpar book

This book was very repetitive and got very boring. I just wanted to get it finished. No I would not recommend it, sorry.

[Marla]

Good book! Quick read.

[Al]

We’ll Done Mystery

Good plot twists with Renee’s usual superb characterization. Unusual holiday theme. Enjoyed the story — please keep writing Spillman mysteries!

[alice Tileston]

Recieved ARC:
Very few errors noted.
Became easily engrossed in this story.
I try to read all books by this author and have not yet been disappointed ♡

[Michele bookloverforever]

Murder at a costumed Christmas gala. 2 confessions!

[Mark Bagley]

overused plot handled like it was brand new

Murder at a party with poison as the weapon has been written more than few times. This has to be one of best.

[Dave Kaverman]

Enjoyable Series!

Have read a number of the Sarah Spillman books and enjoyed them. Entertaining characters and good plots. Fun to have Reed Ferguson included in this one as well.

[Shanee Ellington]

Always fascinating

Good to the last drop of eggnog 😂😂. Renee did not disappoint as usual. I love the whole series with Spillman.

[Nora]

Fun Christmas murder my

[Kathy Maganza]

I liked it. It was very short and I’m glad Reed Ferguson was in it!!

[Bettie A Covington]

This book features Reed Ferguson private detective. In reality, police officer's hands are tied by all of the criminal protective laws. PIs don't have that issue. I think Sarah should learn to use Reed more as an asset rather than an interference. Some of the things in this book just weren't logical to me, like holding people for hours even after they were interviewed, and keeping the valets the whole time instead of having a cop monitor who was leaving.