Mistletoe Malarkey

Shayla Murphy #1

by Stella Bixby

They've been dating more than a year. They practically live together. Now, Shayla's meeting his family for Christmas.

In Ireland.

Seamus is a park ranger, shares an apartment with three other guys, and drives a beat up pickup truck.

How would Shayla have known he was practically Irish royalty?

When they arrive at the airport and are bombarded by camera flashes, Shayla's insecurities move closer and closer to the surface.

An old girlfriend, a creepy uncle, and an entire town are on hand for a getting-to-know-you dinner party. Everything is going well until someone ends up dead.

The guarda want Shayla to stay out of it. She may be a police officer in the United States, but she has no jurisdiction in Ireland.

Too bad, she can't seem to keep from stumbling onto clues everywhere she goes.

Cozy up with this fun Christmas mystery this holiday season.

Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Holiday, Cozy, Contemporary

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2021

About the author

Stella Bixby is a native Coloradan who loves to snowboard, pluck at the guitar, and play board games with her family. She was once a volunteer firefighter and a park ranger, but now spends most of her time making up stories and trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.

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Reviews

[Melanie THEE Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Are you a special agent sent here to ruin my evening and possibly my entire life?"-Me at this book.

What I liked about this book: The short chapters.

What I didn’t like about this book: Literally everything else. If I didn’t get it on “Stuff Your Kindle” day I would not only demand a refund, but I would also sue for emotional distress 🎄

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this new spin off of the Rylie Cooper mystery series. Hopefully there will be more Shayla Murphy mysteries coming.
It was a great 1st installment and some interesting characters. Fast paced and fun!

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this story at the start.
Once I got past the first and maybe the second chapter I was able to enjoy a really fun story with a good mystery included.
Was there romance in the story? Yes.
Did the story focus on the romance? No.
There was a really nice mix where the romance was nicely woven into the story while it remained mostly in the background.

Seamus Healy has taken his girlfriend, Shayla Murphy, to Ireland to meet his family over the Christmas holidays.
Shayla is in for a major surprise when she discovers that Seamus is not only well known, but one of Ireland's most wanted and watched bachelors. And a wealthy on top of that. At least his family is.
All she knew was he was a park ranger along with her best friend Rylie Cooper, and he drove a used beat up pickup truck.

When his uncle is killed, Shayla's help is not wanted by the lead Guarda, also one of Seamus' former fiancees.
But her help proves to be more valuable than can be expected.

There is a good bit of humor in this story and a lot of clues if you're able to see them.

This is a mostly stand alone story that may be the beginning of a new series for the author if she doesn't want to see these characters go.

[Krystle Krystlesbookclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a whodunnit! Mixed in with some holiday cheer, family greed and a secret passage!
Just a fun murder mystery. I don't want to get into it an spoil it for anyone, there are bread crumbs along the way to figure it out, I always appreciate that. I devoured it in one sitting. I downloaded this one on stuff your kindle day and I'm so glad I did.

[Apriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

I’m a fan of cozy mysteries but it’s so hard to find one done right. I have several pet peeves that keep me from enjoying most of them. The main ones being that the MC really has no reason to be investigating a murder let alone any skill set that would make them better suited to do so than the police. And depicting the police as stupid and inept at their job. Thankfully none of those apply to this book.

The only thing I was really bothered by (besides the pretty terrible “Irish”) was the realization that this series is a spinoff of another by this author. Multiple times people and events are alluded to that, while having no bearing on the murder plot, do affect the overall story. Apparently the main characters’ whole backstory takes place in the other series and, while you get the gist of what’s going on, the love story portion of the book would be better enjoyed if the reader knew the details.

Overall not a bad book especially since I got it for free. I have the first book in 2 more of the authors series and might get around to reading those eventually. I only read this one because it was set at Christmas and I was getting into the spirit but I was pleasantly surprised so I might continue the series.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant novel by Ms Bixby. If you’ve loved Rylie Cooper stories you will love this one too. Seamus and Shayla come to Balleywick, Ireland. A return home for him a first visit for her. But it seems Seamus is more than she thought. A family get together with all its secrets and skeletons, a murder, possible arson and two of Seamus’s former girlfriends. Can things get more confusing? A quick read, impossible to put down but lovely to read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shayla goes home with Seamus to Ireland. There she’s surprised at all she doesn’t know about her boyfriend and his family. And of course finds a dead body! This was a fun read with a mystery that kept me guessing to the end. Love reading more about Shayla and Seamus and hope there will be more to come!

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. The storyline was perfect for this time of year. The authors use of a symbol of holiday romance and made it a clue in the murder was ideal for the holiday setting of this book. The mystery was well plotted. While this was a mystery I found it equal parts that and romance between the main protagonists.

When a US police officer goes to Ireland to meet her boyfriends family that's pretty exciting. But when a murder occurs she can't help getting involved. That doesn't sit well with the local Garda who happens to be her boyfriends ex.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! I loved the setting, the characters, everything!!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shalya is heading to Ireland to spend the holidays with her boyfriend, Seamus's, family. Little does she know that they are the richest family in Ireland, owning a successful thoroughbred breeding farm. But no sooner do they arrive than there is a major family fight over money. Seamus's parents are the only ones who really work on the farm, his uncles sold their farm shares to them years ago. Now, Seamus's Uncle Gerald is in debt and his parents aren't bailing him out any longer and they might have to sell the family castle. Uncle Alabaster has been threatening to change his will for years. Being unmarried and single, he promised to leave his fortune to Seamus and his cousins, Killian and Aoife, but now they aren't so sure. Seamus doesn't care about the money but Killian and Aoife surely do. So when Alabaster is found dead during the holiday party, they are the prime suspects. But Alabaster was fond of the ladies and had a habit of ungentlemanly behavior when he was drinking so the former estate gardener, Rose, and Carla, daughter of the housemaid, are suspects too since they were seen thwarting Alabaster's advances. Shayla, a police officer in the US, offers to help the Gardi but the head detective, Molly, is Seamus's ex and she isn't much interested in her help. The cause of death could be anything from poisoning to suffocation to blunt force trauma from the brick that was thrown through the window and hit him in the head. It wasn't even meant for him, it was intended for Gerald in retaliation for his unpaid debts but he wasn't even at the party. The investigation is complete with secret passages and security camera that have been tampered with. When a second brick that is thrown into the castle starts a fire that burns the ancient building down to nothing but stone, the killer is smoked out. Aoife was the killer because she wanted to build a bed & breakfast at the castle but Alabaster was ruining her plans. An added twist during the will reading reveals that Carla is receiving the bulk of his estate since she was Alabaster's daughter. An enjoyable holiday mystery but I won't be continuing with the series. The romance between Shayla and Seamus felt forced and I really did not appreciate Shayla's dismal self-confidence and her constant self-doubt. Apparently they met in a previous book in the author's other cozy series so maybe if I had read that before I might have had a different opinion of their relationship.

[Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious✔️
Romance ✔️
Plot Twists✔️

*~*~*~*~*

Above are just a few things you can find within the short story that will leave you happy and content while reading it. The original thing that drew me to the book was the title, I thought it was going to be a book full of romance yet it turned out to involve more mystery than anything, and it was something I really enjoyed!

Stella has left the place she calls home to meet her partners family, a family that she had no idea was so well known or rich. Little did she know that she’d end up trying to find out a killer while spending her time there.

I liked that Shayla was relatable in the terms of her confidence and how she felt about herself, Shayla feels as though she’s like anyone else who just wants to fit in and be liked enough by someone’s family, and while she lacks confidence in certain areas, I also love how she occasionally pushes the boat out and goes with her gut feeling and follows up on her instincts. She has plenty of character and I think she deserves the best.

I had a suspect list every so often and while I got every single suspect wrong, there was always a secret unravelling about someone, and if you thought you knew that character fairly well? You probably didn’t. I love that Stella wrote characters with such deep backgrounds that everytime you’d peel a layer, you’d find out more. I also love how Stella led me to think that a man like Seamus could be bad because he’s just so damn perfect.

There was the perfect element of romance and mystery within the story and I really did love the setting taking place in Ireland. It was an incredible story and I hope there’s more Shayla Murphy mysteries on the way!

[Bryanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Lost one star for all of the body shaming (in both directions!) in the first third of the book.
Lost another star for all the stereotypical catty /petty way the author wrote every single woman in this book.
Lost half a star simply because I didn't find much likable about ANY of the core main cast. I would not want to be friends with any of them. Most of them are walking redflags.

But all that said, I did really enjoy the mystery! I really enjoyed the pacing and how the clues were laid out. From what I understand, this is the first of a spin off series from another mystery series the author has, and I think there was a lot of context that I didn't have since I didn't read the original series. It feels like we're expected to already love the main couple from the very first page-- but I didn't. I couldn't, I didn't know them yet. Though that didn't matter so much by the halfway point because apparently Shayla didn't really know her man either.
But there was a lot of context missing for their lives in the States that we're supposed to just already know, so for that reason I think it's fair to say that this book cannot be called a standalone.
Though the ending was incredibly sweet, I do not think I will be continuing with this series or the author.

[kelly freaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with every other Stella bixby book I have ever read once I start I struggle to put the book down but I'm always wanting more. Having enjoyed the Riley Cooper series I was looking forward to shayla adventures. And it is didn't disappoint. Being set in Ireland and using slang language it was hard not to read in their Irish accent, with with a famous boyfriend, wealth, mystery and murder will shayla enjoy her visit to Ireland. I know I certainly did. I really hope there is more

[Kennedy Erdman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected this to be a fast, easy who-done-it with Christmas vibes and it delivered. Although, not quite as Christmas-y as you would expect from the title. Could have had a more interesting conclusion.

[Malaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 Not great but cozy and chill enough to read.

[Kirsten Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Christmas time mystery.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.

[Mel Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. I look at the covers of books and I don't read the back. Enjoyed this book that much I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Well worth a read.

[Jan Sjostrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read with a lot of twists and turns. Characters were interesting and felt like friends.

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely amazing read. Shayla and Seamus are spending Christmas in Ireland in this new series spinoff from Ms. Bixby's Ryli Cooper series.

Shayla and Seamus arrive in Ireland and to Shayla's shock, she finds that not only is she dating one of Ireland's most sought after bachelors but also his family is comfortably rich from breeding racehorses.

As she meets this crazy clan of Irish, there are secrets and one is deadly. Seamus's uncle is found dead at their party and there are so many people with motives and Shayla must put her police training work to help solve this case. The only problem is the lead detective happens to be Seamus's ex and doesn't want help.

[Sarah Neeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Shayla Murphy mystery but not my first Stella Bixby book. As with all of her previous books I loved it! The characters are always amazing, and the writing flows so well. Once you start reading one you know you aren’t putting it down until you are finished.

[Suze Prescot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Festive Fatality in Eire

Shayla is accompanying Seamus to his Irish home for Christmas. Naturally anxious, her friend's prediction that he will propose has compounded her concerns. His family is a surprise, extended and unexpected, but a suspicious death only adds to the shocks.
A stand-alone spin-off to a series I haven't read, this is a seasonal, romantic thriller. Shayla necessarily inserts herself into the investigation, while negotiating Seamus' family politics and his exes. Clean, by turns amusing and unexpected, it's an enjoyable read.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Ireland

This is a fun family tale about Seamus and Shayla, who go to Ireland for Christmas, so that Shayla can meet Seamus’ very Irish, very rich, family, as well as a bunch of his ex-fiancées. Of course, murder intervenes, oops!

[Andrea Al-Adwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely characters

I have enjoyed learning ore about these 2 characters as they have their own story in a spin off from the original Bixby series. Can’t wait to head more about these characters.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this story was a good story with Shayla going to Ireland to meet Seamus's family. While at her welcome party she finds a dead body and a murder mystery begins. This is a spin off from the Rylie Cooper series and setting it Ireland seems to work well. There are some interesting story lines that could be persued and some surprises in the story.

[Beccy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my word I absolutely loved this book it’s was such a perfect read.
Cracking characters a mystery that hooked me in honestly if I could do a 5* plus I would!

[Victoria Hamel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this new book starring Rylie Cooper's best friend Shayla Murphy. This book takes place in Ireland at Christmastime. Shayla is meeting her boyfriend Seamus's family for the first time. There are a couple of surprises for Shayla before we even get to the murder. In fact, I was far enough in that I was beginning to wonder if there was going to be a murder at all--seeing as there was already a few potential non-murder mysteries happening. But Stella Bixby was just building up the tension and soon enough a body had dropped, literally.
I believe this book is the start of a new series and I will be waiting for book two with much anticipation! In Mistletoe Malarkey we are introduced to a small Irish town and Seamus's quirky family, it was fun to spend time with them and I look forward to future adventures. I like that in this series there can be a nice partnership of sorts with Shayla and Molly the constable.

5 Stars! If you have Kindle Unlimited make sure to add this to your Kindle!

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great discovery!! i wanted to read this because blurb intrested me but this is even better that what i expected! i LOVED it and sure will try to read more from this author beside this series that i sure want to follow.

Now Shayla is following her lover in Ireland to meet his family not knowing he is from a rich family. Already doubting herself, she is confronted to more but soon find her place only to see the christmas reunion interrupted by a murder and being in the police force she can't stay out of the investigation especially when it concerns the family of the man she loves.

I loved the character, Shayla is strong and intelligent and so compassionate ( though she did not realise the most obvious so far) Seamus is funny, protective but more important he trust Shayla completely and does not hesitate to ask her help.

The investigation was really well written, the setting is so perfect and the lingo makes it just better. i definitively want more of this series and since it seems to be a kind of spin off i fully plan to discover it but this book is a wonderful way to start with this author for sure!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great first book in what will hopefully be a new series staring Shayla and Seamus who are characters from the Rylie Cooper Mystery series. I enjoyed getting to know these characters more. In this book, Shayla has gone to Ireland to meet Seamus' family and mystery needs to be solved. The minor characters in this book also stand out and leaves the reader wanting to learn more about them too. Fingers crossed that we will see another mystery soon in this series. I would recommend this book.

I received an ARC from the author for my honest opinion.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great cozy mystery! I have read books in other series by Stella Bixby but this was a stand-alone novel and does reference Riley from a different series. But if you don't know anything about Riley, you will still be fine and it has no real im