The Claus Will Come Out

Mysteries of Aspen Falls #4

by Tara Randel

Aspen Falls, Colorado veterinarian Ashley Hart helps exonerate a friend suspected of killing a notorious local busybody.

Christmas bells are ringing in postcard-perfect Aspen Falls, Colorado, and the sound is music to veterinarian Dr. Ashley Hart’s ears. However, it’s harder to hear the latest village news—that notorious bargain hunter Suzette Bellamy has died under suspicious circumstances. When the infamous frenemy’s secret-keeping veered toward blackmail, did someone on Suzette’s naughty list kill her to keep their skeletons safely in the closet?

Ashley’s friend Lucinda rises to the top of the police department’s suspect list, but Ashley is convinced that she is innocent of any wrongdoing and resolves to solve the case before anyone else gets hurt. If she doesn’t tread carefully, however, someone might just silence Ashley’s night—forever.

This clever whodunit from Annie’s Mysteries of Aspen Falls series is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries, animals, and female friendships.

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

About the author

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers' Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at Tara Randel Books.

Reviews

[Rose Mcclarin]

A guest who acts very suspiciously, strange happenings and a found dog and cat. All this along with the regular guests who arrived at the Inn for visits along with a reveal o the Inn's history through the diary of a servant in the 1800's. Really great story with some surprising twists. Great read.

[Debra McEathron]

This is another book in the series about a vet who has moved to Aspen Falls and is running a veterinary clinic. Ashley is the Vet and has interesting clients and ends up getting involved with solving murder crimes involving her new friends.

[Victoria Marie Lees]

The Claus Will Come Out by Tara Randel is an interesting cozy steeped in lies and betrayals. Our amateur detective is Dr. Ashley Hart, the new veterinarian in Aspen Falls, Colorado. Randel paints a beautiful picture of the Colorado Rocky Mountain area at Christmastime.

Ashley has made quite a few friends her first year in town. And one of them, Lucinda Costello, an estate sale planner, becomes a “person of interest” for the police in the murder of Suzette Bellany, the woman Lucinda was working for.

Randel complicates the mystery by adding several possible culprits. Lots of action, tension, and danger enlivens the story. The cozy is full of clues and red herrings. I enjoy the budding romance between Ashley and U.S. Park Ranger Cole Hawke.

The Claus Will Come Out by Tara Randel is a satisfying cozy and tender Christmas story to enjoy.

[Theresa Lange]

Interesting read!

[Cozybooklady]

I really liked this book. The characters are easy to like and I really love holiday cozies. This story was well done and I didn't figure it out right away.

[Sharon Buxton]

C-. fiction, cozy mystery, series; veterinarian solves murder, series

[Laura]

There was one part that I thought was cheesy, but now I can’t remember the cheese and just really enjoyed the book.

[Kristen Tarr]

Another cute, fun, mystery with Ashely and Max. From an estate sale gone wrong to a lifelong friendship tossed to the side. This story adds in a little inCHOOTS chaos and the real life heartbreak.

[f_outdoorreads]

Lots of action, but less likable side characters. I enjoyed following Ashley and trying to solve the mystery though, and the action made up for some of the unlikable characters.

[Amber]

Ruthless bargain hunter Suzette is bludgeoned to death and the young woman who had previously been preparing her items for an estate sale is accused of the murder.