A Myrtle Clover Christmas

Myrtle Clover Mysteries #21

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

Someone will be getting coal in his stocking . . . 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the small town of Bradley, North Carolina. Wreaths adorn doors, halls are decked, and candles cheerfully glow in windows. Adding to the Christmas excitement, there's also a lovely local wedding with many guests to wish the couple well.

The wedding becomes a bit too exciting, however, when octogenarian sleuth Myrtle discovers the bride's rather outspoken aunt, mysteriously murdered.

Myrtle and her senior sidekick must find the killer before someone else doesn’t make it home for Christmas.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Christmas

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

Reviews

[Rebecca Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Spann Craig’s A Myrtle Clover Christmas is another delightful and entertaining cosy mystery starring everyone’s favourite octogenarian sleuth. I love the humour and great characters but I wish the mystery and the writing was a little stronger. This is the twenty-first (!!!!) book in the series but it can be easily read as a standalone.

It’s shaping up to be a busy and festive Christmas season in the small town of Bradley. Retired English teacher turned amateur sleuth Myrtle and her sidekick Miles are attending the wedding of a sweet young couple. However, the celebration grinds to a halt when Myrtle and Miles discover the murdered body of the bride’s outspoken aunt Glynis. With several viable suspects including the groom and the victim’s jilted boyfriend, Myrtle must uncover the murderer before they strike again!

I always look forward to a new Myrtle book because Craig consistently delivers a well-written, witty, and fun book. I can’t believe we are on book twenty-one because way too many series lose their zest and soul at this point. However, this is a solid series that never gets stale! I can happily read about Myrtle’s adventures forever!

I love the book’s mature writing as well as the deft combination of heartwarming and hilarious moments. The Christmas setting is cosy, warm, and cheerful. I really enjoy all the various seasonal activities here and I definitely appreciate that they don’t take away from the mystery plot. The mystery is interesting and well-paced with viable suspects. I did figure out the murderer early on but I wasn’t sure as there are a few twists and red herrings so I do like that Craig kept me guessing. But, I wish the ending was a little more rounded out. I also think the writing is a little choppy and another round of editing would definitely clear this up.

I love the cast of well-written, memorable, and quirky characters! Myrtle remains an absolute riot. She is smart, funny, and over-the-top as ever! Her shenanigans are absolutely hilarious: I love seeing her crash events, blatantly snooping for information, and bossing around her long-suffering germaphobic sidekick Miles. Her kitchen misadventures as well as her battle with nosey neighbour Erma’s obnoxious Christmas lights are too good to miss. I was also so happy that psychic Wanda came to spend the holidays with Myrtle! I love quirky and kind Wanda and she definitely brought a lot of sweet and heartwarming moments to the book.

If you’re looking for a great and well-written mystery with the perfect amount of Christmas cheer, treat yourself to this cosy!

🎁🎁🎁🎁 out of 5 gifts!

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Myrtle and Miles attend a wedding close to Christmas, they expect to see a happy union and a fine celebration. Instead, there are wedding crashers, arguing, drunk and singing guests, and a grim discovery. Unfortunately for Myrtle and Miles, they’re the ones who found the bride’s aunt soon after she was murdered! Now that they have a new murder mystery on their hands, they’re determined to find the killer before more people have a deadly run-in with a killer hiding among them.

I decided to read the latest book in the series because I was looking to read another Christmas cozy. One of the great things about this series is that you don’t have to read it in order. While it’s meant to be read in order, each book can also stand up on their own because there’s never any confusion if you start off with a random book in the series. I know this from experience since I started this series with the fourth book!

Like always, we follow Myrtle and her best friend’s adventures. This time around, they’re happy to attend a wedding only to frown at the shenanigans. The bride’s deadbeat father crashes the wedding along with her aunt’s ex and his new girlfriend. While the drunk guests are entertaining, they aren’t to Myrtle and Miles! And of course, the crime solving duo come across the bride’s aunt shortly after her murder. There’s several red herrings as there’s quite a few people with a motive. I like that we are kept guessing because I was convinced it was between two people until the end. It was revealed that one of the two people on my suspect list was the perpetrator!

Along the way, we see some hilarious shenanigans occur, like Myrtle and her terrible cooking. She means well, but she shouldn’t be set loose in the kitchen… which is why it’s so hilarious she’s intent on crashing a cookie swap! Wanda makes another appearance since she’s staying with Myrtle for the holidays. I love Wanda and enjoy seeing her interact with the other characters. We’ve also got some heartwarming moments, like the time Myrtle spends with her grandson and daughter-in-law. All in all, it’s a great read with a lot of Christmas cheer involved, which is exactly what I was hoping to find.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful read, sorry it ended. Especially like some of the fleshing out of the characters, and all the different movements and motivations that could have been factors. Like the story noting a few days passing in between actions, a variety of activities beyond repeatedly visiting and badgering witnesses and suspects. There was some depth in the characters and their relationships.

Had somehow expected there to be a dance or a Christmas party in the story, but that didn't happen. Also disappointed that the most unsavory character was conveniently removed, rather than the author providing a way for the affected person to manage the intrusion. By not suggesting ways Faith could manage her father's taking over her Aunt's house and intruding in her life, the outcome is telegraphed. Would have liked to see Myrtle suggesting some steps, or providing a consoling comment that at least, perhaps, with Edgar in the house, Faith and Holden wouldn't have to actively take care of it while the will was being processed. Also, the point was never addressed, how was Edgar allowed in the house, and how did he take possession? Not the point of the story, but since it was introduced and became a thread, shouldn't that have been presented also?

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the small town of Bradley, North Carolina. Wreaths adorn doors, halls are decked, and candles cheerfully glow in windows. Adding to the Christmas excitement, there's also a lovely local wedding with many guests to wish the couple well. The wedding becomes a bit too exciting, however, when octogenarian sleuth Myrtle discovers the bride's rather outspoken aunt, mysteriously murdered. Myrtle and her senior sidekick must find the killer before someone else doesn’t make it home for Christmas. [amazon synopsis]

As usual, Myrtle's cooking skills come into question, and she finds a way to bring out the gnomes to irk her son. Why would Myrtle invite herself to a cookie swap? I like Wanda and she stays with Myrtle during the holiday. Good thing that Myles doesn't mind being manipulated. Good dose of Christmas.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the twentyfirst installment in A Myrtle Clover Cozy Mystery series written by Elizabeth Spann Craig.

Set at Christmas time it give an extra special feel to the mystery. All main characters are together and it is a pleasure to have them like that.
Mystery itself is well presented and thought out. As always there are several red herrings to keep readers guessing. It is intriguing and fast paced.
What is my favorite thing about this series is that it brings me such joy to read over and over again about misadventures of these fantastic characters. Their spunk, sassiness and humor is delightful.

[Crich70 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas time murder

Once again Myrtle and her friend Miles are on the case as they try to determine who decided to add murder to their holiday task list. Someone in Bradley has been very naughty this year. Will Myrtle figure it out in time or will she have a Christmas date with a murderer?

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful Christmas Murder

I am not sure sure if delightful and murder go together at any time especially Christmas but this was a very enjoyable time with Myles and Myrtle and friends.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. But I have to say book 21 did not have the same feel as the other 20 books. Kind of like a knock off Myrtle and Miles. There was a lot of repeating things. Myrtle & Miles can now sleep some nights ? The whole writing of the story was just off.

[patricia sonoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Myrtle Clover Christmas Cozy

I love this mystery series! The characters have become old friends as they weave a wonderful mystery. The the murder is revealed at the very end of the book and keeps the reader asking who did this!!! Will read Book 22!!!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the conversations between Myrtle, Miles, Wanda and Red, they are amusing, the plots are similar but other characters can be different. I found this one was a bit difficult to remember who was who. A pleasant read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As all miss clover books I loved it

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! Myrtle Clover cozy mysteries always have some humor in them, thanks to Myrtle's personality and the characters surrounding her!

[Robin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun entertaining read loved it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. I enjoyed it!

[Jemi Fraser]

So fun!! Myrtle dives into the investigation when she finds a murdered wedding guest at Christmas time. Entertaining shenanigans ensue!

[Allyson Dyar · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite octogenarian is at it again, this time, she attends the wedding where the mother of the bride just happens to end up being conked on the head by a champagne bottle. Of course, Myrtle is determined to find out who did the deed and happens to have some assistance from Wanda, who comes to spend the holiday with her.

This is yet another great book in the series and if you are a fan, you won't be disappointed!

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Christmastime in Bradley, North Carolina, and the Christmas spirit is everywhere, though it is the South, so instead of snow and ice, there are decorations and treats galore. Myrtle and Miles are ready for a nice Christmas, joined by their friend Wanda. But since it’s Bradley, they can’t just have a quiet holiday.

At a seasonal wedding, the bride’s aunt ends up dead, and of course Myrtle and Miles find the body. Now they’re on the case, trying to discover just who’s responsible. But as they question suspects, they begin to discover a trail of secrets, and somebody doesn’t want them to keep digging. Can Myrtle and Miles figure out who is sleigh-ing fellow citizens, or will they end up on ice?

Top three Myrtle Clover books easily. With plenty of kitchen high jinks, lots of wonderful humor, and all of our favorite characters, plus a new list of suspects, this book has all the classics. A perfect holiday read that takes the holiday spirit and mixes it with Myrtle and the gang’s humor and warmth. Not a great book to start the series on, but if you’ve read two or three of the series before, this is the book for you.

[Tish Bouvier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first A Myrtle Clover mystery I read and I’m already in LOVE with Myrtle, my octogenarian sleuth. She was so real I could just reach right into the pages and hug her. Myrtle is sassy, spunky, down to earth and loveable — she would give you the sweater off her back. I wouldn’t mind Myrtle being my very own octogenarian neighbor or best friend.

A Myrtle Clover Christmas is a whodunit adventure that can be read any time of the year. It was such a fun and quick read engaged with the shenanigans family and friend. I enjoyed it!