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Ava James FBI #6
The Ghost of Christmas
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania all is seemingly festive and serene.
But when a series of deadly incidents occur, the town is thrown into a tailspin...
Five years ago, on Christmas night, a billionaire magnate, EB Ward lost his wife and children in a terrible house fire.
Since then he has become known as the town’s Scrooge.
And when his brother is killed in a tragic accident, EB is racked with guilt and pushed into further grief.
A few miles across town, another family discovers tragic news of their own.
Robbie Miller, the owner of the town’s favorite bakery. The doting father of three was found shot dead in his home.
The police ruled it a suicide, but could these holiday tragedies be connected?
As FBI agent Ava James digs deeper into the case, she unravels secret connections and fatal deceit.
How will the truth behind these deaths change the reality of this seemingly pristine town?
But when a series of deadly incidents occur, the town is thrown into a tailspin...
Five years ago, on Christmas night, a billionaire magnate, EB Ward lost his wife and children in a terrible house fire.
Since then he has become known as the town’s Scrooge.
And when his brother is killed in a tragic accident, EB is racked with guilt and pushed into further grief.
A few miles across town, another family discovers tragic news of their own.
Robbie Miller, the owner of the town’s favorite bakery. The doting father of three was found shot dead in his home.
The police ruled it a suicide, but could these holiday tragedies be connected?
As FBI agent Ava James digs deeper into the case, she unravels secret connections and fatal deceit.
How will the truth behind these deaths change the reality of this seemingly pristine town?
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2022
563 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 4, 2023
Took a long time to come together
I have not read any of the previous Ava James FBI Mysteries so this may have put me at a disadvantage. For some 22 chapters I felt as if I was reading 4 different books that were very disjointed. The author finally began to bring the story together after that which was the only reason I finished the book. From then on I found the premise interesting enough but not exactly a mystery. Some of the dialogue felt stilted and unfortunately I never really felt as if I understood the character’s motivations well. For me, this was just an ok read with a holiday theme tangentially.
I have not read any of the previous Ava James FBI Mysteries so this may have put me at a disadvantage. For some 22 chapters I felt as if I was reading 4 different books that were very disjointed. The author finally began to bring the story together after that which was the only reason I finished the book. From then on I found the premise interesting enough but not exactly a mystery. Some of the dialogue felt stilted and unfortunately I never really felt as if I understood the character’s motivations well. For me, this was just an ok read with a holiday theme tangentially.
December 19, 2024
Not sure why this has so many high reviews.
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but lord it just dragged on forever. The characters weren't really like-able, and the crimes were so stupid. You killed a woman and her children because she might expose your affair? Come on...
The book specifies that it can be read as stand alone, but obviously brings in things from past books, which keeps the stand alone reader on the outside. The missing mom stuff felt pointless in this story, as did the epilogue.
It was just meh.
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but lord it just dragged on forever. The characters weren't really like-able, and the crimes were so stupid. You killed a woman and her children because she might expose your affair? Come on...
The book specifies that it can be read as stand alone, but obviously brings in things from past books, which keeps the stand alone reader on the outside. The missing mom stuff felt pointless in this story, as did the epilogue.
It was just meh.
January 11, 2023
uh, all’s well that ends well?
I still have a question, but somehow don’t expect it will be answered since most threads were satisfactorily wrapped up.
In this, Ava is called to task by a friend of her mother’s when the friend’s husband’s death is characterized as a suicide by the local law enforcement agency/coroner. Ava, and eventually the entire team, manage to investigate and solve two fatal mysteries at the same time.
I still have a question, but somehow don’t expect it will be answered since most threads were satisfactorily wrapped up.
In this, Ava is called to task by a friend of her mother’s when the friend’s husband’s death is characterized as a suicide by the local law enforcement agency/coroner. Ava, and eventually the entire team, manage to investigate and solve two fatal mysteries at the same time.
January 22, 2023
slow start to the story, but a good read once it gained momentum
I almost put this book down when I was 30% into it because the storyline seemed to be dragging along. Luckily, I stuck with the book and was soon wrapped up in the “whodunnit” of multiple murders.
I hope other books in this series will start off with more of a “bang” and catch my interest more quickly than Book 6 did.
I almost put this book down when I was 30% into it because the storyline seemed to be dragging along. Luckily, I stuck with the book and was soon wrapped up in the “whodunnit” of multiple murders.
I hope other books in this series will start off with more of a “bang” and catch my interest more quickly than Book 6 did.
February 1, 2023
The Ghost of Christmas (Ava James FBI Mystery Book 6)
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this book. I am happy that Ava and her team could bring some closer on the deaths of their families. They took 2 "accidents" and proved they were both murder and they even figured out who had committed all for murders. Hopefully Kare will spend the rest of her life in prison. I also hope that Ava finds her mother before it's to late.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this book. I am happy that Ava and her team could bring some closer on the deaths of their families. They took 2 "accidents" and proved they were both murder and they even figured out who had committed all for murders. Hopefully Kare will spend the rest of her life in prison. I also hope that Ava finds her mother before it's to late.
February 4, 2023
Bethlehem, PA and multiple murders
Well Special Agent Ava James is up to her eyeballs in another case. This time for a friend of her missing mom. Murder, fires, family, lust and money are at the top of the list but be careful before you Jump to the same or similar conclusions that the local police has documented….It’s not over until the evidence “sings” and “rumor” becomes legitimate….
Well Special Agent Ava James is up to her eyeballs in another case. This time for a friend of her missing mom. Murder, fires, family, lust and money are at the top of the list but be careful before you Jump to the same or similar conclusions that the local police has documented….It’s not over until the evidence “sings” and “rumor” becomes legitimate….
April 23, 2023
Suicide Or Murder?
Ava was called by a friend of her mother for help with the death of her husband. She discovered who caused the death and why. In addition to that murder Ava and the team began questioning a fire and the death of three family members. They followed the leads and found that the individual caused the fire where the three died but also killed the husband of the person who called her for help. It was a very good story and the ending was wonderful.
Ava was called by a friend of her mother for help with the death of her husband. She discovered who caused the death and why. In addition to that murder Ava and the team began questioning a fire and the death of three family members. They followed the leads and found that the individual caused the fire where the three died but also killed the husband of the person who called her for help. It was a very good story and the ending was wonderful.
December 29, 2022
Slow start
It started slowly but really caught my attention soon. It only took me 1 1\2 days to finish it, and that's because I started it late at night. Loved how she left some things to our imagination. The characters were well developed and the plot took place soon enough to keep me reading. I love her work and will keep reading her books.
It started slowly but really caught my attention soon. It only took me 1 1\2 days to finish it, and that's because I started it late at night. Loved how she left some things to our imagination. The characters were well developed and the plot took place soon enough to keep me reading. I love her work and will keep reading her books.
December 30, 2022
AJ NEVER DISAPPOINTS
The first page grabs you & your mind is trying to figure out what all these people have in common & where is it all going. You can’t stop reading and doing so as fast as you can. Then towards the end & solving of the first mystery a new one is introduced & it’s a doozy!
The first page grabs you & your mind is trying to figure out what all these people have in common & where is it all going. You can’t stop reading and doing so as fast as you can. Then towards the end & solving of the first mystery a new one is introduced & it’s a doozy!
January 22, 2023
Slow start
At first, I was a little lost until I realized this was the 6th book in the series. I picked it out because of the title (I've been on a Christmas reading binge). However, as I read the story started to come together. The ending was quite predictable, however. I'll probably try some of the earlier books.
At first, I was a little lost until I realized this was the 6th book in the series. I picked it out because of the title (I've been on a Christmas reading binge). However, as I read the story started to come together. The ending was quite predictable, however. I'll probably try some of the earlier books.
December 28, 2022
Ava and team make for great stories
Ava and her crew are top notch! Love reading about them and the steps they go through to solve the case. Their banter can be pretty funny sometimes. Sure hope Ava can find her mom before something bad happens.
Ava and her crew are top notch! Love reading about them and the steps they go through to solve the case. Their banter can be pretty funny sometimes. Sure hope Ava can find her mom before something bad happens.
January 2, 2023
The Ghost of Christmas
OMG. This book had a little of everything. It had suspense and intrigue. It also had compassion in the end. This is a very enjoyable book. I loved it. I highly recommend this book. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
OMG. This book had a little of everything. It had suspense and intrigue. It also had compassion in the end. This is a very enjoyable book. I loved it. I highly recommend this book. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
January 2, 2023
Excellent Reading!
Great book. Great storyline. The characters were likeable and I could relate to each of them. Their ideas, their feelings, their desires. I really enjoyed the book and I recommend it to everyone.
Great book. Great storyline. The characters were likeable and I could relate to each of them. Their ideas, their feelings, their desires. I really enjoyed the book and I recommend it to everyone.
January 10, 2023
Too wordy
The story was way too wordy. Some things aren't necessary to tell to make the story work. Also, still bringing in the back story with her mother and no conclusion. It gets old. I am done following all these characters and their tales.
The story was way too wordy. Some things aren't necessary to tell to make the story work. Also, still bringing in the back story with her mother and no conclusion. It gets old. I am done following all these characters and their tales.
February 27, 2023
Interesting plot twists in this one.
As always A.J. Rivers, has written another great novel. This one had many plot, twists and turns for the FBI group. Can’t wait to find out what’s happening with Ava’s mother.
As always A.J. Rivers, has written another great novel. This one had many plot, twists and turns for the FBI group. Can’t wait to find out what’s happening with Ava’s mother.
December 4, 2023
Great book!
When a local bakery owner is found dead of an apparent suicide, his widower calls on FBI Agent Ava James to find the truth. Once Ava and her team start digging, they find more than they bargained for. Can they get the answers they need in time for Christmas?
When a local bakery owner is found dead of an apparent suicide, his widower calls on FBI Agent Ava James to find the truth. Once Ava and her team start digging, they find more than they bargained for. Can they get the answers they need in time for Christmas?
January 1, 2024
The Ghost of Christmas
This book is such a good read! I love this author, she weaves such a wonderful story! I look forward to all the series books. Thank you for such so wonderful adventures.
This book is such a good read! I love this author, she weaves such a wonderful story! I look forward to all the series books. Thank you for such so wonderful adventures.
March 31, 2024
slow start but good overall!
It started out a little slow and I wasn’t sure if this would be like her usual murder mysteries. But then it picked up and I couldn’t put it down! On to the next in the series!
It started out a little slow and I wasn’t sure if this would be like her usual murder mysteries. But then it picked up and I couldn’t put it down! On to the next in the series!
May 11, 2024
This book was a fantastic read. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the plot and the introduction to new characters that were all well written. I also enjoyed how Ava and the team are bonding more and more as the series progresses. I highly recommend this novel.
July 1, 2025
Great Read
I believe this is one of my favorite AJ Rivers books! It an intricate plot, with plots woven together perfectly. With no spoilers, all I can say is the way the stories were interwoven, and then disentangled was done masterfully!!
I believe this is one of my favorite AJ Rivers books! It an intricate plot, with plots woven together perfectly. With no spoilers, all I can say is the way the stories were interwoven, and then disentangled was done masterfully!!
December 21, 2022
This was a awesome book about families and their how things are not always okay and evil lurks with a family member. Thank you and such a excellent story.
December 28, 2022
A new Christmas story
This installment in the Ava James saga is a great Christmas story, complete with a Scrooge-like character. No spoilers, but I loved the ending!
This installment in the Ava James saga is a great Christmas story, complete with a Scrooge-like character. No spoilers, but I loved the ending!
December 31, 2022
Great read!!!
Wow! That was an awesome adventure and a great mystery! I loved it! Looks like there are going to be plenty more adventures ahead for Ava and her team! 😎
Wow! That was an awesome adventure and a great mystery! I loved it! Looks like there are going to be plenty more adventures ahead for Ava and her team! 😎
January 1, 2023
This was a really good story . It was a bit of a slow starter for me but once I got farther into it I really enjoyed it.
January 4, 2023
What a great read!
This was a good one with twists and surprise throughout! A great job! I love this series and all of Rivers series!
This was a good one with twists and surprise throughout! A great job! I love this series and all of Rivers series!
January 11, 2023
Great
I like the journey to the conclusion. The twists and turns always keep you guessing what the next move will be.
I like the journey to the conclusion. The twists and turns always keep you guessing what the next move will be.
January 13, 2023
Great
Another great read from this author. Always good twists. I really like the character sin these books. All are very different.
Another great read from this author. Always good twists. I really like the character sin these books. All are very different.
February 11, 2023
good read!
Lots of twists and turns, keeps you guessing. Reading this series has been most enjoyable. Would recommend it to mystery buffs.
Lots of twists and turns, keeps you guessing. Reading this series has been most enjoyable. Would recommend it to mystery buffs.
February 17, 2023
Christmas ghost
Excellent read. Many turns and twists. I was captivated by all the characters!! I could literally picture most of them.
Excellent read. Many turns and twists. I was captivated by all the characters!! I could literally picture most of them.
June 2, 2023
AJ Rivers has done it again!
AJ Rivers has done it again. Another tough woman FBI Agent, Ava James. Storyline was a good one for Christmas.
AJ Rivers has done it again. Another tough woman FBI Agent, Ava James. Storyline was a good one for Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews