Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Christmas Cozy Mystery

I really hate leaving bad reviews but I'm struggling to find anything positade a promise to myself that I would always be honest, so here goes. I think this book started badly as I just couldn't gel with the narrator. I found her voice flat and boring, so I struggled to get into the book from the beginning. Sadly, my opinion didn't improve any as we made our way through the story either. ive to say about this book. When I decided I was ready to share my reviews publicly.

i enjoyed this cosy mystery. it was well crafted and moved along at a good rate. I was planning on reading more by this author. I have deducted stars for a cliffhanger ending. These are a device employed by poor authors to get you to read their next book. If the world building is good and the characters interesting then a cliffhanger is not just unnecessary but manipulative and insulting.

One of the hallmarks of a good book for me is when I'm super busy so I can only read a chapter or two at a time but I still remember exactly what's going on and look forward to picking it back up. This book checks those boxes. The forth in the series, the characters and setting are all very well developed. The focus is on who killed Mrs. Claus (and boy, are there lots of good suspects!) but there's a clean romantic subplot as well. There's a bit more intrigue with amateur sleuth Sam than in most cozies I've read, but it was well written. Can be read as a standalone, but I think best enjoyed in order. My first by the author, though I intend to read more. Very bingeable page-turner that will keep you guessing. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.