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bookwoman37's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall I enjoyed these stories. The first one by Carlene O'Connor takes place in Ireland and involves dueling Santas. I had not read this author before but now I shall be going back to read her series. I loved the characters and the mystery was good. The second one by Maddie Day is a series I am very familiar with. I always enjoy a visit to South Lick, Indiana. The characters and the restaurant are always fun but the mystery could have been stronger. Since it was a short story I wish more time was spent on the mystery than descriptions of clothing. The third story was a locked room mystery and the weakest of the three. Unlike some other Holiday collections I have read I was pleased that all three were mysteries. Enjoy these Christmas Cozies
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
5.0
This book actually contains three Christmas mysteries. The authors pull off the difficult task of writing murder mysteries that still end on a hopeful note, suitable for a holiday collection. I had read books by only one of the authors who contributed to this book, but I really enjoyed all three stories. All three stories feature hot cocoa in some aspect in keeping with the Christmas cocoa theme.
The first story is the titular "Christmas Cocoa Murder" by Carlene O'Connor. I have read some of the full length Irish Village novels featuring Siobhan O'Sullivan and enjoyed this story which goes back to when she is first graduating from the Garda College. Siobhan is as impulsive, smart, and loving as ever. As the rest of the town are enjoying Christmas preparations, Siobhan is called into service to solve a murder. I liked seeing her solve a case even before she is officially on the job. Those who haven't read any of the books in the series will like getting to know Siobhan. Even though a murder did occur, the story has a sweet ending which gives a hint about Siobhan's life in the near future.
The second story is "Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse" by Maddie Day. Robbie Jordan and her assistant Danna Beedle are busy keeping the customers Robbie's country store and restaurant fed and happy in the days leading up to Christmas. However, Robbie finds herself putting all that on the "back burner" to catch a killer when her boyfriend's father is accused of murdering a former business associate. I've heard of this series but hadn't had a chance to read anything by this author before this story. I really liked the characters and the setting and am interested in reading full length books featuring Robbie and her friends. There were plenty of suspects for Robbie to investigate and everything was wrapped up in end.
The third story in the collection is Alex Erickson's "Death by Hot Cocoa." Krissy Hancock takes the day off from running her bookstore cafe to participate in a Christmas-themed escape room with her friend Rita. Lewis Coates doesn't seem like a people person but has done a great job organizing the even in which the participants find their way out of small, individual rooms into a large room from which the whole group must "escape." All but one of the participants are shocked when they find their way into the large room and find Lewis's dead body! I enjoyed seeing Krissy logically solve the escape room clues as well as the real clues to determine the identity of the murderer in this locked room mystery. I like Krissy and Rita and although I've not read any of their full-length adventures, I would like to read other books by this author.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining collection of three Christmas mysteries with a variety of settings and plots that will appeal to a wide range of cozy mystery lovers.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The first story is the titular "Christmas Cocoa Murder" by Carlene O'Connor. I have read some of the full length Irish Village novels featuring Siobhan O'Sullivan and enjoyed this story which goes back to when she is first graduating from the Garda College. Siobhan is as impulsive, smart, and loving as ever. As the rest of the town are enjoying Christmas preparations, Siobhan is called into service to solve a murder. I liked seeing her solve a case even before she is officially on the job. Those who haven't read any of the books in the series will like getting to know Siobhan. Even though a murder did occur, the story has a sweet ending which gives a hint about Siobhan's life in the near future.
The second story is "Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse" by Maddie Day. Robbie Jordan and her assistant Danna Beedle are busy keeping the customers Robbie's country store and restaurant fed and happy in the days leading up to Christmas. However, Robbie finds herself putting all that on the "back burner" to catch a killer when her boyfriend's father is accused of murdering a former business associate. I've heard of this series but hadn't had a chance to read anything by this author before this story. I really liked the characters and the setting and am interested in reading full length books featuring Robbie and her friends. There were plenty of suspects for Robbie to investigate and everything was wrapped up in end.
The third story in the collection is Alex Erickson's "Death by Hot Cocoa." Krissy Hancock takes the day off from running her bookstore cafe to participate in a Christmas-themed escape room with her friend Rita. Lewis Coates doesn't seem like a people person but has done a great job organizing the even in which the participants find their way out of small, individual rooms into a large room from which the whole group must "escape." All but one of the participants are shocked when they find their way into the large room and find Lewis's dead body! I enjoyed seeing Krissy logically solve the escape room clues as well as the real clues to determine the identity of the murderer in this locked room mystery. I like Krissy and Rita and although I've not read any of their full-length adventures, I would like to read other books by this author.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining collection of three Christmas mysteries with a variety of settings and plots that will appeal to a wide range of cozy mystery lovers.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
tien's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shammons's review against another edition
3.0
I borrowed this three holiday novella compilation from my local library, and only read the one by Carlene O'Connor, in my effort to stay current in the Irish Village mysteries. Goodreads had the order as me reading this one after the Irish Churchyard one, but I thought chronologically, that this one likely should have been read before it. However, there were no spoilers and it didn't matter in the least. This was a short fun read, involving the town (Kilbane) Santy (Santa), a murder in a dunk tank full of hot cocoa, and lots of great Christmas references and traditions. I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the next in the series (which I already have in my greedy little hands, since thankfully I was able to obtain from the library - they don't have all in this series, but several).
morticia32's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly got this book for the Maddie Day story. I enjoyed it very much. It's always fun to visit South Lick, IN and Robbie's Country Store.
The Carlene O'Connor story actually made me want to go back and read some more of her series. I'd only read the first few before this short story. Now I want to know more about Siobhán and her family, though the whole Macdara thing at the end was slightly baffling.
The most surprising story was Alex Erickson's. I've not been able to really get into his series, so the fact that I really liked this literally locked room mystery was a bonus, since I almost didn't even bother to read it!
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
The Carlene O'Connor story actually made me want to go back and read some more of her series. I'd only read the first few before this short story. Now I want to know more about Siobhán and her family, though the whole Macdara thing at the end was slightly baffling.
The most surprising story was Alex Erickson's. I've not been able to really get into his series, so the fact that I really liked this literally locked room mystery was a bonus, since I almost didn't even bother to read it!
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
kkaste's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
zaineylaney's review against another edition
4.0
BOOK REVIEW⠀
BOOK: Christmas Cocoa Murder
AUTHOR: Carlene O’Connor
⠀
A mystery with a holiday setting! That’s what you can look forward to with this novel. The beginning starts out very intriguing...and includes a dunk tank of hot chocolate. Sound delicious? Not so fast. There really is murder in the air.
I thought the book was very creative for a mystery novel. Plus it is set in Ireland so it adds to some culture that I don’t know about (but should considering my heritage). I will say though that I spent a little bit of time looking things up because I wasn’t clear of terminology. But it is easily discernible.
If you like holiday mysteries, give this one a go!
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Siobhan O'Sullivan's hopes for a quiet Irish Christmas are dashed when the local Santa turns up dead in a carnival dunk tank of hot cocoa. Now instead of hunting down holiday gifts, she's pursuing a heartless killer. Seems the dead Santa was no angel either, stealing neighborhood dogs to guide his sleigh. But was it his holiday antics--or worse--that led to his death by chocolate?
⠀
I received this book for review purposes from NetGalley. ⠀
BOOK: Christmas Cocoa Murder
AUTHOR: Carlene O’Connor
⠀
A mystery with a holiday setting! That’s what you can look forward to with this novel. The beginning starts out very intriguing...and includes a dunk tank of hot chocolate. Sound delicious? Not so fast. There really is murder in the air.
I thought the book was very creative for a mystery novel. Plus it is set in Ireland so it adds to some culture that I don’t know about (but should considering my heritage). I will say though that I spent a little bit of time looking things up because I wasn’t clear of terminology. But it is easily discernible.
If you like holiday mysteries, give this one a go!
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Siobhan O'Sullivan's hopes for a quiet Irish Christmas are dashed when the local Santa turns up dead in a carnival dunk tank of hot cocoa. Now instead of hunting down holiday gifts, she's pursuing a heartless killer. Seems the dead Santa was no angel either, stealing neighborhood dogs to guide his sleigh. But was it his holiday antics--or worse--that led to his death by chocolate?
⠀
I received this book for review purposes from NetGalley. ⠀