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. ⠀
thesassybookworm's review against another edition
3.0
September seems to be Christmas month for publishers, so I have a bunch of holiday themed cozy mysteries to indulge in. First up is Christmas Cocoa Murder.