asanford's review
3.0
a fun novella (wish I had read it in order). This was right after the winter restaurant started and it was about the girl tat sublet Julia's apartment in NYC. Great twist and surprises throughout.
dtaylorbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
LOVED. IT. It’s everything I’m looking for in a cozy Christmas mystery: Christmas is basically a character in the story, there’s tension, the main character is at risk, lots of twists. Couldn’t have asked for more!
I haven’t read any of the other Maine Clambake Mystery books, and this one comes in at 4.5 in the series, so I’m walking into the middle of everything. Yet I’m not lost in the slightest. I know exactly what’s going on at all times, I’m never confused, the character development is on point, and I’m just all around invested in the story.
I liked how the tension in the story unfolded. It started with the guy maybe following Julia home to Maine with Imogen, to her truck getting stolen, and it just snowballs from there. There are so many layers in this story, and with it being so short it just blows my mind how seamless it all is. I blinked and I was finished with the book, a complete whirlwind of a story.
I loved it so much that I want to read the rest of the series despite the other books not being Christmas cozies. That says something! Am I broadening my reading scope here? Maybe dipping a toe in, at the very least. It’s a short story, but so, so sweet (and a little sinister), and I highly recommend it.
5
randombookgrl's review against another edition
5.0
A cute, quick story in the Maine Clambake series that takes place over the holidays, this novella is fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. Once again, Barbara Ross steers slightly off of the typical cozy path, making this another fun read that keeps you guessing.
shammons's review against another edition
I requested via curbside pickup the hardback copy of "Eggnog Murder" which contains 3 eggnog themed cozy mysteries by three authors. However, I only read one of the three, this one by Barbara Ross, as the next in line for me in the Maine Clambake mysteries (skipped the other 2 in the book). This one has Julia running down to New York for a very quick trip, to close out her Tribeca apartment and let her sub-tenant Imogene have the apartment full time. Things didn't quite go as planned, as Imogene ends up coming back with her to Busman's Harbor Maine, and then they find a dead body. A cute mystery, with my same likable characters, and a good short holiday one for this busy time of year!
amylee218's review
3.0
This was a typical cozy mystery-- cute setting, fun family of characters. Since it was a novella, and featured characters from New York, there was less of the cozy goodness, and things wrapped up pretty quickly. It did make me want to go back and check out the other books in the series.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
carolsnotebook's review
4.0
Yes, I’ve started reading Christmas books. No, I haven’t started Christmas shopping.
I read a Halloween novella in the Maine Clambake Mystery series and enjoyed it, so I picked up this Christmas one. I do love seasonal reads. Nogged Off was fun and light and has a bit of a twist at the end.
Julia is trying to wrap everything up in New York, bringing all of her belongings back to Maine. The problem is that Imogene, who was going to take over the apartment, has just lost her job and broken up with her boyfriend. Julia takes pity on her and brings her to Maine for Christmas. And that’s when all the trouble starts. Imogene just attracts disaster. And then Imogene’s ex-boyfriend shows up, murdered in the back of the moving truck.
This is a novella, and the focus is mostly on Julia and Imogene. The mystery itself was good. We see the clues along with Julia and the cops are not bumbling, just caught against the constraints of getting things done over the holidays. Julia’s mom and sister are around too; everyone’s getting ready for Christmas. Part of the whodunnit was a bit surprising, although maybe I should have seen it coming.
This is a series I need to go back and start from the beginning. I enjoy spending time in Busman’s Harbor. I like that Julia may be a bit trusting, but doesn’t seem to do too many stupid things. I like her boyfriend Chris, who is supportive without being bossy.
I read a Halloween novella in the Maine Clambake Mystery series and enjoyed it, so I picked up this Christmas one. I do love seasonal reads. Nogged Off was fun and light and has a bit of a twist at the end.
Julia is trying to wrap everything up in New York, bringing all of her belongings back to Maine. The problem is that Imogene, who was going to take over the apartment, has just lost her job and broken up with her boyfriend. Julia takes pity on her and brings her to Maine for Christmas. And that’s when all the trouble starts. Imogene just attracts disaster. And then Imogene’s ex-boyfriend shows up, murdered in the back of the moving truck.
This is a novella, and the focus is mostly on Julia and Imogene. The mystery itself was good. We see the clues along with Julia and the cops are not bumbling, just caught against the constraints of getting things done over the holidays. Julia’s mom and sister are around too; everyone’s getting ready for Christmas. Part of the whodunnit was a bit surprising, although maybe I should have seen it coming.
This is a series I need to go back and start from the beginning. I enjoy spending time in Busman’s Harbor. I like that Julia may be a bit trusting, but doesn’t seem to do too many stupid things. I like her boyfriend Chris, who is supportive without being bossy.
jennie_reads's review
3.0
3.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this novella in this series. I think that it was a great addition and it was really light hearted. It was a great balance of funny and serious and a great holiday read (even though I'm reading it in April). I did wish that there was more to the story, but that's the curse of the novella isn't it. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series soon!
*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed this novella in this series. I think that it was a great addition and it was really light hearted. It was a great balance of funny and serious and a great holiday read (even though I'm reading it in April). I did wish that there was more to the story, but that's the curse of the novella isn't it. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series soon!
*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
labajas5280's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75