This collection is three short stories all featuring eggnog. All of the stories come from current cozy series, so some of the characters and situations will be familiar to readers. I will preface my review by letting you know I have only ever read the Leslie Meier series before.
Story#1 :: Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier
When a bottle of eggnog, supposedly from the Real Beard Santa Club poisons a woman with a nut allergy, it is shown that the eggnog was made with cashew milk instead of dairy. The Santa Club does not make a version without dairy. Was this just an accident of not labeling a bottle correctly or was it murder? Lucy is determined to find out and have a fantastic Christmas, while her entire family is home.
This was the only series I had any prior reading of and I thought that it was the weakest of the three. That really surprised me. The mystery is pretty non-existent, a certain memberof her family needs to be smacked upside the head, and the conclusion is ridiculous. I know it is suppose to be a lighthearted Christmas read, but even the scenes that were about family, made me want to smack people. This one was a big let-down.
Story #2 :: Death by Eggnog by Lee Hollis
Hayley is invited to the town's charity Christmas dinner fundraiser, where all of the restaurants in town offer up a delectable treat. Already complaining about the menu is the town cranky librarian, Agatha. She does not think eggnog should be served because she has a serious allergy to dairy. She makes a huge deal about this to one of the committee members, Fannie, who brings eggnog but has both a dairy and non-dairy version. Both pitchers are clearly labeled. After eating a spicy hot wing, Fannie rushes to give Agatha a glass of the non-dairy eggnog, only to have her drop dead from anaphylactic shock due to dairy. Was it an accident, did Fannie purposely get rid of a thorn in her side, or is something more sinister going on?
I really enjoyed this mystery. It was short, but the mystery aspect of the story was well thought out. I do not think that Hayley really "sleuthed" any clues. One just fell into her lap and she started guessing. The characters were well written and I wouldn't mind reading more of this series. Interspersed throughout the story are little "columns" Hayley has written with recipes. This confused the heck out of me, because I didn't understand that they were meant as an aside. I hope the publisher fixes this, so it is easier to read.
Story #3 :: Nogged Off by Barbara Ross
Julie Snowden is finally letting her New York apartment go and moving to Maine without a net. When the girl subletting her apartment has a crisis and cannot keep it, Julia packs up the whole apartment into a moving van, including the girl, Imogen, and heads home. The girl had served eggnog at a business function and made the entire office so sick they had to be admitted to the hospital. After arriving home, the moving van is stolen and when it is recovered they find the dead body of Imogen's ex-boyfriend in the back end. Who killed him, why, and what are they going to do with Imogen?
This was my favorite of the three. I really liked the characters. I have a few books in this series and they have definitely been moved up in my TBR pile. The mystery was good, even though the conclusion was sort of stupid. It didn't really affect my enjoyment of the story though.
I think that mysteries have a hard time being short stories, because it makes them have to be so simple or sort of stupid. I think the authors did a decent job of trying to get over this gigantic hurdle. Unfortunately, I think Leslie Meier struggled the most. Her writing is so character driven, that it just doesn't work condensed.
* I voluntarily read an Advanced Reading Copy of this book and honestly reviewed it*
Story#1 :: Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier
When a bottle of eggnog, supposedly from the Real Beard Santa Club poisons a woman with a nut allergy, it is shown that the eggnog was made with cashew milk instead of dairy. The Santa Club does not make a version without dairy. Was this just an accident of not labeling a bottle correctly or was it murder? Lucy is determined to find out and have a fantastic Christmas, while her entire family is home.
This was the only series I had any prior reading of and I thought that it was the weakest of the three. That really surprised me. The mystery is pretty non-existent, a certain memberof her family needs to be smacked upside the head, and the conclusion is ridiculous. I know it is suppose to be a lighthearted Christmas read, but even the scenes that were about family, made me want to smack people. This one was a big let-down.
Story #2 :: Death by Eggnog by Lee Hollis
Hayley is invited to the town's charity Christmas dinner fundraiser, where all of the restaurants in town offer up a delectable treat. Already complaining about the menu is the town cranky librarian, Agatha. She does not think eggnog should be served because she has a serious allergy to dairy. She makes a huge deal about this to one of the committee members, Fannie, who brings eggnog but has both a dairy and non-dairy version. Both pitchers are clearly labeled. After eating a spicy hot wing, Fannie rushes to give Agatha a glass of the non-dairy eggnog, only to have her drop dead from anaphylactic shock due to dairy. Was it an accident, did Fannie purposely get rid of a thorn in her side, or is something more sinister going on?
I really enjoyed this mystery. It was short, but the mystery aspect of the story was well thought out. I do not think that Hayley really "sleuthed" any clues. One just fell into her lap and she started guessing. The characters were well written and I wouldn't mind reading more of this series. Interspersed throughout the story are little "columns" Hayley has written with recipes. This confused the heck out of me, because I didn't understand that they were meant as an aside. I hope the publisher fixes this, so it is easier to read.
Story #3 :: Nogged Off by Barbara Ross
Julie Snowden is finally letting her New York apartment go and moving to Maine without a net. When the girl subletting her apartment has a crisis and cannot keep it, Julia packs up the whole apartment into a moving van, including the girl, Imogen, and heads home. The girl had served eggnog at a business function and made the entire office so sick they had to be admitted to the hospital. After arriving home, the moving van is stolen and when it is recovered they find the dead body of Imogen's ex-boyfriend in the back end. Who killed him, why, and what are they going to do with Imogen?
This was my favorite of the three. I really liked the characters. I have a few books in this series and they have definitely been moved up in my TBR pile. The mystery was good, even though the conclusion was sort of stupid. It didn't really affect my enjoyment of the story though.
I think that mysteries have a hard time being short stories, because it makes them have to be so simple or sort of stupid. I think the authors did a decent job of trying to get over this gigantic hurdle. Unfortunately, I think Leslie Meier struggled the most. Her writing is so character driven, that it just doesn't work condensed.
* I voluntarily read an Advanced Reading Copy of this book and honestly reviewed it*
Dollycas's Thoughts
I will start this review by saying I have read all of Barbara Ross's Maine Clambake Mysteries, I have read many of Leslie's Lucy Stone Mysteries and there are some screaming at me from my To-Be-Read shelf, and Lee Hollis is a new author to me. So I will start my review will Barbara's story.
NOGGED OFF focuses on Julia cleaning out her old apartment in New York since she has decided to stay in Busman's Harbor. When she meets her subletting tenant her quick trip to the city gets complicated. The author packed a whole wonderful cozy into just over 100 pages. The mystery takes us on quite a ride that at times was just plain crazy and so much fun to read. I love Julia and her big heart. It was fun to make another winter trip to Busman's Harbor.
EGGNOG MURDER is set in Tinker's Cove, Maine and within a few paragraphs I remembered all about the main characters and had no trouble jumping back into this series. I loved learning about their Real Beard Santa Club, which I now know is a real group with branches everywhere. The characters of this story drew me right in and I realized I have missed them so I know I need to get caught up on the books I have missed as soon as possible.
DEATH BY EGGNOG by LEE HOLLIS takes place in Bar Harbor, Maine. I was at a little disadvantage with this one as it was my introduction to these characters and the writer's style of Hayley's articles right in the story but I knew from the start Agatha Farnsworth, the head librarian, was definitely on Santa's naughty list and was not surprised she was our victim. What was surprising was the culprit responsible for her demise.
All three of these stories were well written with interesting characters. Great reads for the holiday season but they may have you refraining from eggnog for awhile. I say fix a cup of hot chocolate and curl up in a cozy chair. These mysteries will captivate you for a few wonderful hours.
I will start this review by saying I have read all of Barbara Ross's Maine Clambake Mysteries, I have read many of Leslie's Lucy Stone Mysteries and there are some screaming at me from my To-Be-Read shelf, and Lee Hollis is a new author to me. So I will start my review will Barbara's story.
NOGGED OFF focuses on Julia cleaning out her old apartment in New York since she has decided to stay in Busman's Harbor. When she meets her subletting tenant her quick trip to the city gets complicated. The author packed a whole wonderful cozy into just over 100 pages. The mystery takes us on quite a ride that at times was just plain crazy and so much fun to read. I love Julia and her big heart. It was fun to make another winter trip to Busman's Harbor.
EGGNOG MURDER is set in Tinker's Cove, Maine and within a few paragraphs I remembered all about the main characters and had no trouble jumping back into this series. I loved learning about their Real Beard Santa Club, which I now know is a real group with branches everywhere. The characters of this story drew me right in and I realized I have missed them so I know I need to get caught up on the books I have missed as soon as possible.
DEATH BY EGGNOG by LEE HOLLIS takes place in Bar Harbor, Maine. I was at a little disadvantage with this one as it was my introduction to these characters and the writer's style of Hayley's articles right in the story but I knew from the start Agatha Farnsworth, the head librarian, was definitely on Santa's naughty list and was not surprised she was our victim. What was surprising was the culprit responsible for her demise.
All three of these stories were well written with interesting characters. Great reads for the holiday season but they may have you refraining from eggnog for awhile. I say fix a cup of hot chocolate and curl up in a cozy chair. These mysteries will captivate you for a few wonderful hours.
Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis contains three Christmas cozy mystery stories. Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier is set in Tinker's Cove, Maine. The Pennysaver is serving eggnog and cookies during the annual holiday stroll. Dorcas Philpott has a cup of the holiday brew and ends up dead. Who tampered with the eggnog? Lucy wants to find the killer and wrap up the investigation so she can enjoy the holidays with her family.
Death by Eggnog by Lee Hollis is a Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery story. Agatha Farnsworth is the town librarian that people dread talking to because she is extremely grumpy. At the annual Restaurant Association Christmas Dinner, Agatha enjoys a cup of eggnog. Unfortunately, it is her last. Hayley sets out to bag the killer.
Nogged Off by Barbara Ross is set in Busman's Harbor, Maine. Julia Snowden ends up with an extra unwanted guest for Christmas. Julia goes to clean out her apartment and finds her tenant Imogen Geinkes in tears. Imogen just lost her job and boyfriend. Julia packs up everything in a truck and takes Imogen to her mother. The moving truck disappears and is found with Imogen's ex-boyfriend dead inside. Julia wants to tie this investigation up quickly so she can enjoy the holiday with her family.
Eggnog Murder contained some cute stories. They are short and sweet. They are nicely written and good additions to each series. I did find the mysteries simple and easily solved. It is nice to catch up with the characters from the cozy mystery series that I enjoy reading. I give Eggnog Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked them). You can enjoy the stories even if you have not read the books in each series (you might find some new cozy mystery series to enjoy). Eggnog Murder will help put you in the mood for Christmas.
Death by Eggnog by Lee Hollis is a Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery story. Agatha Farnsworth is the town librarian that people dread talking to because she is extremely grumpy. At the annual Restaurant Association Christmas Dinner, Agatha enjoys a cup of eggnog. Unfortunately, it is her last. Hayley sets out to bag the killer.
Nogged Off by Barbara Ross is set in Busman's Harbor, Maine. Julia Snowden ends up with an extra unwanted guest for Christmas. Julia goes to clean out her apartment and finds her tenant Imogen Geinkes in tears. Imogen just lost her job and boyfriend. Julia packs up everything in a truck and takes Imogen to her mother. The moving truck disappears and is found with Imogen's ex-boyfriend dead inside. Julia wants to tie this investigation up quickly so she can enjoy the holiday with her family.
Eggnog Murder contained some cute stories. They are short and sweet. They are nicely written and good additions to each series. I did find the mysteries simple and easily solved. It is nice to catch up with the characters from the cozy mystery series that I enjoy reading. I give Eggnog Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked them). You can enjoy the stories even if you have not read the books in each series (you might find some new cozy mystery series to enjoy). Eggnog Murder will help put you in the mood for Christmas.
Great book! Loved all three mysteries.
This is another great mystery by one of my favorite authors.
