Helpful Score: 1
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings features April Claus who meets Nick Claus when he's taking a Summer vacation at her Oregon Bed and Breakfast. The pair fall in love, marry and move to the North Pole where April learns that Nick is set to become the new Santa after the untimely death of his older brother Chris.
April finds herself living in Castle Kringle along with Nick's mother, Pamela, Chris's widowed wife Tiffany and their son Christopher, Nick's younger brother Martin and Nick's sister Lucia along with a staff of elves and Lucia's pet reindeer, Quasar. Not everyone is happy that Nick, as the next in line, is taking over as Santa and some are less than thrilled that he's married a "Southerner".
When disgruntled elf Giblet Hollyberry loses the ice sculpture contest he throws a temper tantrum and accuses Nick of being a murderer. When Giblet is found dead the next morning all fingers seem to point to Nick as the killer but April knows deep in her heart that her new husband is not capable of murdering either Chris or Giblet and she sets out to clear his name.
A perfect read for a hot Summer day filled with a cast of quirky characters and a page turning plot that transports you into the heart of Christmastown. There seems to be plenty of potential for further adventures with April and the Claus family so I hope that this is just the start of a new series.
April finds herself living in Castle Kringle along with Nick's mother, Pamela, Chris's widowed wife Tiffany and their son Christopher, Nick's younger brother Martin and Nick's sister Lucia along with a staff of elves and Lucia's pet reindeer, Quasar. Not everyone is happy that Nick, as the next in line, is taking over as Santa and some are less than thrilled that he's married a "Southerner".
When disgruntled elf Giblet Hollyberry loses the ice sculpture contest he throws a temper tantrum and accuses Nick of being a murderer. When Giblet is found dead the next morning all fingers seem to point to Nick as the killer but April knows deep in her heart that her new husband is not capable of murdering either Chris or Giblet and she sets out to clear his name.
A perfect read for a hot Summer day filled with a cast of quirky characters and a page turning plot that transports you into the heart of Christmastown. There seems to be plenty of potential for further adventures with April and the Claus family so I hope that this is just the start of a new series.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very cute premise. By the second page I had totally bought into the world Ms. Ireland had created. She effortlessly gave us the details of Santaland without letting the story drag. (Like Santa is a family business, and reindeer can talk.)
The plot was good and the story was fun, however I felt no chemistry at all between Santa and his Mrs, even though they supposedly had a whirlwind courtship and have been married just three months. In fact, I couldn't tell they liked each other, let alone were in love.
I'll probably give the next one in the series a chance, but will need to feel it more to keep going.
The plot was good and the story was fun, however I felt no chemistry at all between Santa and his Mrs, even though they supposedly had a whirlwind courtship and have been married just three months. In fact, I couldn't tell they liked each other, let alone were in love.
I'll probably give the next one in the series a chance, but will need to feel it more to keep going.
