Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Helpful Score: 2
Slay Bells Ring is the seventh installment in the Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery series set in Kismet, PA. Caprice is delighted that her home staging business is doing so well thanks in large part to the catering assistance of sister Nikki, and is counting the days until Grant's annulment goes through and she can start planning their wedding.
Caprice is asked by family friends Sara and Chris Merriweather to stage their home. Although surprised that the Merriweather's would want to sell their home and move to a small condo, she decides upon a Christmas Delight theme. Chris, a military Vet has been playing the town Santa for as long as Caprice can remember and he's well known throughout the community for his amazing handmade toys.
When Chris is found murdered outside of his Santa's workshop with his faithful Malamute Blitz trapped inside, Caprice and her family take the news hard. Her Dad was very close to Chris and Caprice wants to find his killer, for her Dad's sake and for Chris' wife. Unfortunately, her investigation reveals that not every family dynamic is idyllic, even Santa's.
A fast paced storyline filled with recurring series characters that will make you smile, laugh and cry. This series only gets better with each new addition and I can't wait to see what will happen next in the De Luca family.
Caprice is asked by family friends Sara and Chris Merriweather to stage their home. Although surprised that the Merriweather's would want to sell their home and move to a small condo, she decides upon a Christmas Delight theme. Chris, a military Vet has been playing the town Santa for as long as Caprice can remember and he's well known throughout the community for his amazing handmade toys.
When Chris is found murdered outside of his Santa's workshop with his faithful Malamute Blitz trapped inside, Caprice and her family take the news hard. Her Dad was very close to Chris and Caprice wants to find his killer, for her Dad's sake and for Chris' wife. Unfortunately, her investigation reveals that not every family dynamic is idyllic, even Santa's.
A fast paced storyline filled with recurring series characters that will make you smile, laugh and cry. This series only gets better with each new addition and I can't wait to see what will happen next in the De Luca family.
Slay Bells Ring by Karen Rose Smith is the seventh book in A Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery series (that's a mouthful). Caprice De Luca is staging Christopher and Sara Merriweather home with a âChristmas Delightâ theme for their open house. Chris and Sara own a local hobby store along with Chris making beautiful wood toys during the year. Chris has been acting strangely since his return from his annual trip to visit old war buddies in Washington, D.C. Late one evening, Chris (who plays Santa each year) is found dead outside Santa's cabin on Santa Lane. Why would someone murder him? Caprice is asked to look into the crime and see if she can unmask the killer. She soon discovers that Chris was keeping many secrets. Which one of them go them got him murdered?
Slay Bells Ring is not a standalone novel. You do need to read the previous six books in the series or you will be lost. There are numerous family members (friends, townspeople) and it will be impossible to keep them all straight. The murder occurs at the 20% mark in the story (I was beginning to wonder if I was reading a cozy mystery). The culprit's identity can be discovered before the murder occurs (I am not kidding). I wish the mystery had been slightly more complicated and had been more of the focus of the book. The focus of Slay Bells Ring is on Grant and Caprice. They are newly engaged and very much in love (as we are told repeatedly). Slay Bells Ring is nicely written and has a good flow. It contains a charming town and a good female main character. I appreciate Caprice's fashion sense and love of animals. Food items and Caprice's clothing are described in detail (each and every outfit). Slay Bells Ring is perfect for readers looking for a light-hearted cozy mystery with love, family and Christmas. There is a preview of Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes at the end of the book.
Slay Bells Ring is not a standalone novel. You do need to read the previous six books in the series or you will be lost. There are numerous family members (friends, townspeople) and it will be impossible to keep them all straight. The murder occurs at the 20% mark in the story (I was beginning to wonder if I was reading a cozy mystery). The culprit's identity can be discovered before the murder occurs (I am not kidding). I wish the mystery had been slightly more complicated and had been more of the focus of the book. The focus of Slay Bells Ring is on Grant and Caprice. They are newly engaged and very much in love (as we are told repeatedly). Slay Bells Ring is nicely written and has a good flow. It contains a charming town and a good female main character. I appreciate Caprice's fashion sense and love of animals. Food items and Caprice's clothing are described in detail (each and every outfit). Slay Bells Ring is perfect for readers looking for a light-hearted cozy mystery with love, family and Christmas. There is a preview of Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes at the end of the book.
