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Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril.
If you love a cozy mystery set at Christmas time this book is perfect for you. I loved all the different candies and the setting in Montana.
Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead discovers Jane’s body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.
The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two suspects: Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects—townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane.
When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year—and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.
I found the beginning of the book a bit slow especially with the different descriptions of the killing chocolate (chocolates based of the poisoned themes). But as the mystery continued, I found myself wanting to know who committed the murder and why.
The story is told from Alex’s perspective, and I enjoyed her as an amateur sleuth. Alex is smart and knows her mysteries since she has been reading them from a small age and runs a mystery bookshop. This helped with her investigation. My one complaint with Alex is her conflict on whether she wants to date someone who has not even asked her on a date. I felt like the author was trying to bring romance when I did not feel chemistry between the two characters.
The supporting characters were easy to enjoy. The twins had distinct personalities and their neighbors (especially the man who kept diagnosing himself) were a very fun addition. I would like to know more about them and definitely look forward to book two in the series.
As for the mystery, there were plenty of suspects that kept you guessing. I figured out the murderer relatively early but that did not take away from the book. I wanted to know the why and exactly how they did it.
Overall, this was a fun cozy mystery set in Montana at Christmas. The descriptions of the town made me feel like I was there, and I plan to read more of this series when it is published.
Have you read A Christmas Candy Killing? If you like cozy mysteries especially those at Christmas time preorder this book for its October 11th publication.
The Spinny Bookworm Mama 