Christmas Murders

Publication Date: 26 November 2024

S.F. Baumgartner

A Christmas conspiracy.
Multiple Murders.
A dogged detective who won’t quit.

Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy’s career wilts like a thirsty poinsettia in the Florida heat. When a councilman is found dead during Christmas week, KC must solve this high-profile case before the New Year’s Eve fireworks or face unemployment.

As she delves deeper, more bodies surface like unwanted gifts. KC is running out of time, the clock ticking down as though in a twisted Advent calendar.

Just when she thinks it’s over, the tables turn. Will she survive the ordeal and save her career, or will this be her last Christmas?

My Review:

Christmas Murders is a crime novella that blends the festive cheer of the holiday season with a high-stakes murder investigation.

At its heart is Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy, whose vulnerability, ambition, and resourcefulness shine through as she races against time to solve the murder of a prominent councilman. KC is not just a detective; she’s a determined woman navigating career pressures while chasing justice. The Florida setting, with its sunny, untraditional Christmas vibe, adds a unique twist, creating a sharp contrast to the usual snowy crime thrillers.

The story unfolds briskly, with twists and turns arriving at just the right moments to keep the reader guessing. Each new revelation layers on tension, exposing a tangled web of political corruption and hidden motives. The pacing keeps things engaging, though the novella’s brevity means some subplots feel underexplored. While the fast-moving narrative is satisfying, it left me wanting more. As a novella, it delivers a gripping holiday mystery, but the premise and characters feel rich enough to support a full-length novel. That said, the resolution ties things together making it a satisfying read overall. Fans of procedural dramas, festive mysteries, and strong female leads will find Christmas Murders an enjoyable addition to their holiday reading list.

This novella serves as a reminder that even in the most festive of seasons, danger can lurk beneath the glitter and glow. A quick, engaging read that will leave readers both entertained and craving more.

The Author:

S. F. Baumgartner is a Christian suspense thriller author and creator of the Mirror Estate series. Graduated from the University of Hawaii and the University of Cincinnati. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her cats, staying active, and binge-watching crime TV shows. Living in Ohio with her family. Sylvia has a website at https://sfbaumgartner.com and can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Threads

The Book:

Title: Christmas Murders
Publication Date: 26 November 2024
Number of pages: 113

The Review:

Thank you to BookSirens and SF Baumgartner for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to it’s publication.

All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites, such as Amazon, Goodreads, LoveReading, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.

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