Chet and Bernie deliver a happy holiday in Santa 365
Santa 365: A Chet and Bernie Mystery eShort Story
by Spencer Quinn Atria Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date Nov 24, 2015
Description
Santa doesn’t just deliver gifts—he takes them too!—in this delightful holiday e-short featuring New York Times bestselling sleuths Chet and Bernie.
He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. This year, jolly old St. Nick knows Bernie has been sleeping on preparations for a special Christmas celebration with his son Charlie. Enter Plumpy Napoleon, fresh from a short stint in prison, to save Bernie from the naughty list. Plumpy calls his latest business plan “Santa 365.” For a small fee (that only gets bigger), he’ll fill your life with holiday cheer, including elves, a festive party, gifts, and even a Christmas tree delivered right to your front door. Bernie signs on for the full yuletide experience. But after the blowout holiday bash, Bernie and Chet the dog discover one of Santa’s helpers helped himself to more than Christmas candy. The intrepid duo sets out to find the sticky-fingered perp and reclaim the stolen goods. Add in a surprise visit from Bernie’s mom, two elderly sisters seeking their own brand of justice, and an elf with a stocking full of secrets, and you have a Christmas mystery that only Chet and Bernie could possibly unwrap.
Review
PI Bernie Little and his canine partner Chet are an unforgettable duo. In this short story, released just in time for Christmas, Bernie and Chet have the ultimate Christmas experience courtesy of Plumpy Napoleon. Plumpy is a perp Bernie and Chet once collared. Out on parole after a short stint in prison for running a ponzii scheme, Plumpy is marketing his new business "Santa 365". For a fee, Plumpy will provide holiday cheer, with Santa and his elves, a tree, a party, and gifts - all delivered to your door. Bernie signs on, for the benefit of his son Charlie.
Needless to say, things go awry. Santa doesn't arrive, and his elf robs Bernie during the party. Bernie's mother arrives for a surprise visit, and two elderly sisters are cruising for justice. Fortunately, Bernie and Chet are always ready to tackle a challenge, catch a few perps, and maybe even deliver a happy holiday in the process.
Santa 365 is a delightful short story, released just in time for the holiday season. It encapsulates all the things we love in a Bernie and Chet mystery - wacky happenings, unusual perps, fun surprises, and yes - slim jims. Chet is a fantastic narrator, and his doggie meanderings bring smiles and laughter every time.
This short mystery is perfect for mystery fans and animal lovers of all ages.
5/5
I received a copy of Santa 365 from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
