Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery
Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery
by T.C. Wescott
BooksGoSocial
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 23 Nov 2018
Review
Christmas is upon us once again, the cold winter nights making us long for a warm blanket and a cozy read. Slay Bells is the perfect choice for readers tired of Christmas reruns, and looking for something fresh and seasonal. Christmas Village is a magical place, far removed from the city, and steeped in tradition. But when a troupe of carnies visiting the town begin dying one by one, it’s time for Mrs. Claus to step in. Yes she might or might not be that Mrs Claus, but she is one heck of a perceptive lady, which is a big help, as the hapless sheriff is not equipped for a real investigation. Part of Slay Bells charm is Wescott’s kindness in depicting the villagers’ quirks and foibles. It makes the characters endearing, even though you know someone will be unmasked as a killer.
Slay Bells not going to win any awards, but I can say the novel brought a smile to my face. The idea of Mrs Claus as a sleuth is definitely an original one.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Slay Bells from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-- Crittermom
Description
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys.
The air was alive with pine and with holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!
Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept,
Where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—
Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.
Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Plum Cottage Inn is plum-full with lodgers in for the Christmas Festival. There are no vacancies...until one by one the lodgers start dying in inexplicable ways.
Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel Claus loves a good puzzle. Can Mrs. Claus solve the mystery and save Christmas?
If you enjoy the classic Golden Age small village and English country house mysteries as well as lighthearted cozies of our present day, you will fall in love with the Christmas Village Mysteries. And your love affair starts right here with Slay Bells.
Slay Bells includes diagrams of the murder scenes and a one-of-a-kind BOOK GROUP CHALLENGE
