A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

 

Title: A Christmas Candy Killing

Author: Christina Romeril

Publication: 11 October 2022

Amazon Description

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.

Ramble-y Teaserish Stuff

Amazon's description is pretty thorough so there's really no reason for me to recap. This was a great start to a new series and I'm already assuming that the second will be even better ... and I'm already hoping to nab it on NetGalley at some point. If not, I'll still get it because I really need to know what happens next the small town of Harriston, Montana.

"If being nosy was a criteria for murder in Harriston, half the town would be dead." 

Character development is always a good thing, but there was just sooooo much here that it almost diminished from the mystery part. The backgrounds of many did play a big part in the mystery, but .... I don't know .... it still felt a bit much somehow. A solid 4 star debut, though, with so many quotable bits that it took up multiple pages of my notebook and almost became an I'll Sleep When I've Read... post just so I could share more (I've already cheated once). 

 

When it came right down to it, though, I finished the book on Wednesday, I get more traffic on Fridays than I do any other day, and this is one I think a lot of the Friday crowd will enjoy.

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Friday 56 (share a blurb from the 56th page or 56% mark) is hosted at Freda's Voice 

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader