Reviewed by Nas Dean
A festive season filled with cheer and holiday spirit takes a chilling turn in "Murder Under the Mistletoe" by Liz Fielding. This cozy mystery weaves together Christmas decorations, unexpected deaths, and a cast of characters with secrets that make the holiday season a little less merry.
It is a November 2023 release by Joffe Books.
Abby Finch is ready to embrace the joys of the season as she heads to the old church hall with mistletoe and holly in hand, eager to help decorate. But her holiday spirit takes a dark turn when she witnesses a shocking and gruesome scene unfold before her eyes. Edward Marsh, an unsuspecting victim, meets a shocking end as he tests an antique star atop the Christmas tree. What begins as a routine decoration endeavor quickly transforms into a murder investigation, leaving the small town in a state of shock and fear.
The mystery deepens as Abby discovers that Edward's death was no accident. Dark secrets and buried grudges come to light as the suspects are revealed, with the enigmatic and charming Gregory Tatton standing at the center of it all. Gregory, a known blackmailer with a way of captivating the senior ladies of the lunch club, becomes a prime suspect in a murder that should have been his own.
Liz Fielding masterfully weaves an intricate web of suspicion, taking readers on a delightful journey through the festive backdrop of the holiday season. The story is filled with a delightful array of quirky characters, each with their own motives, making it an engaging and unpredictable read. As Abby embarks on her quest for the truth, she unearths a series of shocking revelations and dangerous secrets, putting herself in the line of fire.
Despite the cozy holiday setting, "Murder Under the Mistletoe" keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher. The plot is well-paced, with enough twists and turns to keep readers eagerly flipping pages. The writing is crisp, and the dialogue is snappy, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience.
Author Liz Fielding creates a compelling holiday-themed murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you're looking for a cozy yet thrilling read to curl up with by the fireplace during the holiday season, this book is sure to be a delightful choice. Who's been naughty, who's been nice, and who's hiding a murderous secret? Discover the answers in this heartwarming yet suspenseful tale that adds a twist of mystery to your holiday reading list.
Highly recommended for all cozy mystery and romance readers.
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Reviewed by Janie
I really enjoyed book 2 of 2 by Liz Fielding "Murder Under the Mistletoe (Maybridge Murder Series.)" If you enjoy a little suspense in your reading venue I highly recommend this series.Book 1 in the series "Murder Among the Roses."
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Reviewed by Patty Duplechin
If you love a good cozy mystery this one’s for you. Abby Finch is a single mum of three children and has a gardening business. She’s struggling to get through the holidays with children since this is their first Christmas since the death of their father. Abby is busy with work but is headed to church to drop off some mistletoe and Holly for the old folks Christmas festivities. While there she sees Edward Marsh go up the ladder to put the star on the top of the tree. Why was he up there? He doesn’t like heights.
All of a sudden the lights go off. Why? Was their an electrical problem? They hear a thud and when the lights come on they see Edward on the floor. Abby runs over and tries to save him. Sadly he passed away. Everyone was shocked but now the accident is under investigation. Gregory Tatton was supposed to put the star on, so why didn’t he? Everyone is questioned, including Abby. The police suspects it wasn’t an accident.
Time to put her sleuth hat on again. Will she find out who did it? Why did they do it? Gregory is causing trouble too. In a roundabout way, he is trying to blackmail Abby. He knows secrets of her ex husband’s family and thinks he can get her to do work for free in his garden. Is he doing the same to others?
When Gregory is murdered, Abby is now trying to figure out who killed both men. Is it the same one? It’s now up to Abby to find the culprit without the police knowing since she is questioned again for the Gregory’s murder. Can she figure it out? Will the children be okay? Abby is a wonderful character. She’s a great mum and always puts her children first over her own, especially having new feelings for Jake, an old boyfriend from the past.
The story keeps you guessing. Hard to put it down. It’s well written. Liz Fielding did it again. I received this book for my honest review. I give it voluntarily.
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Murder Under the Mistletoe
Maybridge Murder Mysteries #2
Liz Fielding
Reviewed by Helen
