Christmas Mystery Short

This is a short story set in the Narcoscape of the Book of Dreams series. It is named "Dreaming of a White Christmas" and was originally printed in the collection A Cozy Christmas. In this brief installment, Nicodemus Smith has her hands full tracking down a lost philanthropist who fancies himself to be Santa Claus. Enjoy the yuletide oddness with Nic and the gang no matter what the season. I'll see you on the dreamside, ---Melanie

Snow, Stars - and murder! When Bernie, the star of breakfast show TV Rise & Shine, is murdered in her dressing room, Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agents Abi and Jake are sent undercover just before Christmas to catch the killer. With suspects aplenty, the snow building up outside and the holidays fast approaching, they’ve certainly got their work cut out!

A COSY MURDER MYSTERYONE ROTTEN APPLE SPOILS THE WHOLE BARREL. It's winter in Hertfordshire and the heavy snow falls over the hills. Detective Harris is called out to a body laying in the snow. It was supposed to be a simple case, but with the ever disappearing evidence, can Harris find the victim's killer, because this one is evading the police and will bring Harris face to face with a perpetrator unlike anything she has seen before. A very merry murder is an evocative and atmospheric tale. The perfect novelette to curl up with over a cold, winter's day.

I must have missed the "Santa Clause"… When I won an all-inclusive vacation to a luxury mountain resort over the holidays after entering a sweepstakes on the back of my cereal box, I assumed it was Fate announcing it was finally Merri Bianchi’s time to relax and have a little fun. But you know what they say about assumptions.... As it turns out I neglected to read the fine print, aka the "Santa Clause," and now I’m dressed as an Elf working my red-and-white striped stockings off at Santa’s Toyshop to make sure every parent finds the perfect gift for their precious little snowflake ...

Five fun cozy mystery books with pet-sitter Polly Parrett.

Addie Michaels anticipates a quiet Christmas with her friends. Her only worry is why Danny is suddenly so grumpy lately. But when a fifty year old case involving a missing boy lands on their desks, she's suddenly in a race against time to reunite a sister and brother before they miss their last chance to spend Christmas together. A Christmas novella with the Hidden gang.

When Santa’s visit to the Gulch is called off due to a bad storm Butterscotch Jones has to step in and save Ricky’s Christmas. While Butterscotch is busy in Manitoba, Miss Henry is in Quebec. She is trying to drum up some Christmas spirit while hunting for a missing lawyer. Nicodemus Smith has her hands full tracking down a lost philanthropist who fancies himself to be Santa Claus, and Jane Blackthorn is going her best to cope with a plum pudding thief who is vexing her first Christmas in merry olde England. While Kenneth Mayhew tries to restore order at the Mayhem Mansion revels, Chloe...

Suzie Whitsett loves Kyle Jones and when he gives her an amazing necklace for their two month anniversary, she is over the moon. Twenty-four hours later, it's gone and Suzie has to find out who took it before everything she has with Kyle falls apart right before New Year's...and their first New Year's kiss. Attention Funeral Crashing Fans! Make sure to check out the BONUS SCENE at the end of the book that details Kait and Ethan's New Year's Kiss! Although the characters from the Funeral Crashing Series make an appearance in this novella, it is a standalone cozy romantic mystery story. The ...

The festive season should be a time for generosity and goodwill, but in Glasgow, Leger finds that is not the case. His human companion's attempt to raise funds for a CT scanner for a local hospital has been thwarted by a callous thief who has stolen decorations from her seasonal garden display. Now Leger resolves to mend Annabella's broken heart by finding the thief. With Ginger nursing her newborn kittens, Isabella confusing him with erratic behaviour and Bob more interested in Hugh's discarded slipper than helping solve this mystery, Leger's only clue comes from an unexpected source - a ...

There's a chill in the air and the days are growing shorter.... It's the perfect time to curl up in front of a crackling fireplace with this winter-themed collection from legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie. But beware of deadly snowdrifts and dangerous gifts, poisoned meals and mysterious guests. This compendium of short stories, some featuring beloved Detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, is an essential omnibus for Christie fans and the perfect gift for mystery lovers.

Mary Wilson is determined to return an arm that belongs to a Civil War era china doll. For her journalism class, Mary is assigned to solve a true life cold case, and she wants to use the missing doll for her project. She’s eager to begin until she learns her partner on the assignment is the obnoxious Tim Driskill. Tim’s life had spiraled to the pits after a football injury, and now he has to work with the university’s biggest optimist. To his surprise, as he works with Mary on the case of finding Peggy Sue, the pain and anger in his heart eases. His world is turned upside down when ...

What is a girl who hates Christmas doing driving to the most holiday-themed town in the state? Snowflake Falls was located in the coldest, most northern part of the state. Even in the middle of summer, it was rarely warmer than 70 degrees. But when her elderly aunt calls asking for help to run her shop Jolly Goods, Autumn Winter knew she needed to go.

Eve is home for the holidays and looking to spend some time with her family. She is from a little town in Michigan and it had been months since she has been home from school in the south. Her first day back, she makes it to a holiday party and finds herself flirting with the man dressed as Santa. She leaves still unsure who the mystery man is, but his eyes were so familiar. If only she could place him. While Eve might not know who the secret Santa is, Marcus knows exactly who she is. He has been friends with her father for many years. He had always had an attraction for the young woman and ...

The Summers family always chose somewhere special to spend their Christmas holiday instead of at home. Every year their holiday vacation destination was different and determined by each of their Christmas wishes. Hannah and her children loved their Christmas holiday tradition even though it was never easy for everyone to be completely satisfied and this year was no different...or was it? Daniel Summers quickly offered to handle the arrangements for their upcoming Christmas holiday vacation. He knew his mother was surprised and maybe even a little suspicious about his offer to find a place ...

Claire Murray has no idea why handsome, popular Dave Rickerson would want to ask her on a New Year's date. They've never even spoken before and suddenly he's pulling out all the stops to get her to go. Is there something he's not telling her or is this a fairy tale New Year's Eve about to come true? This sweet romantic short story is a companion to Adventures of a New Year's Kiss (a cozy mystery novella featuring Suzie Whitsett). Numerous Funeral Crashing characters appear in it. For more about the order of the books - The Funeral Crashing Mystery Series: #1 - Adventures in Funeral Crashing...

It's a secret Santa whodunnit! "No doughnuts on Tuesdays!" "No Christmas trees allowed!" When their Grinchy landlord posts a stack of crazy proclamation flyers, it rattles an oddball assortment of residents in an apartment complex. But then on a quiet night in, festive gifts mysteriously appear on doorknobs and doormats-- and the game of Guess Who is afoot. The evening turns into a maze of clues as tenants tally gifts, prowl the halls, chase shadows and even run into a little romance before the surprising culprit is caught. And no, it's not the landlord! Ha-ha This holiday short story is ...

Megan was logical. She didn’t like surprises and she knew Mom only kept treasures, not junk. So why was the strange thing shoved up under Mom’s bed? She ripped off the brittle plastic and gasped. Hopefully her new friend Brett could help her solve the mystery of “it”. He was cute and kind, much more real than fake Sir William. At least he wasn’t annoying like her sister Pamela with her problems. But Megan wasn’t in the mood for romance right before Christmas, especially with a funeral director studying to be a counselor. Why had Mom kept that old thing? There must be an answer ...

Discover how Meghan Truman, Sandy Bay's latest resident and new bakery owner, navigates her way through three murder mysteries as she gets to know the quirky characters in her adopted hometown after failing to make a career as an actress in Hollywood. She's finally started a relationship with Jack Irvin, a detective, but will she find time to build a romance while she has to deal with betrayals, ungrateful staff, culture clashes, and murder? Three complete best-selling cozy mystery stories in one boxset!

In the happily hectic holidays, it's a treat to slip away to a comfy corner with a hot beverage and a tasty treat, and curl up in a favorite chair for a few moments peace with a cozy holiday story. The twelve short stories in this collection are in a variety of genres to provide something for every taste as you enjoy a short, sweet retreat on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Along with every entertaining story, the author has provided a favorite holiday recipe for the goodies enjoyed by her characters.

It was supposed to be a simple day of helping middle-aged Conrado Reyes after a knee replacement. Caela and Robin never suspected what was in store for them, or how Ann Essex, Bill Dancer, Tom Van Pelt, Che-Che Reyes, and the entire Central Bucks policing community would be working to save them. Follow Detective Ann Essex, her associates Bill Dancer and Tom Van Pelt, best friends Suzanne and Che-Che, and investigative daughter Robin and her ever present friend Caela, as they solve murders and piece together the mysteries they encounter.