The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning

The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning by PJ Fitzsimmons is stuffed with Holiday goodness and British charm.  From the drunk lolling about in the pub to the local policeman, each character is full of hidden depth and the occasional dark secret, each of which contributes to this festive murder mystery set in snowy dairy country.

Whose footprints are those?  Who is hiding what?  And why did Major Flaps Fleming appear to his friends hours after his murder?  Even more shockingly, why did he pay off his bar tab?

Prepare to be stumped as you watch the ever witty Anty Boisjoly and a couple of familiar faces from The Case of the Canterfell Codicil try to solve the case.  Will our favorite gadabout find the real killer before Anty's dear Aunt Azalea Boisjoly winds up behind bars for a murder she (probably) didn't commit?

Grab a mug of mulled wine, prop your feet up in front of the fire, and sit back for a good time with Anty and his Aunty, a very mysterious murder, and a surprisingly poignant ending.  What more could you ask for?

Long live Hildy.

I received an advance copy for free from BookSirens and I am reviewing it voluntarily.

Might as Well Be Dead-Nero Wolfe

Might as Well Be Dead, by Rex Stout, is a Nero Wolfe novel. What you need to know: Nero is an obese, genius detective who only leaves his comfortable home under the direst circumstances and sends his right hand man, Archie, out to do all the dirty work. Archie is quick witted and great with the ladies, also with the punching people.

This is not the cover of my edition, but I couldn't find it online and uploading it myself is not high on my list of priorities. Let's just say this one is equally compelling and those little criss crossy lines are not merely the artistic expression of the cover designer. No no, ladies and gents. They are the wire mesh between Archie Goodwin (swoon) and the man he's questioning. A man already convicted of murder. But did he do it?! And is the man even who he claims to be?! So many questions?!

I enjoyed every page and the writing is highly entertaining. This book, originally published in 1956, is #27 in the series and I had no trouble following who everyone was and what was going on. It's a quick read and the characters are fantastic, so if you're looking for something enjoyable and satisfying it might be just what you need. I absolutely plan to read more of these myself.