Book Review and Giveaway - Deck the Halls With Homicide: Killer Chocolate Mysteries by Christina Romeril

My Review

Alex co-owns the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop with her sister Hanna.  She agrees to judge the annual Deck the Halls holiday decorating contest in her little town.  When a meddlesome and unpleasant neighbor turns up dead, Alex's boyfriend is a suspect.  Alex works as an amateur detective to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this book because the Christmas setting and book/chocolate shop locale were very appealing.

This is my first book in the Killer Chocolate Mysteries series.  I was able to jump in comfortably and enjoy this book as a standalone read (although I now want to read the rest of the series!).

As anticipated, I loved the holiday setting.  I also enjoyed the picturesque little town and the mystery bookstore/chocolate shop.  (Their specialty is Killer Chocolates, all with deadly names!)

I like Alex as a protagonist.  She is bright and resourceful with her detecting.  I enjoyed sleuthing right along with her!

I recommend Deck the Halls with Homicide for other cozy mystery fans, and especially for anyone who enjoys holiday theme mysteries.  This is a fun one!

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Frost and Vicki Delany, when a holiday decorating contest turns deadly, twin sisters Alex and Hanna trade tinsel and twinkle lights for tracking the twists and turns of a cunning killer.

Alex and Hanna, owners of Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop, are hoping for a quiet holiday. That is, after Alex is finished judging the Deck the Halls contest organized by Vanessa, nicknamed “The Dragon.” The whole experience has turned Alex’s usual festive spirit a little grinchy. Instead of inspiring holiday cheer with fun lawn displays, the contest has turned cutthroat and decorations have started disappearing. After Alex’s beau, Tom, is seen in a heated argument with the Dragon about his stolen trimmings, Alex finds him dressed as Santa, kneeling over Vanessa’s dead body…with one of his missing candy cane decorations buried in her chest. It’s no surprise he becomes the sheriff’s top suspect.

Alex and Hanna quickly amass a cast of suspects deeper than Santa’s reindeer roster, including an old family friend tasked by their mother with romantic interference; a nosy reporter eager to reveal Alex’s previous murder-y exploits; and the victim’s psychologist-to-the-stars husband with a spicy secret. But as they try to catch a crafty killer, Alex also grapples with the escalating wrath of Tom’s daughter, and a mysterious psychic dropping cryptic clues, while Hanna deals with her own Christmas crisis.

Murder puts a bitter spin on the twins’ sweet confections and they must find the killer and wrap up the case to keep Santa off the naughty list.

Author Bio

Christina Romeril grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, and has been devouring stacks of books since third grade when the Trixie Belden series sparked a love of mysteries. She has lived on both coasts of Canada as a former member of the Canadian military. As an Alberta transplant, she is fascinated by mountains and loves to spend time with her husband and two Chihuahuas, Nacho and Paco, exploring Waterton National Park in the Canadian Rockies.

Author Links

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christinaromerilwriter

Website https://christinaromeril.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christinaromerilwriter

Purchase Links – Amazon   Bookshop.org    B&N    Kobo    Apple Books

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