by: Candace Havens
Series: Ainsley McGregor
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: October 26, 2020
Publisher: Tule Publishing
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Ho. Ho. No...
It’s Christmas in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town is feeling festive apart from Ainsley McGregor. Ainsley has never enjoyed the holidays and would rather ignore them, but with her shop Bless Your Art busier than ever and filled with happy shoppers, even she’s feeling some Christmas spirit. That is, until her Great Dane, George Clooney, sniffs out a dead body in the Santa House at the Christmas Festival.
When one of her favorite crafters becomes the prime suspect, Ainsley is determined to prove his innocence. The case is full of so many twists and turns that even Ainsley begins to fear the truth. Is she protecting a killer?
With help from her friends and some extremely nosey townsfolk, Ainsley and her dog hurry to find the truth––as long as they can outwit and outrun the killer first. Otherwise, this Christmas might just be her last.
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When one of her favorite crafters becomes the prime suspect, Ainsley is determined to prove his innocence. The case is full of so many twists and turns that even Ainsley begins to fear the truth. Is she protecting a killer?
With help from her friends and some extremely nosey townsfolk, Ainsley and her dog hurry to find the truth––as long as they can outwit and outrun the killer first. Otherwise, this Christmas might just be her last.
“I have a job for you as well.”
Wait. My brother was asking for my help?
The apocalypse is nigh.
“Two things… We have someone who is stealing Christmas decorations from homes and store displays. I need you to keep an eye out.”
“The Christmas thief?”
He nodded. “Probably some kids pulling pranks, but you know how this town feels about its decorations. Just let me know if you see or hear anything.”
“What have they taken so far?”
He flipped open a file on his desk. “A wreath, a small animatronic Santa and a few dozen strings of lights.” “That’s crazy. Who would do that?”
“I have no idea, which is why I need your help. The town leaders are up in arms, even though the grand total of the stolen goods is less than a hundred dollars.
“And then the other thing, and I want you to be careful with this one—as head of the festival committee, I was wondering if you could stop by the vendor booths. Maybe introduce yourself, and see if you hear anything about Davy. Don’t get too nosy asking questions. Just chat with them, and then let me know if you see or hear anything suspicious. Do not get into trouble.”
“Gregory McGregor, are you asking me to snoop? I’m pretty sure hell just froze over.”
He snickered. “You’re going to do it anyway. Just be careful. Don’t ask too many questions. As much as I hate to admit it, you do have sense for finding killers. Unfortunately, not always before they find you. It’s about being careful.”
“Got it.”
I had permission to do my favorite thing.
Would it be as much fun?
Yep. I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t been that excited in a very long time.
There were many people working the festival and one of them might be a killer.
Wait. My brother was asking for my help?
The apocalypse is nigh.
“Two things… We have someone who is stealing Christmas decorations from homes and store displays. I need you to keep an eye out.”
“The Christmas thief?”
He nodded. “Probably some kids pulling pranks, but you know how this town feels about its decorations. Just let me know if you see or hear anything.”
“What have they taken so far?”
He flipped open a file on his desk. “A wreath, a small animatronic Santa and a few dozen strings of lights.” “That’s crazy. Who would do that?”
“I have no idea, which is why I need your help. The town leaders are up in arms, even though the grand total of the stolen goods is less than a hundred dollars.
“And then the other thing, and I want you to be careful with this one—as head of the festival committee, I was wondering if you could stop by the vendor booths. Maybe introduce yourself, and see if you hear anything about Davy. Don’t get too nosy asking questions. Just chat with them, and then let me know if you see or hear anything suspicious. Do not get into trouble.”
“Gregory McGregor, are you asking me to snoop? I’m pretty sure hell just froze over.”
He snickered. “You’re going to do it anyway. Just be careful. Don’t ask too many questions. As much as I hate to admit it, you do have sense for finding killers. Unfortunately, not always before they find you. It’s about being careful.”
“Got it.”
I had permission to do my favorite thing.
Would it be as much fun?
Yep. I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t been that excited in a very long time.
There were many people working the festival and one of them might be a killer.
Purchase A Case for the Toy Maker from:
The Ainsley McGregor Series:
Bestselling author Candace Havens has written more than 35 novels. She has won the Holt Medallion and her books have received nominations for the RITA's and Write Touch Reader Awards. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation's leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities including Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and many more. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews for Hawkeye in the morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.
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I can't wait to read this book. I enjoyed the previous books in the series.
ReplyDeleteI want to read this series. If I get a chance between now and Christmas, I might just skip to this book.
DeleteI don't blame you. This one sounds really good.
Deleteloved the excerpt--sounds fun!
ReplyDeletedenise