I just finished reading both The Neon Ornaments, a novella in Camille Minichino‘s Periodic Table Mystery Series and The Deadliest Christmas Pageant Ever, a novella in Teresa Trent‘s Pecan Bayou Mystery Series. Both of these Cozy Mystery authors are authors I really enjoy reading, and they are both on my favorite authors list.
Let’s see, what else do I have to tell you about … Oh, I started putting our Christmas decorations up after Thanksgiving and am finally finished. Having our puppy, Cocoa, under foot made it a little more taxing than it would have ordinarily been. It’s been so many years since our Sprite was a puppy, so I had sort of forgotten how much more time it takes while being careful not to drop anything on the floor.
I sure enjoyed seeing all the ornaments as I unwrapped them. In the past I have mentioned that the only ornaments I decorate our tree with are those that our son and daughter made while growing up as well as ornaments made out of their tiny toys. I was transported back to when our children’s little, itty-bitty hands played with these beloved toy characters (I hang them on the tree with festive Christmas ribbons). Little, itty-bitty Transformers, My Little Ponies, Care Bears, Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Oscar, etc. Boy, do they take me back!
I certainly hope all of you are enjoying this holiday season. Whether it’s Christmas, pre-Hanukkah, pre-Kwanzaa, or simply the winter season!
P.S. If you’re interested in seeing a terrific Christmas mystery book list, click on this link.
Bonnie says
Does anyone know of any good Hanukkah-themed cozies?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bonnie, I have this (short) list here.
Bonnie says
Thank you!
Paula Catherine says
I really loved Kate Carlisle’ s Deck the Halls. It is one of my favorites. There were many twists and turns, from aging “meal girls), a dealth, a birth and an unselfish kindness bestowed on a worthy couple.
Additionally the premise of the book, crafting apartments for deserving families from an old but beautiful home was so poignant.
Danna: our Christmas tree has Jingle bells on the lower branches so we know when there is trouble ( the four legged kind) under the guise of investigating.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paula, unfortunately we had to go with a half-sized tree this year, one that we could put up on a table. At least Cocoa is small enough that she can’t disturb this one! That is a good suggestion though, for when she is just a bit older.
Linda C says
Paula, I just started to read ” Deck the Hallways” last night after watching “Tora, Tora,Tora” and ” Pearl Harbor,” both of which didn’t get over until after 2 a. m. Ohio time this morning! I wanted to continue reading but I needed to sleep !!
The house on the front cover doesn’t seem to fit with the description of the house in the book. But I think the story is going to be a good one!!
Rob says
Danna: I just finished my short list of Mrs. Jeffries christmas titles.
if you’ve read any of these by Emily Brightwell, you’ll know what an
enjoyable author she is to read. Here are a few of her Christmas cozy titles: Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight, Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen and Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings.
Also don’t forget Maggie Sefton’s Feliz Navidad.
Hope you all have a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Drive safe all of us Northern US readers! We had our real first snow and yes, they do tend to drive like Male Teenagers during that first snow! Lots of sirens, flashing lights and fender benders. Beware of Cell phones glued to the ears when cars pass you by.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rob, I hop you have a Merry Christmas season as well! And thanks for the reading suggestions!
Melissa says
Your Christmas tree and Christmas tree ornaments sound wonderful!
Happy Holidays!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melissa, happy holidays to you as well!
KG says
Danna,
I was wondering if you knew of any cozy mysteries with a reading guide or a book that would provoke a great discussion for a book club?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
KG, I have noticed that some of the authors have reading guides on their websites. I can’t remember who, though…
PamB says
Such a neat idea making ornaments from your children’s toys. I saved quite a few of my kids toys but nothing small enough to hang on a tree. I can just imagine the memories flooding your heart when unpacking.
Somehow I had missed the Camille Minichino book so bought. Thank you for mentioning.
Hope you are sitting down with Cocoa in your lap, reading, and enjoying your Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, unfortunately we ended up losing a lot of the smaller toys over the years as well. Some of the ornaments on the tree are toys that I bought off of E-Bay or other used places after discussing with my children, so that might work for you. And Merry Christmas to you as well!
Hilary says
We always get a live tree so we don’t put it up until closer to the holiday itself. The cats don’t climb the tree or bat the ornaments, but they think it’s fun to drink the tree water. It’s just plain tap water so no harm, no foul. We’re currently getting our first snowfall here in New Jersey, so it looks the season. I’m reading the Christmas themed “The Diva Cooks a Goose”.
Happy Holidays to all, and safe driving for everyone with snow or sleet to contend with.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hilary, happy holidays to you as well!