Yule Be Dead By Lorraine Bartlett with Gayle Leeson: Review/Giveaway

Dec 15, 2018 | 2018 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a fun gift basket from Lorraine, and a link to purchase Yule Be Dead from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

The holiday season may be the time of the year one expects to spend surrounded by family, but Katie Bonner didn’t anticipate that she would be sharing her tiny apartment with her former mother-in-law Margo. It’s been almost two years since the death of Katie’s husband, but even when he was alive, Margo was never very welcoming to her daughter-in-law. Katie doesn’t have much time to spend worrying about Margo’s arrival, though, as running Victoria Square’s Artisans Alley has her managing the many vendors now donning nineteenth-century costumes for the Dickens Festival. Events are off to a rocky start with the death of Vonne Barnett, who with her mother Francine co-owned Afternoon Tea. The teashop had already been failing by a distracted and disinterested Vonne, and now a completely overwhelmed Francine aggressively attempts to sell her café to Katie.mystery

Ray Davenport may have recently retired in order to pursue his dream of running a wood product gift shop, but that doesn’t mean that the former homicide detective is without his sources. When he tells Katie that Vonne’s accidental death may have been staged, she begins to question those who may be the ultimate Christmas Grinch. As Katie consults Ray on murder suspects as well as how to deal with an overly critical Margo, he in turn seeks her advice on raising two daughters, one of whom is showing the signs of an eating disorder. This has the unfortunate effect of jeopardizing Katie’s relationship with Andy Rust, who is seeing green and being snarkily jealous. It’s almost a relief for Katie that she is distracted by mischievous ballerinas, Christmas caroling, a matchmaking mother-in-law, and a hit-and-run attempt on her life.

The authors have crafted a fun-filled holiday mystery that delivers on thrills, heart-warming moments, and thoughtful depictions of the modern family. Both Ray and Katie have faced challenges following the death of their spouses, and both are moving on in difference ways. Katie’s charged relationship with her mother-in-law is realistic, and while neither women is a villain their truthful confrontation is so rewarding. Even more refreshing is Katie’s realization that her amateur detecting may have jeopardized the official investigation with legal complications. This entertaining series has always delighted with its many crafters and artists, and here leaves readers anticipating the future for these extremely likable characters. Katie’s romantic life may soon be veering off into unexpected territory, and her next appearance can’t come soon enough.

To enter to win a fun gift basket from Lorraine, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “yule basket,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 22, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on iTunes and Google Play. The newest episode is set at Christmas time.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

22 Comments

  1. I love the title of this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Blessed Yule to all.
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  2. Sounds like a wonderful thoughtful thing to do — thanks! Will look for the book!

    Reply
  3. Sounds like a good read

    Reply
  4. I am looking forward to reading this holiday mystery! They are some of my favorite ones.
    Thank you for the chance to win the gift basket.
    debprice60@gmail.com

    Reply
  5. I love this author! I got a mug years ago from her booties series! dubecara (at) gmail (dot) com .

    Reply
  6. Booktown not booties! Autocorrect and a phone.

    Reply
  7. Sounds interesting.

    Reply
  8. This sounds like a terrific read! I would be so happy to win a copy. JL_Minter@hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  9. I love Christmas and all its little happy reading. Thanks for the contest.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

    Reply
  10. Mothers-In-Law, can’t live with them, can’t kill them…

    Karen94066 at aol dot com

    Reply
  11. Thank you for the review and the contest.

    Reply
  12. I love the title of this book and think it will be a great read. The review was wonderful. Thank you for the giveaway.

    Reply
  13. Glad to see this series being updated.
    I’ve missed Artisan’s Alley. thanks
    for the chance to read the newest.
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  14. Sounds like a great holiday read. Looking forward to reading.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  15. Love the title, cover. I would love to read this.

    Reply
  16. Sounds like a fun read! Awesome cover and very neat title. I’d love to read this book!

    Reply
  17. Sounds like a fun read! Awesome cover and very neat title. I’d love to read this book! Here’s hoping

    Reply
  18. I love the cover and the title of this book. Makes me want to read it! Thanks for the chance to win. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  19. Sounds like a great read. Love the cover. Thank you so much for this chance. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  20. I have been hearing about this book and would love to win and read it!! Thanks for this chance! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  21. We have a winner!

    Reply

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