by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

It’s Christmastime in Redwood Grove, California, and the Secret Bookcase mystery bookstore is celebrating with a gingerbread bakeoff/showcase as a friendly competition to lure in new customers. Although partially inspired by the Great British Bakeoff, it really is due to Sweet Room bakery owner Sugar Lester’s connection to influencer Lily Hawthorne. Famous for her elaborate bakes that have earned her over a million followers, Lily is coming to Redwood Grove to present her own amazing gingerbread recreation of the Agatha Christie-themed bookshop. Things literally get off to a bumpy start when Lily “accidentally” bumps into and knocks over Sugar’s own gorgeous gingerbread house, making the local baker the obvious suspect when Lily is found dead.

Former criminologist and current bookstore employee Annie Murray was already facing a crucial career decision when this latest death draws her into yet another murder. Having given up her dreams to be a professional criminologist when her best friend was murdered, Annie has been asked by her former professor to return to the investigative field and join Dr. Caldwell as a fellow Redwood Grove detective. This comes just as Hal Christie offers Annie and her coworker Fletcher the opportunity to take over the Secret Bookcase, the largest mystery bookstore on the West Coast. Annie had come to Redwood Grove to recover after the loss of her friend Scarlet, whose murder while investigating a cold case for their final senior project left Annie guilt-ridden and convinced that the cases were connected. Annie never truly gave up on trying to solve both murders though, and now she has a new lead that could lead them all closer to a solution. Not coincidentally, this has allowed Annie to resume living her life, settling down in Redwood Grove and even entering a new relationship with avowed-non-fiction-only pub owner Liam Donovan. In order to assure a happy holiday season Annie and her friends begin to track down the suspects who may have been betrayed by the social-media-obsessed influencer.

This third in the series is a perfect read for the holidays, as it is filled with descriptions of gingerbread extravaganzas and seasonal treats. Just as intriguing are the machinations between the bakers, who wanted to take advantage of Lily’s large following and displayed very un-British Bake Off rivalries. If constantly live-streaming her life wasn’t motive enough for wanting Lily dead, added to the mix are a super fan and the debate over who truly owns a recipe. While this can easily serve as an entry point for any reader looking for a holiday and book-themed mystery, those who have been following Annie’s adventures will eagerly anticipate the next steps she takes in both her life and in her friend’s investigation. This timely mystery pleases with its engaging characters and cozy Christmas vibe, all set in an ideal and enviable Northern California town.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of A Holiday Homicide (ebook or print winner’s choice, be sure to mention which you choose), simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “homicide” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 14, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. 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 Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

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. 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.