Last week I started Christmas Is Murder by C.S. Challinor. I'm halfway through and not liking it so far. Maybe if I hang on longer it will improve. The novel doesn't have a holiday feel and none of the characters are people I would want to be snowbound with. Always a bad sign.
Can murder and Christmas ever be a good fit? Of course. One excellent example is Nutty As a Fruitcake by Mary Daheim. She skillfully wove the holiday spirit into the story line with an ax murderer on the loose.
Several years ago I read Christmas Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier. I loved the cookie exchange in the book. This year I've decided to host my own. Have any of you hosted a cookie exchange before or attended one? If so I'd love to hear your ideas.
I'm also thinking about Book Blogger Holiday Swap. Right now I can't participate because I need 8 posts in the past two months. With a week left I think I can qualify. If you've followed my blog you know I fell off the blogger wagon over the summer. Some health, job and family issues took center stage.
I'm back.
it's not a cozy but i love reading david sedaris's santaland diaries to get in the christmas spirit :-)
ReplyDeleteLast year Cleo Coyle's Holiday Grind was a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any specific book that I read to put me in the mood, but I do love holiday books. It's the one time of the year I don't mind cheesy in my books!
ReplyDeleteMarie--I'm a Sedaris fan too. Last year I read SantaLand Diaries in his "Holidays on Ice" book. Having worked at Macys it was a good laugh for me.
ReplyDeleteDiane--I just ordered Holiday Grind in paperback. Glad to hear you liked it.
Kathy--"Cheesy" is acceptable at the holidays, I agree. Some are very predictable but still a fun read.
Aloha from Rob