Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder (Ellie Avery, Bk 7) on + 707 more book reviews
Ellie Avery is a military wife and an expert at moving. She has turned her skills into a business that can travel with her wherever she goes. She is a professional organizer.
In this installment she takes a job helping first rate hoarder eliminate stuff that is beyond repair, donate what she doesn't need, and organize the things she wants to keep. She was really nervous taking on this job but with Gabrielle Matheson, another professional organizer, trying to poach her clients and underbid her on the new ones she has no choice.
Trying to enjoy a little holiday cheer the squadron spouse club gets together for a party. The highlight of the night besides the little argument between Ellie and Gabrielle was the Elephant Swap Gift Exchange. When the gift Ellie receives ends up as a murder weapon she becomes the prime suspect. Ellie now "has to solve this ho-ho-homicide ...and find a killer who wishes her a very deadly Christmas".
Dollycas's Thoughts
I love the television show Army Wives and this series could be a spin-off - Air Force Wives.
I immediately loved the characters and the setting. The mystery was well written and fast paced. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. The holiday theme was a real treat as I have attended a few Christmas parties myself with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. My favorite character definitely was Ellie's husband Mitch. He reminded me a lot of my husband. The quiet man behind the scenes until you are just about to take things too far and he steps in to try the voice of reason. It's doesn't always work but these guys try.
I will admit this is my first Ellie Avery mystery. The author sent me a copy telling me it could be read as a stand alone, which was true. I am usually a stickler for reading series books in order but Sara Rosett was very smart. I enjoyed this story very much and now I will be reading the rest of the books in this series as soon as possible. :)
This is a wonderful holiday read. Several organizational tips are included too! So whether this is a new series to you or you already love Ellie and her family, this is definitely a book to add to your pre-Christmas list!!
In this installment she takes a job helping first rate hoarder eliminate stuff that is beyond repair, donate what she doesn't need, and organize the things she wants to keep. She was really nervous taking on this job but with Gabrielle Matheson, another professional organizer, trying to poach her clients and underbid her on the new ones she has no choice.
Trying to enjoy a little holiday cheer the squadron spouse club gets together for a party. The highlight of the night besides the little argument between Ellie and Gabrielle was the Elephant Swap Gift Exchange. When the gift Ellie receives ends up as a murder weapon she becomes the prime suspect. Ellie now "has to solve this ho-ho-homicide ...and find a killer who wishes her a very deadly Christmas".
Dollycas's Thoughts
I love the television show Army Wives and this series could be a spin-off - Air Force Wives.
I immediately loved the characters and the setting. The mystery was well written and fast paced. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. The holiday theme was a real treat as I have attended a few Christmas parties myself with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. My favorite character definitely was Ellie's husband Mitch. He reminded me a lot of my husband. The quiet man behind the scenes until you are just about to take things too far and he steps in to try the voice of reason. It's doesn't always work but these guys try.
I will admit this is my first Ellie Avery mystery. The author sent me a copy telling me it could be read as a stand alone, which was true. I am usually a stickler for reading series books in order but Sara Rosett was very smart. I enjoyed this story very much and now I will be reading the rest of the books in this series as soon as possible. :)
This is a wonderful holiday read. Several organizational tips are included too! So whether this is a new series to you or you already love Ellie and her family, this is definitely a book to add to your pre-Christmas list!!
Melanie (MELNELYNN) reviewed Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder (Ellie Avery, Bk 7) on + 669 more book reviews
Event organizer Ellie Avery has mixed feelings about the Christmas season. On the one hand she is ecstatic that her husband Mitch is home for the holidays with her and their two kids before deploying with his r Air Force Base squadron shortly. On the other hand she is unhappy that rival organizer Gabrielle Matheson has set up shop in North Dawkins, Georgia as the newcomer is stealing clients that Ellie thought would use her services. At a squadron party hosted by Ellie at her home, she and Gabrielle get into a public argument.
Feeling guilty for her childish display, Ellie meets Gabrielle at the home of the latter's sister Jean to apologize. When Ellie arrives for the rendezvous, she finds Jean's dead; her head smashed in.. Gabrielle arrives soon afterward and tells the Sheriff Ellie found the body. Making matters more suspicious is that the murder weapon was given to Ellie at her party as a gag gift. Shockingly Gabrielle teams up with Ellie in search of the real killer.
The latest Ellie Avery amateur sleuth (see Mint Juleps, Mayhem, And Murder; and Magnolias, Moonlight, And Murder) is an engaging whodunit that once again enables readers to see close up the lives of air force spouses and dependents living on a base in a military town. The storyline is filled with twists and a strong cast as Ellie investigates the murder with her competitor joining her.
Feeling guilty for her childish display, Ellie meets Gabrielle at the home of the latter's sister Jean to apologize. When Ellie arrives for the rendezvous, she finds Jean's dead; her head smashed in.. Gabrielle arrives soon afterward and tells the Sheriff Ellie found the body. Making matters more suspicious is that the murder weapon was given to Ellie at her party as a gag gift. Shockingly Gabrielle teams up with Ellie in search of the real killer.
The latest Ellie Avery amateur sleuth (see Mint Juleps, Mayhem, And Murder; and Magnolias, Moonlight, And Murder) is an engaging whodunit that once again enables readers to see close up the lives of air force spouses and dependents living on a base in a military town. The storyline is filled with twists and a strong cast as Ellie investigates the murder with her competitor joining her.
