It's Christmas!
A year since their last case, and Adam and Colin are called out of semi-retirement when Stonebridge legend and regular town Santa, Gerald Agnew, is found dead in the snow.
The police believe his death to be a drunken accident, but evidence that our amateur detectives uncover points to something more sinister.
When DI Whitelaw dismisses their claims, Adam and Colin must navigate drug dealers, deception, and department store Santas to get to the truth.
Mistletoe and Crime is the fifth in the Stonebridge Mysteries series of cosy crime novellas.
It's such a pleasure to be hosting the blog tour for Mistletoe and Crime today. Many thanks to Chris McDonald and Red Dog Press for inviting me and for my advance copy of the novella.
I've been meaning to read the Stonebridge Mysteries for some time and true to form, I started with the fifth book in the series. Obviously it would make more sense to read the series in order to follow the development of the characters, especially Adam and Colin, the two amateur detectives at the heart of the books, but I can happily confirm that this festive mystery can also be enjoyed as a standalone.
I was drawn into the story immediately and loved the natural warmth and humour which permeates throughout. I'm not sure whether it was intentional but the mention of Jonathan McClane in a Christmas setting really made me smile. Stonebridge isn't Los Angeles and this cosy crime novel is no Die Hard but it's not all snow and Christmas shopping; a murder written off by the police as a drunken accident means the sleuthing talents of Adam and Colin are required once again to see justice is done.
Being a Christmas book, it's only fitting that the victim is Santa. Not the real one, obviously and not even the much-loved regular store Santa. Gerald Agnew is the local drunk so a surprising choice to be given the role but before he can exclaim his first "Ho Ho Ho", he's discovered dead in an alleyway by Adam and his girlfriend, Helena.
Although the book is about the search for the truth, it's also an opportunity to catch up with the lives of the two friends. Adam's relationship with Helena forms an important part of the story and though new to the series, I still really enjoyed the inclusion of a little romance in the storyline. Colin yearns for what Adam has but doesn't begrudge his friend's happiness and I absolutely loved the close friendship between the two main characters. It's so refreshing to read a story where any disagreements are minor, the friendship is genuine and enduring, and both just want the best for one another.
As they attempt to figure out who killed Gerald, they develop different theories as to what happened but despite wanting to be proven right, there is never any animosity between them - just concern when they believe risks have been taken unnecessarily. This might be cosy crime but it's still a contemporary novel and so the pair have to talk to some dangerous characters as they try to find out whether Gerald provoked a drug dealer, bitter rival, or somebody else entirely into killing him. I didn't work out who did it and was intrigued throughout by the red herrings which misled our determined pair - who it must be said are far more resolute and meticulous than the local police.
Several scenes take place in a department store and anybody who has braved one during the festive season will be able to envisage the intense assault on your senses as you enter the frenzied throng while the same Christmas songs play on repeat. Chris McDonald describes it perfectly, right down to the temporary calendar stall which has almost sold out of its stock. Anybody in their right mind would much rather be reading a book and Mistletoe and Crime fits the bill perfectly (I'll even forgive Chris for putting *that* song in my head!) At just over 100 pages, it's the ideal story to take a break from the Christmas madness with, and would also make a fabulous stocking filler. I need to catch up with the previous books now!
Mistletoe and Crime will be published by Red Dog Press on 7th December 2021 and can be pre-ordered from the publisher's website, Kobo, Google Play Books and Amazon.
Don't miss the rest of the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
He is the author the DI Erika Piper series A Wash of Black, Whispers In The Dark and Roses for the Dead. He has also recently dabbled in writing cosy crimes, in the shape of The Stonebridge Mysteries, as a remedy for the darkness.
He is a full time teacher, husband, father to two beautiful girls and a regular voice on The Blood Brothers Podcast. He is a fan of 5-a-side football, heavy metal and dogs.
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