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Slay Bells
A Christmas Village Mystery
by T.C. Wescott
Slay Bells (A Christmas Village Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
Brand New Series
Better Mousetrap Books (November 23, 2018)
Print Length: 273 pages
Digital ASIN: B07HGG7ZFR
There are several ingredients I like in cozy mysteries.
The first is a small town setting. Christmas Village reminded me of Whoville come to life. It’s time for the annual Christmas Festival and the whole town jumps in to make it another magical experience. But the town has their own Grinch in the guise of a killer.
The second is a diverse cast of characters. You sure get those in Slay Bells. Welcome to Plum Cottage. The picturesque Inn is filled to capacity with a very unusual cast of character’s. Magicians, acrobats, psychics. It’s a cornucopia of suspects with abilities that make for a long list. Add to the mix, Mrs. Maribel Claus, a lodger with a huge dose of curiosity and a nose for crime and the plot thickens.
The third is the mystery. It needs to be investigated with vigor. And plenty of humor. As soon as the crimes began, I was hooked. So many colorful suspects and a fearful local legend and trail of false leads that left me tangled up in tinsel. I don’t think I’ve ever read a cozy mystery quite like this. I felt challenged directly by the author to untangle the clues, figure out why the crimes happened, and identify the killer. I jumped eagerly into the challenge, determined to be right in my conclusion.
Tis the season and Slay Bells was quite the holiday read. So much fun. Such an enchanting village. And whew, what a mystery to unravel. If you decide to accept the challenge and try to solve this one, you’ll be lead by the nose to a surprise ending. Enjoy the visit. And be sure to imbibe in the ht cider and tarts.
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the village, the night settled in over swirling-smoke chimneys; the air was alive with pine and holly, with sugar and cinnamon and cider, by golly!
Along snowy lanes and through shadows it crept, past windows behind which each villager slept, where sleeping dogs lie and cats rest a’purring—
Tonight, in Christmas Village, a killer is stirring.
Welcome to Christmas Village, a magical hamlet where even in December the roses hold their luster and bees buzz among the bluebells. You’re just in time for the week-long Christmas Festival, and nowhere is Christmas celebrated with such unrestrained merriment as the village which bears its name. Mayor Cobblestone and Sheriff Fell will be somewhere nearby, doing all they can to make sure you’re safe during your stay.
Provided you haven’t booked a room at Plum Cottage.
Nestled betwixt an opulent garden with meandering footpaths and an ancient grove of plum trees, Rose Willoughby’s boarding house is plum-full with lodgers. There are no vacancies, but just wait. Soon there will be one…and another…and another.
Presently lodging at the cottage are: the juggler, the acrobat, the magician, the psychic, the strongman, the manager, and the pretty assistant. In town as festival entertainment they’ve each brought their own bag of tricks. And a closetful of skeletons.
When the entertainers begin dying in inexplicable ways, some villagers believe a beast from old village lore is the culprit. The sheriff knows better, but he’s just as helpless to catch the invisible killer as are the town folk with their eyes to the sky in search of a flying creature. But our mysterious murderer hasn’t counted on yet another lodger coming to the cottage: Maribel Claus.
Short as a stump, round as a wheel, sweet as a candy cane, and a sharp as a whip, Maribel loves a good puzzle. But has she finally met her match at Plum Cottage?
Can you figure out whodunit before Maribel does? If you’re up to the challenge, here’s your first clue—the key to unlocking the secret of the murderer’s identity lies in figuring out how the murders were committed. Good luck!
About Author
T.C. Wescott was born in Missouri but has lived in Oklahoma most of his life. Like pretty much every author who has ever breathed, he is an avid reader. His favorites are classic mysteries from the Golden Age, as well as just before or just after that period (which is widely considered the period between the two World Wars). His first mystery novel, Running from Scissors, was published in July 2018 and will be the first of at least three books in the Running Store Mystery series.
The Christmas Village Mystery series will launch in November of the same year with the debut title Slay Bells. The formula for his books is simple – mixing the classic, traditional detective fiction standards with all the trappings of the modern cozy mystery.
Wescott is also (under another name) the author of two award-winning non-fiction books as well as a slew of essays and articles.
Purchase Link: Amazon
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You can find a list of my reviews HERE.
Fantastic title!
I know. How could I resist! LOL
This sounds like a really fun book. I’m definitely adding it to the wishlist and who knows, maybe I’ll win a copy 🙂
I’ve enjoyed some other books by the author too. And maybe you will!
This sounds great. I’m adding it to my list.
Definitely tis the season for this one:)
Slay Bells (nice turn on an old phrase) sounds like my kind of cozy mystery. I’ll have to check it out. It sort of reminds me of my small town murder mystery Scraps of Paper. I love quirky characters and a good mystery.
I know. Cozies have fun titles and small town mysteries hold many secrets.
There were so many things that I loved about the components of your review. I love a good cozy and this one has all that I love. I will look it up for the holidays, plus the title is great.
Thank you:) This mystery was a challenge and I had fun trying to figure it out.
Fun and mystery so …perfect 😉
And a Christmas Village! Perfect for this time of year:)
Oooo the author even gives a clue in the synopsis! I can definitely see how it would feel directly challenged and I’m glad there’s a surprise ending despite the challenge, which sounds fun.
I know. This was different and loads of fun.
This book sounds really good.
I used my thinking cap with this one. LOL
I love surprise endings.
sherry @ fundinmental
So do I, Sherry. You’d like this one:)
Oooh, now I want cider and tarts for lunch!
Me too! I’ll be picking up some cider ASAP! LOL
I am fairly new to the cozy mystery genre. This one sounds perfect with its Christmas theme and you have painted a vivd image in my mind about the village. I will have to give this one a try one of these days. 🙂
I live in a small coastal town and I always feel at home when I visit others through books:)
Laura, thank you so much for the thoughtful review and support. I can’t wait to share it with others. Very much appreciated.
It was all my pleasure! You had me going. LOL
This sounds good from the festive town to the mystery. Thanks for sharing!
I sure had fun, Kimberly:)
This sounds like a great Christmas cozy! I am glad that you enjoyed it 🙂
I enjoy reading cozies in the winter. A cozy mystery, a hot cuppa tea and a warm blanket are delightful:)
Ooooo Christmas and cozy. That so sounds like one I need to check out 🙂
I’m a cozy addict. And I especially love those set during the winter holiday:)