Book Review: The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker

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The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker  was published on March 17, 2025. It opens with Detective Declan Shaw at a closed subway station trying to work up the nerve to commit suicide when he receives a call from his partner about a break in and homicide at the home of a true crime author. Shaw makes his way to the crime scene to work the case, and in a turn of events, Declan comes under scrutiny in another case loosely connected to this new case. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Writer  from NetGalley and Little , Brown, and Company for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm appreciative that my request for this book was approved. With this story opening with the main character trying to commit suicide, I almost didn't go any further with the book. However, I am glad I stuck with it as it took me on a fantastic ride and had my emotions all over the place. There were so many twists and turns that just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was ...
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Book Review: Christmas Mittens Murder by Lee Hollis, Lynn Cahoon, and Maddie Day

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Christmas Mittens Murder by Lee Hollis, Lynn Cahoon, and Maddie Day DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS MITTEN KNITTER (HAYLEY POWELL FOOD AND COCKTAILS MYSTERY, #16.5) by LEE HOLLIS TWO CHRISTMAS MITTENS (KITCHEN WITCH MYSTERIES, #4.5) by LYNN CAHOON MURDEROUS MITTENS (CEECEE BARTON MYSTERY, #0.5) by MADDIE DAY
A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Christmas Mittens Murder, which is a collection of three novellas written by Lee Hollis, Lynn Cahoon, and Maddie Day.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I was excited to be approved to read this book!

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS MITTEN KNITTER (HAYLEY POWELL FOOD AND COCKTAILS MYSTERY, #16.5) by LEE HOLLIS

This particular novella was a fun read, and I enjoyed reading about Haley Powell and her friends trying to solve the latest mystery, which had me guessing.  It's always great to revisit characters that are so likable.  I haven't read a lot of books in this series, but overall, I have come to enjoy the storylines a lot, and this novella did not disappoint.  It's becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and I need to find more time to read more by this author.  Four out of five stars.

TWO CHRISTMAS MITTENS (KITCHEN WITCH MYSTERIES, #4.5) by LYNN CAHOON

I haven't read any of the books in this particular series, so it took a while for me to really figure out who some of the characters were and how they were connected to the other characters in the story.  There really wasn't much backstory either, which was a bit confusing as well.  The overall story ended up being great once I figured out how the characters were related to one another.  Additionally, it was a little predictable.  I enjoyed it enough that I would like to read the first book in the series to give the series a fair chance.  Three out of five stars.

MURDEROUS MITTENS (CEECEE BARTON MYSTERY, #0.5) by MADDIE DAY

This novella is a prequel to a new series that brought in a guest character from another series by the same author.  The storyline was interesting enough and had plenty of red herrings.  With that being said, the ending felt a little rushed, and the motive a little unrealistic.  That aside, I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series because this novella was fun and entertaining.  Four out of five stars.

Overall, Christmas Mittens Murder by Lee Hollis, Lynn Cahoon, and Maddie Day was a fun, entertaining read that put me in the mood for Christmas.  Four out of five stars is what I give this book.


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