Detective Kylie "KC" Cassidy's career wilts like a thirsty poinsettia in the Florida heat. When a councilman is found dead during Christmas week, KC must solve this high-profile case before the New Year's Eve fireworks or face unemployment.
As she delves deeper, more bodies surface like unwanted gifts. KC is running out of time, the clock ticking down as though in a twisted Advent calendar.
Just when she thinks it’s over, the tables turn. Will she survive the ordeal and save her career, or will this be her last Christmas?
If you like the Michael Bennett series, you’ll love this crime mystery!
Detective Kylie "KC" Cassidy's career wilts like a thirsty poinsettia in the Florida heat. When a councilman is found dead during Christmas week, KC must solve this high-profile case before the New Year's Eve fireworks or face unemployment.
As she delves deeper, more bodies surface like unwanted gifts. KC is running out of time, the clock ticking down as though in a twisted Advent calendar.
Just when she thinks it’s over, the tables turn. Will she survive the ordeal and save her career, or will this be her last Christmas?
If you like the Michael Bennett series, you’ll love this crime mystery!
Detective Kylie Cassidy stood on the county courthouse’s worn limestone steps and faced Aiden, who had a hand on her arm. “No, I’ve told you before. I can’t help you.”
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the wide plaza, glinting off the polished brass fixtures at the building’s grand entrance. A gentle breeze rustled the old oak trees lining the sidewalk, carrying with it the faint sounds of traffic from the bustling downtown street beyond.
Aiden’s fingers tightened around her arm, his eyes flashing. “Come on, KC.”
“Let go of me.” She tried to pull away without causing a scene.
A deep voice cut through the tension. “Is there a problem?”
KC pivoted. It took a moment to place him—the special agent she’d met at a crime scene months ago. What was his name again?
Aiden’s grip held strong as he glared at the newcomer a few steps above them. “None of your business. Why don’t you keep walking?”
The agent’s eyes narrowed, recognition crossing his face. “Detective, is everything all right?”
KC took a deep breath and shook off Aiden’s hand. “No problem here. Thanks for your concern, agent.” She turned back to Aiden. “Go. We’ll talk another time.”
Splotches mottled Aiden’s face. He lurched toward the agent, spitting out a string of curses. “This doesn’t concern you, Fed.”
“Aiden!” she snapped. “I said go. Now.”
For a tense moment, Aiden loomed there like he might argue further. Then, with a final glare, he stomped off.
KC pasted on an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry about that. Aiden’s…Well, he’s a family friend. We went to the same school, grew up together. He can be a jerk sometimes.”
He smiled. “No need to explain, Detective, uh, Casey, is it?”
“Cassidy. Agent?”
“Nathan Tanner. But you can call me Nate or Tanner.”
“Okay, Tanner. My friends call me KC. That’s probably why you thought my name was Casey. I hope you found the girl.”
She’d responded to an auto accident early in the year only to find the driver killed execution style. Then Tanner and a younger agent showed up, working on an abduction case. She had gotten them a lead. In the end, the sheriff said to close the case when the perp was killed in a shoot-out. Details were murky.
Tanner squinted, then relaxed. “Oh, yes, she’s doing well. Thanks for your help.”
“Just doing my job. Are you, uh, here on a case?”
He stepped down two more of the courthouse stairs to stand level with her. “Yeah, testifying on a case. You? This is a bit far from your stomping ground, isn’t it?”
“I dropped off some paperwork at the sheriff’s office.” She gestured toward the building down the street. Thinking of the transfer request sent her heart racing. If the transfer didn’t go through, she’d be out of a job come New Year. “Then the ASA Sullivan wanted to discuss a case, so…” She shrugged.
“Well, I’d better be going before they send out a search party,” he quipped and started back up the stairs. “Good to see you!”
She chuckled. “Same here. I should be going too. You never know. They might find a body in Pine Grove while I’m gone.” As if it would happen, it’s more than likely a petty theft.
An hour later, she drove toward the Pine Grove substation. The Christmas spirit enlivened the town. Retailers blasted Christmas music. A giant Christmas tree with hundreds of ornaments shimmered in the town square. In front of it, a Santa and elf picture station beckoned the kids.
She parked, went inside, and headed to her office and the stack of case files awaiting her. Shoplifting, vandalism, a domestic dispute—the everyday of small-town crime. She reached for the top file. Her gaze drifted to the window overlooking the parking lot. Her hand hovered in midair.
A dark SUV with tinted windows caught her attention. A Tahoe, if she wasn’t mistaken. She’d never seen it before, which was unusual in a town where she knew most vehicles by sight. The car idled before pulling away, its movement almost too casual.
She frowned, a slight chill running down her spine. In Pine Grove, unfamiliar faces were rare, and anonymous vehicles even rarer. An out-of-town visitor, maybe? It was the holiday season, after all.
“Silence is golden.” It may also be deadly in this gripping suspense thriller set in Pine Grove, Florida just days before Christmas.
Kylie “KC” Cassidy is one determined detective. When her childhood friend Aiden Chambers suddenly disappears after he yells a cryptic warning about a “mole” in the department, KC starts digging. She’s soon neck-deep in not only a murder case but also a joint op with the DEA. Peeling back layer after murky layer of mystery, KC soon discovers that someone’s hiding something. Something Big. But who? And why? It’s not long before dead bodies start piling up: A councilman. A fed. An investigative journalist. And key evidence in a murder investigation goes missing. Corruption? You bet. But how high does it go? Is KC in over her head? “Ticktock.” (You’ll get that if you read the book.)
And what about the Ghost? Those familiar with the author’s Mirror Estate series will recognize the name of this notorious criminal mastermind. The name puts in a brief appearance here, perhaps as a story arc, but is then quickly relegated to the cobwebs. It doesn’t seem to go anywhere and may thus be a bit confusing to some readers.
Scene stealer: Sir Nick the dobie.
A well-written novella with pitch-perfect pacing, Christmas Murders features well-rounded characters, a lightning-quick plot, and plenty of action. Ditto opportunities to keep you guessing – and turning pages. Clues are doled out like literary breadcrumbs as the author skillfully builds the story to a climatic crescendo.
This isn’t your average holiday read. It isn’t Bring Crosby and Danny Kaye dancing and crooning their way through a snowless Vermont. Or Chevy Chase and a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club. But if you’re looking for a lively page-turner packed with suspense and seasonal flavor, you’ll enjoy this dynamic novella. It would make a great gift or stocking stuffer. So grab your copy of Christmas Murders today!