A great premise for a mystery novella that is a bit disappointing in the execution.

One of the dangers of digging art out of a loved one’s effects after they pass is that most of us overvalue what we find, and this seems to be especially common when someone unearths a “lost manuscript.” Boyd had some talent as a mystery writer to be certain, but the unpublished stuff probably was unpublished for a reason.

I liked the concept of this, and the characters are notably complex for a novella, but the plot is just the same series of actions repeating over and over after a lot of buildup, and while the solve does keep you guessing, that turns out to be the case mostly because the culprit doesn’t make a lot of sense in the end.

Having read Dune House by this author, I was eagerly looking forward to reading more of her works. Slay Bells is a short read at 96 pages and four chapters. I had a hard time following the story as there were too many characters and the alternating timelines (in chapter 1) wasn't clear.

An excellent thriller featuring a group of school friends. A well plotted story with elements of psychological thirller.
I am loving the books by this author and this one is recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

#Slay Bells#
by: Eunice Mays Boyd
with: Elizabeth Reed Aden
Review by: Librarian

Slay Bells is the tale of six high school students mentored by a favorite teacher who challenges them to become successes in their lives. The teacher measures success by earning the most money. Monetary success changes the students causing them to disregard natural talents and personal goals.
They pledge to meet at a reunion on Christmas ten years hence to review their successes. Their lives have taken unexpected turns. A mysterious Santa Claus visits them one by one with shocking conclusions.
Thank you #NetGalley# and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Calamities…
A short vintage mystery peppered with well drawn, if quite rightly unlikeable, cast of characters populating a fast paced plot set Christmastime. An entertaining tale which will undoubtedly appeal to aficionados of the Golden Age of Crime. Another pleasing and wholly appreciated addition.

Slay Bells is a newly released vintage murder mystery novella from the previously unpublished literary inheritance left by Eunice Mays Boyd. Released 7th Dec 2021, it's 95 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a well written holiday cozy mystery featuring a closed group of high school friends and their mentor and teacher. They plan to have a reunion after 10 years to see how they're all getting along in life. It turns out that despite their early promise, they're divorced, neurotic, angry, or even in prison. One by one they begin to die violently after a malevolent visit from Santa Claus.

It is a product of the time it was written, although there are some pithy observations about the unfair nature of business opportunities for women at the time and general attitudes about gender roles and rigid class differences between the "haves" and the "have nots" which will resonate with modern readers.

The manuscript has not been edited for modern audiences, so much of the dialogue seems somewhat stilted and retro. It fits very well with the story, but readers should remember that it's a vintage work approaching 70ish years of age.

The denouement and resolution were unexpected but not unsatisfying.

Three and a half stars. This is a previously unknown-to-me author and several other books from her oeuvre are slated to be released in new editions or are already extant.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A novella/long short-story, written probably in the 1960s, set in that time with a flashback to ten years earlier, but not published until 2021, this could have used some revision or tightening-up.

I found it difficult, initially, to sort out the characters, and this is a major problem in a shortish piece. Most of those portrayed were unlikeable and very flawed, warped by their evil genius of a teacher. Most of them are successful, at least in their own terms, but success comes at a price and the price is exacted on Christmas Day.

Quite enjoyable. A morality tale of sorts, and not a comfortable one.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.

Post WWII San Francisco and the ten year reunion for the Big Five and Half, has arrived. As this is Christmas Day so has Santa Claus, unfortunately for some.
An entertaining mystery with some likeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really weird read for me. I kept getting lost in the story and I couldn’t really keep the character straight. The premise was interesting to start with but it seemed to sputter out towards the end. I might read something else by these authors to see if this was just a one off for me.