Book Review: A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril

Rating: 3 Stars

First off, let me start by saying that I absolutely adore the festive and eye-catching cover of A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril. It immediately drew me in and set the tone for a cozy holiday-themed mystery. However, as much as I wanted to love this book like its predecessor, I found myself slightly disappointed.

The story revolves around twin sisters Hanna and Alex, owners of the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop, as they prepare for Harriston High School’s reunion. Excited to reunite with old friends and perhaps avoid old enemies, the sisters find themselves in the midst of a murder investigation when they stumble upon the dead body of a former classmate.

One of the book's strengths lies in its unique setting—a bookstore slash chocolate shop with chocolates named after poisons. This quirky concept adds an intriguing twist to the story and sets it apart from other cozy mysteries. Romeril's attention to detail in describing the shop and its delectable offerings is notworthy, making it a delight to imagine being there.

However, while the setting shines, the same cannot be said for the characters. In comparison to the first book in the series, Hanna and Alex were less likable in A Nutcracker Nightmare. Their actions and decisions at times left me frustrated and disconnected from their journey. Additionally, the sheer number of characters introduced throughout the story made it difficult to keep track of everyone, leading to confusion and a lack of depth in their development.

Furthermore, I found the identity of the culprit glaringly obvious from very early on. There was a lack of suspense and surprises, which are essential elements in a mystery novel. As a result, the plot felt predictable, leaving me wanting more intricate twists and turns.

In conclusion, while A Nutcracker Nightmare didn't quite live up to my expectations, it still had its charms. The unique setting of a bookstore slash chocolate shop is undoubtedly captivating, and I commend Romeril's ability to create an immersive environment within her writing. Although I found the characters less likable and the plot somewhat predictable, I am willing to give this series another chance with book three. Romeril has shown promise in her storytelling, and I hope to see growth and improvement in future installments.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A Nutcracker Nightmare is book 2 in the Killer Chocolate Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I love cozy mysteries, and from the moment that I read that this cozy mystery featured twin sisters who own a book and chocolate shop named Murder and Mayhem: Killer Chocolates and Bookshop, I was hooked.

It's right before Christmas, and the town is also hosting alumni activities for local graduates of the high school. The former quarterback and all-around nasty fellow is found murdered and one of the twins, Hanna, is the prime suspect. Her twin sister, Alex, who is no stranger to amateur sleuthing, must put her talents to use to help clear her sister. But, as often happens, amateur sleuthing can be a dangerous activity, and Alex finds herself being threatened to mind her business.

I really enjoyed this cozy Christmas mystery.

🍫The characters in this story are all more "mature" characters.
🍫The sisters have an amazing relationship with each other. I loved the healthy family dynamic.
🍫Both sisters have budding romances, which added a nice element to the story without being distracting.
🍫 The mystery was very interesting. There was murder, old bad deeds from high school surfacing, blackmail, affairs, gossip, all of this led to so many probable suspects.
🍫 I actually did develop suspicion about one character, which turned out to be correct. But, I hadn't figured everything out. The character just seemed a little extra shady.

This cozy mystery was interesting and well written. At 320 pages, I read through it very quickly. The mystery really kept my attention. Not to mention all the talk of chocolates, which sounded amazing. Plus, I adore a book set in a bookstore!

If you are looking for an engaging, cozy Christmas mystery, I'd definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this second installment in the Killer Chocolate Series. Although there were a lot of characters in this one, the writing was done so that it wasn’t confusing. The murder and setting of events was different and I liked that aspect of the book.

I really liked this book. Since it had been a while since I read the first book in the series, it took a liitle while to reacquaint and remember the characters. Once I had the characters straight, the story flowed really well. There were enough red herrings to keep you guessing, and I didn't suspect who the murderer turned out to be. I will definitely continue reading this series.

A Nutcracker Nightmare was bittersweet cozy mystery mixed with much chocolate! This blast from the past mystery in a small town in Montana around Christmas time was the perfect little twist of sugar and spice to get the holiday season started!

This high school reunion that twin sisters, Hanna and Alex, volunteer at takes a turn for the worse when a former classmate turns up dead! Especially when Hanna becomes a possible suspect! Alex is on a path to try and figure out who dunnit with her trust dog Watson.

Full of drama and secrets that a small town has kept hidden for years, the drama continues on throughout the whole book with so many twists and turns! For anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery, or wants to try one, this is for you!

I enjoyed the first book in the Killer Chocolate Mysteries series, A Christmas Candy Killing, by Christina Romeril, so when I came across A Nutcracker Nightmare, I wanted to revisit Harrison, MT.

This series follows twin sisters Alex and Hanna, who own Murder and Mayhem, a book and chocolate shop. Alex is the primary sleuth, but Hanna is her support system. And in the case of A Nutcracker Nightmare, Hanna is also a suspect. Alex jumps in with both feet to prove her sister isn’t a murderer.

Alex and Hanna are easy to relate to. They’re older characters, both divorced and dipping their toes into the dating pool. They own a small business in an equally small town, where they are relatively newcomers. I enjoy the interactions between the sisters and am rooting for each of them to find true love.

On to the mystery, I had strong suspicions about who was the murderer pretty early on. I just didn’t figure out the motive. The story started slowly, and several characters were introduced. I often had to stop and try to remember who was who. But in the end, I found the mystery satisfying and well put together.

A Nutcracker Nightmare is a solid Christmas cozy mystery. There was good character and relationship development, along with a well-rounded mystery. But if you like cozy mysteries set around the holidays, give this one a try.

I was really looking forward to reading this one after enjoying the first book in the series. Unfortunately, I didn't like it quite as much. It wasn't bad, but it felt like it was missing something that the first book had. The characters were a little less likable, and the twins Alex and Hanna were annoying at times. Also, there were so many characters that I had a hard time keeping track of them all. I did, however, still enjoy the small town Christmas vibes and loved everything centered around their book and chocolate shop.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed the first book so much, I knew I’d be back for more. I like that the protagonist is little older, it’s adds a lot to the series. The store is absolutely divine sounding, books & poisoned named chocolates, such a creative setting. I’m so happy it’s another one set a Christmas too. This has lots of wintery, festive descriptions that will give you all the cozy feels.

The high school reunion is a great place for a murder to occur, plenty of secrets, suspects & connections. From the two books I’ve read the author has a real knack for satisfying conclusions, both times I thought the killer was very creative & not at all obvious from the start. I will happily be keeping my eyes peeled for future books!

This is such a fun cozy mystery series. A Nutcracker Nightmare was a quick read that was the perfect way to kick off my Christmas reading.

This time the twins are helping out with a high school reunion that goes wrong and attendees end up dead. Alex, the ever sleuthing wonder, decides to investigate which, of course, surrounds her in danger.

I absolutely love the twins and their Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop. I seriously wish there was something like this where I live. I also love the way Alex thinks things through as we follow along her investigation.

Perfect for cozy mystery fans. Definitely go grab this one, and the first book as well, and enjoy! I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I found the first book in this series a bit slow, this one is quite entertaining and the descriptions of the food are mouth watering.
A solid mystery that I enjoyed
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my copy of A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril in exchange for an honest review. It published October 17, 2023.
Another installment in this super fun series! I have fond and sweet memories reading the first one, so I was so pleased to get to read this one. It did not disappoint! I loved the twin sisters and shop owners' relationship, and the fact that things progress in their personal lives, unlike some other cozy mysteries that keep their main characters in limbo. I loved all the chocolate, and I adore the setting. Can I please go to Montana?
This is a great one, because although it is set at Christmas, it is more centered around a high school reunion, and honestly, you could read it any time of the year and totally enjoy it!

I just finished Christina Romeril's A Nutcracker Nightmare, the second book in her A Killer Chocolate Mystery series.
I loved it!
Romeril did excellent work in the description of the small town, the characters were relatable and realistic, The victim in this case, well, he deserved it!

A Nutcracker Nightmare, second in the Killer Chocolate series, is set once again at Christmas! A year has passed since the first book, but it felt like a lot of things happened or didn't happen in the span of one year especially in the romance department for the characters. It was easy to figure out who would get murdered, but with lots of red herrings and suspects, I had no idea who the killer would turn out ot be. Romeril does a great job of fleshing out her characters and the town, getting me in the holiday spirit. It also causes me to crave chocolate! I loved the shoutout to other mystery series and authors too. Looking forward to more in this series!

This is the second book in the A Killer Chocolate Mystery series. Alex and Hanna are back and helping with a class reunion at the local high school. When one of the alumni is found dead at the reunion, there are plenty of people with motive. The evidence points to Hanna. Alex will not rest until she proves that Hanna is not the murderer. Then a second person is murdered. Are the deaths related or are there two killers out there? Alex looks through yearbooks and digs up old high school secrets. Will they be able to find the killer or killers before one of them becomes the next victim? I am really enjoying this series and look forward to getting to know Alex, Hanna and all of their friends better.

This is the second book in the Killer Chocolate series. I really enjoyed the first book so I was looking forward to reading the next installment. I am happy to say I enjoyed this one just as much. The characters are engaging and wonderfully written. The mystery was great. I didn't guess the killer until the end. I am looking forward to more in the series.

A class reunion in town has stirred up lots of secrets, both old and new. It seems someone is determined not to let these secrets surface and is willing to kill to keep them buried. Once again the twins seem to be mired in the mystery and they need to solve it quickly before Hannah becomes the one holding the bag while Alex may be the next in the bag! Great characters, wonderful town and setting, fabulously intriguing plot with multiple suspects to keep you guessing. This author really knows how to write a good mystery! I can't wait to see what happens next!

Dollycas's Thoughts

It's Harriston High School's reunion weekend and Hanna and Alex are going to be serving some of their special chocolates. It should be a good time for everyone to reconnect with their classmates and share news about their lives.

There is one person though that could ruin the whole event. Kyle Allerton, a former star quarterback, is a real piece of work and almost everyone is doing their best to avoid him. Hanna isn't so lucky though, he just won't back off and even threatens her. Alex notices it isn't just Hanna who is getting annoyed.

When Alex later finds the quarterback's dead body the party comes to an abrupt halt. The murder weapon appears to be a nutcracker Alex and Hanna had moved earlier. The entire place is filled with viable suspects but the police are focused on Hanna because someone saw her confrontation with Kyle that left him with a bloody nose. Alex knows Hanna had no part in the bully's death and she, her friends, and her dog Miss Watson are going to help Hanna prove it. When her suspects start becoming victims she knows she needs to turn up the heat and crack the killer before the killer cracks her.

_____

I really enjoy the premise of the Murder and Mayhem Book and Chocolate Shop. Hannah creates the chocolates with puny poison names and Alex takes care of the books, but they both help each other out as needed. They are a great team in everything they do. They are genuine and realistic and the relationship is comfortable.

Pastor Tom Kennedy lives next door to twins Alex and Hanna. After a shaky start he and Alex are trying to date but things like Penelope Shaw, a divorcee who wants Tom for herself, keeps getting in the way. It doesn't help that she has another man interested in her either. Maggie Fletcher works with Alex and Hanna and is a true friend to them both. Miss T writes a gossip blog and while no one knows who the blogger is, they sure know things no one else should and "spills the tea" daily. All of Ms. Romeril's core characters continue to grow and are very entertaining.

Miss Watson is one smart canine too. Hanna had dragged Alex to a rescue to "look" at the dogs. Miss Watson immediately melted Alex's heart and now she rarely leaves her side. I love it when cozy characters have lovable pets that get involved in the story and sometimes save the day by calling the cavalry.

The mystery was very complicated due to the victim's lifelong behavior. With a large number of suspects and many not being truthful or holding on to secrets, it was a hard one to solve. Alex did have a few moments where her investigative techniques needed to be reeled back a bit, and her internal dialogue needed to relax, but she was shuffling a lot of clues. Her A-ha moment did come at an inopportune time but I had gotten so caught up in the story I was right there with her. I was surprised and then delighted about how the whodunit was wrapped up.

Chocolates. Oh, my dear chocolates. The descriptions will have you salivating. The author includes wonderful directions for making molded chocolates and two recipes but we have a wonderful candy shop here in town that I visited after reading the first book in this series, A Christmas Candy Killing, and visited again after finishing this one. The candy there does not have the poisonish names like the ones in the books but it sure cures my cravings. I do wish there had been more emphasis on the chocolate competition Hanna had entered. I can never get enough chocolate and would have loved to hear about what everyone entered.

The Nutcracker Nightmare was a very enjoyable read filled with fun characters and a perplexing mystery. I can't wait to return to Harriston, Montana, and the Murder and Mayhem Book and Chocolate Shop. Who knows what Hanna and Alex will get into next? I do know there will be "killer" chocolates involved.

I liked this one better than the first one in the series but still feel like Alex makes Hanna shoulder most of the work at the shop (she was rarely there). I found the mystery well-paced and the suspects all had something juicy to hide; the best part was finding all the different things people felt the need to hide. There were one or two TSTL moments but I’m hoping Alex has learned her lesson. I enjoyed this one enough to continue with the series.

Fun read. Not sure why but it was very hard to me to keep everyone straight...Lucy, Eddie, Nick, Miss Vicky, Rose, Maggie, Drew, Brooke. Even though I struggled with that, it was still an enjoyable read. Lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing.

This Christmas, Harriston High School is hosting an all years reunion. While twin sisters Alex and Hanna didn’t attend, they are helping with the weekend’s events. That’s how they meet Kyle, the class star quarterback and the class bully. He’s taken an interest in Hanna, an interest she doesn’t return. The opening night ends when Kyle is murdered, and Hanna’s fingerprint is the only one found on the murder weapon, a nutcracker. Surely someone who knew him longer had a better motive, right?

I read the first book last year and enjoyed it enough to give the series a second try. Sadly, I found the flaws the same here. The writing kept me out of the story at first, and I had a really hard time remembering who the suspects were and all their connections. But the further I got into the book, the more I got caught up in the mystery, which had some nice twists on the way to the logical solution. The main characters are great, and the recipes for the gourmet chocolates sound delicious. There is a good story here, so be patient when you pick up this book.