Ok, total transparency here, I got hooked with just one sentence in the book summary, “ If you like the Michael Bennett series, you’ll love this crime mystery!” . That’s it, that’s all it took. As a devoted Michael Bennett fan, I knew I had to have this one. It’s all good! Amidst this sappy holiday reading binge I’ve been on, I have come across some good holiday crime thrillers and suspense too. This one was a good break if you too need something different from all the Hallmark romances and family dramas.

However, it became clear that the FMC isn’t anything like Michael Bennett. Michael is a seasoned NYC detective with a long and decorated career and an impressive arrest and cleared record. KC has only been a detective a few years whose career so far hasn’t been all that impressive and her arrest and solve record a little thin. Furthermore, Michael is very well known and liked among the brass and city officials. KC, on the other hand, is the only detective for the Pine Grove police force (a very small town in FL) that has her working mostly shoplifting and burglaries cases. Furthermore, she is on the verge of losing her job because the mayor’s nephew just passed the detective’s exam and is going to be the new department’s detective come Jan 1st. Pine Grove’s budget can only afford one detective on the force. Additionally, Michael is a father of 10 (and working on #11) with kids ranging from grade school to college. KC is as single as a pringle with no kids. Hmmm…..has me questioning the purpose of adding that blurb in the book summary.

Anyway, book summaries aside, KC suddenly finds herself in the midst of a murder case, which is extremely unusual for Pine Grove. The Sheriff calls in reinforcements to help KC with the investigation, a Det Morales, that KC doesn’t really take a liking to. There is also a secondary storyline of KC running into an FBI agent, Nate Tanner, that she worked with on a previous auto accident case. Eventually, Tanner asks KC to work with him on his investigation that he believes is connected to her investigation.

The dead bodies start piling up and KC starts getting texts from a stranger warning her to back off her investigation or else. KC and Tanner know they are getting close to something but they just can’t pin it down, until they do. At a 113pgs, the end comes fast in an intense and scary scene for all, especially KC. If I were to compare this to any other series, I would say KC and Pine Grove are more like early Kate Burkholder and Painters Mill than Michael Bennett and NYC. I would strongly suggest that the publishers reconsider that Michael Bennett comment in the book summary.

I’m a character driven reader and, for me, character development is the most important element of a story. In short stories like this, the character development is basically slim to none, which is to be expected in a halfway decent prequel to an upcoming series, which is what this really is. JMHO The pacing was fast and the storylines interesting. The writing was just ok, but that’s mostly because of the lack of some real character development. I'm looking at an over all rating of 3.6 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Books Go Social for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #BookGoSocial #ChristmasMurders

Christmas Murders: A Mystery by S.F. Baumgartner offers a chilling take on the holiday season, blending the warmth of Christmas traditions with the suspense of a classic whodunit. This gripping mystery takes readers into the heart of a small town, where a series of murders shatter the peaceful holiday atmosphere, and no one is quite as they seem.

The plot revolves around a detective who is called to solve a string of murders that take place during the Christmas season. The holiday setting provides an interesting contrast to the dark and twisted events that unfold, creating a unique atmosphere where festive cheer mixes with chilling suspense. As the investigation progresses, the detective must navigate a web of secrets, hidden motives, and personal rivalries, all while racing against time to prevent more deaths.

Baumgartner excels at building tension throughout the novel. The pacing is tight, and every chapter reveals new clues, red herrings, and twists that keep the reader guessing. The murder mystery itself is compelling, with plenty of suspects to choose from, each with their own possible reasons for committing the crime. The town’s cozy, snow-covered backdrop serves as an eerie contrast to the sinister events, adding to the story’s atmospheric tension.

One of the strengths of Christmas Murders: A Mystery is the character development. The detective is a complex, relatable figure with their own backstory, which makes them more than just a typical investigator. Baumgartner’s depiction of the town's residents and suspects adds depth to the mystery, as each character has their own potential secrets and motivations. These interactions help to build a layered narrative that keeps the mystery fresh and engaging.

The themes of the novel are also notable, as the story explores the darker side of holiday cheer. Baumgartner delves into human nature, examining the lengths people will go to in order to protect their secrets or achieve their desires. The contrast between the joyful holiday season and the macabre crimes at the center of the plot creates an unsettling but fascinating tension.

Conclusion: Christmas Murders: A Mystery is a clever and engaging holiday thriller that offers a twist on the traditional Christmas story. With its strong characters, gripping plot, and festive yet ominous setting, S.F. Baumgartner delivers a holiday mystery that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and anyone looking for a unique, suspenseful read during the holiday season. This novel proves that Christmas can be just as deadly as it is merry.

I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
Christmas Murders is a novella about a detective tasked to solve a murder mystery right before Christmas. This is a fast paced police procedural that has this detective searching for clues about a possible big level crime including some big politicians. Not really much Christmas in this one but a good quick crime novella.

This book was a real page-turner, delivering a fast-paced and action-driven story that included drugs, a high-level mole, and another murder. I was always left in suspense, unsure of what would unfold next. I really connected with the characters, especially KC, and now I’m eager to explore more about this intriguing character. The novella was filled with unexpected twists that kept me guessing right until the last moment.

Thank You NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to review this ARC

This book was a very fast read. Saying that, it did manage to fit a whole lot of plot into very few pages! Starting with a murder, it became a full on investigation complete with corruption and moles in the police. Definitely worth a read, especially if you have a short time to fill. It was like reading a whole thick book in a fraction of the time!

procedural, police-drama, Florida, psychological-thriller, law-enforcement, novella, murders, corruption, suspense, money-laundering, framed, secrets, lies, unputdownable, threats, police-detectives, double-cross, double-agent, relatives, drug-trafficking, theft, conspiracy*****

Tightly wound plot with lots of suspense, moderately developed characters and emphasis on a sometimes-clandestine investigation.
Hope this is KC Cassidy Mysteries 0.5!
I requested and reviewed a free temporary uncorrected proof copy from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
#ChristmasMurdersAMystery by @SFBaumgartner #MirrorEstatePsychologicalThrillers #BooksGoSocial @newbooksplease #NetGalley

I love a good short story. When done well, they can be amazing. I enjoyed reading this story! This is the first I’ve read by this author, and I will definitely be reading more.

ARC Review/11/26/24 pub date

This is a fast paced novella with a LOT packed in. KC is a detective who finds herself investigating corruption within the city and needs to figure out who's behind it and who she can trust. This was a great storyline and I enjoyed it, but for me, this should have been a full length book. It felt rushed and there was just too much going on in a short amount of time.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for my advanced copy!

Detective Kylie "KC" Cassidy's career wilts like a thirsty poinsettia in the Florida heat in Christmas Murders: A Mystery by S.F. Baumgartner.

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, and the clock is ticking down like a twisted Advent calendar.

The book is a novella and a quick read. I liked the plot, and the story was fairly fast-paced. Christmas Murders is a good psychological thriller.

#ChristmasMurdersAMystery #NetGalley

A Christmas conspiracy. Multiple Murders. A dogged detective who won’t quit! Great read! Definitely a short story, which I normally don’t enjoy but this book had just enough to keep me going! It had great suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, fantastic characters, and some crazy moments! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

★★★★★

A short crime novella that dives straight into the action, KC’s latest case—the mysterious death of a local councilman—sets off a chilling series of murders. Baumgartner nails character development within just a few chapters, keeping the suspense high and the pace relentless. A fun and thoroughly enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and S.F. Baumgartner for the early copy of this holiday treat!

I’m generally not a huge fan of short stories/novellas, but I really did enjoy this one. It was fast paced and easy to follow and the action started from the beginning and continued throughout, so it never felt flat or boring. I enjoyed the plot and wouldn’t mind reading some full length books about the characters from this story. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, and that’s what kept me reading. I look forward to more books from this author!

I did not like this book for many reasons. Mainly I did not care for the lead. The story line was boring and moved slowly. I have never read anything by this author before and probably will not again.

A novella about murders in Florida during the Christmas season.
Detective Kc Cassidy is charged with finding the killer of a local councilman - and her job is on the line. Then more bodies stack up. She has quite a bit of work before her.
Then a twist puts her in the cross hairs and this becomes very personal.
There isn't a lot about the Christmas season in the book but the setting in Florida isn't the most traditional setting. It is a nice story if you need a little bit of mystery to get you through the holidays

S. F. Baumgartner does not disappoint in the nouvella "Christmas Murders: A Mystery". Fast-paced, action-packed, engaging characters. Just wish it had been a full-length novel. Maybe this is the beginning of a new series????

Releases Nov. 26th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.