It's been some time since I read one of the Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery books, by Kate Kingsbury, but I remembered them as enjoyable reads. Mulled Murder was no exception. There have been some big changes: long time staff are moving on, one will be getting married at the Pennyfoot, on Christmas Eve. There are many events (some good, some .... well, a tradition). A body is found on the beach, and then another behind the house. One is dead, the other, a young woman, is alive but with amnesia. The plumbing stops working. And all with new staff who do not always seem qualified. And what about the old tunnel (once thought to be used by smugglers) leading to the beach from the wine cellar?

A Scandal in Scarlet is the fourth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany. There's been a fire at a local historic house, one that brings in a lot of tourist dollars. An auction is planned to raise money for repairs, but that's when all the trouble starts. The body of the museum chair is found in the set up room for the auction. She is an ex-wife, and not too popular. Neither is the new wife, actually. And there are children (now adults, but with a grudge). And what about the murder from seven years ago? There are too many details, a lot of suspects, each with a good motive, will Gemma Doyle be able to figure it out? Another fun romp!

Author Donna Andrews has several Christmas themed mysteries in her Meg Langslow Mystery series, and Lark! The Herald Angles Sing may be the best. When an abandoned baby is found in the manger of the Christmas pageant during a rehearsal, the hunt is on for who and why. As details emerge, it becomes a case crossing county lines (rivals at best) which, for legal reasons, hampers what local officials can do. But what about a band of well meaning locals? And if they get caught? Loved the solution here! Talk about the power of women! :-)

The elves are getting ready for Christmas when they discover that the sleigh is not ready for flight. What to do? Is it time for a new look? So many elves, so many ideas! Which one will Santa chose? Check them out in 12 Sleighs of Christmas, by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by Jake Parker.

Reading Hermit With Dog