The last Christmas mystery.

[Carol Dickinson]

So I tried another new author, Krista Davis and read "the Diva cooks a Goose" There are some authors who can control a crowd of characters, like Donna Andrews, Emily Brightwell, and Diana Gabaldon. Davis is not one of them. Over 2 dozen characters introduced by the end of chapter one. Nearly all living on one street, involving ex-spouses with new spouses, shared kids, extended family, and neighbors, all with kids who are dating each other or hating each other. I was totally lost.

I tried just to go with it. More than one dead body. Clever method of murder. I followed the clues, which twisted and turned in one one another. And there was some originality to the writing. But the character confusion was just too much. Perhaps if I had read the previous 3 I wouldn't have been so confused.

There was one other irritant. The "organizing hints" at the beginning of each chapter, much like recipes in other series, were a dead giveaway to what would happen in the next few pages. Very annoying. Plus there were recipes, but not anything I would want to try, or even eat. Oh and the Diva did not cook a goose.

The Christmas presents were stolen from every tree in the neighborhood on Christmas Eve,and were not recovered. What is with these authors lately?


So that's it for new Christmas mysteries this year. For me, all 5 were not enjoyable. I will finish the season re-reading with Patarick Taylor's an Irish Country Christmas, which is at least Christmas-y, if not a mystery.

Have a lovely holiday week everybody.

Carol

[Mike Burke]

Post by Carol Dickinson
So I tried another new author, Krista Davis and read "the Diva cooks a
Goose" There are some authors who can control a crowd of characters, like
Donna Andrews, Emily Brightwell, and Diana Gabaldon. Davis is not one of
them. Over 2 dozen characters introduced by the end of chapter one.
Nearly all living on one street, involving ex-spouses with new spouses,
shared kids, extended family, and neighbors, all with kids who are dating
each other or hating each other. I was totally lost.
I tried just to go with it. More than one dead body. Clever method of
murder. I followed the clues, which twisted and turned in one one
another. And there was some originality to the writing. But the character
confusion was just too much. Perhaps if I had read the previous 3 I
wouldn't have been so confused.
There was one other irritant. The "organizing hints" at the beginning of
each chapter, much like recipes in other series, were a dead giveaway to
what would happen in the next few pages. Very annoying. Plus there were
recipes, but not anything I would want to try, or even eat. Oh and the
Diva did not cook a goose.
The Christmas presents were stolen from every tree in the neighborhood on
Christmas Eve,and were not recovered. What is with these authors lately?
So that's it for new Christmas mysteries this year. For me, all 5 were
not enjoyable. I will finish the season re-reading with Patarick Taylor's
an Irish Country Christmas, which is at least Christmas-y, if not a mystery.
Have a lovely holiday week everybody.
Carol

You too, Carol. Have fun everyone.