Stephanie S. reviewed on 1/10/2025 + 169 more book reviews

Alas, I am afraid my interest in this series has waned. I've read at least nine in the series, not all in order, and my absolute delight in the first 2 or 3 has slowly faded with each subsequent book. This last one was disappointing on many levels and I believe it's the last straw for me.

First, the title is misleading, in that it really had nothing to do with Christmas. Christmas, of course, gave hero Andy Carpenter a chance to complain about eggnog, complain about the need to buy gifts, complain about everything the holiday entails. Worse, though, he flouted his selfish (not comedic, not charming, just selfish) choice not to buy gifts for Laurie or Ricky (when she bought her own gift for herself from him, he of course gleefully brags of his own generosity). Sigh. So predictable, and so unlikeable at the same time. By this volume (28th in the series), Andy has morphed from loveable schlub to flat-out spoiled brat. Enough already.

The mystery also had nothing whatsoever to do with the holiday. The book turned out not to be a light romp that the title implied (to me, at least), which made it unsatisfactory reading the week leading up to Christmas. The crimes involved murder and smuggled drugs, street gangs and organized crime bosses, and lots of unsavory events.

I would probably have read another few of this series despite this book being so, well, un-Christmassy--because I really used to enjoy the mysteries and fun tone created by the author--if only hero Andy Carpenter hadn't gotten so completely on my last nerve. So I'm done.

** Two stars only.

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