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Book Review of Ringing in Murder (Pennyfoot Hotel, Bk 16)

Ringing in Murder (Pennyfoot Hotel, Bk 16)
kimberlyrav avatar reviewed on + 417 more book reviews


This is book 16 in the "Pennyfoot" series by Kate Kingsbury. I myself have not read but one before this book. It was "Shrouds of Holly". I find they do great as stand alone books. In my opinion, you can pick up wherever you like without having to worry too much over character evolvment.

Every holiday book in this series has beautiful covers. The stories are just as wonderful. They are a trip back into time. Horse drawn buggies, gas lamps. Chamber pots and just the beginning of indoor Waterloos(bathrooms). Ballrooms, grand staircases, servants quarters, Victorian dresses and ballgowns. A time I simply treasure especially during the Christmas season.

This particular story takes us throughout Christmas Eve and Day, as well as New Years. The main character, Cecilia puts out Christmas crackers on to the long beautiful dressed dining table. Each guest would get a popping cracker and inside only one would be a very expensive pearl brooch. Before anyone can open them, two of the crackers have disappeared, only to reappear as a murder weapon killing two of the highly distinguished guests. A House of Lords gentleman along with his wife.
Its up to Cecilia to find out who has done such an ugly thing, as the constable is away from the town till the first of the year(Go figure that one). Working along side the town doctor as well as Cecilia's husband, they set out to find the perpetrator. Other disturbing and strange occurrences start to arise when one of the servants notice a snowman looking into the window. She sees this many times with no one believing her. Until finally the head servant sees this as well. A walking snowman that leaves footprints in the snow.

I highly recommend any of the Kate Kingsbury novels. They will bring something special to your holiday season as well. These get me into the Christmas spirit!