I am playing a little catch-up on this series because
Shelley Freydont is my guest tomorrow for Cozy Wednesday!!
Her new book Independence Slay 
Silent Knife
(A Celebration Bay Mystery)
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group (September 3, 2013)
Published by The Penguin Group
Cover Art by Robert Crawford
Cover Design by Lesley Worrell
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
E-Book File Size: 833 KB
ASIN: B00BDQ3ASE
Celebration Bay is full of yuletide cheer—
but it’s hard to remain festive when someone’s out to slay Santa.
It’s Liv Montgomery’s first Christmas out of Manhattan and in Celebration Bay. They’ve got a tree to rival Rockefeller Center’s, but this year’s holidays are turning out to be a disaster. As the small town’s event planner, Liv wants everything to be perfect. Unfortunately, the local Christmas shop has been replaced by the gaudy Trim a Tree—complete with tacky ornaments and a new replacement Santa who isn’t spreading any cheer.
At the town’s annual Celebration of Lights, Trim a Tree is the only shop left unlit. Liv, furious, goes to investigate, and discovers something even less festive—the store’s new Santa has been murdered. Small-town gossip begins to stir, and Liv must clear the name of the previous town Santa just in the nick of time before the real killer ruins Christmas.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I so enjoyed reading this snowy mystery while the temps outside were heading to the 80’s.
Celebration Bay sound like a fun place to live or just visit. The way the residents pull together to host all these different celebrations sounds like a lot of work but they sure sound like a good time. Picturing the town square and the businesses lit up with twinkling white lights was very easy. Liv Montgomery and her assistant Ted work together to be sure everything is coordinated perfectly. Ted even has a little time to teach Liv’s pooch, Whiskey, to sing Jingle Bells. His Ah-Roo-Roo’s sound just like my border collies. They sing just as well as he does.
We are introduced to Hank, the only Santa allowed in Celebration Bay, so as to not confuse the children. Back are Chaz, the editor of the local newspaper that would rather be fishing, Sheriff Bill who just never seems to be investigating fast enough for Liz, Bebe, Liv’s best friend in town and owner of the coffee shop and Dolly from the bakery. I swear the town would screech to a stop if Liv and Ted didn’t have their muffins and coffee 🙂 We also get to meet the Thornsby’s, who quickly become a thorn in everyone’s side.
The author also created quite a mystery. She even tied a terrible time in my state of Wisconsin into the plot. The horrible Trim-A-Tree (TAT) is just where the story gets warmed up. Soon secrets are revealed that take the chill right out of the air and several people find themselves cooling their heals as the killer has them cornered. Talk about a twist.
A wonderful winter cozy that you can curl up with any time of the year.
Find out more about Shelley Freydont and her books here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
by Jennifer S. Alderson
Congratulations to Anna N. (Ohio). She has won a copy of Who Rescued Who by Victoria Schade. 
Congratulations to Joey R. (Michigan). She has won a copy of The Evil Men Do by John McMahon. 
Congratulations to Julia H. (Minnesota). She has won a copy of Mimi Lee Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow.
Congratulations to Barbara H. (Texas). She has won a copy of Queen Anne’s Lace by Susan Wittig Albert.
Congratulations to Karlene B. (Georgia). She has won a copy of Al Dente’s Inferno by Stephanie Cole.
Congratulations to Doris W. (Pennsylvania). She has won a copy of Death with a Dark Red Rose by Julia Buckley.
Sounds good. I have yet to start the first one though.
I just immersed myself in Celebration Bay this past week! I re-read the first and then purchased the next two and finished Sient knife Sunday. Ready for Independence Slay! I’m hoping for one of your giveaways! If not, I’ll buy digital copy.
I have the first one in the series, and need to read it soon. I also love to read books set in cold weather when it’s roasting outside!