I wasn’t ready to read this when it arrived in February as the holidays had been hard. Then I learned the the series had been cancelled by the publisher and felt horrible that I didn’t do as much promotion as I could have. After reading it this past weekend I feel the publisher made a huge mistake publishing it in February. A December or even January release could have changed the sales for this book immensely and could have saved this series from the chopping block.
It’s a Wonderful Knife (Comfort Food)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – New York
An Obsidian Mystery (February 2, 2016)
New American Library
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0451474094
E-Book – ASIN: B00X59360Y
Comfort food and murder are on the holiday menu in the latest mystery from the national bestselling author of Macaroni and Freeze . . .
All Trixie Matkowski wants for Christmas is a break—just not the broken leg she got after slipping on some ice. With Sandy Harbor alive in the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s the busiest time of the year at Trixie’s Silver Bullet Diner. There are millions of things to do, including cater the town’s annual Christmas pageant and community dinner with some delicious holiday comfort food.
But the festivities turn into a bit of a turkey after Liz Fellows, the director of the pageant, is found with Trixie’s butcher knife in her back. Now Trixie must help the police arrest the scary gentleman—or lady—guilty of the crime if she hopes to get herself off the naughty list.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book is set at Christmas time in Sandy Harbor, but I read this book at the perfect time for me. I needed to laugh and laugh hard and Christine Wenger delivered just the right package to allow me to do just that.
Trixie Matkowski loves Christmas, the decorating, the food and the traditions. She has rituals she follows every year. This year just as she is getting read to start her decorating routine. she falls and falls hard on the ice. Instead of hanging all the bright and shiny holiday things, she is in the blinding light of the emergency room getting a huge cast on her leg.
Her friends Antoinette Chloe Brown (ACB) and Deputy Ty Brisco call in reinforcements to not only handle the decorating but Trixie’s Silver Bullet Diner and all the catering jobs she has scheduled. Everything seems to be under control until Christmas Pageant Director Liz Fellows is found in the church kitchen with Trixie’s knife in her back. At least the fine deputy doesn’t suspect Trixie but he knows a pair of crutches isn’t going to keep her from meddling in his investigation.
Hilarity ensues in this fantastic addition to this series. I found myself reading out loud several passages to anyone that would listen. When Trixie and ACB make up their mind to do something, snow, wind, or a measly broken leg will not stop them from doing exactly what Ty told them not to do.
This story is my favorite one in this series. The plot was not only full of surprising mystery twists it brings us many surprising characters. It also brings a moment that I have been waiting for since book one!
I loved, loved, LOVED! this story! I cannot believe the publisher pulled the plug on this series. The characters are fabulous, the mysteries are fun and well developed. Sandy Harbor is the perfect small town. Please Christine, don’t leave us hanging! I hope you have the option to self publish more in this series or find a new publisher to see what a treasure they are.
You can read Christmas stories any time of year, winter, summer, spring or fall. And you will fall hard for the characters and want to read all 5 of these books. Then you will be with me hoping and praying for book #6!!

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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.”
I enjoyed your review very much & like you I love this series & hope that it continues.
Sounds like this is a great book. I too am sad the publisher cancelled it before I could read the full series.
I am not entering your contest, thank you for having it, but I already have all the books in this series. I insisted that they even check the back because I knew they were out, they found it and another I had asked about.
This is a funny, but also a heart warming story. I have enjoyed and read more than once and I recommend to everyone I know.
It’s a shame that they cancelled the series. Hopefully somebody else will pick it up.
I’ll be checking the library to see if there are copies in the system.
thanks.
You’ve convinced me that I’d like to read this book!
Sounds like a great cozy.
Sounds lik ea fun read. Too bad the publisher didn’t get it out at the right time. Sorry to hear there will be no more in this series.
I am a fan of diner food and can imagine the comfort food you can order there. Thanks for the review. robeader53@yahoo.com
Publishers can be SO short sighted! It is beyond annoying!
Yes yes yes please find a way to continue this series!
I follow with email.
I have read the first two books in this series and loved them.. Please continue writing them!! Thanks for the chance to win…
Christmas is a special time and books about the family and a holiday warm the heart. It’s like sending a hug by opening this book. Finding good places to eat like the locals at diners is a passion of mine and I love reading about food and eating, of course.