Welcome to Litsy!

Today was my last day of work for the year! Now I can stay up late and read. Starting this one now.

I LOVE it! To say I‘m obsessed at the moment with Xmas stories is an understatement and these are two new to me authors! Can‘t wait to start reading! And the bag is gorgeous. ( Did I tell you that the illustrator of my bag launched her new book at our little indie a few weeks ago and I got to meet her!). Biggest of thanks and hugs to you @DGRachel

Loved it! I‘m really digging Stevenson‘s writing style.

#bookspinbingo
#ChristmasAtoZ #LetterE
#adventathon
#oatmealescape
#middecemberreadathon
#littenlisten
#wintergames2024 #holidaybookdragons

My morning reading and a mug that knows what's what 🤶

This was my first Stevenson and I had a blast. A short but tense Christmas murder mystery that adheres to the well acknowledged literary rules of such things should be solved.

A cute quick holiday murder mystery. Not as good as the previous 2 as it feels a bit rushed, but a fun read. 3.5⭐️

Another 5 ⭐️ read from Benjamin Stevenson! I love this series / writing style so much. +129 word search words. #ReadAway2024 #SeriesLove2024 #BookSpinBingo #LetterE #ChristmasAtoZ Different Levels for #ISpyBingo Promise for #AVeryMerryBingo #Adventathon #LittenListen Seasonal for #ChristmasCrimeChallenge Gift for #AVeryScaryXmasBingo #HolidayBookDragons #WinterGames2024 #Lights #ChristmasCheer

Themes: Christmas!, Australia!, Murder Mystery, A Standalone Novel

This is my new criteria for a great Christmas book! Benjamin Stevenson ticked all the boxes: a solid plot, excellent characters, and the ability to take me away from reality while reading. If you‘ve enjoyed his other books, give this one a read! And if you haven‘t read his other books (you should!), you can still read this because it‘s a standalone book 👍

The third in the series, I really enjoyed this one too. Clever, funny, and unpredictable. 5⭐️

My mom @AmyK1 and I read this for our December Mother-Daughter Murder Mystery Book Club! For once, I did suspect the right person, though the whole plot was a LOT more complex than I expected! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@wideeyedreader and I read this for our December mother-daughter murder mystery book club. It was a lot of fun and I did NOT suspect the correct person 😂

‘‘Tis the season for seasonal themed books and perhaps a slight change in how I judge books, when the main thought is does it make me smile. This one fits the bill - not the greatest literature, and the MC can be irritating, but overall I liked the humour.

This was short and fun Christmas mystery, but I admit at times I found it to be a little convoluted, perhaps as a result of the novella format and lots of characters. It is told in the author's usual style where he leaves clues and talks to the reader thereby breaking the fourth wall. I enjoyed the Australian setting, the insights into the world of magic and the clever plotting. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 3.5/5 stars!

I really liked the first two books in this series, but this one was so over the top nudge-nudge wink-wink from the start that I quickly lost interest. By the end I really didn‘t care. Here‘s hoping the next one is back up to the standard of the series.

#ARC

I liked this Christmas special novella. It was set up like an Advent calendar of clues. Very clever and fun.
#BookSpinBingo #SeriesLove2024

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

#ARC
Holiday novella

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy! I was so ecstatic to see a holiday special of Ernest Cunningham. I will say the beginning felt a little rushed. I was a little confused about how Erin (who is back!) met her boyfriend Lyle, they seemed like such a random couple. But those are pretty minor gripes. I liked the way the book was set up with christmas-y clues for each chapter and the new cast of characters! (Full review on Goodreads).