Ghost saw somebody killing Santa Claus. Underneath the mistletoe last night… the only woman who seems immune to his charms?
Turns out the single witness to the murder of an FBI informant is a lovelorn ghost who wants a date with Rick in exchange for information on the suspect. A romantic romp through the city could become a double date with destiny for the FBI’s sexiest sleuth, but can he solve the case before the spirit departs forever?
Take a look back at the Rowlings’ first Noel in this special holiday installment of the Manhattan Mystery Series.
Buy I’m Dreaming of a Wicked Christmas and start solving your next mystery today!
Paranormal in Manhattan Mystery Series
Each book in the series is a stand-alone story, but your enjoyment of each story will be increased if you read them all.
Book 1-Wicked for Hire
Book 2-W is for Wicked
Book 3-Wicked Little Secret
Book 4-Wicked of the Christmas Past
Book 5-Sweet Wicked of Mine
Book 6-Wicked and Haunted
Book 7-Wicked, Manor, and Murder
Book 8-Wickedly Ever After
Book 9-Speak of the Wicked
Book 10-Wicked as a Christmas Fruitcake
Book 11-Wicked in Wonderland
Book 12-Dial W for Wicked
Book 13-Wicked Egg to Crack
Book 14-The Wickedest Showman
Book 15-Wicked and the Beast
Book 16-Wicked or Treat!
*Book 17-I’m Dreaming of a Wicked Christmas
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Not really a mystery
I thought I’d like reading from Rick’s POV. I thought I’d like going back in time to Mandy and Rick’s first Christmas.
But I didn’t.
It just didn’t work for me. I never made the connection with Rick as I do with Mandy. Jackie is my favorite and now her remarks were only secondhand instead of firsthand. The way Mandy kept repeating the ghosts’ remarks even in private conversations, felt unnatural. It wasn’t like the fun banter between Mandy and Jackie in other books.
And although the story was still sort of pleasant, it could NOT be called a mystery. Only the prologue was about that and then, in the end, literally ONE sentence that the case was solved. But NOT thanks to Rick, Mandy or a ghost. WAY too easy! This was only a story about the weirdest date ever. We’re seeing all the sights of New York – and that’s it!
IMO this book (which is not number 17 but I think would be better off called 1.5) is very dispensable. You’d miss nothing if you were to skip this one. I am certain the next installment will be better. A tiny blip in an otherwise great series. As this IS a fun series and I’ve loved every other book till now!
“I’m Dreaming of a Wicked Christmas” earns 5/5 Santas and Ghostly…Entertaining!
Delightful! Lotta Smith channels the “Ghost of Christmas Past” with this holiday novella, and this time a bit of a twist. Rick Rowling gets to be the first-person perspective with a quick “Intermezzo” from Mandy. Poof! Lotta takes us back when Rick and Mandy are boss and employee, respectively, and experiencing their first Christmas season. Carols. Gift-giving. Merriment. What more would you want at the holidays! Maybe a dead body? And not just any dead body…Santa! But there’s a witness, a ghost witness, and the “quid pro quo” is quite unique. You want to know what the ghost saw…she wants a date with Rick in compensation. So, how’s that going to work? He can’t see or hear the ghosts. Enter Mandy as chaperone.
In many ways this is a great place to start for newbies, or those of us who started halfway thru the seventeen-book series, but fans from the beginning will enjoy the entertaining switch from the usual Mandy’s to Rick’s perspective, an interesting view on relationships with this male viewpoint. The well-written mystery of the murdered Santa is clever, and of course, a few ghosts pop in and out to offer their help or not-so-much help. I really enjoy Jackie, but sometimes from afar when he gets annoying. I also enjoyed Rick’s ideas of who they are, how they met, and some of the more antagonistic parts of their budding relationship. This is a novella, easily read in one sitting, but despite the length, the story was engaging, characters entertaining, Rick’s perspective helpful, and the Epilogue a good way to connect to the present.
I’m Dreaming of a Wicked Christmas by Lotta Smith is a sweet novella from Rick’s viewpoint. The story is about one of Rick and Mandy’s first cases together.
The plot moved quickly and was a real treat to see Mandy and Jackie from Rick’s point of view. Mandy and Rick are trying to get a ghost who witnessed a murder to tell them who did the murder. The ghost, Cam, will only tell them what she saw if Rick will take her on a date. Of course, Mandy has to come along to be the interpreter. There were some really sweet scenes that shows how much Rick is beginning to fall for Mandy. Rick’s date involves highlights of New York City at Christmas time with Mandy and Jackie providing the comedy as usual. An easy and entertaining afternoon read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
This book is written from Rick’s standpoint and is the first Christmas for Rick and Mandy. They are called out on a case for a mugging turned homicide. Another ghost witnessed the mugging and will tell Rick what happened if he will go out on a date with her. Of course Mandy and Jackie have to come along to help. What a fun read, I loved it!!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
It was a great book!
In this book, in order for Mandy + Rick to solve a crime, Rick has to go on a date w/ a ghost.
Of course, Mandy has to come along.
Who else can tell Rick what the ghost is saying ?
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
This story is told by Rick. It is when he and Mandy first got together working and the case they had. It was around Christmas time when a Santa Claus is killed going home. There was a witness, but no one saw her….she was a ghost. Enter Rick and Mandy and Jackie. Who could forget Jackie? This is the story they about how they were trying to get “Cam” to tell them about the killer and what they did for the information. It is a riot!!!!! Enjoy people! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Prolificworks.com.
Rick and Mandy have been working together for about 3 months. Normally he would fly somewhere exotic but this year Mandy’s family invited him to Thanksgiving dinner then to celebrate Christmas them. He likes her family and is enjoying being around them. They get a call to a murder of a FBI CI and asked if they can talk to his ghost. Mandy has a ghost who follows her and Rick around helping with cases. Jackie says Harry’s ghost has gone but there is a ghost witness. She wants a date with Rick before she’ll describe the killer. It was fun watching Mandy & Rick getting to know each other and find out Rick had his eye on Mandy for some time. You’re given a tour of New York City. There are a couple of surprises in the book which made me laugh. A great story from Lotta Smith again.