Snow, Stars – and murder! When Bernie, the star of breakfast show TV Rise & Shine, is murdered in her dressing room, Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agents Abi and Jake are sent undercover just before Christmas to catch the killer. With suspects aplenty, the snow building up outside and the holidays fast approaching, they’ve certainly got their work cut out!
An interesting introduction to Abi and Jake. Their crime solving approach is conventional but the solution came out of left field unexpectedly. The real charm of the story is the burgeoning relationship between the pair despite Abi’s skittish nature.
Also known as “Christmas, Chaos & Second Chances: A Romantic Comedy Mystery Short Story” in “Candy Canes and Corpses,” borrowed via Kindle Unlimited on November 20, 2018.
Abi Anderson Cozy Mysteries Books 1-4 by Zanna Mackenzie
Review of book 1:
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the post military and entertainment business based novella MURDER AT THE STUDIO: Abi Anderson Cozy Mysteries Book 1 by Zanna Mackenzie and this review was given freely.
Short and fast paced, this is not your usual Holiday novel. When daytime TV Rise & Shine’s talk show host Bernie Reivers is found murdered in her dressing room, special Agent Abi Anderson tries to set aside her grief over the death of her fiancé two Christmases ago while fighting a strong attraction to her partner Jake Smith.
Review of book 2:
5 stars
I purchased a copy of the post military and entertainment business based novella Murder at Midnight: A fun Cozy Mystery: Abi Anderson Cozy Mysteries Book 2 by Zanna Mackenzie and this review was given freely.
A fast paced easy flowing interlude with a built of a build and suspense but then ends abruptly.
When Special Agent Abi is volunteered to work a “Hogmanay” aka New Year’s Eve party two days after the host Sir Ralph McDonald, former Clan Chief is murdered in his secluded Scottish Collzean Castle, Abi finds herself at a disadvantage, dressed as a cat and the surprise partner of Jake.
Review of book 3:
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the post military and entertainment business based novella Murder Most Vintage: Abi Anderson Cozy Mysteries Book 3 by Zanna Mackenzie and this review was given freely.
Another fast paced, easy flowing, rapidly solved mystery combined with the slow progression of Agents Abi and Jake’s romance. When Vintage clothing celebrity blogger Polly is murdered in her store, Abi and Jake follow the clues of jealousy and greed to find the killer.
Review of book 4:
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the post military and entertainment business based novella Murder Most Floral: Abi Anderson Cozy Mysteries Book 4 by Zanna Mackenzie and this review was given freely.
Complex, short, easy flowing and fast paced. Good for a long lunch break or short afternoon read.
When Daniel Cosgrove the field manager for Michael Fraser Moss, the former lead singer for the band Flower Petals and owner of the Greenward Isle Flower Farm, is murdered, Agents Abi and Jake team up to solve a case involving multiple suspects, false leads, physical harassment and jealousy.
A great little mystery all wrapped up in less than 50 pages.
I read this book in one sitting. I highly recommend this short mystery as a light, fun, and easy read. Considering this as a short story, I acknowledge that it may have seemed rather rushed in some areas. But even in its brevity, the mystery was cleverly written and engaged my interest from beginning to end.
Having read some of this author’s previous works, I was familiar with the CCIA. The Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency is a private government-sanctioned police unit serving the rich and famous. The books I have read by Zanna Mackenzie thus far are all connected in some way with the CCIA. I enjoy this connection. I feel as though I know these characters and enjoy them popping in for a visit while their coworkers are busy solving their cases.
So, If you are looking for a good mystery that you can read through at lunch, this book is for you. I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.