It’s Christmas in Estes Park, Colorado: cozy fires, twinkling lights, soft snowfall, and… murder.The winter holidays in charming Estes Park lulls Winifred Page and her corgi, Watson, into thoughts of spiced chai and gingerbread as they settle into their new home. Fred’s dream bookshop is becoming a reality, and with Christmas only days away, her only concerns are spending time with family, … enforcing Watson’s diet, and finding the perfect gifts.
The toy store beckons Fred and her friend Katie, who dash in out of the cold, during a shopping spree to discover handmade toys, cuddly stuffed animals… and a dying man on the floor.
When Katie’s desperate attempts to save the man ends in her being taken in for his murder, Fred once again dons her detective hat. She puts aside her Christmas list and—with Watson sniffing around—begins a list of suspects. But as quickly as clues point to one person, new discoveries shift the spotlight to another.
With Katie’s freedom in the balance, Fred has little time to think about gifts or to enjoy the holiday lights and music. A killer is on the loose, one who became violent in a picture-perfect Christmas toy shop, and Fred and Watson can’t begin to predict what might happen next…
more
Loved It
Fred & Watson do it again. Another awesome book! crime does not stop at Christmas time. Fred finds herself in the middle of another mystery while trying to get her shop up and running. Look forward to reading the next one.
Where does she come up with all these characters! Small town so full of really different folks but may be it is just that we are getting to know them in this second book. Fred is at it again solving another murder and she is the new person in town. Watson her faithful sidekick (her corgi) saves the day finding the evidence she needs to solve the case.
I loved it. These characters are great. Little Watson is so fun.
Traitorous Toys by Mildred Abbott is a holiday mystery with many twists and blinking lights.
Will Fred figure out her killed Declan before Katie goes to jail?
Fred is our sleuth, but Katie, her new friend, is accused of murder by the despicable Officer Green. Katie and Fred are doing the last of their Christmas shopping when Katie finds the toy store owner with garland wrapped around his neck. Katie tries to get the garland off, but its fiberglass pieces just keep cutting her hands. Fred comes in to help, and they call the police, Branson is out of town, and Officer Green is on the scene, she quickly arrests Katie. Well, now Fred and Watson are out to find the person responsible before Katie is convicted.
Katie, the Baker
Katie is blunt, to the point and truthful. Can you see why she and Fred get along so well? Katie is also a fabulous baker; she makes terrific pastries that have everyone drooling. Although Katie doesn’t have a bakery of her own. She worked for Opal (murdered in the first book), and now she is working a the coffee shop. Katie has a great idea, but will Fred go along with it? We shall see. I have a feeling Katie will be around for a long time.
The Mystery
Let’s say that Fred won’t let Katie go to jail, and she can’s seem to let it go at all until she figures out who killed the womanizing toy store owner. So, with the assistance of Watson, she finds the culprit, but containing the killer is a bit harder than she would expect. Throughout the process, Fred makes friends with some more of the townsfolk. She truly is a great detective like her father.
Love Interest
Fred is attracted to Sergeant Branson Wexler, but Park Ranger, Leo Lopez, is also a strong contender. Which will she choose?
Four Stars
I truly enjoyed Traitorous Toys, and therefore I am giving it four stars. The Cozy Corgi Mysteries is fast becoming one of my favorite series. Check it out when you have time. Believe me, and you won’t want to put them down.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Traitorous Toys by Mildred Abbott.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
The quaint town of Estes Park is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It looks like a perfect picture postcard. But the picture changes abruptly when Fred and her friend, Katie, dong a little holiday shopping, enter a toy store to discover a man taking his last breaths. It’s not all candy canes and ho ho ho anymore.
Once again Fred is tangled up in a murder investigation. This time she’s not a suspect, just a witness, but her friend is at the top of the list. She won’t be told what to do and bumps up against Sergeant Branson once again. These two are such fun. There’s sparks there, but Fred is busy trying to get her bookstore, The Cozy Corgi, up and running. Does she really have time for romance? And how much can Branson take of her snooping into his investigation before those sparks turn cold?
Attempted murder becomes real when the man dies. Fred and her sidekick, the grumpy Corgi, Watson, are once again on the case. It was fun following along as they grilled suspects and sniffed out clues, the list of suspects ever changing. I admit, I was lead down several false trails and when the culprit was revealed, it was sudden and surprising.
This series is fun and addictive. Next up is Bickering Birds and I’m excited about the opening of The Cozy Corgi and curious to see what befalls these captivating characters next.
Fun, clean, cozy.
Interesting characters with quirks and an adorable dog make these books fun to read. But, some things I can’t live with. I can’t read about a cop who hates.
This was fun! I enjoy cozy mysteries every once in a while and so far I have been enjoying the Cozy Corgi Mysteries series. This is the second book in the series but it could easily work as a stand-alone. Fred and Watson are both delightful characters and I thought that the mystery in this book was really well done. I had a great time with this shorter read.
Fred is still working on getting her bookstore open and trying to get ready for Christmas at the same time. Fred ends up in the local toy shop needing a few gifts for family and senses an uncomfortable situation. The next thing you know the store owner is attacked and severely injured. When the local police suspect her friend, Fred decides to get to the bottom of things on her own.
I love the characters in this series. They are all so much fun. Fred is smart and determined. She just wants a chance to start over and make a life that she can enjoy. Her mother and step-father are awesome. Her step-father, Barry, is quite the character and he was responsible for more than a few laughs while I listened to this story. The is a whole crew of quirky characters that populate the town that helps to add some charm to this mystery. And then there’s Watson. Watson is full of personality and I love the fact that he is very present in the story.
Angie Hickman did a fantastic job with this story. I loved the different voices she used for all the characters in the story. She really brought the story to life and I thought that she delivered the humor in the book so that it would have a bigger impact. I found myself laughing more than once. She has a wonderful voice that felt perfect for this story. I think that I liked the book just a little more because I decided to listen to it.
I would recommend this book to others. This was a wonderful little mystery that had fantastic characters and just the right amount of Christmas charm. I cannot wait to read more of this great series.
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author/narrator via Audiobook Boom and have voluntarily left this review.
This review is for the audio book.
This is the first book by this author I have listened to but it won’t be the last as I really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters but did get a bit confused with the Diamond family names all starting with ‘D’. I liked the fact the dog helped solve the murder as opposed to just being a bit of light entertainment in the story. I will definitely have to check out the firsts book, it didn’t matter that I hadn’t met the characters before as it could be listened to as a stand alone story but if you are like me you will want to know how it all came about.
Fred (Winifred) is getting ready to open her new book store but when out Christmas shopping with her friend Kate trying to buy presents for her new step family, the pair stumble on an injured man. With nothing in the toy shop taken the police rule out burglary and when a Nut Cracker is found with blood on, the police focus there attention on the only finger prints found on the doll, Kate’s. With her friend locked up Fred is determined to prove her friend innocent by putting to use the knowledge her dead cop father has passed down to.her. With the victims own family all having reasons to dislike him it is not a surprise when he dies suddenly in hospital. Fred and her pet Corgi have there work cut out for them to find a killer in the small town before Christmas day or more importantly before her friend is arrested.
I liked the narrator and thought she helped bring this colourful story to life with the power of her voice.
Its Christmas time in Estes Park and this holiday season Fred and Watson are investigating the attempted murder of the local toy shop owner. When Katie is found with the victim moments after the attack she’s arrested. With her one phone call she pleads with Fred to “do her thing” and find out who the real culprit is. The gossips give her all kinds of juicy information but it’s a silly internet search that leads to the murderer.
Great characters. Wonderful afternoon read.
Woo Hoo…Back with Winnifred and Watson for another mystery in Estes Park.
It’s Christmas and amongst the festivities we have a murder.
Watson…the only thing he likes as much or better than treats is Fred. Something about a dog in the story always tugs at my heartstrings.
Winnifred opening the Cozy Corgi book store is a fun element to the story. Adds a little something extra for me.
Uh Oh, Winnifred can’t even go Christmas shopping without finding a dead body and Officer Green is not exactly on her side.
I am so glad we are adding Katie to the ‘family.’
The quirky characters and humorous dialogue keep me reading this fun series. I would recommend this series if you are looking for some light easy murder mystery reading. And…if you are craving a snack, we have a recipe for Gingerbread to tickle your pallet.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Traitorous Toys by Mildred Abbott.
See more at http://,www.fundinmental.com
Love this wonderful cozy mystery series! Great introduction and interactions between characters. Beautiful descriptions of scenery and characters. I definitely will read all of Mildred Abbott’s other books. Fabulous writer; don’t miss any of these books!
Another wonderful cozy corgi mystery. The mystery had enough twists that kept me guessing a little each chapter. I just feel closer to Fred every single time we live inside her head. I’m excited with the friendship developing with Katie though I know Fred has been burnt by a friend in her recent past. Branson…I can’t get a good read on him yet. Imagine there being something mysterious in a mystery…hmmm. And will we ever figure out what all the issues are with Susan. Was she not hugged enough as a child? This series has sucked me in with its charming ways and Watson’s grumpy demeanor. I can’t wait for the next book!
Love this series and the characters in them. All stand alone books, but the continuity of life with the characters in the books is wonderful. Highly recommend.
This is book two in this cute series. I have read book one and really enjoyed it. This book is good but for me not quite as good as book one. Don’t get me wrong I still liked this book. I love the way Fred and Sherlock into act with one another. This book takes place during the christmas season so maybe the fact that I read this in 90+ weather could be why I didn’t feel it so much. Can’t wait to read book 3.
Angie Hickman narrates this book and she also did book one. I enjoy her voice and style of reading so for me she adds to the enjoyment of this audiobook.
I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.