“Exceptional…the perfect holiday entertainment.”— Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW This Christmas season, travel to the North Pole you’ve never seen before—where Santa’s new wife, April Claus, is not only set on creating the perfect holiday—she’s also set on solving the perfect crime… that you’re marrying the real-life Santa. April Claus dearly loves her new husband, Nick, but adjusting to life in the North Pole is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous elf named Giblet Hollyberry is killed—felled by a black widow spider in his stocking—shortly after publicly arguing with Nick.
Christmastown is hardly a hotbed of crime, aside from mishaps caused by too much eggnog, but April disagrees with Constable Crinkle’s verdict of accidental death. As April sets out to find the culprit, it’ll mean putting the future of Christmas on the line—and hoping her own name isn’t on a lethal naughty list . . .
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If you enjoy fantasy and all things Christmas, you will love this book. April is the new Mrs. Claus in Santaland. It is her first Christmas and there is a murder in the village. You would think it would be all gumdrops, snow and Christmas carols, but suddenly you have crime. I love the way Liz Ireland describes the castle, the talking reindeer (who live inside the castle), the sleighs, the candy factories… well you get the picture. It is like something out of a child’s imagination. It is very enjoyable and fun mystery. It will really put you in the spirit of Christmas!
I bet you didn’t know that Mrs. Santa Claus was an innkeeper from Oregon! In this witty retelling of the Santa myth, the Claus family is all-too-human. When an elf is killed, Santa becomes the primary suspect, and it is up to Mrs. Claus to navigate her new husband’s unfamiliar world to figure out whodunit.
Being a big fan of the Santa Claus movies and always looking for a new cozy series – especially during these trying times – I was very happy to take a trip with April to Santaland. Newly married to Nick, she finds herself just 9 days away from Christmas and up to her eyebrows investigating a murder. It’s a far cry from her life in Oregon running a B&B.
A mere six months ago she met Nick and fell in love which led to marriage three months later. Three months married definitely qualifies as the honeymoon stage of marriage but who knew that it would include living in the very cold Kringle Castle along with her new husbands family and, here’s the biggie – he’s Santa Claus. While she is trying to wrap her head around that and keep the members sorted out with all of the complicated line of succession, etc. suddenly Nick is suspected of killing a very grumpy elf after the elf fails to win first place in the ice sculpture contest. He has a hissy fit for the whole town to witness and is found dead the next day. He’s also not going to be the only death in town. Knowing that Nick had nothing to to with it and feeling certain that the local police are out of their depth, April steps in.
I don’t know why it made me giggle when I heard the names of the various family members. Nick is as expected but April, her mother-on-law, Pamela, sister-in-law Tiffany – I guess it sort of struck me as shades of an English village upper crust family. But no family I could ever have imagined would have a rather bedraggled and quirky reindeer named Quasar. Have to say I loved him the minute I met him.
The premise worked for me and was the perfect escape. The puzzle was well plotted and the characters were a fun bunch. If this becomes a series I hope that we learn more about how April and Nick met and maybe even have them change locations during the off season. This series has a lot of potential.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland is a fun Christmas cozy mystery. Often in a first cozy introducing all the characters can be overwhelming, but I felt that Liz did a good job fleshing out each character. Liz did a very good job of world building. The story had some laugh-out-loud funny stuff, and some real tension; along with a great mixture of myth and pop culture. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next book in the series – Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide.
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland is the perfect marriage of a cozy mystery, historical drama, and fantasy. It was a fun romp through Santaland with talking reindeer (and many are still jerks), really crabby elves, abominable snow creatures that hunt the residents, and snowmen who live so long they know all the secrets. You also get a Downton Abbey vibe with the Claus family being the ones who would be living in the Upstairs and everyone else is the Downstairs.
I thought the killer was a bit easy to figure out, but that’s not the only reason one reads a cozy mystery. And even when the killer was caught, they didn’t come off as a completely bad person… it does take place during the most magical time of the year after all!
I’m not sure if this is going to be a series, but I do hope so. I would love to get more backstory on April and Nick, not only their wedding, but about them too. And I would love to revisit a lot of the characters. There is just something about a person/creature who is supposed to always be happy, turning out to be cranky and wanting to rebel. I could easily see this being turned into a movie with awesome special effects. Here’s hoping.
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings gave me more than a few chuckles along the way of solving a nasty murder at the North Pole. Who would kill one of Santa’s elves? Even if he was a grumpy elf, still… seriously, who would do that? We’re about to go on an adventure with a brand new bride to find answers to those puzzling questions.
Although April’s new husband, Nick (the current Santa Claus) had a disagreement with the deceased elf she’s mostly convinced that her husband didn’t have anything to do with the murder. Life is confusing enough for April leaving everything behind to head to a world she never knew existed for real – but having a snooty elf police chief insinuate that the only real suspect is your husband, well, that will get the investigative juices flowing and the stubbornness comes out in full force.
I had fun with this first story in the new series. Yes, I did guess the culprit early on but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the entire story – I not only wanted to know who, but how and why as well. I don’t read Cozy Mysteries to solve the puzzle… I enjoy them for the story that leads to solving the crime, I know eventually the culprit will be revealed.
If you love a good Cozy Mystery with a huge dash of North Pole sweetness, then you’d have fun with Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
April’s life changed completely when she learned Nick, the man she had fallen in love with, was Santa Claus. Now, she’s spending her first Christmas at the North Pole as Mrs. Claus. However, the stress of the holiday is nothing compared to the death of an elf. Giblet Hollyberry was not an especially popular elf, but his death comes the day after he had a very public fight with Santa. While the rest of the Claus clan doesn’t seem that concerned, April worries that the evidence is pointing toward her new husband. The North Pole isn’t normally a hotbed of crime, but it seems someone is doing their best to put Santa on the naughty list this year. Can April keep that from happening?
At its heart, this book is a cozy mystery, and it is a wonderful one. There are enough suspects, secrets, and clues to keep the reader engaged the entire way through the book. It’s the setting that makes the book stand out, and it is wonderfully done. It took me a bit to get the pictures from countless specials and movies out of my head, but April’s new world soon came fully to life for me. The characters, whether they are human or not, are very real, and I enjoyed meeting them here. And the book is overflowing with Christmas cheer – so much so that I had to start listening to some Christmas music while I was reading it. This book definitely deserves a place at the top of your nice list. I’m already looking forward to the sequel.
I think I read a book by this author many moons ago, and when I saw this one, I knew I had to give it a try. At first, I was just a tiny bit put off by all the Christmasy themes in this book. I also felt that maybe I had missed a book that happened before this one about how Mr. and Mrs. Claus had met. No, I hadn’t, and once I settled into the book, I was able to appreciate all the little Christmas themes. Not only that, I really hope there are more. Mrs. Claus and family along with the elves, snowmen, reindeer, and all the people in the village are great characters, and I’d love to see them again. I had an inkling who had done it, but the author was great at throwing red herrings in my path. This was a well-written mystery. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
I loved this book. I have to admit that at first, I thought Santa Claus and murders wouldn’t be a good fit but I was WRONG!
The world building was great-the elves, the reindeer, the snowmen etc. The Claus family is structured like a royal succession and April’s husband Nick is acting as a regent until his brother’s son Christopher is 21 and old enough to act as Santa Claus. Christopher’s father, Chris was the oldest brother but had recently died in an accident when chasing snow monsters. The oldest sibling is a female and not able to be Santa and there is also a younger brother Martin who is currently third in line but could be bumped down if Nick and April have children.
Nick has never wanted to be Santa-as the expression goes, he wasn’t born to wear the suit as his brothers were. This is his first Christmas as Santa and not only is he mourning Chris, he is stressed with the holidays. And then an elf is murdered (after he insinuates that Nick killed Chris) and than a snowman (who might have witnessed something relevant to the case) Nick appears to be the bad guy.
I highly recommend this, it is a fun read.
I received an ARC from Kensington via NetGalley but the opinions expressed are my own.
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland introduces readers To April and Nick Claus. A Christmas cozy mystery with a new look at the North Pole community and the families who reside there.
Newly married April has been in mild shock ever since she realized that her new husband is currently THE Santa Claus. She struggles through most of the story to integrate into Nick’s world at the North Pole. Even though Ms. Ireland took time to introduce the characters, I never really felt a connection to April or Nick.
A smoothly paced plot and the mystery is well-crafted with several twists and a dramatic reveal. April is determined to solve the murders in her new home and remove the suspicions around Nick.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
A Fun Christmas Murder Mystery! Very well written story a fast read that kept you guessing until the end on who did it. Loved the Santa Clause and Wife slant made for a fun read would read more from this author.
A Perfect Christmas Murder Mystery!
I loved this book! It is a well-executed murder mystery complete with wonderful characters, a well-thought-out plot and lots of action to keep the plot moving along. It was fun reading about Santaland and all its December traditions. I like Ms. Ireland’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her stories.
This series has gotta be one of the most original premises for a cozy series that I have ever seen! A widowed inn keeper has a vacation fling, quick wedding, and finds out she’s married to Santa Claus! And her first winter in Santaland brings with it murder and mayhem, and being a little bored and naturally curious, she decides to look into things for herself.
Very little of this story actually involves the romance of finding herself married to Santa Claus and moving to Santaland, and it is truly just a backdrop for the cozy mystery, which is at the forefront. We get a few flashbacks to their meeting, and I think we’ll get more and more tidbits as the series goes on, which I look forward to.
But first and foremost, this is a cozy mystery. The fact that we’re at the North Pole, with elves, and abominable snowmen, and a detective that is a distant cousin of Jack Frost, are really just icing on the cake. This book brought me so much joy and would be a great holiday read. I thought the mystery was top-notch, and did not predict the killer. I also recently finished the second book in this series, and it doesn’t disappoint, either, so I definitely recommend!
5 stars – 9/10
I thought this book was fun and very unique. Lots is happening and unexpected. Was surprised by the end. Just because you’re in Santaland doesn’t mean you should trust everyone.
This book wasn’t what I thought it would be. For one thing, it portrays Santaland in a way that I never thought of it. I always believe Santaland would be a happy place. I get that as the last Santa had recently passed away in an accident, (or was it?), some sadness would be there but this was beyond sadness. I would have never guessed so many in Santaland, including Santa’s own mother, were mean. Not even in Rudolph or with the misfit toys, the dentist elf or even little Fenwick was their so much negativity. I am not trying to sway you from reading this book. If you are looking for something that is not the usual happy Santaland story, this is your book! The mystery was a good one. Certainly a lot of characters could have been the culprit so you will have a lot to choose from. I might have given this a higher rating if it hadn’t been such a shock to my inner child and if I hadn’t been left with so many questions. For instance April, our sleuth and the current Mrs Claus, met her husband, dated a week, I think, agreed to marry him and after hearing he was Santa went off with him to Santaland. I would have enjoyed a lot more detail on that. I mean you know a guy a week who tells you he is Santa and you go off with him? Were you not sitting next to him with a voice in your head screaming at you, “Ted Bundy alert! You are going off with a lunatic to die in the woods. Maybe no one will find you. Get out! Get out!” Then she finds out there was a murder and her husband Ted, oops, I mean Nick, is the suspected killer. There were a few other things I was left with a need for more information on. Still,I was able to enjoy the mystery. I will probably read the next book because it is set at Halloween. I am hoping it was December stress and death that caused the negativity and we will have a lighter mood in Santaland. I am also looking forward to maybe some answers. The next book will be the deciding factor on whether or not I continue the series. I have started out books not enamored, but, by the second to third book the series totally picked up. My advice would be to try it if you are interested. We all bring our own feelings and expectations into our reading enjoyment. My three star could be your five star. Read it and find out.
Synopsis:
It’s the first Christmas in Santaland for April Claus–but it may also be her last unless she can uncover a villain with a killer Christmas wish. . .
Love is full of surprises–though few compare to realizing that you’re marrying the real-life Santa. April Claus dearly loves her new husband, Nick, but adjusting to life in the North Pole is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous elf named Giblet Hollyberry is killed–felled by a black widow spider in his stocking–shortly after publicly arguing with Nick.
Christmastown is hardly a hotbed of crime, aside from mishaps caused by too much eggnog, but April disagrees with Constable Crinkle’s verdict of accidental death. As April sets out to find the culprit, it’ll mean putting the future of Christmas on the line–and hoping her own name isn’t on a lethal naughty list . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well developed and well rounded. It was nice to meet April and Nick, but I would have preferred to meet them under different circumstances. There were a lot of characters to meet, and at times I got a little confused who was who. That is only my opinion and others may not agree with me. April has her hands full trying to find the killer of an unfriendly elf so that her husband does not take the blame.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and although I figured out the culprit fairly early, it did not detract from my enjoyment.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like Christmas sprinkled in with your reading, grab this book and enjoy.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE SANTALAND SLAYINGS by Liz Ireland
The First Mrs. Claus Mystery
Married life is always an adjustment, but April has an even bigger lifestyle change than most new brides when she marries Nick. Leaving her inn in Oregon she moves to the North Pole upon becoming Mrs. Claus. Things aren’t so holly jolly as she learns to deal with her mother in law and everything that’s expected of her as the wife of the current Santa. The death of an unpleasant elf leaves April concerned. While no one liked Giblet Hollyberry, it was her husband who had a run in with the elf. Add to the fact that he left their bedroom in the middle of the night and seems to be avoiding her, Alice realizes just how little she truly knows her new husband. Surely, Nick had nothing to do with Giblet’s death…but who did?
MRS. CLAUS AND THE SANTALAND SLAYINGS introduces readers to a very different version of Santa Claus and his village. The temperature may be frigid, but the North Pole is a hotbed of resentment, bullying, and drama. This is not a happy sylvan environment with yuletide spirit. It’s a place where reindeer are bullies, the Claus family is dysfunctional, and the majority of residents believe the current Santa is a murderer! Thrust in the midst is April, who fits in as well as her name. While she was a competent and efficient innkeeper in Oregon, in the North Pole she’s ill able to keep up and many of her projects have disastrous results.
I really enjoyed this darker look at a place that’s generally too sugar coated. I appreciate April’s doubts and her determination to prove them wrong. I admit, I’m not a huge fan of the current Santa, but he is several steps up from the one in the Rankin/Bass production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, although he does tell April basically to stay home. Probably my favorite character is Quasar. I feel so bad for this misfit who tries so hard.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE SANTALAND SLAYINGS is a darkly comic tale that combines a deftly plotted mystery with a new version of Santa’s village. If you’re suffering from too much sugary sweetness this holiday season, this book could be the cure!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
I’ve been on a huge cozy Chrismas kick and was so excited to read this one. Sad to say it didn’t quite bring the thrills and chills like I’d hoped. I didn’t dislike it BUT I didn’t love it either.
It was hard for me to get into this one as you’re just dropped into Nick & April’s relationship with little to nothing as far as their backstory. I was actually a tad confused when I started this and thought maybe I missed a book or 2. This continued to happen with other characters and seemed to be a constant thread throughout.
I did enjoy the unique storyline and of course the magical Christmas setting but that’s about as far as it went for me. I’m sure this will be perfect for other readers but just not for me.
If you’re ready to bury yourself into a good Christmas mystery, this is it. Liz Ireland’s new series introduces readers to April and Nick Claus (aka Mr. and Mrs. Santa). New bride April is having a hard time adjusting to the reality that she is now married to Santa and struggles to become part of his world in the North Pole.
When a grumpy elf is killed shortly after arguing with Santa, Santa becomes the prime suspect and Mrs. Santa has to find the real killer before Christmas is ruined.
This book is an easy and enjoyable read that will get you in the holiday spirit.
Note: I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher but opinions and reviews are my own.
Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings is the first in what will be a series, not sure exactly what the series is called, but right now, it looks like its the “Santaland Mysteries’. This Christmas book is very quirky; if the series holds true to this book, it will be an unusually series that hopefully won’t just put out books during the x-mas holiday.
The characters in this Christmas holiday book are unusual, to say the least. There are jealous and grumpy elves, talking reindeer, slow rambling snowmen, and then there are the Claus’. Not exactly your ho ho ho happy go lucky bunch. The matriarch tries her best to keep everyone upbeat, but it doesn’t work all the time. After a couple of murders, it becomes hard to keep smiling and happy, especially when the new Santa Claus is accused of murder.
There are a few suspects but not enough, and they all appear to have the same motive. There are some very unhappy elves, misfit reindeer that get picked on every time they go out in public, and abominable monsters who hunt the residents. The detective on the case only wears black and appears to have some magical abilities that are never really defined. The Christmas castle has areas that are falling apart, and no one seems to care that there are ice rats everywhere. All-in-all Christmastown doesn’t sound like a place anyone would want to visit, less alone live.
I found the story original; the mystery itself was done well. The person I thought was the killer ended up not being the bad guy. I was disappointed that we didn’t get more background for April and Nick’s meeting, getting married, or on April’s first husband. There is some info, but it’s piecemealed together and doesn’t give readers a good cohesive idea of who April is or what she has been through. All of this said Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings had moments of happiness and humor. It paints Christmas in a new light and shows that even Santa can have crazy days. I did not hate the characters; a couple of them were terrific. I smiled at the idea of an elf riding on a snowmobile. I loved the coffee shop and Juniper. I would like to have rated this book higher, but I felt it had some issues that hopefully will be addressed in the next book.