A Secret Santa—with a secret!Security expert for a British bank by day, horse trainer at night, Izzy Paterson is a multi-tasking, dressage-riding, computer whiz with an addiction to strong coffee and a penchant for CSI on Netflix. So when she’s handed a perplexing riddle at her office Christmas party, she just can’t ignore the mystery.Penned by a modern-day Robin Hood, the anonymous rhyme hints … Robin Hood, the anonymous rhyme hints at financial misconduct that could put the future of everyone at her work in danger.
Despite herself, Izzy is drawn into solving the puzzle, delving into the furthest reaches of the internet in her quest to track down the mysterious wrongdoer. Can she solve the mystery before the company implodes, or before her adversary takes things from the virtual to the physical—and still get home to Scotland in time for Christmas?
:: Fans of M C Beaton, T E Kinsey and Meghan Scott Molin will love this heart-warming festive story, the prequel to the Highland Horse Whisperer cozy mystery series. Grab your copy of The Secret Santa Mystery and experience the festive season in London for yourself!
more
At the annual bank Christmas gathering, Izzy Paterson’s Secret Santa gift includes a cryptic riddle hinting that someone at Bleubank is siphoning off vast amounts of cash: enough cash to make a difference in Bleubank’s solvency. The next week at work, Izzy, the lead IT security analyst, gets the assignment to track down the high-tech thief.
What a great introduction to Izzy and other characters that play a significant role in the Highland Horse Whisperer series! The writing was excellent, the story flowed, and the characters came alive for me. The equestrian theme is interesting and maintains just the right balance with the mystery as not to overwhelm the reader. The mystery was solid, and its resolution really sets the stage for why Izzy and her friend, Trinity, are heading to new jobs at the actual start of the series. The series has a great backstory, and this is a very generous background prequel.
Received a free copy from author for a review. Very entertaing and interesting cozy mystery. Loved the characters and the story.
A delightful holiday mystery, which begins with a note in a Secret Santa gift…. This is quite an intriguing start to a series full of potential…our main character, Isobel (or Izzy for short), is an IT Specialist by day at a bank in Britain. A poem she receives via a Secret Santa reveals some disconcerting information…someone(s) has plans that will place the bank and all involved in financial jeopardy. Izzy begins an intrepid investigation that places her safety at risk. There are some tricky clues and a cast of characters who may or may not be trustworthy. And to top it all off, our quirky Izzy is quite the horsewoman in her off hours with a sense of humor, a moral compass, and a kind heart. While she is mentally intelligent, she’s working on her social and emotional intelligences…an interesting journey, can’t wait to see her continue to grow! I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving an honest and delighted review!
The is the prequel to a new series The Highland Horse Whisperer Mysteries. The actual first book in the series A Corpse in the Castle is due out in March of 2020. This series will be under R.B. Marshall. I am glad that I was able to read the Prequel, not because I think it was necessary before starting the series but I enjoy having that background and understanding of where the author was coming from when first starting a series. I find it helpful when I’m trying to get invested in the characters. This book isn’t action packed so it doesn’t move quickly, although it is an easy read and a good one. It was a little more on the slow and steady, not boring but not fast paced. It is a very good backstory, I really enjoyed the mystery, never saw it coming, but it took me a little bit longer than it should because I was able to put it down and come back to it.
However, given all of that, I really did enjoy the storyline, the plot and especially the characters. I most definitely have every intention of continuing with the series as the year comes and the books come out so I do recommend this one to get a taste for the characters that will be coming your way in future adventures. I also really enjoy the idea of someone who happens to be better with computers and horses than with people learn how to find the joy with others and solve mysteries to boot.
The Secret Santa Mystery is a short story combining danger and suspense with comedy. Izzy is modern day Nancy Drew. Great for all ages.
There are so many potential places for this story to fall apart – but it never does! Izzy is established from the start as a competent savvy character – there’s no knight in shining armour in this book, and it is richer for it. Roz Marshall throws out hints, confuses the reader, adds irrelevancies – and has created a mystery to enjoy, characters that are friends by the end of the book, and, in this reader at least, a deep desire for more of Izzy and Team Leo – not to mention Dev if he’s around.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.