A crackling Christmas mystery that combines murder and blackmail at a holiday office party, in a mashup reminiscent of Big Little Lies and Clue. There are only a few rules in a White Elephant gift exchange: 1) Everyone brings a wrapped, unmarked gift. 2) Numbers are drawn to decide who picks first. 3) Gifts don’t need to be pricey–and often they’re downright tacky. But things are a little … tacky.
But things are a little different in Aspen, Colorado, at the office holiday party for the real estate firm owned by Henry Calhoun and his wife Claudine. Each Christmas sparks a contest among the already competitive staff to see who can buy the most coveted gift: the one that will get stolen the most times, the one that will prove just how many more commissions they earned that year than their colleagues. Designer sunglasses, deluxe spa treatments, front row concert tickets–nothing is off the table. And the staff is even more competitive this year as Zara, the hottest young pop star out of Hollywood, is in town and Claudine is determined to sell her the getaway home of her dreams.
Everyone is puzzled when a strange gift shows up in the mix: an antique cowboy statue. At least the sales agents are guessing it’s an antique–otherwise it’d be a terrible present. It’s certainly not very pretty or expensive-looking. In fact, the gift makes sense only to Henry and Claudine. The statue is the weapon Henry used to commit a murder years ago, a murder that helped start his company and a murder that Claudine helped cover up. She swore that no one would ever be able to find the statue or trace it to their crime. So which of their employees did? And why did they place it in the White Elephant? What could possibly be their endgame?
Over the course of the evening, Henry and Claudine race to figure out who could have planted the weapon, and just what the night means for the secrets they’ve been harboring. Further adding to the drama is a snowstorm that closes nearby roads–preventing anyone from leaving, as well as keeping law enforcement from the scene. And by the end of this crazy night, the police will most definitely be required…
more
Light novel about a murder mystery that happened 20 years earlier. Push real estate agents, Claudine and Henry are trying to sell an extravagant mansion in Aspen when a pop singer, Zara, shows interest. They invite Zara to their office party celebration, a White Elephant exchange, to be held at the mansion. The mansion is the site of the decades old murders.
Told in several voices, this is a short, light whodunit.
# WhiteElephant #TrishHarnetiaux
The Secret Santa
It’s beginning to look a lot like murder…
by Trish Harnetiaux
287 pages
3
Pub Date 31 Oct 2019
Description
THIS YEAR, YOU’LL GET WHAT YOU DESERVE…
_____________________
A lavish party.
An isolated mansion.
Two hosts who will do anything to protect their secrets.When husband and wife Henry and Claudine organise their company’s Christmas party in a remote mansion, they expect it to be a night to remember.But the festive mood quickly turns sour when a sinister gift is unwrapped in the Secret Santa gift exchange.As heavy snow traps the guests inside the mountainside lodge, it quickly becomes clear that one of the party is out for revenge.It’s no longer just about enduring the evening. It’s about making sure you get out alive.
MY REVIEW
In the us the book is wrote under the name White Elephant.
None of the characters were likable at all except Zara . Which made it very too hard to get into. Far too much time was spent on the background of each character. The story made me think of a lifetime movie. I was about 35 % into it and about ready to give up on it before it really got good. The timeline flips from the present to past. It is a fast paced short read that will not take you long to read. Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheSecretSanta #NetGalley
A white elephant gift exchange is usually full of raucous laughter and stealing of gifts. But this time the white elephant gift is met with silence and a look of horror. This gift is a memory from the past and it is not funny, in fact it is a memory of murder.
A good mystery book to start the holidays. Thank you Netgalley, Publisher, Simon Schuster and author, Trish Harnetiaux for an ARC. I voluntarily read this book and the comments and review are my honest opinion.
White Elephant is a multiple point of view, slow burn mystery set in Aspen, Colorado. Attendees of a real estate agency holiday party end up snowed in with the rich celebrity client they are hoping will buy the home where they’re throwing the party. One of the gifts entered in the white elephant gift exchange during the party is the murder weapon from crimes committed years earlier. Who brought the weapon and why?
The novel runs on two timelines. In present day, they are preparing for then attending the holiday party. In flashbacks we learn about when Claudine and Henry’s relationship and business began, and about the crimes committed with the “gift”.
The characters were interesting. I loved the snowed-in set up and the utilization of the gift exchange. I appreciated that the emotional repercussions of being involved in a murder years prior were not ignored. Readers who enjoy slow burn mysteries strongly focused on the events and psychological aspects leading up to the crime will likely enjoy this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #WhiteElephant #mystery
An unusual mystery with vile characters that you love to hate! If you attend a White Elephant gift exchange, your expectations will never be the same.
This isn’t a deep and thought-provoking book. But if you want to satisfy a guilty pleasure by reading about vicious and vile characters—try this one! Although somewhat predictable, it hooked me from the start. I had to know what these wealthy, back-stabbing characters were going to do next!
The Christmas party and White Elephant game sounded like an exciting and original component for a mystery. I host a get together every year and the gift exchange is the best part. I’m going to have high expectations for the gift I receive this year…wow!!! These people know how to shop, but their party is too well-ordered and dramatic for me, lol.
”Say now, young friend, it’s holiday time!
With snow and gifts and cheese and wine.
The night you wait for with all your heart
When at last the White Elephant game will start.
What awaits you wrapped tightly in ribbons and bows?
Mystery, excitement, and likely some woes.
The game is designed to expose your true nature
It is not for those afraid of a little danger.
Go forth, be bold, take the gift that speaks to you
Even steal from your neighbor if you want to.
Be nasty, not nice, take what you like best
Now is the time to put your treachery to the test.”
I was drawn to the setting of Aspen. I live in Colorado, so that always peaks my interest in a book. The author brings the cold, snowy winter scenery of Colorado to life! I’m nowhere close to giving up summer, but it made me want to curl up by a cozy fire while reading the story.
Zara is my favorite character. She is currently the hottest pop-star in Hollywood. A bit eccentric, but surprisingly smart and talented. A refreshing change from what I initially expected from the young singer. She is drawn to Aspen, because she’s obsessed with the events surrounding Claudine Longet, Spider Sabich and Andy Williams.
The book references the real-life murder. And contains interesting facts and details about those involved. It’s gratifying to read a fiction novel about Colorado that uses actual events, landmarks and facts. It invites you to research the actual incident…which I love. That alone added a star to my rating! It might not be as interesting to someone without a connection to Colorado, but I truly enjoyed it.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Trish Harnetiaux and Simon & Schuster for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
@trishharnetiaux @simonschuster #WhiteElephant @NetGalley @weiss_squad
My Rating: 4 ’s
Published: October 29th 2019 by Simon Schuster
Pages: 240
Recommend: Yes