It’s Christmas in Edindale, Illinois, and family law attorney Keli Milanni is preparing to celebrate the Wiccan holiday Yuletide, a celebration of rebirth. But this Yuletide someone else is focused on dying . . . After years of practicing in secret, Keli has come out as a Wiccan to her boyfriend, and she feels like this Yuletide she’s the one who’s being reborn. But the Solstice is the … But the Solstice is the longest night of the year, and Keli is about to stumble on a mystery so dangerous, she’ll be lucky to make it to morning.
Paired with her unbearably stuffy colleague Crenshaw Davenport III, Keli goes undercover at a real estate company owned by mayoral candidate Edgar Harrison. An old friend of Keli’s boss, Harrison, is being blackmailed, and it’s up to her to find the culprit. But the morning after the company holiday party, Harrison is found dead underneath the hotel Christmas tree. The police rule the death an accident, but Keli knows better—and she’ll risk her own rebirth to nab a missing killer.
“Enjoyable . . . A wintry, woodsy setting.” —Kirkus Reviews on Bell, Book and Candlemas
more
It’s almost Christmas in Edindale, Illinois although Wiccan attorney, Keli Milanni, is celebrating Yule. Keli has been a solitary Wiccan for years, practicing in secret. However, she did recently come out to her boyfriend, Wes, and her best friend, Farrah. On the work front, Keli and fellow attorney, Crenshaw, have been asked to go undercover at a real estate agency owned by a dear friend of their boss, Edgar Harrison. Edgar is being blackmailed and it’s hoped that they can find the person involved without any publicity. But when Edgar is found dead after his company holiday party, things get risky. The police initially believe it was an accident but Keli has a bad feeling and is drawn into the investigation. She is soon plagued with the sense of being followed, faced with an accident, and has had prowlers at her home.
I’m really enjoying this series which I found quite by accident. I love the Wiccan element which is done well, letting the reader know that Wicca is a wonderful spiritual path and is not something to be feared. The book is well-written with well-rounded characters, some who are likable and others who are not. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
I’m not much of a cozy mystery reader. In fact, this may have been only the 3rd cozy that I’ve ever made it through. But I couldn’t wait to get to this book every evening after I put the kids to bed. Though not the first in the series, I had little trouble falling right into the story. After finishing I immediately bought another in the series and will probably be starting it soon as I finish my current read.
Yuletide Homicide by Jennifer David Hesse is the third story in A Wiccan Wheel Mystery series. Keli Milanni is a lawyer at the law firm of Olsen, Sykes and Rafferty. Keli is called into Beverly’s office (her boss) along with Crenshaw Davenport III (an overbearing colleague). One of their clients, Edgar Harrison of Harrison Properties LLC is being blackmailed. Beverly would like them to work Edgar’s offices and attempt to locate the culprit. Edgar has just announced that he is running for mayor of Edindale in the next election. Keli is at the Harrison Properties Christmas party at the Harrison Hotel and is surprised when her old college boyfriend, Mick MacIntyre shows up (he is a piece of work). Later that night, Keli gets a call from Mick asking her to return to the hotel. Keli notices a small Christmas tree knocked over and Edgar dead nearby. Police rule the death an accident, but Keli knows he was murdered. She sets out to discover who was blackmailing Edgar and sent him plunging to his death.
Yuletide Homicide had a mystery with medium complexity, and I believe some readers will be surprised by the outcome. Keli, though, was annoying and lackluster in this installment in A Wiccan Wheel Mystery series. The Wiccan elements did nothing to enhance or add to the story. Another unnecessary element was the return of Keli ex-boyfriend. The only reason it seemed he was added was to get Keli to return to the hotel. His storyline was left unfinished. I am giving Yuletide Homicide 3 out of 5 stars. I was glad to see the action pick up towards the end of the story. The book lags in the middle while Keli does her investigating (questioning). If you are looking for a feel-good Christmas cozy, I suggest you keep looking.
Yuletide Homicide by Jennifer David Hesse is the third in her Wiccan Wheel Mystery series and the best yet. I love this series and am always eager to read the next book.
Kelli is celebrating Yule and assigned by her boss, Beverly, to investigate a blackmailing scheme of one of her close friends, Edgar Harrison. Beverly has also asked Crenshaw to assist Kelli in the investigation. Just as they begin to investigate, the friend is found dead after his holiday ball. Unfortunately, Kelli found the body and she “knows” this was no accident. The plot is smooth and fast with plenty of suspects to look at as Kelli begins to research Edgar’s past. It was great to see more of Farrah, Wes and even Crenshaw again. The characters are developing and growing within each book. I enjoyed being able to learn more about the Wiccan religion as the story progressed. Ms. Hesse has written a cozy mystery with a touch of paranormal that I couldn’t put down until the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Attorney Keli Milanni is at it again. While preparing to celebrate the Wiccan Holiday Yuletide, a celebration of rebirth she finds another dead body. Only this time, she is the only one who thinks it’s homicide.
Keli has come out as a Wiccan to her boyfriend, Wes. Stunningly enough, he doesn’t seem to have any issue with her beliefs and practices, and she is feeling relieved and happy. When her boss gives her and her patronizing colleague Crenshaw a last-minute job just before the Christmas break, she is reluctant but digs in and gets started.
Crenshaw and Keli go undercover at a real estate company owned by mayoral candidate Edgar Harrison. Edgar is an old friend of Keli’s boss. Apparently, Harrison is being blackmailed. It’s up to her to find the culprit. As luck would have it, the morning after the company holiday party, she finds Harrison dead under a hotel Christmas tree. The police rule the death an accident, but Keli doesn’t think it was an accident and sets out to prove it.
—
Series: A Wiccan Wheel Mystery–Book 3
Author: Jennifer David Hesse
Genre: Paranormal/Witch Cozy
Publisher: Kensington
Yuletide Homicide is the third book in the “A Wiccan Wheel Mystery” series. The new book offers a great story with lots of colorful characters and locations. Jennifer David Hesse has crafted characters that are charming, witty, full of vitality, well-rounded and easily relatable.
Keli is an unusual person, not only is she a practicing attorney, she is also a practicing Wiccan. Her normal routine of solo practicing has its ups and downs, mainly when she needs help solving a crime. That is when she calls on her friends, and fellow Wiccan, Mila. Mila is a perfect example of the type of people Keli needs in her life.
The characters of Farrah and Wes are equally important in Keli’s life. Farrah is always willing to jump in and help Keli with an investigation. While Wes is protective and supportive even when he is worried that Keli is getting involved in dangerous situations.
Although this book is an excellent addition to the series, it would have been nice if Mila and the other coven members had played a bigger role in helping Keli with her investigation. Also, Keli’s aversion to being involved with a coven, although not uncommon is getting to be a bit much without any real explanation. Her interactions with the coven would enhance the story and series. The returning characters are interesting and evolving, but overall the story could benefit by bringing in new characters that would make the story even more enjoyable for the long term.
The unmasking of the killer and the motive are original. All the readers’ questions are answered, and most will not guess who the killer is until the end of the book. Readers may have some trouble picking up the clues as to the murderer’s identification but not so difficult as to make the ending unbelievable.
This is a well written and entertaining book. Yuletide Homicide will keep the reader on the edge of their seat with twists and turns while anxiously waiting to turn the page to find out what happens next. This book and series are highly recommended to anyone who enjoys their mystery with a touch of magic.