Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder by Sara Rosett is the 7th book in the “Ellie Avery” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, October 2012

Super organizer Ellie Avery could really use some Christmas cheer when Gabrielle Matheson, a grinchy professional rival, sets up shop in the same small Georgia town. But before the halls are even halfway decked with holly, someone uses Ellie’s terrifically tasteless white elephant swap gift as …a murder weapon! Ellie’s now a suspect. Besides playing Mrs. Santa for her Air Force pilot husband and their two kids, shielding her eyes from the garishly over-decorated house down the street, and helping a client who’s a hardcore hoarder, Ellie also has to solve this ho-ho-homicide …and find a killer who wishes her a very deadly Christmas.

This was an action-filled, fast paced story that entertained me as the author gave us plenty of suspects to pin the murder on what a field it was. The tone of the story kept me rooted to the pages as I had to know what happens next and every time I thought I had the killer figured out, another clue pointed in another direction. Boasting a solid storyline, great conversation and wonderful cast of characters, this was a great read, one of the best in the series and I’m looking forward to the next book in this delightfully appealing series.