Dru’s Short Musing:
When Charlie finds a dead body in her rental, she becomes the main person of interest in her new hometown, and she’ll do everything possible to clear her name.
This is a wonderfully crafted whodunit that I could not put down until all was said and done. The author did a terrific job in setting this up with a multi-plot storyline, and a well-executed mystery with a comfortable tone and crisp writing. The suspect pool was small, but it was the interactions with the murder victim that made them worthy of being a person of interest as well. With visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue, and a small-town atmosphere put me in the middle of all non-stop action as Charlie looked for clues that would lead the police down a different path. When I thought I knew who was responsible for the murder, the author changed direction which enhanced my reading pleasure. When all the pieces fell into place, it was fun watching it all play out as the killer’s motive and identity was revealed. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to more adventures with Charlie and her friends.
Series: A Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery, Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: June 16, 2026
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
Book Synopsis:
Murder is under the mistletoe in the peaceful island community of Orca Cove.
Holiday plans are put on hold to give attention to the grand opening of the Wiggle Butt Manor Agility Course. Special guest, Bently, is supposed to dazzle on the stage, but the locals have had enough of his snooty trainer, Miles Collins. So has his killer. When Charlie Calderbank finds Miles’ body in the back of her moving van, it becomes the season of giving…alibis, that is. Her hopes for a Christmas romance are dashed when the local hot cop is forced to pay more attention to the clues leading to her door than the chemistry that simmers between them.
Tainted treats, a widow who raises a toast along with a few eyebrows, a groomer with a grudge, an angry Santa Claus, a nosey reporter, and a canine custody hearing have Charlie spinning in every direction, juggling clues, dogs, and blizzards. She must identify the killer, or she’ll spend her Christmas behind bars.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author.