On this bright, sunny Friday morning my day begins with a bit of cuddle time with my sweet kitty, Raven. It’s the weekend before Christmas here in Seaside Cove, and while Florida may not have snow, bitter winds, or icy sidewalks like they do up north, we more than make up for it in holiday cheer. Arriving at Paddy’s Pub, owned and operated by yours truly along with my Aunt Maeve and Uncle Paddy, I see things are ready for the weekend.

But the bigger matter this morning is what’s happening outside on Main Street. Our town’s first Christmas Market is gearing up to open tonight. It was originally my suggestion, and since I have a fair bit of experience organizing parties and events, I’m unofficially the one in charge. That was, until Clara Banning swooped in with her clipboard and trademark micromanaging style. I’m fine with it. The pub keeps me plenty busy. But I really should’ve braced for impact.

While helping Aunt Maeve set up her booth for the Coffee Corner, Clara stops by to announce that she’s addressed the problem of the pottery artists’ completely inappropriate table cover. Personally, I think the burlap suits their handmade mugs just fine. She almost catches me rolling my eyes when she whirls around to remind us to label our Bailey’s Glazed Donut Holes as containing alcohol. Teehee… she doesn’t notice my sarcastic Yes, ma’am salute as she marches off.

Once our booth is finished, I stroll down Main Street to see if anyone else needs a hand. Hal and Nettie Nickerson, our beloved Santa and Mrs. Claus, are ready to go. They’re a little nervous since this is a much bigger event than they’ve ever done before, but they’re thrilled to have a pair of elves to help corral the kids and snap photos while the little ones whisper their Christmas wishes.

Next, I head up the street to our bookstore’s booth, where an author friend is launching her coffee table book of stunning local photographs. Just as I’m admiring the display, Clara storms past me again, heels clicking like warning bells. I turn to see who’s in her crosshairs this time.

It’s an older man dressed as a leprechaun in his cheerful booth overflowing with Irish trinkets and tinsel. The setup might be a little uneven, but it’s part of the appeal. But not even close to Clara’s standards. The Irish vendor turns on a bit of charm, but Clara isn’t having any of it. As I watch the scene play out, I feel sorry for him and so does Ella Winchester, our local tarot card reader and reluctant psychic. In a hushed voice she says, “If someone doesn’t wind up dead by Sunday, I’d be surprised.”

By the way things are going… I must admit, I agree with her.

THE ELF DID IT – A “Katie Murphy” Mystery, Book 7
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: November 2025
Format: Digital, Print
Purchase Link

Seaside Cove’s first Christmas Market has transformed Main Street into a twinkling winter wonderland. Strolling paths are lined with cheerful booths run by local artists, crafters, and food vendors, while the sounds of live music and the sweet scents of peppermint fudge, cinnamon-roasted nuts, and buttery shortbread drift on the breeze. The town’s children pose for photographs with Santa Claus while telling him their Christmas wishes.

But the holiday cheer comes to a crashing halt when Clara, the cantankerous woman running the market, is found dead behind the Santa’s sleigh photo station. Suspicion quickly lands on Reed, the grumpy part-time actor playing one of Santa’s elves, who’d been seen arguing with the victim that very day.

Witness accounts don’t add up, and the mystery deepens when children’s drawings depict a shadowy figure near the sleigh. They insist it was an elf. Or was it a leprechaun? The confusion only grows thanks to a vendor in an Irish getup peddling questionable “authentic” wares.

With the help of pint-sized witnesses, a few quirky holiday traditions, and Ella Winchester’s sixth sense, Katie must untangle this tinsel-covered mystery before the killer strikes again. Because in Seaside Cove, it’s beginning to look a lot like… murder.

About the author
Suzanne Bolden is the author of the Katie Murphy Cozy Mystery series, set in the charming seaside town of Seaside Cove, Florida, where community spirit, witty humor, and a dash of murder keep readers coming back for more. She also wrote the Parker Photography Cozy Mystery series, featuring globe-trotting photographer Jackie Parker. She is currently working on adding more books in the Pameroy Mystery series for middle-grade readers under the name Brenda Felber. Her stories are filled with heart, small-town charm, and characters you’ll want as your own neighbors, much like the central Wisconsin area she lives in. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling for research, visiting warmer climates for winter, and finding inspiration in everyday life, fortified by a good cup of coffee!