The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Available now

CW: For a complete list, check out The StoryGraph.

Did I finally read my Christmas book in February? Yes. Did I care that it was a Christmas book and it was February? Nope. Not at all and neither should you.

From the Publisher:

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days before Christmas.
Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:
She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.
He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.
She hates his guts.
He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)
But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.
That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.
She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?
As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

This book is an absolute delight! It’s a “kick your feet, giggle non-stop, can’t stop grinning” type of romance. Every element of this story is a sexy wink and a nod to cozy mysteries. It takes our favorite elements of the trope, gives them a cheeky wink, and then dials it up to maximum. I mean, a cryptic invitation to travel across the world at Christmas and secret passageways? Come on! I don’t usually care for rivals to lovers but this book executes it perfectly. The banter is top notch and there is a real, legit reason for the them to be rivals and for them to fall for each other. It’s a delightful mix of mystery, romance, and humor that is well written and makes for a compelling read, I loved every single page of this book and considering it comes in under 300 pages in hardback, yay for shorter books!, it’s easy to enjoy it in just one sitting. Don’t let the Christmas theme keep you from enjoying this book now. You can always reread it next December.

If you would like to add this amazing book to your shelf, you can click on the cover for ordering information or check out Book of the Month where this was my December 2024 pick. RIght now, if you use my referral link you can get your first book for $5. I think I get a free book out of the deal.

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