by Lois Winston
(See my REVIEW of Drop Dead Ornaments after the “About the Book” blurb.)
AND a chance to win a free copy of the book!
Drop Dead Ornaments (An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery)
by Lois Winston
About the Book
Drop Dead Ornaments (An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Self Published
Print Length: 209 pages
ASIN: B07GMZ2H4B
Not listed on GoodReads yet.
Anastasia Pollack’s son Alex is dating Sophie Lambert, the new kid in town. For their community service project, the high school seniors have chosen to raise money for the county food bank. Anastasia taps her craft industry contacts to donate materials for the students to make Christmas ornaments they’ll sell at the town’s annual Holiday Crafts Fair.
At the fair Anastasia meets Sophie’s father, Shane Lambert, who strikes her as a man with secrets. She also notices a woman eavesdropping on their conversation. Later that evening when the woman turns up dead, Sophie’s father is arrested for her murder.
Alex and Sophie beg Anastasia to find the real killer, but Anastasia has had her fill of dead bodies. She’s also not convinced of Shane’s innocence. Besides, she’s promised younger son Nick she’ll stop risking her life. But how can she say no to Alex?
About the Author
About the Author
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.
Author Links
Website: www.loiswinston.com
Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/anasleuth
Twitter at https://twitter.com/Anasleuth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/722763.Lois_Winston
Newsletter sign-up: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z1z1u5
Purchase Links
DROP DEAD ORNAMENTS TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 22 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
October 22 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 22 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
October 23 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
October 23 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 23 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT
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October 24 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 25 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
October 26 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
October 26 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 27 – T’s Stuff – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 27 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Readeropolis – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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October 29 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
October 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 30 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST
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November 1 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
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November 2 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
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November 3 – The Self-Rescue Princess – REVIEW
November 3 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
November 4 – My Devotional Thoughts – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 4 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
November 4 – Curling Up by the Fire – REVIEW
My REVIEW – 4-STARS
Lois Winston’s cozy craft mystery “Drop Dead Ornaments” is an enjoyable “kiddie” roller-coaster ride, with secrets and clues tugging the reader this way and that, and gentle climbs and drops of suspense and revelation to keep them reading.
Anastasia Pollock begins the story already traumatized from a previous case. She is cared for by her two teenage sons, Alex and Nick, and her macho boyfriend Zack who may have a mysterious occupation. The one nod to crafting is early on at a community Craft Faire where high school senior, Alex, his girlfriend, Sophie, and their entire class are ‘making a bundle’ selling the beautiful glass Christmas Ornaments that they made to benefit the local food bank.
Sophie’s dad, obviously moneyed, but a pure gentleman, has offered to match the funds raised. He makes an appearance at the Faire, along with a vague female character who seems to be stalking the father and daughter. When this woman is later found dead after talking to him, guess who’s the chief suspect?
Sophie, Alex and eventually Anastasia believe him to be innocent and investigate. They get a lot of surprising good will from Detective Spader, who almost seems to be at Anastasia’s beck and call.
For most of the story, there’s no one else to suspect, but eventually Anastasia and her boyfriend turn up a couple, then several possible bad guys. In a suspenseful scene Anastasia single-handedly makes quick work of one of them, who, under the ski-mask turns out to be— I’m not telling!
All’s well that ends VERY well for all parties, making this a “good-feeling” story ending. “Drop Dead Ornaments” is not a heart-pounder nor mind-teaser mystery, but it’s a fun, relaxing cozy book that fits well in your down time.
The reasons for the 4-star rating are 1) the three male names are too similar. I had to stop several times to remember which was which between Alex, Nick and Zack, and 2) the inclusion of Anastasia’s colorful (indeed!) but absolutely annoying and distracting mother and mother-in-law. My advice? Knock them both off in future books.
Included at the back of the book are five amazing no-crafting-talent-required glass ball Christmas ornaments to make for the season. Worth the price of the book!
Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book for review from the publisher
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