Recent Reads: Slay Bells Ring by Mona Marple

Slay Bells Ring by Mona Marple

Series: A Christmas Cozy Mystery Series Book 2
Publisher: Aspen Park Publishing
Publication Date:  May 21, 2024 

 

Format: Ebook
Source: Freebie during a stuff your Kindle day. Also available on Kindle Unlimited as of the time of this posting. 

Rating:


Synopsis: 

Welcome to Candy Cane Hollow, where every day feels like Christmas!
It's New Year's Eve in Candy Cane Hollow.

This winter wonderland may look festive and be home to the Claus Family, but all is not as it seems. The festivities take a turn for the bizarre when the giant glitter ball comes crashing down on cantankerous elf chef, Greasy. Chief Superintendent Wiggles is sure the death is just a tragic accident, but Holly isn't so sure. Greasy was lots of things, but it appears that popular wasn't one of them. 

Holly begins her own investigation with the eager help of Mrs Claus, while dimpled Nick Claus warns them both to be careful.
Was the death an accident? Or is that a false ho-ho-hope? 

Slay Bells Ring is a festive cozy mystery and second in an exciting new series by popular author Mona Marple. 

Review: 

We are still in Candy Cane Hollow with Holly in the second installment of these holiday cozy mysteries. With Holly's appearance in town, things are really getting riled up. She got there and there was a murder, which she helped to solve. It is now coming up on New Years Eve and there is a huge town ball... sadly in a crazy turn of events the disco ball falls from the ceiling on top of an elf.  Holly is convinced that it is also a murder, decor like that doesn't often fall and hit anyone. 

Holly is trying to find out if it was a murder or just a very unlikely coincidence. She is still her determined self but is less lonely with the Claus familty and in the Candy Cane Hollow setting.

This book had the same flow and vibes as the last one - cozy mystery, clean romance, and lots of holiday themes. And like the last one, I only really had an issue with the timeline... in a week there have been 2 murders.... what the heck! I guess the holidays just make people crazy. 

What I like about these books is just how simple they really are - they are full of festive feels and while murder mysteries, they are pretty light and just fun to read. This book also has a bit more romance, but I won't spoil it for new readers. If you liked the first one, this is a good follow up, but very similar overall.