What’s not to love about this triple mystery filled with some of my favorite characters? Small towns are filled with hidden dangers—especially during the most time of the year! I didn’t figure out the mystery this time, but I had fun trying!

Christmas Mittens Murder is three short stories by three authors. It was cute and fun and I’m grateful I got to read it! Thanks NetGalley

Who knew mittens could be so murderous? In this three story collection from three of my "go-to" authors, the common thread is mittens. Innocent ones, cursed ones, and murder weapon ones. I won't detail the stories as the blub does an excellent job but will say they were quick, easy reads and made you think. I was most taken by Maddie Day's "Murderous Mittens" which is the introduction of a new character/series for Day starring Cece as the new sleuth in town. This novella gives us her background and explains how she got to where she is in the series, which was great. As it happens I have the first of that series, "Murder Uncorked", in my "to be reviewed" pile. Looking forward to it all the more now.

Lee Hollis' "Death of a Christmas Mitten Knitter" was quite quick paced and features a favorite character of mine, Hayley Powell. I couldn't help but chuckle aloud as she lamented in one of her regular columns how she almost failed home ec in high school. Not being very domestic oriented, I definitely could related to that one. She's great at solving crimes, however.

"Two Christmas Mittens" by Lynn Cahoon, quite frankly, made me heave a sigh of relief when I realized I definitely don't own a pair of red gloves. Set in the magical Magic Springs, Idaho, it involves witches and food, not to mention family dynamics and Mia's struggles to keep her business alive. She's also a bit of a "witch-in-training" for lack of a better term although, quite frankly, she'd prefer to be cooking. Her best friend has been cursed by those seemingly innocuous red mittens, however, and the rush is on to both break the curse and find a murderer.

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to sate my appetite for Christmas spirits in such a fun way.

Three novellas all regarding mittens. Who knew mittens could be deadly.

First we start with Lee Hollis and Hayley Powell at a Christmas bazaar. Where the knitting circles fight publicly and one of them is killed with a knitting needle.

Then a Tale of Two magical mittens that are used to curse and kill.

Last, Maddie Day novella. I haven't read any of their books before so I was quite confused on who was who and what was happening.

Overall a delightful book. A fast read with some fantastic mysteries.

Here's another terrific Christmas-themed short story collection of 3 stories centering on Christmas mittens.

As usual, the Lee Hollis story is excellent. I've never read any of her full-length mysteries but I've enjoyed all of her short stories. Here, food writer Hayley Powell helps solve a murder at a church's annual Christmas bazaar.

The second one was my least favorite. I've enjoyed Lynn Cahoon's full-length and short story mysteries. This one isn't bad but witch-related stories just aren't my thing.

The third one, by one of my favorite mystery authors, Maddie Day, was my favorite. In it, she introduces a new character, Cece Barton, who solves a murder done with a bocce ball inside a Christmas mitten. As a series, this series will have great potential and I'm looking forward to more.

Overall, an excellent trio of Christmas short stories, which I'd recommend to cozy fans.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher. I have enjoyed all three of these author’s series. I was especially excited to see Maddie Day new character for her Cece Barton Mysteries. I love being able to read novellas by favorite authors and these three Christmas Mitten murders didn’t disappoint. I look forward to reading more books from these authors.

Three brilliant cosy crime authors have each written a Christmas story with mittens at their heart and all were great reads. I was only familiar with Lynn Cahoon's characters but as the third story by Maddie Day was a prequel to her new series out later in the year and the first story by Lee Hollis was easy to follow so I was never confused.

Although the stories had mittens and murder in common that was where the similarities ended and a varied and enjoyably festive reading experience was provided even though at the time the temperature in England was in the 30s!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great read for fans of all three authors and festive readers alike. Recommended.

While I enjoyed the offering by Lee Hollis in the 'Christmas Mittens Murder' anthology, to me it was the only one that was tolerable. I love Lynn Cahoon, but completely avoid her Kitchen Witch series. I found Maddie Day's take on current day stances off-putting. I guess I just simply expected a simple, cozy Christmas anthology.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is a collection of 3 novellas by 3 authors, with a “Mittens” common element”

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS MITTEN KNITTER by LEE HOLLIS
I have long been a fan of Lee Hollis’ mysteries featuring the protagonist, Hayley Powell. Hayley is a food writer for a local newspaper, and now owns a restaurant in this newest novella.
As in all previous books, the cast of colorful characters I love interact with new ones, and a murder ensues. It is up to Hayley to find out “whodunnint”.
This novella is full of Christmas the plot is clever and believable. I laughed out loud so many times! Humor mixed in with a serious case of murder always makes for easy reading. I finished this novella in a short time, and highly recommend it. Well done, authors (brother and sister).

TWO CHRISTMAS MITTENS by LYNN CAHOON

BOOK REVIEW OF “CHRISTMAS MITTENS MURDER”
This is a collection of 3 novellas by 3 authors, with a “Mittens” common element”

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS MITTEN KNITTER by LEE HOLLIS
I have long been a fan of Lee Hollis’ mysteries featuring the protagonist, Hayley Powell. Hayley is a food writer for a local newspaper, and now owns a restaurant in this newest novella.
As in all previous books, the cast of colorful characters I love interact with new ones, and a murder ensues. It is up to Hayley to find out “whodunnint”.

This novella is full of Christmas the plot is clever and believable. I laughed out loud so many times! Humor mixed in with a serious case of murder always makes for easy reading. I finished this novella in a short time, and highly recommend it. Well done, authors (brother and sister).

TWO CHRISTMAS MITTENS by LYNN CAHOON
This is my first Lynn Cahoon book, and I have had others in my TBR pile for a while. I was surprised that this cozy is about witches and mentions “…the Goddess” a few times. (…in a Christmas-themed book?)

It took me a while to get into the story, because I was unfamiliar with the characters, and prefer not to read about witches unless during Halloween season.
I felt that the writer is excellent, and the story flows beautifully up to the conclusion, when everything is revealed.

If you like books with witches in it, you will love it.

MURDEROUS MITTENS by MADDIE DAY
I was anxious to read this novella by one of my favorite authors: Maddie Day, and read it in record time.

Very recently I read and reviewed her first full cozy mystery in the new CeCe Barton Mysteries: “Murder Uncorked”. I was absolutely hooked from the first page. As I read that book, it became evident that there was an earlier book, since some facts were mentioned…then I discovered that CeCe was introduced in this novella, so I had to read it.

I am thrilled to have the complete picture now, since a lot of the tiny holes in my mind were filled in, and I now have a better understanding of CeCe’s world. There is also a guest character from another Maddie Day series, but I won’t tell you because I want you to be surprised.

As with Murder Uncorked, this novella was a real treat. By now I just love CeCe, the fictional town of Colinas in Sonoma County, CA, and its quirky characters. Maddie’s brilliant descriptions of this amazing area, which I love, make me want to travel North to visit the area that inspired Maddie for this series. I know she did extensive research before she wrote the book, and it shows. The plot is exquisite, and very clever!

I most highly recommend this book, and suggest you read it before Murder Uncorked. Such FUN!!!

Thank you, Net Galley and Kensington Cozies, for allowing me to read this advance copy and post an honest review.

The three stories in this collection are connected only in that they each contain mittens as a central plot point. I have not read any of the three authors previously, and it was nice that in the first two stories, which are part of an established series the authors included enough information to give new readers the necessary backstory without bogging down established readers.

I overall enjoyed the first book, though it felt a little like the story jumped between clues and suspects very quickly as if the author was trying to include the entire plot of one of her full-length stories in this shorter format. There were a lot of names, and people involved and this made it difficult to keep track at times. I also found a couple of places where the editing could have been better as they name one character instead of another.

The second story, Two Christmas Mittens, was also entertaining, and the addition of the mystical with the witches and magic was a nice difference from the cozy mysteries I usually read. I think this was my favourite of the three stories and the one I felt most interested in knowing more about the characters.

The final story, Murderous Mittens, was my least favourite of the stories. I really struggled to get into it both because of the story but also because of the writing. There were details that were included that would have been assumed due to previous events (at one point in the story it is said that CeCe, the main character, has given a new friend her cell phone number, but she had been texting with her previously in the story so this is a detail we already should know and seems redundant to include at this point in the story). She also includes the information that CeCe and her sister are twins and that CeCe's nephews are twins almost every time they are talked about which once again is over description. I don't see myself looking for more of this author's work,

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Christmas Mittens Murder
Lee Hollis, Lynn Cahoon, & Maddie Day


Death of a Christmas Mitten Knitter

Lee Hollis is the author of three series and 37 total mysteries. This is my first time reading any book by Lee Hollis. Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails series seems to be the origin point for the story.

Rev. Ted has convinced Hayley, her friends, and her brother to make up baskets to be raffled off at the church bazaar. While representing their baskets, Ed Willoughby another contributor announces his donation, a diamond ring has been stolen! Next, a knitter notices a pair of gloves have been stolen. As Hayley walks around chatting with people she overhears bits and pieces of information. After asking about an altercation she witnessed earlier, she hears the woman has gone outside. She decides to take a walk herself through the cemetery, only to find the woman’s dead body! Hayley immediately begins her investigation.
Okay mystery, with a decent storyline. 3***

Two Christmas Mittens (Kitchen Witch 4.5)

Lynn Cahoon has written a charming new Christmas addition to her Kitchen Witch series. Four Charming Spells is the prior full-length novel. This is the second Christmas-themed story, it is about 227 pages long.

Mia is working at the Lodge to generate extra income to keep Mia’s Morsels solvent. The Lodge is hosting a culinary employee Christmas party. Abigail and Christina attended as Mia’s guests. Christina runs into her college professor. The ladies leave the lackluster event for dinner, only to find him dead with one mitten in the snow. Christina picks up the mitten activating a fairy tale curse. If Mia and the gang can’t find a cure Christina will die!

Ms. Cahoon includes just enough information that new readers know who the characters are without a full backstory that would be wasted on her long-term readers. You do not need to read the books in order though I recommend doing so. 5*****


Murderous Mittens
Maddie Day is a highly accomplished and versatile author. She has three mystery series under Maddie Day and two more as Edith Maxwell. This is a prequel for her upcoming Cece Barton series releasing October 24th Murder Uncorked. It includes Cam from her Local Foods series under Edith Maxwell.

It’s December and Cece Barton is visiting her twin Allie, a realtor in Northern California from LA. As she sits at a wine bar waiting for her sister to finish her day, Cam owner of a Massachusetts organic farm sits and strikes up a conversation. They make plans to meet the next morning to look at farms. While having lunch the next day Allie runs in to tell her sister that Val the bartender from last night had been murdered! After a little encouragement from Cam and to help her sister Cece sets off to find herself a killer. Who killed Val and why?! 4**** Very nice introduction to a new series.


Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A three cozy Christmas story themed collection by some of our favorite authors. You will get to read Death of a Christmas Mitten Knitter by Lee Hollis in which Hayley deals with a dead knitter and a stolen diamond during the Christmas season.

Next is Two Christmas Mitten by Lynn Cahoon which has Mia taking on a second job to keep afloat. But when a dead body is discovered with one red mitten next to it, she’ll be back to her sleuthing ways. Can she solve the case before another victim bites the dust?

Finally, you also get Murderous Mitten by Lynn Cahoon in which CeCe is having a quiet Christmas but soon it becomes less than idyllic. A local mitten vendor is found dead as she will unwind the clues.

Mittens themed stories to keep you warm and coxy during the holiday season.

Three excellent stories to brighten up your holidays! Each is a delightful read. Fun characters with interesting stories. I especially loved the new Maddie Day novella! Thanks #Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I enjoyed the first story but the second one dragged on and the third one was okay. Not as good as others in this series.

Christmas Mittens Murder is a fun compilation of three cozy novellas written by Lee Hollis, Lynn Cahoon, and Maddie Day. 

My favorite of the three was Two Christmas Mittens by Lynn Cahoon, which features her kitchen witch, Mia Malone. It is a standalone story that fits right in with the series and even furthers the narrative. The action begins in earnest when Mia’s assistant, Christine Adams, picks up a cursed mitten, which puts her in deathly peril. Mia, her family and friends step up to do everything they can to find the mitten’s mate in order to break the curse, find a killer, and save Christine’s life. There is just the right amount of suspense, fun and snarkiness. This is a fun read, four stars.

Lee Hollis’ Death of a Christmas Mitten Knitter was an okay read, though I found many of the characters downright unlikable. The exceptions being Hayley Powell and her husband Bruce, her brother Randy and his husband, Sergio, who also happens to be the chief of police. Some of the action was a bit improbable, but still fun and holiday appropriate, murder aside. Three stars.

I had a very difficult time getting into Maddie Day’s Murderous Mittens. While I was able to buzz through the other two books very quickly, this one was a drudge for me to read. Two stars.

I recommend this book, in part because it gives a reader a chance to try out authors new to them or to catch up with an old favorite.

Thanks, NetGalley, for an ARC copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions stated are solely my own.

This was a fun book to get you in the Christmas spirit. I haven’t read anything by Maddie Day before so it was great to discover a new author.

This was a fantastic collection of Christmas-themed mysteries!

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS MITTEN KNITTER by LEE HOLLIS
When Hayley finds a local knitter stabbed to death at a Christmas bazaar, she goes on a mission to have the killer wrapped up in a bow before Christmas morning. Previous Christmas compilations have seen Lee Hollis's Hayley Powell series buried under a Leslie Meier story. I was thrilled to see Hollis get the well-deserved top billing this time!

In this story, Hayley is attending a Christmas bazaar when a representative of one of two local rival knitting groups is found in the snow skewered with her own knitting needle. Does this have anything to do with a stolen ring? I love this series and this was a great addition to the series. The stories she tells in her column were fun and the recipes looked delicious!

TWO CHRISTMAS MITTENS by LYNN CAHOON
Mia has gotten cheated out of a catering gig but that's not the worst part of the evening when her best friend finds an abandoned mitten and ends up in a coma.

I've only read the first book in this series. The paranormal/witch theme is probably my least favorite of all the cozy themes. The characters in this series are really interesting and the setting is great so this was still an enjoyable story.

MURDEROUS MITTENS by MADDIE DAY
Maddie Day will be releasing a new series later this year with a main character who works at a California winery. I was a bit confused about where this story falls in the timeline because in the author's note at the end she implies this story comes before the other (and it would seem to because the main character hasn't moved to California yet) but she also says the first book takes place in October but this story takes place at Christmas. Either way, this was a good story and has some interesting characters (the main character is a twin and her twin sister has twin sons). I look forward to reading the first book in the new series!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This collection of 3 Christmas novellas had delightfully unique takes on using mittens in a murder.

In "Death of a Christmas Mitten Knitter" by Lee Hollis, the annual Christmas bazaar is interrupted by the death of a local knitter, stabbed with her knitting needle & a homemade mitten stuffed in her mouth. Magic Springs, Idaho is busy with the holiday season in "Two Christmas Mittens" by Lynn Cahoon. Mia Malone finds the dead body of a professor in the snow near the Lodge. A red mitten is found nearby but when her friend Christina picks up the mitten, she becomes victim of a curse. Now Mia & other coven members must find the second mitten to save Christina's life & find the killer. A new series by Maddie Day is introduced in "Murderous Mittens" with Cece Barton visiting her twin sister Allie in Colinas, California. When the bartender at the local bar is killed with a bocce ball stuffed inside a handknit mitten, Cece is shocked to learn that the police consider Allie as the prime suspect. With the help of Massachusetts visitor Cam Flaherty (from another of Maddie Day's series), Cece works to clear Allie of this heinous crime.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Kensington Books. All opinions are my own.

Death Of A Christmas Mitten Knitter by Lee Hollis
Ms.Hollis tale of a soul murdered at Christmas is one of many with varying motives. Nicely crafted to produce, then eliminate suspects. All have viable motives, but the murderer’s was one no one suspected.
Two Christmas Mittens by Lynn Cahoon
Ms. Cahoon pens a Christmas gathering attended by a few paranormals. A gathering ending with a body and a young lady very ill. Mia and her friends race the clock to solve the mystery of how and why.
Murderous Mittens by Maddie Day
Ms. Day’s small town cozy is an intriguing look at the hospitality industry there. A small B&B, a wine bar and several small shops populate the downtown area. Her characters are varied and vivid. CeCe is visiting who sister who owns the B&B and is drawn into investigating a very unusual murder.
All three books are a little off the beaten path and enjoyable reads. I’d recommend to any cozy lover to kick off the holiday season.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read and review an advanced copy of this book.

Who would believe that Christmas mittens and murder could be the main theme of three novellas in this book. All three stories had amateur sleuths trying to help solve each murder scenario where they had to also try and protect someone they believed were being innocently framed as a chief suspect. Who could believe that a knitter could also be a murderer?

One story dealt with witches, covens, and curses which was not my favorite storyline, but all three stories were well thought out with surprise endings.

I guess I will never look at hand-knitted Christmas mittens in the same way from now on.