Cute, cozy mystery. The characters are funny, and it's the perfect read to read doing the holidays or any time you just want a cozy mystery

I consider myself to be a long-suffering reader of the series, heck, I put these into why do I do this to myself folder on Goodreads. Any book with less of Bill is always better, and Lucy has no to spend that much time with her daughters. So I was not shocked that Lucy was annoying and put herself into more dangerous situations. This is one of the better books in recent years in a series that lost its fizzle many years ago.

Cute, cozy mystery. The characters are funny, they are well written. I enjoyed this book.
I was given the book to review. I freely give my review

New Year’s Eve Murder

I enjoyed reading this book. It was nice see another side of Lucy. Since Lucy and her daughter are on a mother/daughter trip to NYC Lucy seems a little more relaxed. She isn’t stressing about chores or what the other kids are doing. The mystery was a little slower than usual but still entertaining.

Christmas Carol Murder

This is a charming spin on a old classic. I enjoy reading about Lucy’s investigations. She can sometimes be a little nosy and get herself in to dangerous situations but she is likable. The mystery is fast paced with several twists and turns.


All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.

Lucy Stone is back with 2 holiday cozy's to enjoy. This is a reprint of books 12 and 20 from the Lucy Stone series. (New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder). Lucy and Elizabeth head to NYC for a mother/Daughter makeover with tuition due when they return. In story 2 the town's people have hit hard times and the banks are foreclosing on many properties. Both are good cozy's with all the normal characters present and accounted for. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

NEW YEAR'S EVE MURDER, 4.5 Stars

It is New Year’s Eve and Lucy Stone is excited to be able to spend it in New York with her oldest daughter Elizabeth. They are part of a team of mothers and daughters after Elizabeth won a winter makeover contest. The grand prize winners will win $10,000. As Lucy and husband Bill have gotten a letter informing them that they will be that much short for Elizabeth’s next year of college, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Aside from looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with Elizabeth, Lucy hopes to visit with her long-time friend Samantha. However, they have a very full agenda, including fittings, photo shoots and the like.

As all of the pairs are working hard at the activities, suddenly Nadine Nelson, the fashion editor, falls ill and dies. Nadine wasn’t always well-liked, and the rumor mill was very much at work, so foul play is definitely suspected. What’s worse is that Elizabeth falls seriously ill and is hospitalized with very similar symptoms that affected Nadine before her death.

Lucy is an amateur detective, and she jumps right in to track down the killer. Most definitely time is of the essence. As always, this cozy mystery was a quick read it had just enough bite and intrigue to engage me in one sitting. Usually Lucy solves these crimes in her hometown of Tinker’s Cove. She has her work cut out for her in the Big Apple. New Year's Eve Murder was a very enjoyable story and had a delightful conclusion. I have been enjoying these stories and this is book 12 of 26. I look forward to continuing with the series.


CHRISTMAS CAROL MURDER, 3 Stars

It is Christmas in Tinker's Cove and Lucy Stone is busy as usual. However, times in the little town in Maine are not easy. Christmas is not going to be a lovely holiday for everyone. However, those at Downeast Mortgage are unseemly celebrating other people's losses. His murder comes as no surprise, and suspects are plentiful.

Lucy does what she does best. She decides to find the killer, even if it interferes with her job, family and even her desire to take classes.

Christmas Carol Murder, by the title alone, reminded me a bit of the Dickens classic. With a not-so-unexpected ghost, the typical twists and turns, and the danger Lucy always seems to find make this a delightful edition to the series.

I have enjoyed this series to-date, and have less than ten left. Since I love cozy mysteries, I am thrilled to have found this series and it holds a warm place in my heart.

Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This is a two for one and both stories were very enjoyable also, these stories are not in chronological time as the Christmas story takes place earlier in the series than the New Year's story.
First off is a little after Christmas plot.
What a great story, and fresh storyline for the Lucy Stone series. This was an up beat story with Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth not only getting along but seemingly enjoying each others company while participating in the Mother-Daughter, Jolie magazine makeover. This is one in a long line of Lucy Stone cozy mysteries and of the few that takes place away from Tinker's Cove. It is great as a stand alone, meaning that you would not need to have read a previous book from the series to be able to keep up with the cast of characters. That might be because there were so few regulars once Lucy and Elizabeth had to the Big Apple for their big adventure. Very easy to follow along and very enjoyable to read.
The second story is just as good with a retelling of the Christmas Carol in duplicate with art mimicking real life as Lucy plays the part of Mrs. Cratchet while also playing the part of investigative reporter. Both stories offer a little real life drama and social awareness. I did enjoy the makeover story more than the Christmas Carol due to the family dynamics.

Oh how I love a cozy mystery by Leslie Meier. I had readctyesevpreviously published books when they were new, but I really enjoyed this 2 novel book. Its always good to revisit Lucy and her family and friends. I recommend this and all the books in the series.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this title. Leslie Meier is one of my favorite cozy authors and she didn’t disappoint in ‘Tis the Season Murder. Two mysteries that revolved around the holiday season. I was unable to put it down, a fast holiday read.

This book is a combination of two previously published stories by Leslie Meier. I always enjoy her cozy mysteries, and these are a fun read during a busy holiday season. So sit back, relax, and be entertained by the these mysteries that will keep you guessing and turning pages quickly to solve the mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

‘Tis the Season Murder by Leslie Meier contains two Lucy Stone holiday mysteries. Christmas Carol Murder (Book Twenty) and New Year’s Eve Murder (Book Twelve) give us a look back at Lucy at different stages in her life. While I had read both books previously, it did not hinder my enjoyment. I had a good time reading about Lucy’s adventures. New Year’s Eve Murder has Lucy and Elizabeth heading to Manhattan for a winter makeover that Elizabeth won from Jolie magazine. There are some humorous situations in this story that had me giggling. Lucy was looking forward to spa treatments and instead receives harsh criticism from Jolie magazines editors. Her lobster watch and duck boots garnered quite a bit of attention. Christmas Carol Murder has Lucy taking to the stage in the local production of A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Cratchit. When Jacob Marlowe ends up dead, many of the town’s residents believe it is karma. Jacob and his partner, Ben Scribner at Downeast Mortgage have been raking in the dough with the foreclosure of properties (and then selling them off for a profit). Lucy has her work cut out for her if she is going to solve this crime. The suspect is longer than Eloise’s Christmas list (I like the movie version with Julie Andrews playing Nanny). I found both stories to be well-written and engaging. It amazes me at how far Lucy Stone has come since Mistletoe Murder. There is a preview of Invitation Only Murder at the end. If you are looking for two entertaining Christmas cozy mysteries, then check out ‘Tis the Season Murder. ‘Tis the Season Murder has murder, mayhem and merriment.

Relaxing with a hot chocolate and a cozy mystery is a favorite past time during cold fall and winter nights. I really enjoyed this holiday themed stories. Get into the spirit of the holidays and solve a couple of mysteries.

'Tis the Season Murder has two nice nurse mysteries. The characters are interesting and well developed and the storylines are interesting.

Love Leslie Meier's work, and these Christmas cozy mysteries are really good.
Great to read in your Holidays and relax with this theme book,

It was pleasure to reread these holiday stories again. I think that Ms. Meier's stories are always well-written with great story lines and great characters.

Lucy Stone is one of my favorite characters and I always love 'visiting' with Lucy and her family. Both of these are perfect winter reading.

I had never read any Leslie Meier but she had always been on my list of cozy authors to check out since I love holiday themed mysteries and many of hers seemed to fit the bill. Unfortunately it seems that she just might not be an author for me.
I read half of the first book in this collection, New Year's Eve Murder, and I've lost interest, so much so that I won't be reading the second book, Christmas Carol Murder. While parts of the story appealed to me (the mother-laugher bonding, the New York sights and sounds), I found the whole thing to be somewhat dated (it looks like it was originally published 15 years ago and it apparently hasn't aged super well) and I just couldn't really move past that. Maybe one day I'll try a more recent publication to see if that makes a difference for me.

‘Tis the Season Murder includes two previously released seasonal murder mystery by Leslie Meir which packaged together work very well together. Whilst on one hand they have season tidings, the other hand provides a cosy, hot chocolate by the fireplace domestic mystery that warms the heart..

The first of these two tales is New Year’s Eve Murder which leaves the town of Tinker Cove for the big city lights of New York City. Lucy Stone and her daughter win a makeover trip with a leading fashion magazine. When a death occurs and Lucy’s daughter is in danger, the mystery pursues. This is where Meir really knows her characters and makes them come alive. They are on par with a Fannie Flagg novel where each has their own personality and mostly are people you really would like to get to know.

What makes this story interesting is that Meir relies on first impressions and then changing this as the novel progresses. The plotting and story are very well done and the reader gets an invested interest to reach its exciting conclusion.

Christmas Carol Murder has Lucy back in her hometown working at the local paper when a mail bomb blows away the most cankerous man in Tinker Cove. From this starting point, we have the town of Tinker Cove which is small but has a drive-in McDonald’s and a local IGA so not sure how small this town is. This is not a grip or criticism but more of wonder on the workings of this town which as this is a series of book, probably is better spelled out if you follow the exploits of Lucy.

Again we have a large cast of characters that are wonderfully put together and against the Christmas backdrop work wonderfully. Meir again changes things up by placing the murder and town against political hot potatoes dealing with foreclosures, taxes and small town life and how these affect your neighbours, family and friends. We have a nearby college which has an Act Up student body protesting against social and political consciousness which works extremely well with the confines of the novel.

The novel really benefits from the small town cosy setting and the neighbourly way things pursue. The murder mystery found within its pages works very well and again the reader is totally invested in this world. Meir produces books that really warms the reader into this world.

Together we have an even collection of two very well put together books to give a festive treat to all readers. Although this doesn’t have the thriller excitement of other mystery thrillers, there is something to be said to be able to produce a realistic murder mystery with likeable characters, the murderer to be three dimensional and have understanding and a bit of sadness on the road they decided to take against a backdrop of everyday life. Lucy Stone and her family seem real and deal with every day conflicts as they go from day to day like everyone. There is no great fanfare but Meir doesn’t lead this to be boring but more about being practical. Meir has a wonderful sense of being with her characters and plots and I thoroughly enjoyed these two stories immensely.

Highly recommend for nothing is better on a cold winter night than a cosy murder mystery with likeable characters you would love to get to know more about.

'Tis the Season Murder
(Lucy Stone #12 & 20)
by Leslie Meier

Paperback, 272 pages
Published October 1st 2019 by Gallery Books




Goodreads synopsis:
Christmas has come to Tinker’s Cove, Maine, and sleuthing skills are at the top of Lucy’s Stone’s wish list in these two beloved mysteries—now collected in one festive volume for the very first time! . . .
 
NEW YEAR’S EVE MURDER (Lucy Stone #12)
 
After the annual parade of Christmas presents in Tinker’s Cove has ended, Lucy Stone and her daughter are ready to ring in the new year in style. Elizabeth has won mother/daughter winter makeovers in Manhattan from Jolie magazine! But the all-expenses-paid trip is bound to have some hidden costs—and one of them is murder. Soon it will be up to Lucy to dress down a killer before the ball drops in Times Square . . .  

CHRISTMAS CAROL MURDER (Lucy Stone #20)
 
Lucy Stone is excited about acting in the town’s production of A Christmas Carol. But a real-life Scrooge has everyone feeling frosty. While Tinker’s Cove has fallen on hard times, Downeast Mortgage owners Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner are raking in profits from misfortune. So when Marlowe is murdered, the suspects are many. But Scribner claims Marlowe’s ghost has come to warn him of his own impending demise—and he’s soon receiving death threats. Now Lucy will have to solve the case faster than she can say “Bah! Humbug!”. . .
***

5 Stars

What a great book for the holiday season! Both of these stories are bang on amazing!! I think they are among my most favorite in the entire series. I like the addition of the kids Zoe and Elizabeth in both of the books. It made it seem more real somehow.

I loved the trip to New York and the whole anthrax connection. I believe this particular book was written around 9-11 so I understand why it was brought into the story. Real life jumps into fictional life. I hated that Lucy’s daughter got sick and they were strapped for money due to the tuition increase. I like how Lucy held to her morals and came out a winner in the end in both the mystery and her life situation.

The story centered around Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol was truthfully kind of depressing. It all centered on people’s houses going into foreclosure and how the company behind that made people mad enough to kill. I really had no idea the culprit of this. I feel like the author’s real life might have seeped into this since it is told with so much honesty and depth.

Just two great books that are set during the holidays. I am happy to have them bound up in one volume. They were two I had not read yet so it was a great treat for me to dig into this.

Just a great cozy mystery twosome. If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

This was a combination of two holiday stories and both are short, enjoyable reads. I love the character of Lucy Stone and her town Tinker’s Cove. These stories of her holiday sleuthing are sure to get you in a festive mood.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book contains two short books by Leslie Meier that are set during the Christmas season. In the first, New Year’s Eve Murder, Lucy Stone and her daughter Elizabeth travel to NYC to participate in a holiday mother-daughter make-over contest, sponsored by the magazine Jolie, along with nine other mother-daughter couples. During the contest, one of the editors of the magazine is killed, and Elizabeth Stone falls ill, from anthrax exposure. You can bet Lucy is going to be closely involved in this one because of Elizabeth. Though unfamiliar with the setting and most of the players, Lucy jumps right into the fray, ferreting out clues and events that led to and are the result or the death and Elizabeth’s brush with anthrax, hoping to figure out who murdered the Jolie employee and poisoned Elizabeth. In the second story, Lucy is back in Tinkers Cove, ME, where she, her family and everyone else in town is getting ready for Christmas. However, this will be a lean holiday for many, as the recession is on-going and a large number of families’ homes are being repossessed by one of the town’s major lenders, Downeast Mortgage, whose co-owners, Jake Marlowe and Ben Scribner, are about as heartless as possible. Things get a bit dicey when Jake receives a “Christmas” letter bomb, which explodes when opened, killing Jake and burning down his house. Naturally, Lucy is interested, partly because of her reporter position at the town rag and partly because it is in her nature. As she gets further involved, Lucy begins to uncover clues and red herrings, all of which she must go through to find out what really is going on. To add to the story, she and her family are preparing for the holidays, her husband becomes a member of the town finance committee, her older daughter Sara decides to join a school community activist group, and Lucy gets a bit part in the town’s Christmas play, a version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

These are both pretty good books. Both are rather short and are quick reads. As usual, Lucy shines in all her roles (mother, ace reporter, friend and confidant, wife of Bill, etc.). The second story also has an underlying empathy with the recession and people losing homes, which I liked, while the first touches on another somewhat political topic, anthrax. Lucy, as ever, is the perfect example of mother/reporter/friend/prominent town resident. Tinker’s Cove is a charming Maine small town, which, if you are like me and have read most of the series, comes across as genuine Maine and almost feels like home after all the tales. The two stories are different, but both have the underlying setting of the holidays. I think both stories were previously published, but together, they make a charming holiday tale that will get any reader into the spirit. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.