Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed the Lucy Stone novels I have read but I have not read them all by any means. So it is a delightful treat when two that I had not read were released in a Christmas duo. They are both set around Christmas time. The first one dates to just after 911 when a theme of terrorism was top of mind. Lucy’s daughter won a mother-daughter make-over contest where the final contestants are invited to NYC to compete for the prize money that would come in very handy for college. The proceedings take a dark turn when one of the primary people of the magazine hosting the contest dies of anthrax poisoning and Lucy’s daughter somehow is also infected. It’s a good story with both the behind the scenes storyline of the contest and the thrilling investigation as Lucy tries to find those responsible for nearly killing her child. She finds them but not before they find her.
The second is set at a later time when he middle daughter is now in college and rebelling against authority and her parents. This time there is a rather blatant homage of A Christmas Carole including the names of the characters. Don’t worry it is all fun and while there is plenty for Lucy to investigate, like Scrooge, there is a reformation in the end.
Together they may not get you in the Holiday Spirit but they certainly will give your hours of reading entertainment. Four purrs and two paws up.

New Years Eve Murder
It was so good! I loved the setting being in New York for New Years. It was so fun to hear about the makeover and the different things that Lucy and Elizabeth got into while they were there. The mystery was great!!! It was a shock to find out who did it. I enjoyed every minute of it!

Christmas Carol Murder.
My favorite Lucy Stone books are the ones at Christmas! The holidays in Tinkers Cove are amazing! This mystery was really good and I loved the ending. It definitely got me in the Christmas spirit. Don't hesitate to read these books! You won't regret it!

This is a combination of two books...New Year's Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder.

New Year's Eve Murder
This book in the Lucy Stone series was a little different than the others because it takes place outside of Tinker's Cove. This time, Lucy gets involved in her typical sleuthing in New York. I always enjoy the books in this series and though different than usual, still very entertaining. There are lots of characters to keep track of, but it keeps your interest. So a fun cozy mystery that fits when you want to curl up in your recliner with a cup of cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, and a good book.

Christmas Carol Murder
One more sleuthing adventure with Lucy Stone has arrived. I enjoy the books in this series and how the family members age at an appropriate rate. While Lucy loves her family, it is interesting to see how the different personalities react with other family members as well as teenage angst and maturing into young adults affects the family dynamics.

This is a book that could touch your heart if you've had to personally deal with the financial and/or health problems with which many of the characters have to face. While moments of emotional upheaval and fear arise, you still experience hope, love, forgiveness, and holiday generosity by the time the adventure ends.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When anyone asks for a cozy mystery recommendation, the top of the list is Leslie Meier. Her family of characters and their communities may see the scene of many a crime, but they always manage to solve the mystery in the nick of time and still keep their sense of humor. The holiday editions are always a favorite and this re-issue of a couple of my favorites is indeed a nice holiday gift to me!!! Join Lucy and her co-horts as they do what they do best...solve crime.

Leslie Meier practically created the holiday themed cozy mystery. Beginning in 1991, her sleuth, Lucy Stone has moved from a call center worker for LL Bean to a seasoned reporter for the Tinker Cove Pennysaver. The books are not time locked, Lucy Stone's family has aged appropriately and her family life has had ups and downs of normal living. The author's writing style is self reflective comedic which skillfully lends to social commentary as well as plotting captivating mysteries.

"Tis the Season Murder is a compilation of 2 earlier books: New Year's Eve Murder (2005) and Christmas Carol Murder (2013). New Year's Eve Murder was book 12 in the Lucy Stone series. Here she and her daughter, Elizabeth leave Tinkers Cove ME for a trip to New York City. They are part of a mother/daughter make over sponsored by "Jolie" magazine. The behind the scenes descriptions of magazine life provide the only dated aspect of this book. Thirteen years later, the glossy fashion magazines have all but disappeared. Nevertheless Meier;s tale still holds interest. Meier's mentioned in an interview that she does not know much about guns. She tests herself by providing a multitude of other ways to kill a character. Nadine's death is particularly intriguing. This was a quick read that did reflect the tenor of the mid 2000's

The second book, Christmas Carol Murder is set in Tinker's Cove. Here Meier has created her own retelling of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Lucy has joined the town players taking the part of Mrs. Cratchitt. In Tinker's Cove,
Ben Scriber stands in for Scrooge, complete with his own 'ghost' Jake Marlowe. In the previous book Lucy and Elizabeth had some mother daughter confrontations. Here Sara, the middle daughter, is completely insufferable. Among Meier;'s talents is the ability to write lovable characters that the reader still would like to send to time out. This is not a Christmas tale oozing with sweetness. It is a wry take at Maine winter and what is needed to wake up a modern day Scrooge. This novel aged well.

One can not go wrong with a Meier cozy. Two books for the price of one.. such a great bargain.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC copy from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

Tis the Season Murder by Leslie Meier is the 12th book, New Year's Eve Murder, and 20th book, Christmas Carol Murder, in the Lucy Stone mystery series. I have been reading Lucy Stone books for years, and the books are like visiting old friends, I love this series. Both books are Christmas stories, to get you in the mood. I found these books to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of fun twists and turns. I enjoy the way Ms. Meier relates to everyday life and people. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, as always. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book and the whole series.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

‘Tis the Season Murder is bundled offering of two previously released holiday based Lucy Stone books – New Year’s Eve Murder and Christmas Carol Murder.

I hold the opinion that the best Lucy Stone mysteries take place in the cozy town of Tinker’s Cove. Sadly, New Year’s Eve Murder takes Lucy and her daughter Elizabeth to New York for makeovers with Jolie magazine. Instead of the promise of fabulous mother-daughter makeovers, Elizabeth and Lucy find the magazine’s staff in a powder-keg of a situation. It’s not long before the tension boils over, leaving one editor deathly ill and then just dead. When Elizabeth begins to show similar symptoms, it’s up to Lucy to get to solve the murder mystery and save her daughter. All in time to celebrate the New Year!

It’s obvious I’m not the only one who missed Tinker’s Cove – Lucy could not stop talking and thinking about it, with constant comparisons between the bright city lights and the charming small town. Out of five stars, I’d rate New Year’s Eve Murder 4/5.

The Dickens is strong with this one - Christmas Carol Murder isn’t the most uplifting Christmas story, as we find Tinker’s Cove in the middle of the recession with loads of foreclosures. Pretty soon one of the owners (Jacob Marlowe – feel that Christmas Carol reference) of the largest mortgage company in town is greeted with a bomb in his mailbox. Lucy juggles solving this mystery with her debut in the small town’s version of (what else) a Christmas Carol. I don’t like seeing the residents of Tinker’s Cove suffer and there’s a good bit that’s uncomfortable. There is a distinct lack of holiday cheer, but I did enjoy a slightly more modern take on the Dickens classic. Out of five stars, I’d rate Christmas Carol Murder a 3.5/5.

You get two “Lucy” stories in this book. The first stars her and Elizabeth and what a story it is. They win make-overs, but get involved in a whole lot more. The second has us learning more about Sara. College age can definitely have a lot to deal with. Both these story lines are very good and deal with problems that someone you know or have known has dealt with. They are written in a way that makes them good reads, but you just might have some deeper thoughts that are closer to home. I enjoyed both stories and the characters that I got to hang out with. I hope you have a chance to visit with the good folks of Tinker’s Cove. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

'Tis the Season Murder combines two of Leslie Meier's beloved Lucy Stone Christmas novels (Christmas Carol Murder and New Year's Eve Murder) into one cozy holiday collection!

In Christmas Carol Murder, hard times have fallen on Tinker's Cove, and when one of the owners of the mortgage company that's calling in homeowners' loans is killed by a package bomb there aren't a lot of broken hearts. Who killed Jake Marlowe, and will surviving co-owner Ben Scribner change his miserly ways before Christmas? Lucy's on the case!

In New Year's Eve Murder, Lucy and her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, head to New York after winning makeovers in a magazine contest. Of course murder interrupts their pampering, and Elizabeth falls seriously ill, but Lucy Stone rises to the occasion once again to discover the murder!

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a nice cozy holiday themed Lucy Stone mystery, and 'Tis the Season murder is twice as nice!!! A+

Lucy stone never fails to disappoint! Her hoilday books are my favorite I love her family and the mixed in family saga alongside the mystery aspects. Lucy always has me chuckling with her fiestyness and wit and I love reading about her adventures solving crime

Two entertaining and engrossing mystery series full of festive spirit and fun to read.
As usual they're well written and the cast of characters if fleshed.
A good read, recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Two different Lucy Stone mysteries set over the holidays! One takes place in familiar Tinkers Cove, while the other has New York City as a setting. Of course, holiday hijinks and murders occur in both.
I have read several of the series, but it is not necessary to enjoy this collection. A great fun holiday distraction when the season is driving you insane!

I've enjoyed reading Leslie Meiers Lucy Stone series for many years now and, I admit to being hooked on Christmas books so it was a pleasure to revisit the series, beloved characters, and the town in this set of Christmas mysteries! Each story is unique but with the familiar characters we have come to know and love. I 'd recommend this book for those cozy mystery reader's and Christmas book lovers :)

Two holiday Lucy Stone murders. Christmas Carol murder and New Years Eve murder were delicious holiday stories . Whilst they have already been published they were as enjoyable as the first time I read them.

Honestly didn't realize this was a 2 book bindup of previously released titles. Loved them when I first read them. 4 stars.

Lucy Stone is at it again with her sleuthing and getting into predicaments. The book has 2 stories being told and it makes for a fun holiday mystery read. The Christmas Carol Murder and New Year's Eve Murder were so fun to read and Tinker Cove may never be the same again after the holidays.

I have seen Ms. Mier's on several websites and I ran across this new book "Tis the SeasonMurder (A Lucy StoneMystery) and the cover looked like a fun cozy mystery that I might enjoy. I was mistaken. I thought the book was extremely slow going. Everything under the sun was discussed before the murder even took place. I was not interested anymore at this point and though I tried I could not finish it.

Two remarkable holiday tales that exceed every expectation and then some. I loved it. Every minute and every second. 5/5 stars.

Being from Maine myself, I just adore this series. I have enjoyed following Lucy Stone, her family and the people of Tinkers Cove from the very first book. It is fun to follow the characters and watch them grow. This time Lucy & Elizabeth go to NYC where, of course, a mystery finds her. This book is a wonderful combination of humor, drama & mystery and a very fun read.

I've read here and there, but keep coming back for the Lucy Stone series. Festive and quick reads, makeovers, and holiday fun keep you entertained in this double feature of 2 stories in 1.