Genre: Mystery
Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book (Audiobook and LP Available)
ISBN #: 9781496720214
Kensington Publishing
320 Pages
$5.00; $4.75 Amazon (Sale)
September 24, 2019
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Addie's getting into the spirit for the upcoming Charity Auction -- especially since she's got an 1843 copy of Charles Dickens's a Christmas Carol to donate. Her former colleagues at the Boston Public Library have confirmed that its worth runs toward the high five figures, which should help with the new pediatric wing. Her mood darkens, though, when a visitor from the past appears -- Jonathan Hemingway, the father of her late fiancé. His presence stirs up sad memories for Addie, but also has her fuming when Jonathan, true to his womanizing ways, runs off for a lunchtime liaison with Teresa Lang, who's in charge of the auction.
Soon after, Addie heads to Teresa's office at the hospital -- and finds the poor woman's dead body. What she doesn't find is her valuable first edition. What sort of Scrooge would steal from sick children and commit murder in the process? As a Nor'easter bears down and a mystery emerges about Jonathan's past, Addie must find out if she can appraise people's motives and characters as well as she can appraise rare books...
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Addie Greyborne lives in a small town named after her family, and she owns a bookstore. She inherited a Victorian home and enough money to do so from a late relative. When she discovers a rare edition of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, she decides to donate it to a charity auction that will benefit the pediatric wing of the hospital. She receives the authentication of the book from a friend in Boston, and when she takes it to Teresa Lang, who's heading the auction, she finds the woman dead. This causes more problems than just a dead body...
It seems her late fiancé's father, Jonathan Hemingway, is in town unannounced, and he was to meet with Teresa for lunch, but tells her the woman had another appointment. The book is gone, stolen from its case and no one can find it. Her assistant Patrick is frantic, trying to find another book for the live auction, Jonathan is romancing her friend, and she can't commit to either of the men who are interested in her -- police chief Marc Chandler, or Dr. Simon Emerson. Addie's life is in turmoil.
However, Addie being Addie is determined to help find the killer, because it's her book that is missing, and she's decided that Jonathan has something to do with it, even if she can't find any proof. Even though everyone is telling her to leave it alone, she's not going to do so; not even when the killer sends her a message that tells her she might be next...
This is the third book in the series, and while I had decided not to read another one, I did so only because I love Christmas and this book takes place during that time. While Christmas isn't the main theme, it still does rear its head now and then. Addie is looking for a killer, and her partner in crime, best friend Serena, is helping her find clues. Unfortunately, Addie is determined to place the title directly on the head of her almost-father-in-law Jonathan, but can't find anything incriminating, which irritates her.
Honestly, I loved Jonathan the most. His character is not only intriguing, he has charm and wit, two things that are valued in people by me. Addie was like a dog with a bone, and it soon became tiring, even though other clues showed up to lead her in the right direction.
Now she has a choice to make between Marc and Simon -- if she can let go of David; his memory is keeping her from living her life, and Jonathan seems aware of this, as do the two men; but Addie is stubborn and refuses to accept it. I do feel that Addie really needs to grow up. She acts like a teenager with all her stubbornness, her pouting, her refusal to listen to anyone. These are not the actions of a grown woman who owns her own business. This does not show a strong, independent woman; they are the actions of a petulant teen who isn't getting her own way.
When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, it turns out to be more complex than anyone could have imagined; but the ending also gives Addie perhaps a new beginning to her relationship with Jonathan (and I do so hope to see him in future books once in a while). I did enjoy the ending and will continue with this series because of it.
More on Lauren Elliott's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/lauren-elliott/
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