Book 121, 2025

The Santa Slaughter by Rachel Beattie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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At about 11pm on NYE, I finished reading a final holiday ebook: The Santa Slaughter by Rachel Beattie. It’s the first in her “Very Merry Murder” mystery series, featuring Meredith “Merry” Gray.

On the verge of divorce (she just has to sign the paperwork), Merry is left dealing with a mountain of bills her dastardly ex left her. Not too proud to take work where she can get it, she agrees to dress up as an elf and help her friend Maggie at the grotto in the Christmas market, where children can come see Santa. While Bill Barraclaugh, the man portraying Santa, has jolly St Nick down pat, in real life he’s more of a Grinch. Merry witnesses Bill’s wife arguing with him, another man who wanted to be Santa claims that Bill isn’t all he’s cracked up to be, and even Merry’s soon-to-be ex would like to have a word with “Santa”. Therefore, it’s a shock but not a surprise when Bill ends up dead behind the grotto. Merry’s friend on the police force, Kate, would like her to keep her ears and eyes open, but when Merry puts the clues together, the killer has no intention of letting her go.

Characters were done well for a novella-length story, and there was just enough background provided for things to make sense. There’s a potential for a new romance for Merry (sign the damn papers!), and pacing was good throughout.

Favorite lines: I don’t think I have the mental bandwidth to cope with a pair of dueling Santas today.

Probably deserving of 3.5 stars, but in the spirit of the holiday(s) I’ll bump it up to 4.

Book 1, 2026

Hot Chicken by May Archer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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I spent a nice, quiet, relaxing New Year’s Day reading Hot Chicken by May Archer. It was a novella set in the same verse as her “Sunday Brothers” series.

While helping out at a local fundraiser, Hawk Sunday happens upon a ridiculous ceramic rooster that his friend Teagan claims has some mystical energy surrounding it. Hawk takes the rooster home, and that night he and his boyfriend, Jack, clear the air between them with several rounds of meow-chicka-bow-wow. Convinced now that the rooster brings good luck, Hawk bestows it on his brother, Knox, who’s been experiencing tension with his boyfriend, Gage. From there, the rooster gets passed among the flock of Sunday brothers, leading to revelations and renewals.

It was delightful to revisit familiar couples from the original series and see where they are in life now. Lots of spice in this one, along with Archer’s trademark banter and humor. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Favorite lines:
♦ My man hated to hear of a creature in need, whether it was a fellow human, a pregnant cat, or apparently poultry-shaped crockery.
♦ Apparently, empaths and magical, cursed roosters weren’t the hard limit I’d thought they were.
♦ “He died as he lived, thoroughly fucked.”
♦ “Is the fourth anniversary the Sex Chicken Anniversary?”
♦ “The coming bovine uprising is no laughing matter.”

Loads of fun! Five stars!