The fifth Mrs. Claus mystery, Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year’s, is another delightful cozy by Liz Ireland. This time, April Claus has to recruit everyone to help keep Santaland a secret when three human strangers show up.
It’s bad enough that Nick, Santa Claus, is missing just after his round-the-world trip. April’s already worried when word comes that three strangers, human, were found unconscious and in poor condition, and brought to Santaland. They might be in the hospital, but April asks everyone to appear differently. No singing snowmen or racing reindeer. And, the elves all dress as humans, which causes all kinds of problems when they slip wearing unfamiliar shoes.
But, the worst problem is how to keep Santaland a secret so no one turns it into a tourist trap. That’s a worry, until one of the strangers dies, and April knows he was murdered. Now, she has two strangers, a murder, and a missing Santa to worry about.
As always, Ireland’s book is filled with mishaps and humor, but, of course, everything will end well in Santaland, even if it takes a doughnut loving witch to help.
Liz Ireland’s website is https://lizireland.wordpress.com/.
Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year’s by Liz Ireland. Kensington, 2024. ISBN 9781496748955 (paperback), 304p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.
