September 18th's Book Beginnings and Friday 56

 We made it to Friday again!  I'm celebrating with a fun Book Beginnings and Friday 56.

The book I'm highlighting this week is Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland.

                                                 

That's right, I'm featuring a Christmas cozy already.  It's actually the first of four Christmas books I'll be reviewing in the next couple of weeks.  All of them come out on 9/29, but I can't do them all justice if I review them all the same day, right?  I'll be reviewing this book this coming Tuesday.

But for today, a couple of teasers.  Here's how the book begins:

The strange occurrences that threatened to upend my marriage, my adopted city, and the potential happiness of tens of millions of children started on a December morning just nine days before Christmas with a frantic pounding on our bedchamber door.

Meanwhile, at 56% into the book, we find this:

He drew back in offense.  "Boots Bayleaf knows how to keep his lip buttoned."

Given that he'd just spilled the story to me in exchange for a joyride, I took those words with a whole block of salt.

In case you haven't guessed, yes, this book is a cozy set at the North Pole, and it is delightful.  I hope you'll come back Tuesday for my full review.

Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend.