Who Penned a Real Poisonous Valentine?
It’s no secret how much I love the Mrs. Claus Mysteries from Liz Ireland. I’ve raved about them since book one came out. So, naturally, I was looking forward to reading Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine, the latest in the series. As always, it was a delight.
If you haven’t yet found this series, yes, it does feature the real Mrs. Claus as the main character. April Claus met Nick when he visited her bed and breakfast in Oregon, and the two fell in love. Even now, several years later, April is trying to get used to her new life at the North Pole with elves and snowmen and talking reindeer.
This book opens a few days before Valentine’s Day, and April is getting ready for her best friend’s wedding. Claire, a friend from Oregon, is marrying Jake Frost. But as the bridal party is at a dress fitting, someone leaves them a note with a threatening Valentine in it. April isn’t quite sure how seriously to take it. That is, until someone dies the next day at the next dress fitting. Can April figure out who the killer is? Or will the mayhem destroy Claire and Jake’s special day?
That’s just one of many storylines that are juggled in this book, as always. And, as always, the book does it expertly. I never felt like the pace lagged at all, and I was hooked from start to finish. I did key in on things a little early, but I didn’t mind since I was having such a fun time. And yes, that means when we reach the climax, everything does make sense.
Over the course of the series, we’ve gotten to know quite a large group of characters, and we get updates on many of them here. The suspects blend into the cast of characters well, and I found them entertaining.
I always love it when an author is able to take a storyline that’s been a subplot and bring it to the forefront of the series. We’ve been following Claire and Jake’s romance for multiple books and novellas at this point. I was so pleased that this book was leading up to their wedding. So yes, I will recommend that you read the earlier books in the series. But we get enough background that you could jump in here.
But why would you want to when this series is so much fun. Obviously, there is a fantasy element to it, although it doesn’t overwhelm the mystery. And the author has done such a great job of world building. The elf’s names are perfect. Then there are the businesses. And the reindeer. I even love the fact that snowmen don’t move quickly. It’s just all these little details that make me smile and feel right as I’m reading. I can’t imagine the North Pole being any other way.
And yes, there’s the humor as well. April is still new enough that her observations can be funny. Other times, the elves react is a way that makes me laugh. Truly, this series is a delight.
If you like to read around a holiday if possible, the question would become, do you read this book at Christmas or Valentine’s. Honestly, either would be just fine. It gives off enough vibes for either holiday. Personally, I couldn’t wait that long for either. It’s hard to wait when I know I’ve got a new book in the series ready for me.
So yes, give Mrs. Claus a try. If you are already a fan, you know what fun is waiting for you in Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine. And you won’t be disappointed.
Get more merry vibes from the rest of the Mrs. Claus series.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
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