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Celebration Bay #2
Silent Knife
Celebration Bay is full of yuletide cheer—but it’s hard to remain festive when someone’s out to slay Santa.
Tis the season, but no one in Celebration Bay is feeling jolly. The local holiday store has been taken over by the new Trim A Tree store, know as TAT by the locals. Their products are lewd, crude and plastic, not at all in keeping with the town’s tasteful, traditional celebration. The manager, Grace Thornsby, is a bitter middle-aged woman who gives new meaning to the name “Grinch”. And worst of all, she’s hired her own Santa to compete with the town’s official and beloved Santa.
But not for long . . . . someone is determined to get the town back to it’s good old fashioned values if it kills him . . . or anyone who stands in his way.
Tis the season, but no one in Celebration Bay is feeling jolly. The local holiday store has been taken over by the new Trim A Tree store, know as TAT by the locals. Their products are lewd, crude and plastic, not at all in keeping with the town’s tasteful, traditional celebration. The manager, Grace Thornsby, is a bitter middle-aged woman who gives new meaning to the name “Grinch”. And worst of all, she’s hired her own Santa to compete with the town’s official and beloved Santa.
But not for long . . . . someone is determined to get the town back to it’s good old fashioned values if it kills him . . . or anyone who stands in his way.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 3, 2013
16 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Freydont
24 books276 followersaka Gemma Bruce
Shelley Freyont is the author of the Lindy Haggerty Sudoku mysteries. She attended the University of Utah majoring in philosophy and dance. Shelley Freydont has also toured as a professonal dance with Twyla Tharp Dance and Americal Ballroom theater. She has appeared and choreographed in television, film, and Brodway.
Series:
* Lindy Haggerty Mystery
* Kate McDonald Mystery
Shelley Freyont is the author of the Lindy Haggerty Sudoku mysteries. She attended the University of Utah majoring in philosophy and dance. Shelley Freydont has also toured as a professonal dance with Twyla Tharp Dance and Americal Ballroom theater. She has appeared and choreographed in television, film, and Brodway.
Series:
* Lindy Haggerty Mystery
* Kate McDonald Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 28, 2019
This book made me feel like it's Christmas, right in the middle of summer. I think one of my favorite parts was Ted teaching little Whiskey how to doggie-sing to the Hallelujah Chorus "ar-roo-roo-roo"--I had to laugh every time I read about the two of them singing together and could just picture the two of them wearing matching bow ties. The mystery was a really good one and even though the awful person in the book didn't bite the dust, they were dealt with in a satisfactory way. I had a couple of suspicions about the person who ended up being the killer, but I wasn't sure why and gave in to the many red herrings and good distractions.
There were some warm and fuzzy endings to be had by several of the townspeople and businesses, and my other favorite part was dinner at the Zimmerman sisters' house. One of these days, I hope Liv decides to warm up a little to Chaz. He doesn't seem so bad really! He and Liv make a good team when it comes to investigating, but he loves to tease her and act like he's got no interest in investigating. Sometimes I think he's just doing that because he likes her! I'm moving along to the next book, since I wanted to get it in while it's still July.
There were some warm and fuzzy endings to be had by several of the townspeople and businesses, and my other favorite part was dinner at the Zimmerman sisters' house. One of these days, I hope Liv decides to warm up a little to Chaz. He doesn't seem so bad really! He and Liv make a good team when it comes to investigating, but he loves to tease her and act like he's got no interest in investigating. Sometimes I think he's just doing that because he likes her! I'm moving along to the next book, since I wanted to get it in while it's still July.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I so enjoyed reading this snowy mystery while the temps outside were heading to the 80′s.
Celebration Bay sound like a fun place to live or just visit. The way the residents pull together to host all these different celebrations sounds like a lot of work but they sure sound like a good time. Picturing the town square and the businesses lit up with twinkling white lights was very easy. Liv Montgomery and her assistant Ted work together to be sure everything is coordinated perfectly. Ted even has a little time to teach Liv’s pooch, Whiskey, to sing Jingle Bells. His Ah-Roo-Roo’s sound just like my border collies. They sing just as well as he does.
We are introduced to Hank, the only Santa allowed in Celebration Bay, so as to not confuse the children. Back are Chaz, the editor of the local newspaper that would rather be fishing, Sheriff Bill who just never seems to be investigating fast enough for Liz, Bebe, Liv’s best friend in town and owner of the coffee shop and Dolly from the bakery. I swear the town would screech to a stop if Liv and Ted didn’t have their muffins and coffee :) We also get to meet the Thornsby’s, who quickly become a thorn in everyone’s side.
The author also created quite a mystery. She even tied a terrible time in my state of Wisconsin into the plot. The horrible Trim-A-Tree (TAT) is just where the story gets warmed up. Soon secrets are revealed that take the chill right out of the air and several people find themselves cooling their heals as the killer has them cornered. Talk about a twist.
A wonderful winter cozy that you can curl up with any time of the year.
May 10, 2018
This was the first Celebration Bay Mystery that I've read, it's the second one but there are only a few references to the first in this story and they don't impact the outcome. I do want to find the first one at some point and learn a little more perhaps about Liv's background and how she came to Celebration Bay.
Liv, Ted, Chaz, Bill, Ida, Edna and Bebe form the core group in this story and are the main people in Liv's life in Celebration Bay. They are interesting people and each plays a role in the mystery, some more than others of course but I can see where this might change from book to book. I am not sure where her relationship with Chaz or A.K. Pierce might be going and this will I'm sure develop and change as the series continues as well.
It's around Christmas, a busy time for an event planner and Liv is in the thick of getting all the events together and seeing that everything is in place when the murder occurs. Liv because she knows all the shopkeepers, is connected to the town leadership through her job and is responsible for the safety at all the events, is immediately thrown into the thick of things. She is always out and about interacting with the shop owners and townspeople a perfect excuse to get involved in helping solve the murder.
The mystery is interesting and kept me involved. There is no way to figure it out ahead of time, based on the clues given.
I liked this one and as I said I'll look for the first one in this series and others.
Liv, Ted, Chaz, Bill, Ida, Edna and Bebe form the core group in this story and are the main people in Liv's life in Celebration Bay. They are interesting people and each plays a role in the mystery, some more than others of course but I can see where this might change from book to book. I am not sure where her relationship with Chaz or A.K. Pierce might be going and this will I'm sure develop and change as the series continues as well.
It's around Christmas, a busy time for an event planner and Liv is in the thick of getting all the events together and seeing that everything is in place when the murder occurs. Liv because she knows all the shopkeepers, is connected to the town leadership through her job and is responsible for the safety at all the events, is immediately thrown into the thick of things. She is always out and about interacting with the shop owners and townspeople a perfect excuse to get involved in helping solve the murder.
The mystery is interesting and kept me involved. There is no way to figure it out ahead of time, based on the clues given.
I liked this one and as I said I'll look for the first one in this series and others.
December 25, 2018
I am not certain I knew there was such a thing as an event planner who could be hired to take on events in a town. Now I do after reading this book. I primarily read cozies, especially ones set during the winter holiday timeframe, this time of year. I like to defuse and mellow out with my book and cozy/amateur sleuth mysteries help. This one fit the bill nicely.
I like the premise of this series. The main character lives in a town called Celebration Bay. The whole town is about celebrating all holidays but they needed some help keeping it organized and safe. So they hire main character, Liv, to sort them out. Not so safe though since murder has occurred.
I like the way Liv becomes involved in the investigation even putting up with being teased about her nosiness. She's good at details due to her career of event planning so she notices things.
I look forward to reading more in the series.
I can recommend this book.
I like the premise of this series. The main character lives in a town called Celebration Bay. The whole town is about celebrating all holidays but they needed some help keeping it organized and safe. So they hire main character, Liv, to sort them out. Not so safe though since murder has occurred.
I like the way Liv becomes involved in the investigation even putting up with being teased about her nosiness. She's good at details due to her career of event planning so she notices things.
I look forward to reading more in the series.
I can recommend this book.
June 11, 2017
I like to read cozies because of the characters and not necessarily the mysteries themselves. I don't need twisty, complicated mysteries, but a good cast of characters that I enjoy is essential. I feel with Celebration Bay, I mostly get that. I mean, I want to visit!
I'm still not sold on this potential love interest. I can see what suppose to happen, but ehhh, I'm not really invested in it. I actually want Bebe to date a nice guy. I'm also not a fan of this I haven't read the summary of the next in the series, so this may not be the case, but no thank you.
I'm still not sold on this potential love interest. I can see what suppose to happen, but ehhh, I'm not really invested in it. I actually want Bebe to date a nice guy. I'm also not a fan of this I haven't read the summary of the next in the series, so this may not be the case, but no thank you.
February 14, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the mystery itself was pretty good. On the other hand, what is it with Chaz? He acts like a silly eighth grade boy the way he pesters Liv. And what’s with him acting half asleep all the time? In any other book I’d think he was stoned. I was ready for this to be my last book of the series until A.K. Pierce shows up on the scene all macho and muscled as the new rival for Liv’s attention/affection. Hmmm, I’ll give the next book a try.
July 23, 2017
I couldn't find this book for the longest time at my bookstore, so I finally had to order it online to get back to Celebration Bay. I like the premise of this series, and I enjoyed this book the most of the ones I read this far. Didn't know who the killer was until pretty close to the end (maybe because I didn't want it to be who it was.)
July 20, 2018
I am really enjoying this series, I love Liv, Whiskey and the whole crew. The town of Celebration Bay has a great small town vibe, with all it's good and bad and a great mystery with lots of holiday cheer!!!!
January 10, 2021
Wow! This book was a cliffhanger, from page 1 to the very last page. I love Christmas mysteries, and this one didn't disappoint. I thought I'd figured out whodunnit, but boy, was I wrong. I won't spoil it, but I was happy it wasn't Santa Claus.
December 27, 2023
This is a good mystery emphasis on good. I never guessed the killer. It's Luv Montgomery's first Christmas in Celebration Bay. This year's holidays are turning into a disaster when one Santa ends up dead and the other one is a suspect.
May 29, 2017
It's fine. Freydont is a very competent writer, which isn't always the case in cozies. I don't really love any of the characters, though, and I miss that aspect.
June 21, 2017
Enjoyable, if a little trite at times.
December 4, 2017
someone killed Santa!
Fun Christmas themed Cozy mystery.
well paced
Fun Christmas themed Cozy mystery.
well paced
February 3, 2019
Perfect read during the holiday season, wicked and funny.
January 9, 2020
A great book about a small town and an event planner that coridnates all the events in town with a muder mystery
December 19, 2021
It's just not holding my interest.
December 7, 2022
I enjoyed the story although it seemed to read slow. I like the characters and town and am enjoying the relationships. I did figure the mystery out slightly before Liv, always exciting for me.
December 28, 2022
Really like this series. Already have the next few books.
November 10, 2025
3 Stars
March 5, 2017
It is the run up to Christmas in Celebration Bay and Liv (and Ted) are up to their ears in arrangements for various Christmas themed events. The only down point is a shop called Trim a Tree (or TAT as the locals have taken to calling it), it is stocked with shoddy (and in some cases rather rude!) Christmas themed items and the owner/manager makes the Grinch look like Santa Claus.
On the evening of the big Christmas lights turn on all the shops turn their lights on just after the tree lights have been switched on, at least all the shops apart from TAT and Lov goes to find out why, what she finds in the shop is not in keeping with the Christmas spirit and whether she likes it or not she is dragged in to finding out the truth.
Oh and add in the fact that Ted has been teaching Whiskey (Liv's Westie) to "sing" and Liv has her plate full!
On the evening of the big Christmas lights turn on all the shops turn their lights on just after the tree lights have been switched on, at least all the shops apart from TAT and Lov goes to find out why, what she finds in the shop is not in keeping with the Christmas spirit and whether she likes it or not she is dragged in to finding out the truth.
Oh and add in the fact that Ted has been teaching Whiskey (Liv's Westie) to "sing" and Liv has her plate full!
September 30, 2013
Liv Montgomery, Celebration Bay, New York's event planner is excited over her first Christmas. Liv has spent countless hours working with the store owners and vendors to plan the entire season to please the tourists and make Celebration Bay a destination spot. There is even an agreed upon mandate that the town have only one official Santa Claus.
Knowing how important having occupied store-fronts are to buyers, and to the general health of the business community, everyone watched as the new leasers of the previously ran Newland's Gifts store is turned into a cheap version of a Christmas store named 'Trim A Tree.' Not only are the products for sale rather, shall we say, cheap?, the store has the audacity to have their own Santa...
Liv being bombarded with complaints from the other business owners, confronts the owner, and orders her to cease and desist with the Santa or she will have to see about having her lease rescinded. Another agreement made was that all the stores would join in with the tree lighting and switch their lights on at the same moment.
Almost expectedly, Trim A Tree was the only store that remained dark. Liv had enough and went over to talk with the owner to demand an answer as to why the store didn't join in. To her shock the store was empty but open. As she called for the owner, Liv stumbles upon the body of the man who had portrayed the illegal Santa.
That was the last expectant moment in the book. This book leads you one way and then another. You think you have it figured out and then Liv and yourself are misled. Included within the book is moments of hilarity as Liv's assistant, Ted busies himself teaching Liv's Westy to sing Handel's Messiah for the town's sing-a-long.
I enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next. This was the second book of the series, "A Celebration Bay Mystery."
Knowing how important having occupied store-fronts are to buyers, and to the general health of the business community, everyone watched as the new leasers of the previously ran Newland's Gifts store is turned into a cheap version of a Christmas store named 'Trim A Tree.' Not only are the products for sale rather, shall we say, cheap?, the store has the audacity to have their own Santa...
Liv being bombarded with complaints from the other business owners, confronts the owner, and orders her to cease and desist with the Santa or she will have to see about having her lease rescinded. Another agreement made was that all the stores would join in with the tree lighting and switch their lights on at the same moment.
Almost expectedly, Trim A Tree was the only store that remained dark. Liv had enough and went over to talk with the owner to demand an answer as to why the store didn't join in. To her shock the store was empty but open. As she called for the owner, Liv stumbles upon the body of the man who had portrayed the illegal Santa.
That was the last expectant moment in the book. This book leads you one way and then another. You think you have it figured out and then Liv and yourself are misled. Included within the book is moments of hilarity as Liv's assistant, Ted busies himself teaching Liv's Westy to sing Handel's Messiah for the town's sing-a-long.
I enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next. This was the second book of the series, "A Celebration Bay Mystery."
August 31, 2013
Silent Knife is the second book in the A Celebration Bay Mystery series.
Liv Montgomery is busy putting the finishing touches on Celebration Bay's holiday events, while her assistant and her Westie work on vocal skills. Trim A Tree, which has undergone a change of ownership has started carrying gaudy and tacky items, in addition to having an anything but friendly Santa Claus, which is in violation town policy.
After much cajoling, Liv is finally able to convince Grace Thornsby that her Santa has to be removed.
As the community is getting ready for their Christmas tree lighting, all the stores are brightly lit, except for Trim A Tree. Penny, clerk at Trim A Tree, heads back to the shop and finds the former Santa dead from having his throat cut. The towns' Santa is missing and someone says that a Santa was seen leaving about the same time.
Liv, with the help of Ted and the caring and observant shopkeepers, are enlisted to help find the murderer so that Celebration Bay will have a happy holiday. After much cajoling Liv is finally able to get Chaz Bristow involved in search. Chaz is a character to be reckoned with and enjoy his character. I know Liz would like to give him a head slap often. I'm guessing that at some time Liv and Chaz will become better friends, but for now the banter between them is fun.
All the store owners from the first book are back and doing what they can to help Liv. And of course Whiskey can always count on the Bakery for his own special treats.
And of course Whiskey is there to provide the reader with many light hearted moments.
Looking forward to book #3
Liv Montgomery is busy putting the finishing touches on Celebration Bay's holiday events, while her assistant and her Westie work on vocal skills. Trim A Tree, which has undergone a change of ownership has started carrying gaudy and tacky items, in addition to having an anything but friendly Santa Claus, which is in violation town policy.
After much cajoling, Liv is finally able to convince Grace Thornsby that her Santa has to be removed.
As the community is getting ready for their Christmas tree lighting, all the stores are brightly lit, except for Trim A Tree. Penny, clerk at Trim A Tree, heads back to the shop and finds the former Santa dead from having his throat cut. The towns' Santa is missing and someone says that a Santa was seen leaving about the same time.
Liv, with the help of Ted and the caring and observant shopkeepers, are enlisted to help find the murderer so that Celebration Bay will have a happy holiday. After much cajoling Liv is finally able to get Chaz Bristow involved in search. Chaz is a character to be reckoned with and enjoy his character. I know Liz would like to give him a head slap often. I'm guessing that at some time Liv and Chaz will become better friends, but for now the banter between them is fun.
All the store owners from the first book are back and doing what they can to help Liv. And of course Whiskey can always count on the Bakery for his own special treats.
And of course Whiskey is there to provide the reader with many light hearted moments.
Looking forward to book #3
December 12, 2016
This was a very enjoyable holiday read.
Liv Montgomery has recently moved from Manhattan to a smaller, upstate town to become the Events Coordinator. As the book opens, things are at a fever pitch, getting ready for the town Christmas celebration to kick off the holiday season.
But the other shopkeepers are having issues with a new shop owner. First of all, her displays are tacky and tasteless, and not really in keeping with the theme of the others. Secondly, she is extremely rude, and everyone fears she will scare away tourists who come to visit for the holidays. On top of which, she has hired her own Santa - when everyone in town knows there is an agreement, albeit mostly informal - that there only be one, and that it be the same person who has done it for years.
On the night of the festival, where every shop turns on its lights at the same time, the new shop remains dark. When Liv goes to investigate, she finds the second Santa - out of "uniform" - with his throat cut on the floor of the store. Now it's time to figure out what happened, and not only save the town's reputation for the holiday festival, but to save Liv's job!
I liked this book. The characters were varied, the setting was fun, and the identity of the killer was pretty unexpected, and handled well. This is the second book in this series, and I may check out the first one around Halloween next year.
Liv Montgomery has recently moved from Manhattan to a smaller, upstate town to become the Events Coordinator. As the book opens, things are at a fever pitch, getting ready for the town Christmas celebration to kick off the holiday season.
But the other shopkeepers are having issues with a new shop owner. First of all, her displays are tacky and tasteless, and not really in keeping with the theme of the others. Secondly, she is extremely rude, and everyone fears she will scare away tourists who come to visit for the holidays. On top of which, she has hired her own Santa - when everyone in town knows there is an agreement, albeit mostly informal - that there only be one, and that it be the same person who has done it for years.
On the night of the festival, where every shop turns on its lights at the same time, the new shop remains dark. When Liv goes to investigate, she finds the second Santa - out of "uniform" - with his throat cut on the floor of the store. Now it's time to figure out what happened, and not only save the town's reputation for the holiday festival, but to save Liv's job!
I liked this book. The characters were varied, the setting was fun, and the identity of the killer was pretty unexpected, and handled well. This is the second book in this series, and I may check out the first one around Halloween next year.
August 16, 2019
A very good read, very enjoyable.
March 8, 2014
The second in the Celebration Bay Mystery series was a Christmas themed story. Liv Montgomery is the town's events planner and the town is all set for a wonderful holiday with all the shops decorated, and all kinds of activities planned. One shop is not with the program. The Trim a Tree shop has cheaply made merchandise and tasteless window décor. The owner has even hired her own Santa which is against the merchants agreement. Only one Santa and he comes to town in a wagon pulled by reindeer to start the festivities. When the annual festival of lights start, the Trim a Tree shop is the only one left unlit. When Liv goes to check why the lights weren't turned on with the others, she discovers the shop's Santa has been murdered. The town's long-term Santa looks like a possible suspect and Liv investigates so the town's festival won't be ruined. Lot of interesting characters make this a fun read.
December 10, 2014
Liv wants her first Christmas as the event coordinator in Celebration Bay to go well, but she’s hit some unexpected snags. First, Trim a Tree has opened with their tacky gifts. Then the store hires a second Santa, a violation of town policy. However, when that Santa is found murdered, Liv really has her work cut out for her.
After enjoying the first, I was looking forward to revisiting this festive town for Christmas. The plot got bogged down a bit in the first half, and I could not stand one character. However, those were minor issues. I did mostly enjoy the book, and things picked up by the end. I couldn’t wait to figure out who had done it. There were lots of references and things to help get us in the Christmas spirit as well.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
After enjoying the first, I was looking forward to revisiting this festive town for Christmas. The plot got bogged down a bit in the first half, and I could not stand one character. However, those were minor issues. I did mostly enjoy the book, and things picked up by the end. I couldn’t wait to figure out who had done it. There were lots of references and things to help get us in the Christmas spirit as well.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 27, 2015
Here we have another series with logical amateur action. Our main character and her staff / friends are taxed with running holiday events in a small town that depends upon the tourists who come for the attractions. So if something happens it makes a lot more sense for Liv and Ted to work on keeping things on tract and to do so they need to investigate the mysteries from their viewpoint. The police are very competent and not as adverse to the amateur efforts as with main such series. This keeps to stories interesting and clues abound but must be interpreted correctly. The only bad side is the proverbial ending where Liv is confronted and threatened and needs to be rescued. Still book 2 was a bit more appealing. There is a 1.5 volume of a death between the fall fair and this Christmas setting but have found it yet.
January 17, 2015
I like the town of Celebration Bay. Most the people seem like they would be fun to hang out with. I can't imagine being an Event Co-ordinator, but Liz seems to do a good job. If only she could get rid of the pesky habit of finding bodies during events.
What I enjoyed:
* the setting and characters
* Whiskey is an adorable dog, I love that Ted was trying to teach him to sing.
* I'm starting to warm up to Chaz
What could be better:
* Liv always figures things out about 10 minutes too late which leaves her in danger
* It looks like they are trying to start a love triangle - I hate love triangles in cozies. And they are way too common.
What I enjoyed:
* the setting and characters
* Whiskey is an adorable dog, I love that Ted was trying to teach him to sing.
* I'm starting to warm up to Chaz
What could be better:
* Liv always figures things out about 10 minutes too late which leaves her in danger
* It looks like they are trying to start a love triangle - I hate love triangles in cozies. And they are way too common.
February 13, 2014
Liv is planning the Christmas events for the town of Celebration Bay, NY - the tree lighting, the parade, Santa's Shop. All the townspeople are enjoying the events and the shopkeepers are enjoying the sales. The shopkeepers are decorating their shops, well, all but the Trim A Tree shop, who is not in the holiday even though they are a ornament shop. When the town's second Santa is found dead in the Trim A Tree shop's back room, the town's celebration is dimmed a bit. Liv must keep the events on track so she answers some questions here and there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews