Cold Turkey

Celebration Bay #1.5

by Shelley Freydont

Event coordinator Liv Montgomery is not only in charge of this year’s Turkey Trot in Celebration Bay, she’s participating as one of the runners. But not long after the marathon begins, gunshots are heard and a body is found in a remote section of woods. Did a local crank shoot the man for trespassing? Or is there a darker, more complex motive for plucking this runner before he crosses the finish line? Now it’s Liv’s turn to race to find the cold-blooded killer…

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Thanksgiving, Holiday, Novella

95 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 6, 2013

About the author

aka 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

Reviews

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

For only being a 95-page novella, this little book was a really good murder mystery and a nice filler for the time between when Liv arrived in town for her events coordinator job and the second book that I'm reading now for Christmas in July. It's been awhile since I read the very first book, so I'd forgotten a few details about some of the people in town, but it was easy to get back on track. I remember really liking the character of Bill the sheriff. He's laid-back but he knows how to get the job done (even when the last job of the day has to do with the Thanksgiving reenactment!) And I just love Ted--for some reason I picture him as a slightly younger but still white-haired Dick Van Dyke, lol. I went straight for the second book and my plan is to include the third book yet this month since it deals with July 4th. What a fun series that I plan to savor, since I've heard that it's finished.

[Taylor's♡Shelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

It might seem odd, but when trying out a new series, I like to start with a novella if the series has one. Reason being that if a set of characters can't hook me in 150 pages or less, they probably can't hook me.

That being said, Cold Turkey left a bit to be desired. It followed the same conventions as most other cozies, which I have absolutely no problem with - I'm in love with the small town entrepreneur turned amateaur sleuth trope. However, because the convention is so strong, I need to care about the characters. Liv seemed fine, but the secondary characters seemed a bit lacking. I assume Chaz is supposed to be the friends-to-enemies love interest and he seemed to have the personality of a No.2 pencil. No thank you.

I won't cut this series... cold turkey. The author's writing style was sweet enough. That being said, I'm not in a rush to continue.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series and look forward to the next installment, although its been awhile since the author came out with a new title. I hope she doesn't abandon this series. This little mini-mystery was a welcome connection to the main characters, but the story seemed to almost end prematurely.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice little read for my phone, for emergencies :)
but not much there. just a simple, predictable mystery.
I did like the protagonist.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little novella to tie the series together.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,25 stars

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready to start the next book in the series.

[Conni · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was just a novella

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Turkey is book 1 1/2 in the Celebration Bay series.

A welcomed book it is, too. Not only an enjoyable story, but a chance to refresh the readers memory about Celebration Bay for before the 2nd book, Silent Knife comes out on September 3, 2013.

Liv's assistant, Ted, is back, continuing to make her shake her head about where he gets all his information. Local newspaper owner, Chaz, acting completely indifferent, but still willing to share much needed information with Liv. Liv's landladies, Miss Ida and Edna are here to provide a little humor. Also, Bebe, the owner of the local bakery, is here to help Liv with her sleuthing and to provide wonderful baked goods.

Last and certainly not least, the adorable Whiskey is there with all of his handsomeness and doing what he does best- being cute and making everyone smile.

A quick read and an enjoyable visit to delightful community of interesting residents.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short light cozy set at Thanksgiving in Celebration, a small town which has become a family tourist destination due to it's town-wide celebration of holidays large and small.

The town is hosting a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, and town event planner Liz is participating in the 10K section of the run. Along the way, in an isolated wooded part of the course, she hears gunshots, and investigating, finds one of the runners killed. With help from Liz and other locals, the murderer is apprehended and a conspiracy to ruin the family friendly vibe of the town is uncovered and foiled.

But first you get to see the town's Pilgrim Feast and the re-enactment of the town's 'supposed' First Thanksgiving.

This was fun, extremely light, and a fast read. I've actually read and enjoyed other books in the series, and this fits in near the beginning when Liz is still a newcomer to the town.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mini-mystery that takes place between the first and second books of the Celebration Bay mystery series. Most novella's focus on character development, but this was a full-fledged mini-mystery with a murder taking place during the 10k Turkey Trot.

I'll call this one of the better mystery novella's I've read for plot complexity. I'm still reserving judgement on the characters - The author hasn't done a whole lot to make me like those that feel like they are going to be an integral part of the series (Chaz) but one can hardly expect the author to accomplish that in an ebook special novella.

Overall, if you enjoy the mini-stories that pop up in your mystery series, this is one of the better ones.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Love the characters and setting in this series.. This novella, however was way too short and ended so abruptly that I don't feel like the story was resolved properly. That being said, I plan to start the next book in the series right away :)

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the town of Celebration Bay so it was nice to have a short Thanksgiving visit. I thought this book needed a bit more wrap up, but was otherwise enjoyable as they try and solve the murder of one of the Turkey Trot runners.

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet cozy. The plot seemed a little bit rushed but that was to be expected with a novella. Nonetheless, I look forward to reading more celebration bay mysteries with liv & whiskey.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. I was excited to have a Thanksgiving read.

[Gretchen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like these novels. This one was so short that there weren't enough red herrings and subplots in it to keep me guessing. I prefer the long novels she writes.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ending was bad. Took a few paragraphs. Really disappointed