Menace at the Christmas Market (A Novella)

Murder on Location #4.5

by Sara Rosett

A Christmas Novella...

With the Christmas holidays nearing, Kate has time off, a rare occurrence for a location scout. The Jane Austen documentary series is in a production lull, and she plans to spend her time searching for the perfect Christmas gift for Alex, which has turned out to be a task as difficult as finding an unspoiled location for a medieval-inspired fantasy series. Kate goes to the local Regency-themed Christmas Market in search of a gift, but while she's there a new acquaintance meets with foul play. Kate is drawn into the investigation and soon realizes she must discover who wants to make sure she doesn't ring in the New Year.

Celebrate the season with the holiday novella, Menace at the Christmas Market, the fifth entry in the popular Murder on Location cozy mystery series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Audiobook, Fiction, Novella, Cozy

100 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 2016

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, fun characters, and puzzling whodunits.

She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as three contemporary cozy series, the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery.

Publishers Weekly called Sara's books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more at SaraRosett.com.

Reviews

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick Christmas mystery from the Murder on Location series. I have read 2 of the 6 books and I had no problem keeping up but I am not sure it would work for someone completely unfamiliar.

These stories are set in modern UK with a JA tie in. In this story it is a popular JAFF author who will be signing books at the local Christmas market, which is Regency themed. When the author is a no show Kate, who only wants a good gift for her boyfriend, gets sucked into the investigation as her friends are now suspects in the disappearance. I should add there is a murder in the story this isn't a sweet little mix up.

It isn't a complicated mystery but it is a cute, as in the relationship between Kate & Alex, Xmas mystery.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Menace at the Christmas Market by Sara Rosett was an enjoyable cozy novella set during the Christmas season in England. Alex is away for the holidays visiting with his family and Kate is on her own to solve this one. I actually listened to the audio book and enjoyed very minute of Kate trying to solve the mystery of an author who has disappeared.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas in Nether Woodmor finds Kate with some rare time off and alone while Alex visits family in the Canary Islands. Kate will return home after the holiday to see her mother after spending one day with Alex. Louise at the pub knows Kate is searching for the perfect Christmas gift for Alex and invites Kate to the Regency-themed Christmas market in a nearby town. There Kate is introduced to the world of Jane Austen fan-fiction as Louise eagerly anticipates buying an autographed copy of her favorite author's latest novel. When they arrive to discover Harriet Hayden has cancelled her annual appearance at the Christmas Market, Louise is a bit concerned. Not as concerned as her friend Gina who suspects Harriet may have met with foul play. She begs Kate to investigate as the police think she's crazy. Kate isn't sure what to think until Gina ends up poisoned. Then Kate is resolved to solve the mystery.

This story has the most Austenesque content as the author introduces the reader to the concept of Jane Austen variations, sequels and spinoffs. Those are not my thing so I was less fascinated than Kate. Kate's mystery is really odd. Is it a murder, a hostage situation or just an author gone on vacation for longer than anticipated? The police suspect the former and don't really care. They have good reason to believe Harriet is OK but is all what it seems? The plot seems very far fetched to me. It's solved with little difficulty despite the complexity of the situation.

Kate keeps a cool head and doesn't do anything stupid. I like reading about her growing feelings for Alex but their relationship seems still in it's infancy. Kate's own anxiety is somewhat to blame for that. Louise is a lot of fun riding shotgun with Kate. I really like her. Louise's friend Gina Brill is Harriet Hayden's biggest fan and considers herself a friend because Gina works at the grocery and knows all Harriet's secrets. Could Gina have killed Harriet? I don't think so. Gina seems a little bit of a sad sack but meek. She could be faking it or she could be crazy.

Harriet's sister Bridgette and neighbor Carrie are the only other two suspects. Bridgette is an addict and homeless. Who knows what she is capable of or what she has done when high? She has every reason to resent her successful, bossy big sister. Carrie, a neighbor with a Jane Austen themed kitsch shop is one of THOSE neighbors. She's so nosy and acts as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Her shop sounds tacky yet it makes a lot of money. Why would she harm Harriet?

Constable Petrie is not good at his job. He doesn't thoroughly check into Harriet's well-being and dismisses Gina's concerns and even thinks Gina may have poisoned herself. How lazy can you be?

Harriet Hayden is exploiting Jane Austen's good name. I found what little information we're given about her to be a bit off-putting. She seems to enjoy telling everyone how successful she is by announcing her vacation plans. She isn't very aware of internet safety and posts her vacation plans online. Anyone could follow her! What actually happened to her came as quite a surprise to me and I never would have guessed.

I look forward to reuniting with Kate, Alex and the crew later on. Not tonight though.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been curious about this cozy mystery series featuring Kate Sharp, currently a location scout for a documentary series on Jane Austen. When this novella – entry 4.5 in the series – became available on sale, I decided it would be an interesting way to try out the series. In hindsight, I might have been better off starting at the beginning, as I had to do a bit of catch-up with the main character. But except in the very beginning, the book worked fine for me as a standalone.

Kate has been dating Alex for a few months, but he’s currently in the Canary Islands with his mother over the Christmas holidays, while Kate is at home. The production company Kate works for is closed until after the first of the year, and as a workaholic, Kate feels a bit at loose ends. When a friend suggests they go to a nearby Christmas market Kate agrees. Once there, a woman asks Kate to investigate the supposed disappearance of a local author who writes P&P fanfic (apparently Kate is known for investigating). But has the author really disappeared, or is she just on vacation in the Canary Islands, as someone else suggests?

The mystery held my interest; I wasn’t sure what had happened. Every time we seemed to know, something else happened to confuse the situation. I liked Kate, and would like to know more about her, as well as about Alex. Overall I would give this a B, so four stars here, and I’m now off to download the first in the series!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the Christmas market she put her purchases into a bag. Bag alert, major ba- a-ag alert!

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good short story cozy mystery in this series.

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun holiday Who Done it!

[Sarah's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some novellas are too rushed and can't compare to the full-length novels in a series. This one however, was very well done! An engaging storyline with easy-to-remember characters. Excited to continue the series!

[Amy Reade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella by Sara Rosett. It was perfect for a quick holiday read, and included an English Christmas setting, a tropical twist, a mysterious disappearance, and a dastardly deed (actually, several dastardly deeds). Though the book is listed as #4.5 in the Murder on Location series, I found that I knew exactly what was going on without having read the first 4 books in the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great escape into Christmas crime!

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Murder on Location books. Sara Rosett draws her reader in in a friendly manner. Small town England, enviable job, good age (to us has-beens), and likable people -- except for a few. This kind of writing seems simple but it's not. I've put down, thrown across the room, and/or returned to the library many cozy mysteries. I keep Rosett's Murder On Location books for rereading.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little novella fits between books 4 and 5 of the Murder on Location series. Kate needs to find a Christmas present for her boyfriend Alex, who is in the Canary Islands visiting his parents. Her friend Louise from the pub suggests that they go to the Regency-themed Christmas market in a nearby town. Louise wants to visit the stall of an author she loves to buy the latest signed book. Kate notices a woman who seems to be following her When they arrive at the market, Louise is disappointed to find that her author is not there, although they find a scruffy woman inside who appears to be a homeless person. As they are trying to figure it out, the woman who was following Kate earlier appears and turns out to be Gina, a member of Louise's book club. She says she wanted to ask Kate's help because she is worried about Harriet, the missing author. Harriet was supposedly on vacation in the Canary Islands, but should have been back by now. Gina thinks she is dead, and has been pestering the police to no avail. The woman in the next booth, Carrie Webbington, is apparently selling Harriet's books for her. There is an obvious antipathy between Louise and Carrie. When Gina is poisoned, falls, and hits her head, Kate decides to get involved. She goes to Harriet's house where she meets Harriet's sister Bridgette, who is -surprise! - the scruffy woman they saw at the market. A lot of the plot is telegraphed in advance, probably because a novelette is not long enough to stretch out the mystery. Also, there is very little of Kate's job mentioned, which is different from the books. Needless to say, Kate and Louise manage to find out what happened to Harriet. Another nice light read from Rosett.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is spending Christmas alone because Alex is in the Canary Islands with his family. They plan on meeting up when he returns to the UK and before she travels to the US just after Christmas to visit friends and family. Kate wants to find the perfect Christmas gift for Alex so her friend Louise who works in the village pub suggests they go to the Regency-themed Christmas market in Upper Benning, the nearby town.
Someone seems to be watching and following Kate through which catches her eye. When she and Louise get to the market this woman approaches them and Louise recognizes her, they are in the same book club. Gina explains she wanted to approach Kate to ask for her help. As Gina explains to Kate and Louise, she knows Kate now has a reputation for solving mysteries and problems.
Gina tells Louise and Kate over hot drinks that she thinks something has happened to her favorite author, Harriet Hayden. Harriet lives in the local area and had been invited to speak at Louise and Gina's book club. She also shopped at the grocery store where Gina worked. Gina tells Louise and Kate that Harriet seems to be missing. She'd gone to the police, but they told her that Harriet was on vacation in the Canary Islands. When Harriet doesn't return for the Christmas Market, something she founded and looked forward to each year, Gina feels something is wrong. Yet the police ignore her.
However, while speaking to Kate and Louise Gina starts feeling ill and says her tea tastes odd. Then she collapses. She's rushed to the hospital. However, even with Gina extremely ill in the hospital, the local police officer doesn't take things seriously. Another DCI is called in.
Kate calls Alex who is in the Canary Islands and asks him to check up on Harriet. She also begins to investigate on her own, meeting and asking questions of Harriet's friends, neighbors, and relatives. Kate and Louise make quite the investigative pair. They eventually find out what happened to Harriet as well as who was responsible for her disappearance.
Though this novelette is short, it doesn't feel rushed. The plot isn't as complicated as a longer novel, but it still works and I really enjoyed it. Sara Rosett has a gift for making her characters quickly come to life. I recommend this story, though if you can't find it it's probably not necessary to the the rest of the Murder on Location series.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella length book, an in-between volume in the Murder on Location series. Here, Kate Sharp finds herself between movie productions. With time on her hands, she joins a friend and drives to a nearby village to visit a Regency-themed market. She hopes of finding a present for her boyfriend, Alex, who is very difficult to shop for. He’s off visiting his mother for the holiday. Her friend wants to get a signed copy of an author’s Jane Austen-sequel book. Once there, they discover that the author is missing, supposedly enjoying a holiday on the same island as Alex. As always when Kate is involved, one thing leads to another, and it ends with solving a murder. This tale brings along a nasty Caroline Bingley-type character, and the sister of the missing author, a drug user. It all adds up to some interesting twists and turns, more than you'd think in such a short book.

This is another wonderful entry into this very enjoyable series of books. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s nearly Christmas, and Kate Sharp is looking for a suitable present for her boyfriend Alex, who is off in the Canary Islands at a family gathering. Her friend Louise suggests that Kate look at the local Christmas Market for a gift, but once there Kate finds much more: the booth of an author of Jane Austen related fan fiction, although there is no sign of the author herself. When a member of Louise’s book club approaches Kate, claiming to be certain that something has happened to the author, Kate’s first Christmas in England begins to look a lot like a murder investigation…. Although this is billed as the fifth book in the Murder on Location series, it’s actually a novella, short and not-so-sweet. I quite enjoyed spending time with Kate alone, with Alex out of the way for the moment, and I was reminded of costumed Christmas Markets I’ve visited in the past (and hopefully will again in the future, pandemic willing!); a small morsel, but satisfying overall.

[Laura Hisrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give the other books in this series 5 stars, as they are really pretty well written and edited and vaguely educational re: Jane Austen. However, it frustrates me when an author it seems to completely forget about a previously introduced character. If you’re reading this it’s probably not a spoiler that the boyfriend doesn’t get on great with his mom and has a little sister. She and the main protagonist totally know each other. Why was the sister not on Christmas Holiday with her brother? Even just to say “At least she’s here, so that’s fun. She says hi!” A tiny detail that has nothing to do with the plot (which frankly was not as good as the previous books in the series either), but irksome. I hope both of these flaws have to do with it being a novella. PS I listen to these on audiobook format and the narrator is quite good. This possibly would have been three stars otherwise.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

For 🤬 Sake. I hate when authors do this.
"I pried the paper back and caught my breath as I recognized the peacock feathers. 'A first edition of Pride and Prejudice.' I ran my fingers over the embossed surface."

I'm assuming she means a first edition of 1894 Peacock Edition illustrated by Hugh Thompson. Even a: "Not a particularly good one, I’m afraid. It’s worn. The technical term is ‘foxed,’ I learned, but I thought you’d like it." are extremely rare and expensive. There's currently one on Ebay in about this same condition for $3,300.

So no, I don't think that this would happen. I hate when authors do this. Act like you can just pop down to any book store and find a rare book. And that an average person would spend that much on a Christmas Gift for someone they haven’t been dating that long.

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read that gave me holiday feels in early March. “Menace at the Christmas Market” is book 4.5, a novella for the “Murder on Location” series by Sara Rosett. Quick review - 4 stars, I enjoyed this one. Kate is flying solo with Alex away for the holidays (seriously, when do they have time to start, let alone maintain, a relationship?)

Kate is searching for the perfect gift for Alex and gets herself invited to a Christmas Market/Bazaar by Louise, the lovable and maternal owner of the local pub. The trip to find Alex’s gift turns into a major mystery when a fanfic author appears to go missing. Is it a missing person or just a crazy and stalkerish fan of the author that has a wild imagination and too much time? You’ll have to read this fun quickie to find out! On to book 5 in the series…

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little Christmas novella attached to the Murder on Location series. Kate and Alex are apart for the holidays, but Kate inevitably gets caught up in another mystery. This time she and Louise go to a Regency Christmas Market to buy presents and end up at the hospital after an acquaintance drinks some poisoned peppermint tea. Was she poisoned because she was asking too many questions about an author? Kate's investigation with Louise leads to a swift conclusion and a Christmas treat. This is a fun extra story for fans of the series.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting novella. An author goes on holiday and never returns. The only person concerned is the grocery statue clerk that sees her every week on Tuesday. When the clerk goes to the police they ignore her. When she goes back they can’t act the police local to the holiday and they report the author is a guest at an hotel and on holiday. However the clerk and the author’s other friends know that is out of her normal behavior and ask another friend to investigate. And so the adventure begins. A good read. I’m going to have to check out other books in this series.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Christmas Murder

These short novellas are just a tease! I thoroughly enjoyed it though. It's amazing how Kate always finds herself in the middle of a murder but she attracts it like a magnet. She's great at solving it though and she's smart and capable. I truly love that it's not just Kate, her friends always seem to round out a team that works together and helps each other. Louise and Alex have been invaluable to her and are once again. I loved this but much prefer a longer book but I will take any of these that I can get.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella that was barely a 4. I'm glad I had read all the previous books so I had background and character development all ready. Not a really upbeat topic for Christmas. :) A local author goes missing and only 1 of her neighbors realizes that she never came back from her vacation and knows she would never miss the Christmas Market. The police won't listen and thinks she's a nut job. Finally, Kate gets involved after the woman who's worried is poisoned. And with a little lie and then some surveillance she solves they mystery.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was included with my audio book of Death in an Elegant City so it was a fun little surprise for me. It is a clean, quick read, cozy mystery. I think the who dunnit part was pretty obvious but the why and how were not. I enjoyed listening to it.

No sex or language
Violence: murder occurs before the book starts. Situation of peril resulting in some violence in self defense. Nothing graphic.

[Lalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella featuring Kate on her own helping her friends in the village solving a mystery involving a missing author. Of course there is a Jane Austen theme in this book since the author writes modern versions of Austen type stories and a Christmas Fair that is Regency themed.I enjoyed the winter atmosphere and would certainly enjoy visiting a Christmas Fair like the one described in the story. I liked this addition to the Murder on Location series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is a location scout for a documentary on Jane Austen. Presently she is in England with a little time on her hands because Christmas is near. She wants to use that time to find a Christmas gift for Alex, her boyfriend. However, she also finds herself intrigued by the disappearance of a local author who never misses the Christmas Market. Kate and her friends begin the search but feel there is more than a disappearance involved. And, so it begins............

A fun, short read.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shopping can be dangerous!

With Alex away, Kate teams up with pub owner Louise on what begins as a Christmas shopping excursion. Kates searching for the perfect gift while Louise wants to get the latest offering from a favourite author. Seems straightforward enough, right?! Their adventure soon takes on a sinister twist that follows them home when the author is pronounced missing! Once again we are treated to an exceptional serving of mystery magic that you should definitely read!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella from the Murder on Location series with two of my favorite literary characters, Kate and Alex. I love reading this series in between my heavy themed reads during the year and also at the holidays to keep things light in my life as my world gets hectic. Really enjoy Sara Rosett’s style of writing cozy mysteries.

[Judith Cranswick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant quick read. One of Rossett's great strengths is the ability to create characters that keep you reading even when the novella format means there is not enough time to develop the twists and turns of plot that make the novels in this series so compelling. Sad to say, without the necessary red herrings, the killer easy to spot from early on. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a shorter book than usual and easily read in 1 sitting.

Alex is away and as it's nearing Christmas Kate is looking for the ideal present so visits a Regency themed market with Louise. Kate has a feeling she's being followed, and once there they meet a friend of an author who has gone missing and she begs Kate to help find out what's happened to her. Kate's prior experiences are public knowledge so she ages, however before she has a chance to do anything the person is taken seriously ill.

A short but enjoyable book.

[Emily M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Austen fanfic writers and tacky Austen memorabilia... Hilarious! The mystery wasn't very deep, but it was a fun, quick novella. This series is written for readers like me, particularly when the rest of life is a little stressful and out of control. Extra star for the titles of the fanfic novels alone. I want to read about Miss Bingley solving crimes!

[Judith von Kirchbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menace at the Christmas market is a delightful read. It was my first introduction to Kate Sharp. I look forward to reading more in the Location series.
I love Sara Rosett’s High Society Murder series set in the golden 20’s and was delighted to discover this one is also set in Nether Woodsmore even if in contemporary times, very fun even if short read.