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Brilliant, Minnesota Mysteries #2
The Discombobulated Decipherers
It’s Christmas in Brilliant, Minnesota, and Brilliant is known for its glitzy Christmas traditions. A world-renowned Christmas pageant, the town square decked out with Santa’s Village and a live nativity scene bring visitors to Brilliant each year. Just as the tourists arrive, Jezabelle Jingle and her mystery writer friend, Miranda, find the body of Ernest the elf dead and wrapped in a bundle of Christmas lights in the town square. Is Ernest part of a new holiday puzzle the Discombobulated Decipherers need to solve? Or is dead Ernest part of a bigger plot? Will Jezabelle decipher the clues so Brilliant can celebrate Christmas in peace? Or will Jezabelle be the next gift-wrapped box under the village tree?
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2017
17 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Julie Seedorf
23 books203 followersA Bit About Me As An Impassioned Writer
As human beings, we are always a work in progress. From birth to death we live, hurt, laugh, cry, feel, and with all of those emotions we grow as people, as family members, and as friends. I am a dreamer and feel blessed to have the opportunity in my writing to pass those dreams on to others. I believe you are never too old to dream and to turn those dreams into a creative endeavor. I live in rural Minnesota and I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.
I have worn many hats throughout my life such as working as a waitress, nursing home activities person, office manager, and finally, a computer repair person eventually owning my own computer sales and repair business. I never forgot my love of writing and quit my computer business in 2012 after signing a contract with Cozy Cat Press for Granny Hooks A Crook, the first book in my Fuchsia, Minnesota Series.
I now have four series, my latest being The Whistle Stop Series with the first book being A Small Town Can BE #Murder.
I also dabble a bit in watercolor painting and hope to eventually add pictures to my children’s book series, Granny’s In Trouble.
Oh, and did I tell you I like to be a little bit silly.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 16, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Come for the Christmas pageant, the live nativity scene, and Santa and stay for the murder. It is almost Christmas in Brilliant, Minnesota and a dead elf has been found in the town square. There also seems to be a new puzzle for the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors. Oh but wait, they were forced to disband after their last little caper. They have been reborn as the Discombobulated Decipherers. The name fits, the are pretty discombobulated over this new puzzle they need to decipher, starting with how a dead elf entangled in Christmas fits. Maybe his death has nothing to do with it at all, but maybe they can decipher that case as well. Hopefully before “disaster” strikes. Aside from the puzzles, there is another mystery to solve. Jezabelle has a secret admirer sending her some fantastic gifts.
I challenge you to read a Julie Seedorf story and not crack a smile several times, you may even find yourself laughing out loud.
Jezabelle Jingle, Lizzy Langer, Phoebe Harkins, Rock Stone, Miranda Covington, and Mr. Warbler make up this crew of puzzle solvers. The cook at Brilliant Bistro has also joined the group which is good because Rock Stone is out of town. Police Chief Hank Hardy has ordered them to say out of police business, but he knows they won’t listen. Jezabelle Jingle and her friends don’t like being told what to do so they will just do their investigating behind the chief’s back. {wink, wink}
These characters leap off the page. They are funny and sweet and warm my heart. They are also fascinated by things that most people would pass right by. The author again gave them a very unusual puzzle. Little items found that lead to uncovering a huge secret. I was captivated by the clues immediately and was shocked to see where they lead and what the decipherers found.
Julie Seedorf has written a brilliant little mystery. Curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and relax and enjoy. A wonderful way to ring in the season with a smile.
Come for the Christmas pageant, the live nativity scene, and Santa and stay for the murder. It is almost Christmas in Brilliant, Minnesota and a dead elf has been found in the town square. There also seems to be a new puzzle for the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors. Oh but wait, they were forced to disband after their last little caper. They have been reborn as the Discombobulated Decipherers. The name fits, the are pretty discombobulated over this new puzzle they need to decipher, starting with how a dead elf entangled in Christmas fits. Maybe his death has nothing to do with it at all, but maybe they can decipher that case as well. Hopefully before “disaster” strikes. Aside from the puzzles, there is another mystery to solve. Jezabelle has a secret admirer sending her some fantastic gifts.
I challenge you to read a Julie Seedorf story and not crack a smile several times, you may even find yourself laughing out loud.
Jezabelle Jingle, Lizzy Langer, Phoebe Harkins, Rock Stone, Miranda Covington, and Mr. Warbler make up this crew of puzzle solvers. The cook at Brilliant Bistro has also joined the group which is good because Rock Stone is out of town. Police Chief Hank Hardy has ordered them to say out of police business, but he knows they won’t listen. Jezabelle Jingle and her friends don’t like being told what to do so they will just do their investigating behind the chief’s back. {wink, wink}
These characters leap off the page. They are funny and sweet and warm my heart. They are also fascinated by things that most people would pass right by. The author again gave them a very unusual puzzle. Little items found that lead to uncovering a huge secret. I was captivated by the clues immediately and was shocked to see where they lead and what the decipherers found.
Julie Seedorf has written a brilliant little mystery. Curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and relax and enjoy. A wonderful way to ring in the season with a smile.
December 27, 2017
A wonderful return to Brilliant, Minnesota!
I fell in love with Jezabelle Jingle, and her hysterical, eclectic friends in book one of this fun mystery series, THE PENDERGHAST PUZZLE PROTECTORS. I’ve been wanting to get back to Brilliant ever since.
Author Julie Seedorf makes the world of cozy mysteries her own in every delightful book she writes. And she certainly doesn’t disappoint in this second book of her Brilliant Minnesota Mysteries. Jezabelle and crew are in rare form and funnier than ever! I had more laugh out loud moments than I could count while reading, THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS.
There was so much happening in this story. So many mysteries and/or mysterious things continuously popped up throughout the tale, I simply couldn’t put it down until I knew if they were all connected. Trying to “decipher” the clues along with the characters left my head spinning! I mean that in a good way. My brain really got a workout.
If you love great mystery, quirky characters, and a clean and fun read, THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS is just the book you want!
I fell in love with Jezabelle Jingle, and her hysterical, eclectic friends in book one of this fun mystery series, THE PENDERGHAST PUZZLE PROTECTORS. I’ve been wanting to get back to Brilliant ever since.
Author Julie Seedorf makes the world of cozy mysteries her own in every delightful book she writes. And she certainly doesn’t disappoint in this second book of her Brilliant Minnesota Mysteries. Jezabelle and crew are in rare form and funnier than ever! I had more laugh out loud moments than I could count while reading, THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS.
There was so much happening in this story. So many mysteries and/or mysterious things continuously popped up throughout the tale, I simply couldn’t put it down until I knew if they were all connected. Trying to “decipher” the clues along with the characters left my head spinning! I mean that in a good way. My brain really got a workout.
If you love great mystery, quirky characters, and a clean and fun read, THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS is just the book you want!
January 28, 2018
I’ve been aware of the Brilliant Minnesota Mystery series by Julie Seedorf for some time and have loved reading other bloggers’ reviews of the books. I’ve intended to read the books but somehow they’ve gotten lost in the shuffle on my Kindle… one of the downsides of reading digital books I suppose. I’m so happy that I finally read THE DISCOMBOBULATED DECIPHERERS, the second book in the Brilliant Minnesota series. I found it was easy to jump in and read as a standalone. The protagonist, Jezabelle Jingle, owns Brilliant Bistro and is a caring person. She is surrounded by close friends who love to solve puzzles which also extends to the puzzle of solving murder mysteries, much to the chagrin of the town’s Chief of Police. When Santa’s elf is killed in their village, Jezabelle and her friends start asking questions around town. They also find a puzzle left by the town’s founding fathers (who disappeared long, long ago) and the clues the author sprinkles throughout the book intrigued me and kept me turning pages. The characters are delightful and quirky – I loved their antics. Along with an entertaining plot and subplots that move quickly, there is much humor and laugh out loud moments.
One of the fun surprises in the book are the recipes the author includes. I tried the recipe for Lemon Love Notes which was a huge hit! In fact my husband asked me to make another pan before the first batch was even gone. I love the author’s introduction to the recipe: Jezabelle and I would like to thank Gladys Johanson and her family for letting us use her recipe for Lemon Love Notes in the Brilliant Bistro. Gladys celebrated her 100th birthday on October 19, 2017. She fed 14 children with her fabulous cooking. Thank you for sharing love through your baking.
One of the fun surprises in the book are the recipes the author includes. I tried the recipe for Lemon Love Notes which was a huge hit! In fact my husband asked me to make another pan before the first batch was even gone. I love the author’s introduction to the recipe: Jezabelle and I would like to thank Gladys Johanson and her family for letting us use her recipe for Lemon Love Notes in the Brilliant Bistro. Gladys celebrated her 100th birthday on October 19, 2017. She fed 14 children with her fabulous cooking. Thank you for sharing love through your baking.
December 9, 2017
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October 26, 2019
What a delightful mystery! I enjoyed the setting of Brilliant, Minnesota as Christmas fast approaches and the preparations for the upcoming Christmas pageant with the ever-joyful message of Christ’s birth. The characters are fun, and I am so relieved to meet those who are a bit older than the average puzzle solvers. The mystery is challenging; I couldn’t figure out whodunit and was in for a surprise!
Jezabelle and her friend / business partner Lizzy run the Brilliant Bistro, a central meeting place in town. Mornings and afternoons, they serve coffee and food, evenings are for wine and food. Hick handles the baking. Early one morning, Miranda, the local mystery writer, found a “statue” wrapped in Christmas lights in the park that turned out to be Ernest the “elf”. Who would have killed the man who is shorter in stature than many, and is this a puzzle that Jezabelle and her friends can solve? Since Hank, the police chief, shut down the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors, they aren’t supposed to be doing those kinds of puzzles any longer.
The Discombobulated Decipherers are formed. Whether or not they can solve this puzzle, there are plenty to be deciphered. Our friends are finding glass blocks each bearing the name of one of the three wisemen. Snoop, the flashy photographer/ reporter seems to be missing. A homeless man has been hanging around town, but nobody knows where he is staying. George, the church custodian, is missing, and Jezabelle has a secret admirer who sends extravagant gifts to her at the Bistro.
In this novel, many are not who they seem to be. Jezabelle, Lizzy, and their friends try to uncover the secrets, including secrets hidden by the original founders of the town, the Brilliant brothers. Surprises are everywhere, leading up to a satisfying conclusion leaving no loose ends. Those who have read the author’s Fuchsia mysteries will appreciate the references to Granny.
The audiobook narrator brought the characters to life in some ways. Some of the voices seemed almost too old for the folks represented. Overall, I enjoyed this cozy mystery and highly recommend it in audio, print, or ebook to those who enjoy well-written mysteries with a Christian Christmas message.
From a thankful heart: I won a copy of this audiobook; a review was not requested.
Jezabelle and her friend / business partner Lizzy run the Brilliant Bistro, a central meeting place in town. Mornings and afternoons, they serve coffee and food, evenings are for wine and food. Hick handles the baking. Early one morning, Miranda, the local mystery writer, found a “statue” wrapped in Christmas lights in the park that turned out to be Ernest the “elf”. Who would have killed the man who is shorter in stature than many, and is this a puzzle that Jezabelle and her friends can solve? Since Hank, the police chief, shut down the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors, they aren’t supposed to be doing those kinds of puzzles any longer.
The Discombobulated Decipherers are formed. Whether or not they can solve this puzzle, there are plenty to be deciphered. Our friends are finding glass blocks each bearing the name of one of the three wisemen. Snoop, the flashy photographer/ reporter seems to be missing. A homeless man has been hanging around town, but nobody knows where he is staying. George, the church custodian, is missing, and Jezabelle has a secret admirer who sends extravagant gifts to her at the Bistro.
In this novel, many are not who they seem to be. Jezabelle, Lizzy, and their friends try to uncover the secrets, including secrets hidden by the original founders of the town, the Brilliant brothers. Surprises are everywhere, leading up to a satisfying conclusion leaving no loose ends. Those who have read the author’s Fuchsia mysteries will appreciate the references to Granny.
The audiobook narrator brought the characters to life in some ways. Some of the voices seemed almost too old for the folks represented. Overall, I enjoyed this cozy mystery and highly recommend it in audio, print, or ebook to those who enjoy well-written mysteries with a Christian Christmas message.
From a thankful heart: I won a copy of this audiobook; a review was not requested.
November 21, 2017
Format: Paperback
(I received an advanced copy from the author. I am voluntarily reviewing it)
“Well...where’s your ho,ho,ho now? How can we have a Merry Christmas after all this?”
Jezabelle Jingle and her crew of Pendergast Puzzlers are at it again. This time, they stumble upon a live Christmas scene and a dead elf. Whether or not the police have ordered the group to not get in anyway involved, they not so quietly (at times) try to fit the pieces of Elfy’s death in place, and it might take more than brains to find out just what happened before Christmas!
Jezabelle has bought the Brilliant Bistro and she and best friend Lizzie are making a go of it, especially now that it’s the Holidays. The uniqueness of the design of Brilliant MN has opened up all sorts of possibilities, and a few questions as seemingly unrelated situations come together in a hodgepodge of fragments that make no ordinary sense until the Decipherers figure it out in a lively and fast paced read that will keep you guessing to the end. Recommended holiday fun! 4 stars
(I received an advanced copy from the author. I am voluntarily reviewing it)
“Well...where’s your ho,ho,ho now? How can we have a Merry Christmas after all this?”
Jezabelle Jingle and her crew of Pendergast Puzzlers are at it again. This time, they stumble upon a live Christmas scene and a dead elf. Whether or not the police have ordered the group to not get in anyway involved, they not so quietly (at times) try to fit the pieces of Elfy’s death in place, and it might take more than brains to find out just what happened before Christmas!
Jezabelle has bought the Brilliant Bistro and she and best friend Lizzie are making a go of it, especially now that it’s the Holidays. The uniqueness of the design of Brilliant MN has opened up all sorts of possibilities, and a few questions as seemingly unrelated situations come together in a hodgepodge of fragments that make no ordinary sense until the Decipherers figure it out in a lively and fast paced read that will keep you guessing to the end. Recommended holiday fun! 4 stars
December 18, 2017
This was an interesting book. I enjoyed a lot of it. The characters are fascinating, the plot interesting and some great puzzles besides the main mystery.
When I started the book, I wasn't all that certain I was going to like it. I didn't really enjoy the first one in the series, but I figured this was a new book and I'd give it a fair chance. I was happily surprised by it.
I like the characters a lot, though the overuse of alliteration with their names grates a little on my nerves. But I like Jezzy, Lizzy, Hank, and the rest. Their personalities are quirky and fun. The characters are well-rounded, complex characters as well.
The plot line moved along at a decent pace. The main mystery was interesting, but the subplot was even more interesting to me. It was fascinating. The Brilliant brothers were puzzle creators and very imaginative!
All in all it was a fun book and I do recommend it! You'll need to start with the first book in order to understand a few things, but it's a fascinating book and I recommend you check it out!
When I started the book, I wasn't all that certain I was going to like it. I didn't really enjoy the first one in the series, but I figured this was a new book and I'd give it a fair chance. I was happily surprised by it.
I like the characters a lot, though the overuse of alliteration with their names grates a little on my nerves. But I like Jezzy, Lizzy, Hank, and the rest. Their personalities are quirky and fun. The characters are well-rounded, complex characters as well.
The plot line moved along at a decent pace. The main mystery was interesting, but the subplot was even more interesting to me. It was fascinating. The Brilliant brothers were puzzle creators and very imaginative!
All in all it was a fun book and I do recommend it! You'll need to start with the first book in order to understand a few things, but it's a fascinating book and I recommend you check it out!
July 14, 2018
Jezzy Jingle is at it again-solving the murder of an elf this time! Because police chief Hank Hardy made her disband her previous mystery solving group, The Pendergast Puzzle Protectors, Jezabelle simply renamed the group. Leave it to Jezabelle, the quirky, curious, amateur sleuth landowner of the Brilliant Bistro. The story takes place near the holidays, ending with a touching Christmas scene with an eternal message. I especially enjoyed the puzzle of the glass cubes found throughout the story, and the fact that Jezabelle winds up with a love interest (be sure to read the epilogue). The characters are each full of personality and there is humor throughout. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy cozy mysteries.
December 9, 2017
Not having read the previous book, I did feel like I was missing some inside information at the start of this book. I was able to catch up as the story and mysteries unfolded. An elf is found frozen and dead in the town square. Santa is acting oddly elusive. The church handyman is missing and a nosy reporter disappears. Are all those things connected? What about the odd glass cubes found around town? Lots of clues and details popping up without knowing what any of them meant.
This town must be near Golden Girl Rose's St. Olaf. Everyone seems to be spying on everyone else. There are no short tales. Each story takes a bizarre twist. Fun characters and unusual circumstances make for an enjoyable read.
This town must be near Golden Girl Rose's St. Olaf. Everyone seems to be spying on everyone else. There are no short tales. Each story takes a bizarre twist. Fun characters and unusual circumstances make for an enjoyable read.
February 6, 2018
I love Julie Seedorf's books.
This is the second of the Brilliant,Minnesota books.
Enjoyed every minute of it.
Set at Christmas time in Brilliant,the Pendergrass puzzlers have another puzzle and murder to solve.
Beautifully written,characters that are charming and funny.
And the ending,where you find out who Jazzy's secret admirer is,is worth reading the book.
This is the second of the Brilliant,Minnesota books.
Enjoyed every minute of it.
Set at Christmas time in Brilliant,the Pendergrass puzzlers have another puzzle and murder to solve.
Beautifully written,characters that are charming and funny.
And the ending,where you find out who Jazzy's secret admirer is,is worth reading the book.
January 3, 2018
Ernest the elf, laying dead at the nativity scene. Will Jezabelle and her friends figure this out. So that Brillant can have there celebration. A delightful little cozy mystery that had a good plot and loveable characters.
December 31, 2022
Holiday intrigue
Ms. Seedorf's holiday cozy is an intricate mystery. She gives us eclectic characters in a small town solving an old puzzle with a few twists and turns. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next.
Ms. Seedorf's holiday cozy is an intricate mystery. She gives us eclectic characters in a small town solving an old puzzle with a few twists and turns. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews