Christmas in Port Scuttlebutt

Double Barrel Mysteries #4

by Barbara Ellen Brink

At the grand opening of The Port Playhouse, Shelby Gunner directs her first Christmas play to a packed house. Spirits are high after the show and amid the hubbub and excitement someone leaves a baby outside her dressing room door.Later that night, a young woman and her newborn are discovered missing. As snow piles up and the temperature drops, time is of the essence to bring them home safely.A suicidal man found unconscious near Lake Superior may be the last person to have seen them, and he can’t help because he made a wish… that he had never been born.

Genres: Holiday

150 pages, Paperback

First published December 13, 2018

About the author

Barbara is a multi-published author of mystery, suspense, and young adult. Her Fredrickson Winery Novels have been on the best-seller lists multiple times, and her Christian thriller, Split Sense, won the Grace Award in 2012. Again in 2016, she won the Grace Award with the 2nd book of her Double Barrel Mysteries, Much Ado About Murder.
Barbara grew up on a small farm in Washington State, but now lives in the mean "burbs" of Minnesota with her husband and their pups. With their adult kids now pushed out of the nest and encouraged to fly, she spends much time reading, writing, collecting books, riding motorcycles, and keeping one step ahead of AARP. She also really likes black licorice.

Reviews

[Jan Hinds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet mystery perfect for the Christmas season.

As with the other double barrel mysteries this one sparkles with the interplay of the key characters. I love that a series with a healthy relationship is at its core. It reminds me of the interplay of Nick and Nora Charles in the thin man movies only instead of Nick's obsession with liquor, Shelby lives and breathes Shakespeare. Barbara Ellen Brink adds such dimension to her stories with vivid settings that I could almost feel the winter cold envelope me as I read. I realize this was a novella but would liked to have found the resolution for a few of the characters. I did love the nod to It's a Wonderful Life.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting plot and intriguing characters, show that fate has a way of taking matters into it’s own hands especially at Christmas.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was everything a cozy mystery should be. It was a quick read but the characters were interesting and the story was good. The characters were great and the ending was really good. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Room for more Scuttlebutt

I've enjoyed the series so far and am ready for more mystery and scuttlebutt! One thing I've noticed and appreciated is the strong vein of belief in God the main characters have that are the good guys. That isn't common but adds a depth and meaning to why they do what they do. The writing is excellent and the stories are not bloody or terrifying. These are definitely sunny Saturday afternoon curled up on the couch reads that leave a smile on your face, but wanting to hear more.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grand opening of a play and was a success, people in a good spirits as they left. Another act that was not a part, someone left a baby. Again another plot when a woman and child disappear. Another is A man who is drawn to water thinking he will die by the water. A story that draws you in to find the connecting pieces, very well done.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little short in length but delivered in content

It is just a fun, feel good story, about a married couple who love each other and are expecting their first child. Mysteries abound and they seem to attract them. This time they find a baby left on the doorstep, and try to find the mother.