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Baker Girls #3
Wine, Dine and Christmas Crimes
Some Christmas surprises don’t come from Santa. At a gathering atop the tallest building in Phoenix, Arizona, to celebrate Monica Baker’s newest listing, the body of a mysterious young woman is found floating in the pool. But why do fingers point to Monica? Is it the victim’s missing clothing that links Monica to the crime?
As if being alone during the holidays and in love with someone else’s husband wasn’t depressing enough, Monica now needs to convince the cops, her real estate broker, and her friends, that she really, really isn’t a Christmas killer. And she better be quick if she wants to make midnight mass instead of prison roll call.
As if being alone during the holidays and in love with someone else’s husband wasn’t depressing enough, Monica now needs to convince the cops, her real estate broker, and her friends, that she really, really isn’t a Christmas killer. And she better be quick if she wants to make midnight mass instead of prison roll call.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2019
102 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Maria Grazia Swan
35 books207 followersMaria Grazia Swan was born in Italy, but this rolling stone has definitely gathered no moss. She lived in Belgium, France, Germany, in beautiful Orange County, California where she raised her family, and is currently at home in Phoenix, Arizona—but stay tuned for weekly updates of Where in the World is Maria Grazia Swan?
As a young girl, her vivid imagination predestined her to be a writer. She won her first literary award at the age of fourteen while living in Belgium. As a young woman Maria returned to Italy to design for—ooh-la-la—haute couture. Once in the U.S. and after years of concentrating on family, she tackled real estate. These days her time is devoted to her deepest passions: writing and helping people find happiness.
Maria loves travel, opera, good books, hiking, and intelligent movies (if she can find one, that is). When asked about her idea of a perfect evening, she favors stimulating conversation, spicy Italian food and perfectly chilled Prosecco—but then, who doesn’t?
Maria has written short stories for anthologies, articles for high profile magazines and numerous blogs tackling love and life. She engaged her editorial and non-fiction skills for Mating Dance Rituals for Singles Who Weren't born yesterday. Her romantic suspense novels Love Thy Sister,Bosom Bodies and Italian Summer are available at Amazon.com.
Her new series, published by Gemma Halliday is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the first book is title Gemini Moon
Website: http://www.mariagraziaswan.com
Contact Maria: mariagswan@gmail.com
-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
As a young girl, her vivid imagination predestined her to be a writer. She won her first literary award at the age of fourteen while living in Belgium. As a young woman Maria returned to Italy to design for—ooh-la-la—haute couture. Once in the U.S. and after years of concentrating on family, she tackled real estate. These days her time is devoted to her deepest passions: writing and helping people find happiness.
Maria loves travel, opera, good books, hiking, and intelligent movies (if she can find one, that is). When asked about her idea of a perfect evening, she favors stimulating conversation, spicy Italian food and perfectly chilled Prosecco—but then, who doesn’t?
Maria has written short stories for anthologies, articles for high profile magazines and numerous blogs tackling love and life. She engaged her editorial and non-fiction skills for Mating Dance Rituals for Singles Who Weren't born yesterday. Her romantic suspense novels Love Thy Sister,Bosom Bodies and Italian Summer are available at Amazon.com.
Her new series, published by Gemma Halliday is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the first book is title Gemini Moon
Website: http://www.mariagraziaswan.com
Contact Maria: mariagswan@gmail.com
-or- touch base with her on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 21, 2020
I am not exactly sure why I liked this mystery so much. The heroine and I don't have much in common but she is fun and cute. I would like to have her as a friend. She is an Italian young woman that came to the USA as an au pair and stayed there.
The mysteries were interesting and the setting a welcome change to most cozy mysteries.
The romance is a bit cheesy and repetitive in why they can't be together, but since that is a common occurence in books I can live with that.
I read all the books in this series in quick succession with only 1 or 2 other books in between. If there will be more released I will read them too.
The mysteries were interesting and the setting a welcome change to most cozy mysteries.
The romance is a bit cheesy and repetitive in why they can't be together, but since that is a common occurence in books I can live with that.
I read all the books in this series in quick succession with only 1 or 2 other books in between. If there will be more released I will read them too.
December 23, 2019
A pretty good holiday read. Needed a little bit of editing now and again.
October 22, 2020
Wine, Dine and Christmas Crimes, Baker Girls Cozy Mystery Book 3, by Maria Grazia Swan is a great cozy mystery. Monica Baker, Arizonia’s finest ‘cute and quirky real estate agent’, navigates the Christmas holiday around a dead body found in a swimming pool and the thrilling, handsome, married hunk Tristan.
Maria Grazia Swam always delivers a great mystery (I could not figure this one out!) with lovable, believable characters set in beautiful Arizona locales. The tight plot with plenty of suspects zooms along like a hot pink Fiat. I love the Baker Girls Series and highly recommend, as well as the Leila York series.
Maria Grazia Swam always delivers a great mystery (I could not figure this one out!) with lovable, believable characters set in beautiful Arizona locales. The tight plot with plenty of suspects zooms along like a hot pink Fiat. I love the Baker Girls Series and highly recommend, as well as the Leila York series.
December 30, 2022
This is the 3rd in the series. The main character is Monica. Monica is feeling left out since she can't help her Aunt Brenda with a catering job. She does end up going over to the building to take some trays of food to her Aunt and then finds out there is a murder that same night in the same building. Maybe her luck is changing. But then she ends up having to go back to the building for a realtor and next thing you know, the cops are asking all kinds of questions and she actually has some answers. It seems the cops believe her aunt may be involved and she needs answers and fast to figure this out. Can she help before it's too late ?
October 18, 2020
Wine, Dine and Christmas Crimes by Maria Grazia Swan
I enjoyed reading this book very much. Maria Grazia Swan's characters are always so interesting, especially with their back stories with great details. I love the humor and all the idiosyncracies her characters have.This one was a mystery I couldn't solve! It seemed like everyone was a suspect. I really enjoy her books. They are a great couple hours of reading.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. Maria Grazia Swan's characters are always so interesting, especially with their back stories with great details. I love the humor and all the idiosyncracies her characters have.This one was a mystery I couldn't solve! It seemed like everyone was a suspect. I really enjoy her books. They are a great couple hours of reading.
July 17, 2023
senseless crime
You know that moment when you choose to help somebody, and you think that you're doing something good, but then it blows up in your face? That is pretty much what happens here. Read this book and find out how stepping in to help with someone who is out of town Leads our main character right in the middle of a murder investigation
You know that moment when you choose to help somebody, and you think that you're doing something good, but then it blows up in your face? That is pretty much what happens here. Read this book and find out how stepping in to help with someone who is out of town Leads our main character right in the middle of a murder investigation
March 7, 2020
A high rise condos on Camelback Road! Who knew!
Being a real estate agent can be very difficult, but add murder to the mix in an exclusive high rise is mind boggling. Monica and friends get caught up in fast paced murder mystery. Love to read about places in Arizona.
Being a real estate agent can be very difficult, but add murder to the mix in an exclusive high rise is mind boggling. Monica and friends get caught up in fast paced murder mystery. Love to read about places in Arizona.
December 26, 2022
The low review is my fault not the author. This series needs to be read in order to understand the plot lines. I have not read book one and two so didn't understand what was going on until over half the book was read.
August 25, 2024
Dead in the water!
Monica Baker is klutzy. Loud and inappropriate. Impulsive and emotional. She is an Italian trainwreck but you have to love her character. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Monica Baker is klutzy. Loud and inappropriate. Impulsive and emotional. She is an Italian trainwreck but you have to love her character. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Read
January 21, 2023Neat story
This is a good story about finding out about a murder and friends and colleagues. Monica has a vivid imagination and a lot going on.
This is a good story about finding out about a murder and friends and colleagues. Monica has a vivid imagination and a lot going on.
February 23, 2023
This was a story that had a lot of interesting characters and situations. The real estate story, the food caterer, and the sisters. Murder and mayhem wrapped in Christmas.
Read
March 14, 2024What a fun read, loved it. I look forward to reading another by Maria.
September 8, 2023
Uma narrativa de detetives divertida, com muita confusão e falha de comunicação. Interessante.
August 18, 2019
‘Mercy. Eighty percent of my troubles linked directly to The Nest. A week ago the place was just a name, not even a destination like the hip travel commercials constantly reminded us. Now, no matter what I thought about, The Nest loomed big in my subconscious....”
Yep, Christmas is coming, and Monica’s supposedly showing a condo.... but instead, she steps into another crime scene involving the Baker girls. I guess even crime doesn’t stop at the holiday. Homesick for Italy, and watching Aunt Brenda and Dior getting cosy with a certain police officer aren’t conducive to celebrating, but who expects to sell condos in Phoenix at Christmas? Th results are the third in the Baker Girls’ series.
Thing is, these characters could live near anyone, and that makes them approachable. You want to come in Brenda’s back door, pour yourself a glass of wine, and see what’s in the oven. That’s what makes these books fun! Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
Yep, Christmas is coming, and Monica’s supposedly showing a condo.... but instead, she steps into another crime scene involving the Baker girls. I guess even crime doesn’t stop at the holiday. Homesick for Italy, and watching Aunt Brenda and Dior getting cosy with a certain police officer aren’t conducive to celebrating, but who expects to sell condos in Phoenix at Christmas? Th results are the third in the Baker Girls’ series.
Thing is, these characters could live near anyone, and that makes them approachable. You want to come in Brenda’s back door, pour yourself a glass of wine, and see what’s in the oven. That’s what makes these books fun! Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
December 9, 2019
Loved it! Great cozy, no violence or sex, very clean easy read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews