A Merry Maggie Messmas

Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker #11.5

by Kate Danley

Everyone wonders how Santa is able to do his job in just one night, but when one of his helpers goes rogue and starts spreading TOO MUCH holiday cheer, it will be down to Maggie and Killian to hop on that sleigh and bring the world a silent night.

A part of the Maggie MacKay: Holiday Special short story series. This stands independently from the main Magical Tracker series and can be read at any time and in any order. It's just an excuse to hang out with some of your favorite characters.

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2020

About the author

Kate Danley began her writing career as an indie author in 2010. Since then, her books have been published by 47North, she spent five weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and she has been honored with various awards, including the Garcia Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year (The Woodcutter), McDougall Previews Award for Best Fantasy Book of the Year (Queen Mab), Best of 2014 by Suspense Magazine (M&K Tracking), and the 2017 Utopia Award for Best Anthology of the Year (Once Upon A Kiss - "Galatea & Pygmalion"). Her play Building Madness won the prestigious Panowski Playwriting Award and her play Bureaucrazy was a semi-finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her works have been produced in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Canada, and the UK. She has over 300+ film, television, and theatre credits to her name, and specializes in sketch, improv, and Shakespeare. She wrote sketch for a weekly show in Hollywood and has performed her original stand-up at various clubs in LA. She learned on-camera puppetry from the man who played Mr. Snuffleupagus and performed the head of a 20-foot dinosaur on an NBC pilot. She lost on Hollywood Squares.

Reviews

[StaceyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, silly, holiday-themed Maggie story that’s easy to pick up anytime.
Of course Maggie knows Santa, so naturally the chaos leads straight to Santa’s workshop.
Maggie and Killian end up chasing down a wayward “elf” and trying to stop trouble from spilling into California.
It’s full of magic, mayhem, and the kind of ridiculous details this series does so well (including over-the-top Christmas decorations).
Nothing huge changes in the main plot, but it’s a cute, funny seasonal detour.
Overall, it’s quick, festive, and exactly the kind of light Maggie snack I like between the bigger books.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was silly, short, and cute. As a short story set... at some point in the series (definitely not after 11 due to mentions of other characters and their office), you can easily pick this story up whenever and then dive in to the rest.

Of course Maggie knows Santa, so we get a journey to Santa's workshop where foul things are afoot! Killian and Maggie are tasked with bringing a wayward "elf" back to Santa and saving the people of California. There's magic, mayhem, and inflatable Christmas decorations that round out this standalone short story.

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, funny story.

A nice, quick read. Maggie , Killian and Pipistrelle go to the North Pole and agree to help Santa find a renegade elf Maggie finds an elf spreading to much cheer and discovers naughty people are disappearing. As usual things are more complicated than they appear. There is action and humor. I really enjoy this series.

[KATHY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MERRY MAGGIE MESSMAS

Maggie and Killian meet Santa Clause and spend the days before Christmas working to make naughty turn back to good. An enjoyable and laughable story, to be enjoyed by all. Kate Darnley once again has created a great new addition to the Maggie MacKay series.
Kathy Barber Doyle
/3/2023

[Norma Storms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to series

This fits in well with the Maggie MacKay universe. I loved that the brownie got to to have a bigger role in this story. The inventions of transformation were an innovative touch. Definitely would recommend.

[Alexandra Dresel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little read with laugh out loud Maggie Moments, it will put a smile on your face!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy this series, and the holiday shorts are always pure good times. This one is no departure. If only the series was in KU....sigh.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute way of adding Santa into the other worldly realm for Maggie. Pipistrelle is such a cute little character. Always a fun read in this series.

[Pam Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read

Short Christmas story telly g how Maggie and two of her friends save Christmas from a naughty fate. Always a good read.

[Netta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun and filled with holiday spirit just what Maggie needed. And maybe a few naughty elves. What could go wrong?