A Slay Ride for Santa

by Shannon Kaper

As the small community of Canyon Creek gathers for the annual Christmas parade, there is only one thing missing - Santa.

The citizens of Canyon Creek look forward to the annual Christmas festivities. As anticipation builds with each passing float in the parade, everyone eagerly awaits the first glimpse of Santa. Katy and a small group of volunteers have worked tirelessly to deliver a holiday celebration to the small community, but will it go off without a hitch murder?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2020

About the author

Shannon Kaper is a writer, artist, and author of the new cozy mystery series The Halfway Point Lodge which features her debut novel Stairway of Secrets. A lifelong creator, Shannon has always dreamed of sharing her stories. She lives on a small homestead in the high desert of Northern Nevada. When she isn’t writing or creating art, she is either taking care of her animals, working on a homestead project or off exploring the many historical sites the area offers.

Reviews

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enjoying this Christmas story and didn’t realize it was a cozy mystery until the dead body showed up. I thought it was going to be a heartwarming Christmas tale. It starts off with 2nd grade teacher Ms. Andersen telling us about her class and the activities planned for the children and community. This community is a poor one so reading about all that was being done for the children was sad but also heartwarming. Then, during the parade preparation, a dead body falls off the sleigh! Suddenly it became a cozy mystery. Yes, I did know from the title it was one but it did not start out that way. The story moved along quickly then. This is a story that I really wish had been longer. The reveal, though surprising, felt rushed, (which can happen with short stories). The story was going along well. It was interesting and full of Christmas spirit. I just wanted more time with figuring out who killed Santa and why. My actual rating is 3.5 but I rounded up. The author has a couple of series that look interesting.

[Ingrid Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read, good for in between the larger items on my reading list.

What I found strange is that someone who works with people for over 20 years still calls them by their last name.
But perhaps the writing is intended more for a younger age group,.

I liked reading it nonetheless and didn't guess the culprit, although that had its reasons and could have been more explicit.
The ending hints at more to come with a little romance, which I liked very much.

[Nancy Dillow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a shot story (less than 40 if you take out all the blank spots). An over achiever at a grade school, creates quilts from donated fabrics, is in charge of a lot of things at the school, and doesn't have a boyfriend. She has worked at the school for years. Her current chore is to get Santa into a sleigh on the back of a flatbed truck...except Santa is missing. A new man in town, (his mother lives here) volunteers to wear the substitutive Santa getup, and ride in the school parade. Then Santa is found in the back of the barn and is dead.

[J Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish the story was longer…

As a second-grade teacher, Katy Anderson’s life has plenty of challenges but she still makes time for the festivals and holidays in their little community. She is organizing the annual Christmas parade and Santa is missing. When he turns up dead the police arrest a suspect. Katy believes they have the wrong person and is determined to find the real murderer.

This is an entertaining cozy mystery with likable characters, a hint at future romance, and a little drama. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I wish it was a little longer.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story. The main character is Katy, a teacher in a small town. She is into everything from Christmas dinners for the town seniors to making quilts for the seniors and anyone who needs one. The Santa for the Christmas parade is murdered and Katy is questioned. They being to think a new teacher, Mr. Carter is involved. When Mr. Carter is arrested, Katy looks into everything bubt can she figure it out before it's too late ?

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short festive mystery

Everyone is ready for the parade to start but where's Santa? It soon becomes clear he's dead and possibly murdered but who could have committed such a crime?

This was a very short story. Great if you love an quick solve murder. Me I like more of a story. This was too short to allow you to know the characters. I didn't guess the killer but the reasons for it made sense. The ending was sweet though.

[Timothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure if this is a YA book or not. Most everyone is addressed as Mr., Ms, or Mrs. except for Deputy Dan. Dialogue is nothing like reality, at least compared to the humans I speak with. Plot is thinner than those in Five Minute Mysteries. Suspect is saved by the always reliable "But, I didn't do it." The basic story seems decent but it never really translates to the page.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katy really has her hands full, doesn’t she??? And, as to who killed Santa… I enjoyed the story and recommend the book

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Downloaded from a Book Funnel promotion. It's a cute little story. Basically it's a novella. Santa is found dead in the sleigh for the annual Christmas parade. Who did it?

[Janet L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Christmas cozy mystery.

[Linda Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and quick read. The wrap-up was a bit of a quick thing with no clues as to who dunnit; both good and bad.

[Susan Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable short story.