Blue Christmas
[d-h13136]

5 of 5 Stars I started reading this book thinking it was a Christmas novella. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a full-length novel. It was a good thing, too, since a lot is happening! Jenica Zimmerman, concerned for the well-being of her little sister, travels to southern England to find her. She finds herself dealing with the head detective whose hands are full with a serial killer on the loose. Determined to find her sister with or without the detective’s help, Jenica ends up interrupting multiple crime scenes, helping the detective with clues, and following the path to try not only to find her sister, but also to find the killer responsible for the deaths of several young women in the area.
The story takes place in a charming setting, and in the midst of the page-turning action, the author gives great details regarding the scenery, the history, and the traditions of the town, which happens to be in the midst of the Christmas festivities. This adds to the story.
Both the hero and heroine have had difficult pasts. The hero, Aidan, is a widower with a precious 7 year old daughter. The heroine, Jenica, grew up in a loveless home, with parents only concerned about their careers. Jenica and Aiden must overcome the pain of their pasts to find the promise of happiness with each other, all while trying to stay out of the serial killer’s crosshairs.
The characters are well-fleshed out and believable. The mystery keeps you guessing to the final page. Now that I know the end of the story, I want to go back and read the book again, with that knowledge in mind. If you’re looking for a page turning Christmas story that’s not your usual hot chocolate and ice skating, this is it!