Every time Merry thinks she knows all about human nature, something comes up to surprise her. The change in Dean is astonishing. The confident, charismatic Business Fixer is gone—he’s a mass of insecurities now—his breath is ragged, his face shining with sweat in the candlelight.
‘Windows, one, Dean, nil,’ Josie deadpans and the businessman practically snarls at her.
Evangeline steps forward and peers closely at him, as if unable to believe she had ever been attracted to him. Merry feels the same. Not that she’d actually been attracted to him, of course. Nope. He’s not her type.
Merry moves away from them, grateful to be swallowed up by darkness, and perches on a countertop next to the old-fashioned-looking till, kicking her legs against the panelled wood, letting her anger come out. They had ignored her in Santa’s grotto, laughed off her suspicions about Monty and now she was furious – but at herself rather than at them. She should have known better than to speak out. Nobody ever listens to her, nobody believes her. Nothing she says ever counts. It’s no wonder she has to be sneaky to get what she wants.
Oh, Merry. The one not on this lethal guest list…or was she?
Official Synopsis:
But when they go to leave, they find the doors are locked and it isn't long before they realize this is no innocent mix-up. The shoppers have been trapped here by someone who knows their darkest secrets, someone will stop at nothing until they have all been unwrapped—and there is a gruesome gift waiting in Santa's grotto . . .
For those that survive the night, it will be a Christmas to remember.
Who shows up to an "exclusive shopping night" on Christmas Eve? Each of the participant’s motivations are different, but the real planner behind the event has anticipated and picked the people from their past who would behave—mostly—as they expected. They have made it their project to ensure the people they wanted showed up and were goaded into responding to the others.
The characters were intriguing and willing to go to great lengths to continue hiding their deep, dark secrets. It was why they had been selected, after all. Their sometimes unknown connections to the planner went back, in some cases, to childhood.
Overall, the intricate plot and memorable characters and backstories earned 4 out of 5 stars. It would be readily recommended to those who like thrillers and mysteries, especially with some extra holiday flair. While the plot doesn’t center very much on Christmas, the Emporium is a beautiful setting of holiday wonders where the mystery untangles.
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Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who enjoys finding the magic in the holidays, no matter how old her kids get. Check out what they’re up to on Instagram where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.
GIVEAWAY:
One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Murder at the Christmas Emporium!
Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Monday, February 2nd, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.
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Good luck!
Murder at the Christmas Emporium, by Andreina Cordani
I want to read this book because the cover is attractive and I like murder mysteries.
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