"17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree" A Holiday Novella By Larissa Reinhart: Review/Giveaway

by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of this novella, and a link to purchase it.

Due to some Hollywood misbehavior that landed her in front of a judge, former actress Maizie Albright is under court order to move back home to Black Pine, Georgia, and pursue any career not involved in the show business. It’s how she’s found herself six-months into a two-year contract with Wyatt Nash, apprenticing in his private investigation business until she can get her own license.


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Image Source Past Perfect Press
Recent meddling by her momager Vicki have Wyatt and Maizie uncomfortably, and unwillingly, working for Vicki as she just bought a controlling interest in his company. Christmas decorations are still up as the New Year approaches, but it looks like fireworks won’t be the only explosions in Maizie’s life when the epitome of a femme fatal sidles her way in the office as a client. The lithe Ms. Wonderly wants to hire Nash to find a piece of jewelry for her own employer, and that necklace also happens to be the “death necklace” Maizie wore in the action movie “Warhead Girl.” Made of .444 Marlin cartridges, it was the one memorabilia that her father admired (her middle name is taken from the gun, after all), and Maizie refuses to sell the item that currently decorates one of the family’s multiple Christmas trees.

While avoiding Wyatt’s questions regarding the necklace – not to mention the reward money that could help them buy their way out of Vicki’s servitude – Maizie must also babysit/corral her outdoor-loving step-sister Rami. Far-too-intelligent for her six years, Rami has a talent for escape that would rival Houdini’s and Maizie and her friends are quickly outmatched. That’s going to become an even bigger challenge when Rudolf Gentz (whose pallor conjures up the Grinch more than any red-nosed reindeer) forces his way into their home demanding the necklace for his mysterious employer. A stalker elf and attempted kidnappings further threaten the good cheer of the holidays, not to mention what is apparently a Bond-level scheme for world domination.

Chapter headings with hilarious hashtags are just one of the indicators of the snarky humor in store for readers, especially when combined with movie fandom that is the embodiment of “fanatic.” Maizie continues to dig deep into her past role as “Julia Pinkerton, Teen Detective,” misleading goons-for-hire and outwitting a SoCal henchwoman. Wyatt’s determination to keep their relationship on a business level is more than a little frustrating for Maizie, which is piled on top of the guilt that comes with her mother’s interference. A thrilling conclusion comes through the involvement of an Elf on the Shelf and a lethal trap to catch the Grinch, delivering the perfect sentiment for the holiday. This novella bridging events of the novels heralds in the New Year by taking Maizie and Nash Security Solutions in a new direction, promising even more adventures in cinematic and real world detecting.

To enter to win an ebook copy of 17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "pear,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 21, 2019. U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! One of our past episodes features another of Kathi's books. You can listen to it here: mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com/e/boxes-in-the-basement-by-kathi-daley We just posted a new episode last week which features a Christmas mystery short story by Donna Andrews! A recent podcast featured the first chapter of one of Larissa's books!

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:


Opens to author website


Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.



Comments

  1. An unlikely but interesting premise. Count me in!

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  2. Sounds really good.. thank you for the review/blurb and contest. Ebooks are such fun.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  3. This sounds like my kind of book. Thank you for this chance.

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  4. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much Cynthia, Lorie, & KRL for the review and giveaway! Good luck to everyone!

    ReplyDelete

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