"Planes, Candy Canes, and Hearses" By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

Review by Sarah Erwin

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

Readers looking for a delightful seasonal treat should read Catherine Bruns’ latest entry in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries: Planes, Candy Canes, and Hearses. This novella is book 14.5 in the series and can be read in one festive sitting. Take a break from the busy to-dos of the season, grab a hot chocolate, and prepare yourself for 72 pages of pure fun.

It’s a snowy Christmas Eve, and Sally Muccio and her best friend Josie are preparing to close the bakery for the holiday. Christmas Eve is extra special for Sally because it’s her daughter Cookie’s second birthday. Sally has to make a quick stop at the airport to pick up her dad, Domenic, who is returning from a business trip. Sally’s car won’t start so Josie offers to give her a ride.

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Image Source Gemma Halliday Publishing

Once the friends arrive at the airport, Sally’s dad is nowhere to be found, despite his plane safely landing and his luggage appearing at baggage claim. To Sally’s dismay, her father isn’t even answering his phone. As the winter weather worsens, Sally and Josie’s worries increase, and those worries certainly aren’t eased by what they learn from folks who have seen her father since his flight landed.

Catherine said in a recent Facebook post, "There's no murder in this one. Even Sally needs a break once in a while, lol." While there's no murder, there is certainly a clever mystery that had me turning the pages quickly and ignoring everything around me. The vivid writing and attention to festive details were just so much fun, and while I had a little bit of a guess as to what was going on, I absolutely adored the journey. I chuckled to myself several times.

The characters are charming in this series, and this short story included all the characters we love. I especially love Grandma Rose and how she mixes up the words in everyday sayings (and how she totally doesn’t care that she does). I love Mike and Sally, and I’m especially fond of Cookie since I too have a Christmas Eve baby.

The holidays are certainly a festive time, but they can also be filled with long to-do lists that keep us busy, busy, busy.  Readers needing a break from those to-dos will enjoy this cozy holiday gem. I will most certainly be making the recipe for candy cane cookies that is included in the back.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Planes, Candy Canes, and Hearses , simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "candy canes,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 14, 2024 US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

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.