The Parlor PI's discussion

It is probably not too soon to select a December group read. Any holiday mysteries on your front burners? This month is always a hard choice. We often get things that promise to be very Christmassy, but end up not so much. And there are only so many times we can read Hercule Poirot's Christmas! (Actually, I re-read it every year, but not for the discussion!)

I love Christmas cozies! Can't wait to see what we pick! I've been looking at a lot of them this week so I'm sure I'll be able to pick a few. The other Nicole did ferret out a Pennyfoot Hotel Christmas book!

Found one that looked good but I didn't think to copy link.

Update: Here we go. For what it's worth.

https://www.amazon.com/12-Days-Bleakl...

Love Christmas. Hope we are able to find a superb read this holiday season! ;-)

NicoleG wrote: "I love Christmas cozies! Can't wait to see what we pick! I've been looking at a lot of them this week so I'm sure I'll be able to pick a few. The other Nicole did ferret out a Pennyfoot Hotel Chris..."

I did! Yay for me, lol! :-)

Tina wrote: "Found one that looked good but I didn't think to copy link.

Update: Here we go. For what it's worth.

https://www.amazon.com/12-Days-Bleakl......"

Oh, that looks good!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Jill wrote: ""

I just put this one on hold from my library because I noticed they only had ONE copy in the whole library system AND someone has it out until November 27th so it might be hard to get if I don't act now LOL I want to read it anyway even if not picked.

I've enjoyed the Pennyfoot hotel books in the past and may even have this one already. On the other hand, Tina's pick, though pricey, looks very intriguing!

Keep 'em coming!

My library doesn't have Tina's pick. It does look good though.

Murder for ChristmasWhat about Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan? p.s. I’m suggesting because it’s a BookBub deal - $1.99 on Kindle.

Oh, I'm editing this post - ratings are a little low.... :-(

PI's as much as I like sound of 12 Days Bleakley, I believe I read that it's a novella and may have religious overtones. I'm not put off by either of those but all may not feel the same. If we don't pick that title for The Parlor, I may read it off boards.

Actually, I like idea of H P's Christmas. Been a few years since I've read it. Plus, the movie adaptation is a favorite so there could be a tie in with book-movie.

All the suggestions sound good so far.

NicoleG wrote: "Jill wrote: ""

I just put this one on hold from my library because I noticed they only had ONE copy in the whole library system AND someone has it out un..."

Interesting, Jill. Home was not too far from book's location of East Aurora.

Tina wrote: "PI's as much as I like sound of 12 Days Bleakley, I believe I read that it's a novella and may have religious overtones. I'm not put off by either of those but all may not feel the same. If we don'..."

I like the idea of HP's Christmas as well. I'll probably watch it a couple of times anyway, along with The Theft of the Royal Ruby (which I actually think is more Christmasy!). :-)

I've never read HP's Christmas!

NicoleG wrote: "I've never read HP's Christmas!"

Nicole, you're in for a treat....IMHO. The movie has much holiday spirit esp. In the earlier footage when HP and Japp go out for a holiday dinner and part ways in the snowy village street. And there's the holiday singing, the rescue. LOL. Then again, don't read tons into it. I just might be overly fond of this mystery. ;-)

LOL Well, I think I might just read it anyway even if not picked! Sounds fabulous!

Nicole wrote: "Tina wrote: "PI's as much as I like sound of 12 Days Bleakley, I believe I read that it's a novella and may have religious overtones. I'm not put off by either of those but all may not feel the sam..."

Royal Ruby's a great mystery but I'd like it more if it had snow. I love the chocolate shop scene. LOL

Who wrote Royal Ruby?

Agatha Christie wrote The Theft of the Royal Ruby. It is a Poirot short story and was adapted with David Suchet. As Tina noted, no snow!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Agatha Christie wrote The Theft of the Royal Ruby. It is a Poirot short story and was adapted with David Suchet. As Tina noted, no snow!"

No snow but TWO Christmas puddings! ;-)

Tina wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Tina wrote: "PI's as much as I like sound of 12 Days Bleakley, I believe I read that it's a novella and may have religious overtones. I'm not put off by either of those but all may n..."

Me, too! HP and his perfect demi-kilo of fine chocolates! -)

Tina wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Mark Pghfan wrote: "Agatha Christie wrote The Theft of the Royal Ruby. It is a Poirot short story and was adapted with David Suchet. As Tina noted, no snow!"

No snow but TWO Christm..."

LOL And then there are those fine chocolats.

So far I'd like to nom this idea, but I'm keeping in mind that we've just begun search: HP's Christmas as main read and either Death Of/Toy Soldier or a Pennyfoot Christmas mystery as side read. Then again, Murder for Christmas looks good, too. Yikes! So many great offerings! Just putting it out there as our search continues.

Found some! Yeah!







A Novella. (Christmas short stories seem popular for the season?)

Tina wrote: "NicoleG wrote: "Jill wrote: ""

I just put this one on hold from my library because I noticed they only had ONE copy in the whole library system AND someo..."

After all this....I'm leaning towards Death Of/Toy Soldier as either main or side read. HP's Christmas or a novella of some sort.

After all this....I want to read ALL OF THEM!!!!

NicoleG wrote: "After all this....I want to read ALL OF THEM!!!!"

I know! (Knowing you lot, you will! lol) They all sound great. Even Bleakly Manor novella. Love the cover art! Sounds like a good-old fashioned Christmas read.

I will second No Clue at the Inn and Death of a Toy Soldier.

Kristie wrote: "I will second No Clue at the Inn and Death of a Toy Soldier."

Me too. My library has both titles! I think there are about 5 Christmas themed books I'm definitely going to read this season...plus whatever else I find LOL

I can't find my work calendar but I THINK I am off from work from December 21st to January 2nd so I will have plenty of time to read!!! Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NicoleG wrote: "I can't find my work calendar but I THINK I am off from work from December 21st to January 2nd so I will have plenty of time to read!!! Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Woo, hoo, NicoleG!! Nice to have that stretch of time to enjoy the holidays!!

NicoleG wrote: "I can't find my work calendar but I THINK I am off from work from December 21st to January 2nd so I will have plenty of time to read!!! Happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

That is awesome!! Enjoy it!

Wasn't think one a contender last year?? It's free right now. It could be our side side read LOL

I'm not chiming in because I'm pretty flexible.....I'll go with the flow. However, I will admit to being partial to the English Christmas cozies. :-)

NicoleG wrote: "Wasn't think one a contender last year?? It's free right now. It could be our side side read LOL"

Yes, it was. NicoleG. Mmm? Let's add it to the list. I'm so torn because all of them sound good!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "It is probably not too soon to select a December group read. Any holiday mysteries on your front burners? This month is always a hard choice. We often get things that promise to be very Christmassy..."

Father Christmas, lead the way. Ready for your title eliminations. I'm good with just about any decision. ;-)

Just FYI - Murder for Christmas is back up to $9.87. :-(

Whoa! I thought we were settled in on HP's Christmas, but now there is a plethora of other options. It does seem we could settle on that for the main read, agree?

For a side read, well, that is where the problem occurs. Since I've read HP many times, a re-read won't be a big deal. I'd be on for the side read as well. As I look through the posts, I see these for the side read:

No Clue at the Inn
Murder on the Candlelight Tour
Death of a Toy Soldier
Menace at the Christmas Market (novella)

Do you want to vote among these four? (I didn't want to add more, less it becomes a 7 way time!)

I'll read any/all! My husband made me listen to Christmas music for 3 hours in the car yesterday so I'm definitely in the holiday spirit now!!!

In case you don't have enough holiday books to read this one is free today LOL

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mistlet...

NicoleG wrote: "In case you don't have enough holiday books to read this one is free today LOL

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mistlet......"

Think alikes...I posted Mistletoe Manor as well. Looks good and it's a novella , easy to work it over the holidays. Maybe we can coax Pghfan to add this one to the side read. ;-)

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Whoa! I thought we were settled in on HP's Christmas, but now there is a plethora of other options. It does seem we could settle on that for the main read, agree?

For a side read, well, that is wh..."

Father Christmas stand in....May we add Murder at Mistletoe Manor to the side read list? No more, I promise. lol

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Whoa! I thought we were settled in on HP's Christmas, but now there is a plethora of other options. It does seem we could settle on that for the main read, agree?

For a side read, well, that is wh..."

HP's Christmas as main read is good with me. Would love to discuss the movie with it as well...if that's okay. I'll think about side read and make my pick in a day. Wish to be a faster reader as I'd like to tackle all on the list!

Tina wrote: "Mark Pghfan wrote: "Whoa! I thought we were settled in on HP's Christmas, but now there is a plethora of other options. It does seem we could settle on that for the main read, agree?

For a side re..."
Sounds good to me, too - both the main read and movie discussion. :-)

OK Lets add Mistletoe to the list, which is now:

No Clue at the Inn
Murder on the Candlelight Tour
Death of a Toy Soldier
Menace at the Christmas Market (novella)
Murder at Mistletoe Manor

Let's vote on the side read!

And we are all set for Hercule Poirot's Christmas for the main read, including the TV version.

My vote for side read is No Clue at the Inn! :-)

I'd like to read Death of a Toy Soldier or No Clue at the Inn for the side read!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "OK Lets add Mistletoe to the list, which is now:

No Clue at the Inn
Murder on the Candlelight Tour
Death of a Toy Soldier
Menace at the Christmas Market (novella)
Murder at Mistletoe Manor

Let's ..."

Yes, sounds good, Father Ch...Pghfan.

As main read and movie discussion is decided, I'll pick either Toy Soldier or Mistletoe Manor for side read. Well, I am getting list down. :-/ lol