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A Below Stairs Mystery #6.7
Mrs. Holloway's Christmas Pudding: A Below Stairs Mystery Novella
December 1882
When Cook Kat Holloway is blamed when a dinner guest mysteriously takes ill after eating one of her meals, she sets out to prove she had nothing to do with the gentleman’s sickness. She discovers a whole host of people who might wish to do away with the man, and she and her friends—Daniel McAdam, Lady Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, and various members of the household staff—begin to hunt for the would-be killer.
Simultaneously tasked with crafting the perfect Christmas feast, including the pièce de résistance, the Christmas plum pudding, Kat frantically works to finish all, fearing she’ll have to choose between stopping a murderer and cherishing her few precious Christmas moments with her daughter.
When Cook Kat Holloway is blamed when a dinner guest mysteriously takes ill after eating one of her meals, she sets out to prove she had nothing to do with the gentleman’s sickness. She discovers a whole host of people who might wish to do away with the man, and she and her friends—Daniel McAdam, Lady Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, and various members of the household staff—begin to hunt for the would-be killer.
Simultaneously tasked with crafting the perfect Christmas feast, including the pièce de résistance, the Christmas plum pudding, Kat frantically works to finish all, fearing she’ll have to choose between stopping a murderer and cherishing her few precious Christmas moments with her daughter.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 25, 2024
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
181 books7,187 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 1, 2024
Another charming novella in the author's Kat Holloway series. This time Kat has to track down a poisoner...
January 7, 2024
Such a sweet story. Kat figures out the mystery, as usual, with the entire cast playing a role. Daniel is back and there’s a charming gift exchange at the end. A perfect amuse bouche as we wait for the next book.
January 1, 2024
I ended 2021 with a Kat Holloway historical mystery novella, and I'm coincidentally repeating that in 2023. Very cute story, I can't wait for the next full book coming out in March.
December 27, 2023
A jolly good Christmas tale!
August 30, 2024
Another mystery that rears its head when a guest to dinner ends up dead from poisoning. Kat has to scramble to save her job and unmask the murderer. Otherwise it’s Newgate for Mrs. Holloway.
April 28, 2024
It's Christmas and Kat is busy preparing a scrumptious meal for Mrs. Bywater's guests while meeting the woman's parsimonious budget. It's no easy task but everyone agrees Kat's meals are amazing. When Mrs. Bywater announces Mr. Whitaker has taken ill and blames Kat, everyone knows Kat didn't put poison in her food. How could she have known which dishes Mr. Whitaker would partake of and she and everyone else all ate the same things and no one else is ill. It must be something else. Luckily Mrs. Holloway and her friends have experience solving mysteries such as this! With the help of handsome rogue, Daniel McAdams, Kat can figure this out and save her job.
This is an excellent short mystery! The plot twist was not at all what I expected. It was fun to investigate the clues but the solving of the mystery happened very quickly. As always, I adore the romance between Kat and Daniel. She still doesn't fully trust him or her feelings for him which is unfair. Their children are fond of each other and would accept their new parent happily. James is nearly grown and half urchin but he respects Kat and understands she's important to his dad. He helps her sleuth and acts as go-between with his dad.
Mrs. Whitaker seems lovely and doesn't blame Kat at all. She's devoted to her husband and just wants him to be well. He's a loving and devoted husband as well but rumor has it, he keeps a ladybird! NO! At his age? He seems to nice even if he's ill. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker act like the ideal couple. He's never held it against her for not being able to have children, or she him, as it seems to be his problem. They're happy just to be together.
Mr. Whitaker has a wastrel nephew, Herbert, who stands to inherit everything. A-ha! It's always the wastrel relative, thinks Kat. He doesn't come across as a wastrel, just young and puppyish. He's friendly and charming with Kat. A better suspect is Mr. Whitaker's friend, Mr. Handy. Mr. Handy owes Mr. W a lot of money and perhaps he posioned his friend to buy more time to pay off the debt. Miss McCafferty, the woman Mr. Whitaker visits from time to time, could be a suspect as well, especially with money involved. Did she tell Mr. Fielding the truth? Or some of the truth? Is she hoping for more money from Mr. Whitaker?
Mrs. Cullen, a cook next door to the Whitakers is chatty, gossipping type. I kind of feel bad for her that Kat is using her for information. The woman has no idea why Kat doesn't want to be friends with her. Dr. Burnley, Mr. Whitaker's doctor, sounds like a quack. Who recommended him? Kat is a better physician with her knowledge of good, nutritious food and lack of knowledge about dangerous poisons (now illegal but commonly used in the Victorian era). The actual physician is likely to dose an ill person with morphia and opium and cocaine for toothaches, etc. I'd trust Kat more. She's a good cook and never made anyone ill. Perhaps Mrs. Provost, the Whitakers' cook is accidentally poisoning her employer? She's snippy, not as high caliber chef as Kat but there doesn't seem to be anything sinister about her cooking unless she's sneaking something into his food.
This is a good addition to the series and a lovely bit of Christmas cheer to be read again during the holiday season.
This is an excellent short mystery! The plot twist was not at all what I expected. It was fun to investigate the clues but the solving of the mystery happened very quickly. As always, I adore the romance between Kat and Daniel. She still doesn't fully trust him or her feelings for him which is unfair. Their children are fond of each other and would accept their new parent happily. James is nearly grown and half urchin but he respects Kat and understands she's important to his dad. He helps her sleuth and acts as go-between with his dad.
Mrs. Whitaker seems lovely and doesn't blame Kat at all. She's devoted to her husband and just wants him to be well. He's a loving and devoted husband as well but rumor has it, he keeps a ladybird! NO! At his age? He seems to nice even if he's ill. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker act like the ideal couple. He's never held it against her for not being able to have children, or she him, as it seems to be his problem. They're happy just to be together.
Mr. Whitaker has a wastrel nephew, Herbert, who stands to inherit everything. A-ha! It's always the wastrel relative, thinks Kat. He doesn't come across as a wastrel, just young and puppyish. He's friendly and charming with Kat. A better suspect is Mr. Whitaker's friend, Mr. Handy. Mr. Handy owes Mr. W a lot of money and perhaps he posioned his friend to buy more time to pay off the debt. Miss McCafferty, the woman Mr. Whitaker visits from time to time, could be a suspect as well, especially with money involved. Did she tell Mr. Fielding the truth? Or some of the truth? Is she hoping for more money from Mr. Whitaker?
Mrs. Cullen, a cook next door to the Whitakers is chatty, gossipping type. I kind of feel bad for her that Kat is using her for information. The woman has no idea why Kat doesn't want to be friends with her. Dr. Burnley, Mr. Whitaker's doctor, sounds like a quack. Who recommended him? Kat is a better physician with her knowledge of good, nutritious food and lack of knowledge about dangerous poisons (now illegal but commonly used in the Victorian era). The actual physician is likely to dose an ill person with morphia and opium and cocaine for toothaches, etc. I'd trust Kat more. She's a good cook and never made anyone ill. Perhaps Mrs. Provost, the Whitakers' cook is accidentally poisoning her employer? She's snippy, not as high caliber chef as Kat but there doesn't seem to be anything sinister about her cooking unless she's sneaking something into his food.
This is a good addition to the series and a lovely bit of Christmas cheer to be read again during the holiday season.
May 5, 2024
A good mystery novella. Enjoyed reading this story. 4☆
January 7, 2024
What a treat.
December 29, 2023
A perfect bridge story! The characters I love, an excellent little mystery that felt like a throwback to A Soupçon of Poison, and plenty of warm and fuzzies, which were lacking in the last novel. Can't believe I've been waiting over a year to be with Kat Holloway again but I think about this series one a week at least!!! What a treat to hold me over a few more months.
March 4, 2024
This is one of my favourite series' and this short story was a wonderful interlude while I await the next full novel in the series.
Mrs. Holloway and her friends are delightful and I enjoy reconnecting with them in each new installment of the series.
Mrs. Holloway and her friends are delightful and I enjoy reconnecting with them in each new installment of the series.
December 25, 2023
3.8 stars
The best Christmas gift I could have wished for this year! I did not know that this book was in the works for 2023, but I am so happy right now. It is a short novella, but ideal for the season and as always, the world of Kat Holloway spells like a cozy and warm familiar hearth.
The solution to the puzzle was very Agatha Christie-esque, even if I found . Other than that, I enjoyed this surprise novella. I got some Daniel goodness to squee over, so all is right in my world right now 🥰😅!
P.S. Lovely cover ❤!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
A short satisfying Christmas treat
What better way to spend Christmas evening than relaxing with a new Kat Holloway mystery. The short novella was the perfect way to unwind after a crazy day. You are truly transported into a Victorian era mystery.
What better way to spend Christmas evening than relaxing with a new Kat Holloway mystery. The short novella was the perfect way to unwind after a crazy day. You are truly transported into a Victorian era mystery.
May 18, 2024
When a guess of her employer falls mysteriously ill, Mrs Holloway is irritated when her food is instantly blamed – despite the gentlemen being the only member of the dinner party having an adverse effect. Determined to not let any whispers grow and cause trouble, Mrs Holloway is determined to investigate what is really occurring. Can she and her friends work out what’s going on while Kat simultaneously plans and cooks the perfect Christmas feast and also attempts to spend a few precious moments with her young daughter.
This is the third short story I have enjoyed set in this historical world by the author. I have enjoyed them all and equally enjoy the fact that other than the same time setting they can easily be read and thoroughly enjoyed on their own merits, and they aren’t really linked other than the characters connections. While a little suspension of belief is required – I simply can’t imagine a cook interacting so freely and warmly with any of the above-stairs people, nor having the freedom of movement to investigate a crime nor make speeches about who the dastardly villain really is etc – I nevertheless found this a well-paced and thoroughly refreshing read. Kat and her love interest, Daniel were vibrant and very well written characters and with a strong cast of equally engaging secondary characters there was plenty to hook any reader.
I also feel readers who usually don’t enjoy historical stories should feel comfortable giving this book a try. The mystery is fairly simple, but there were enough layers and twists to keep me engaged and while the historical setting was lovely, I didn’t feel like our noses were pushed too hard into it. I really feel the author has done a commendable job balancing the characters, the plot and the pacing of this Christmassy story. The blossoming romance between Mrs Holloway and Daniel is quite chaste – merely a few kisses – so readers more used to reading mystery shouldn’t find the romance aspect to the plot too overpowering.
Readers who are unsure whether to dip their feet into the connected full-length series should absolutely give this novella a try – for the cheaper price and shorter length I think it’s a lovely gateway into the world and series by this author and is in and of itself a thoroughly enjoyable short story. Recommended.
This is the third short story I have enjoyed set in this historical world by the author. I have enjoyed them all and equally enjoy the fact that other than the same time setting they can easily be read and thoroughly enjoyed on their own merits, and they aren’t really linked other than the characters connections. While a little suspension of belief is required – I simply can’t imagine a cook interacting so freely and warmly with any of the above-stairs people, nor having the freedom of movement to investigate a crime nor make speeches about who the dastardly villain really is etc – I nevertheless found this a well-paced and thoroughly refreshing read. Kat and her love interest, Daniel were vibrant and very well written characters and with a strong cast of equally engaging secondary characters there was plenty to hook any reader.
I also feel readers who usually don’t enjoy historical stories should feel comfortable giving this book a try. The mystery is fairly simple, but there were enough layers and twists to keep me engaged and while the historical setting was lovely, I didn’t feel like our noses were pushed too hard into it. I really feel the author has done a commendable job balancing the characters, the plot and the pacing of this Christmassy story. The blossoming romance between Mrs Holloway and Daniel is quite chaste – merely a few kisses – so readers more used to reading mystery shouldn’t find the romance aspect to the plot too overpowering.
Readers who are unsure whether to dip their feet into the connected full-length series should absolutely give this novella a try – for the cheaper price and shorter length I think it’s a lovely gateway into the world and series by this author and is in and of itself a thoroughly enjoyable short story. Recommended.
December 29, 2023
Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley is a wonderful Christmas novella in her fantastic Kat Holloway Mysteries series. Refresher: This series takes place in Victorian, England, centered around our heroine Kat Holloway, who is a cook extraordinaire, as well as a great detective. Kat is smart, savvy, independent, loyal and is very protective of her below the stairs staff. This was a very enjoyable and quick Christmas treat for us to read.
The story starts off when a guest becomes ill after eating one of Kat Holloway’s dinners, and the mistress of the house blames her. Kat is determined to prove that her meal had nothing to do with the man taking ill, with her friends defending her. As always, Kat begins to investigate a number of people who may have poisoned the man, with help from Daniel, Cynthia, Thanos, Tess, James. The hunt is on, as each of them finds ways to get information from those in his household, as well as his family.
What follows is a wonderful suspenseful mystery, with Kat having to discover who was the poisoner, and her going to the victim’s house to reveal the real person behind the attempt to kill him. Surprisingly, I never guessed who the culprit was. The twisty plot was well done, with a number of suspects.
Once again, Jennifer Ashley gives us a fun short Christmas story revolving around our heroine, Kat Holloway. Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding was very well written by Ashley. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and great secondary characters, you should be reading this series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
The story starts off when a guest becomes ill after eating one of Kat Holloway’s dinners, and the mistress of the house blames her. Kat is determined to prove that her meal had nothing to do with the man taking ill, with her friends defending her. As always, Kat begins to investigate a number of people who may have poisoned the man, with help from Daniel, Cynthia, Thanos, Tess, James. The hunt is on, as each of them finds ways to get information from those in his household, as well as his family.
What follows is a wonderful suspenseful mystery, with Kat having to discover who was the poisoner, and her going to the victim’s house to reveal the real person behind the attempt to kill him. Surprisingly, I never guessed who the culprit was. The twisty plot was well done, with a number of suspects.
Once again, Jennifer Ashley gives us a fun short Christmas story revolving around our heroine, Kat Holloway. Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding was very well written by Ashley. If you enjoy Victorian stories, with a mystery theme, a Downton Abbey background, two very good leading characters and great secondary characters, you should be reading this series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
September 10, 2024
-Delightful mystery novella concerning Kat Holloway. In this adventure, Kat has prepared a dinner for the guests of Mrs. Bywater, the woman of the house. One of the guests, Mr. Whitaker, seemed ill when he arrived, but he was able to partake of the full meal. Unfortunately, right after the meal, he couldn’t hold the food down, and he appeared to be very ill right after. Mrs. Bywater immediately blamed the illness on the food that Kat had prepared, which didn’t make sense, as no one else became ill. Logic didn’t matter to Mrs. Bywater.
-Kat became very insulted and didn’t want Mrs. Bywater to decide to terminate Kat’s employ because of this, but it seemed that, soon after, the suspicion against Kat was dropped. Even though, Kat began to wonder what it was that could have caused the ailment of Mr. Whitaker. She ended up joining forces with Daniel McAdam, Lady Cynthia and Mr. Thanos. Based on the symptoms, they decided that the most likely cause was some kind of food poison, and Kat cited a range of foods, that, if not prepared properly, could have resulted in something toxic.
-There was also the possibility that if it wasn’t an accidental poisoning, someone could have been administering a poison to Mr. Whitaker. It turned out, there were multiple suspects on that score who would gain by his death, so Kat and her friends had their work cut out for them.
-Even though the story is short, it was still entertaining and well plotted, with a very satisfying ending.
-Kat became very insulted and didn’t want Mrs. Bywater to decide to terminate Kat’s employ because of this, but it seemed that, soon after, the suspicion against Kat was dropped. Even though, Kat began to wonder what it was that could have caused the ailment of Mr. Whitaker. She ended up joining forces with Daniel McAdam, Lady Cynthia and Mr. Thanos. Based on the symptoms, they decided that the most likely cause was some kind of food poison, and Kat cited a range of foods, that, if not prepared properly, could have resulted in something toxic.
-There was also the possibility that if it wasn’t an accidental poisoning, someone could have been administering a poison to Mr. Whitaker. It turned out, there were multiple suspects on that score who would gain by his death, so Kat and her friends had their work cut out for them.
-Even though the story is short, it was still entertaining and well plotted, with a very satisfying ending.
March 10, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This novella is connected to the Below Stairs series. It can be read as a standalone but is better as part of the series. The book takes place in 1882 London.
Kat is a cook in an upper class household. Her employer, Mrs. Bywater, comes to the kitchen and tells her that one of her guests had taken ill after the meal and she accuses Kat of causing the issue with her food or possibly by poisoning the guest. Kat and others tasted the meal before it was presented and she knows it was not the meal, but in order to clear her name, begins to investigate what happened.
She asks for the help of the group of people who have helped her in past books: Daniel, Mr Thanos, Judith, etc. They gladly work together to figure out the case.
I liked the historical aspect of the book and the author has clearly done a lot of research into a variety of topics from the time. The story was interesting. The characters are well drawn. The pace was good and the dialogue was realistic.
There were a couple of sweet moments between Daniel and Kat.
The book was told from Kat’s first person point of view.
I plan to read more books in the series. I liked this novella.
This novella is connected to the Below Stairs series. It can be read as a standalone but is better as part of the series. The book takes place in 1882 London.
Kat is a cook in an upper class household. Her employer, Mrs. Bywater, comes to the kitchen and tells her that one of her guests had taken ill after the meal and she accuses Kat of causing the issue with her food or possibly by poisoning the guest. Kat and others tasted the meal before it was presented and she knows it was not the meal, but in order to clear her name, begins to investigate what happened.
She asks for the help of the group of people who have helped her in past books: Daniel, Mr Thanos, Judith, etc. They gladly work together to figure out the case.
I liked the historical aspect of the book and the author has clearly done a lot of research into a variety of topics from the time. The story was interesting. The characters are well drawn. The pace was good and the dialogue was realistic.
There were a couple of sweet moments between Daniel and Kat.
The book was told from Kat’s first person point of view.
I plan to read more books in the series. I liked this novella.
October 5, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. I was not a fan of the previous novella/short story in this series, The Price of Lemon Cake, so I was happy to discover that MRS HOLLOWAY’S CHRISTMAS PUDDING returned to what originally brought me to this series - likable characters in an interesting setting solving mysteries without political agendas attached.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
London, December 1882 ~
When downstairs cook, Mrs Holloway, is blamed for the sudden illness of a dinner guest, she is determined to not only clear herself but discover what caused the gentleman’s illness. Mrs Holloway is fortunate have have a variety of friends in high and low places to assist her.
Comments ~
The author mentions the timing of MRS HOLLOWAY’S CHRISTMAS PUDDING is just before SPECULATIONS IN SIN, bk7. I recommend both to readers who have enjoyed this series. At 94 pages, MRS HOLLOWAY’S CHRISTMAS PUDDING is a very quick read yet it feels complete. I obtained my copy from my local library and will wait for it to go on sale before purchasing.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
London, December 1882 ~
When downstairs cook, Mrs Holloway, is blamed for the sudden illness of a dinner guest, she is determined to not only clear herself but discover what caused the gentleman’s illness. Mrs Holloway is fortunate have have a variety of friends in high and low places to assist her.
Comments ~
The author mentions the timing of MRS HOLLOWAY’S CHRISTMAS PUDDING is just before SPECULATIONS IN SIN, bk7. I recommend both to readers who have enjoyed this series. At 94 pages, MRS HOLLOWAY’S CHRISTMAS PUDDING is a very quick read yet it feels complete. I obtained my copy from my local library and will wait for it to go on sale before purchasing.
May 20, 2024
This is a novella in the series that falls chronologically between #6 and #7 of the full length books. It is set around Christmas, but not particularly "Christmasy".
Kat has prepared a fine dinner but one of the guests was taken home feeling ill. Her employer is quick to blame her food though, as she points out, everyone ate heartily of all the dishes and no one else is feeling ill. The wife doesn't blame the food but does think someone is poisoning her husband. So Kat and company decide it's up to them to figure out who.
Is it the wife herself? How about his nephew who stands to inherit? And he's been visiting a young single woman regularly -- mistress? There's also the guy who owes him a substantial amount of money. And the doctor seems oddly attentive -- both to the patient AND to his wife.
Of course they get to the bottom of things. All is resolved happily in time for Christmas. There were a few random typos I noticed, but nothing egregious.
Kat has prepared a fine dinner but one of the guests was taken home feeling ill. Her employer is quick to blame her food though, as she points out, everyone ate heartily of all the dishes and no one else is feeling ill. The wife doesn't blame the food but does think someone is poisoning her husband. So Kat and company decide it's up to them to figure out who.
Is it the wife herself? How about his nephew who stands to inherit? And he's been visiting a young single woman regularly -- mistress? There's also the guy who owes him a substantial amount of money. And the doctor seems oddly attentive -- both to the patient AND to his wife.
Of course they get to the bottom of things. All is resolved happily in time for Christmas. There were a few random typos I noticed, but nothing egregious.
December 25, 2023
The Cat Holloway books are one of my favourite series and this little Christmas treat was just lovely. As a novella, it was short and very sweet and was perfect to fit in early in the morning after the main dish was in the oven and before everything else started.
Even though it was short, it was every bit as interesting and well-written as the other books in this series (in all of her series, actually). It didn't seem rushed, the plot was twisty and full of suspects, and the conclusion logical and satisfying. If this is the first of many annual Christmas gifts to Bishop's loyal readers, I'll be very, very happy.
Even though it was short, it was every bit as interesting and well-written as the other books in this series (in all of her series, actually). It didn't seem rushed, the plot was twisty and full of suspects, and the conclusion logical and satisfying. If this is the first of many annual Christmas gifts to Bishop's loyal readers, I'll be very, very happy.
Read
February 16, 2024the actual story is only 77 pages, the rest is a preview of the next novel.
i enjoyed it. Kat the cook solves another mystery, after first being blamed for it. and celebrates xmas with her dearest friends and family.
"have a care, McAdam. that is the exact tart my aunt claims poisoned Mr Whitaker."
Daniel forked up a large portion. "then i will die a happy man, your ladyship." he shoved the whole concoction into his mouth, smiling as he chewed.
"she is a lady who wants very much to be in charge of everything. when she comes across a person she cannot control absolutely - you, for instance, and Lady Cynthia - she compensates for this by finding fault wherever she can."
i enjoyed it. Kat the cook solves another mystery, after first being blamed for it. and celebrates xmas with her dearest friends and family.
"have a care, McAdam. that is the exact tart my aunt claims poisoned Mr Whitaker."
Daniel forked up a large portion. "then i will die a happy man, your ladyship." he shoved the whole concoction into his mouth, smiling as he chewed.
"she is a lady who wants very much to be in charge of everything. when she comes across a person she cannot control absolutely - you, for instance, and Lady Cynthia - she compensates for this by finding fault wherever she can."
January 4, 2024
Great story
I always enjoy reading the Below Stairs mysteries Android how Kat applies her own no nonsense common sense to the mysteries she encounters. I've got to say though that this slow burn romance with Daniel is killing me. Ditto with Cynthia and Elgin. I'm afraid that they'll all die of old age before they wind up officially together. Meanwhile, this story had plenty of happy moments for all of them and a good bit of Christmas pudding too!
I always enjoy reading the Below Stairs mysteries Android how Kat applies her own no nonsense common sense to the mysteries she encounters. I've got to say though that this slow burn romance with Daniel is killing me. Ditto with Cynthia and Elgin. I'm afraid that they'll all die of old age before they wind up officially together. Meanwhile, this story had plenty of happy moments for all of them and a good bit of Christmas pudding too!
February 8, 2024
Excellent
Another wonderful story. Well thought out and well written. Jennifer Ashley’s world building is exceptional. I feel lost in all of her series. You are never pulled out of the world with dialogue that is too modern. Her characters stay in character which today is such a blessing. If you enjoyed this book please check out her other series. Captain Lacey is a gem and her gladiator series is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Another wonderful story. Well thought out and well written. Jennifer Ashley’s world building is exceptional. I feel lost in all of her series. You are never pulled out of the world with dialogue that is too modern. Her characters stay in character which today is such a blessing. If you enjoyed this book please check out her other series. Captain Lacey is a gem and her gladiator series is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
February 29, 2024
When cook Kat Holloway is suggested as making a guest sick with her cooking, well that can't be tolerated and ignored. As Kat is want to do she gets out and solves the mystery of what's making the gentleman sick and saves the day. Warm feelings abound reading this Christmas novella and always visiting with the characters of this series is enjoyable. Even in a novella a whole story is conveyed and enjoyment abounds.
July 21, 2024
In this novella we find Kat Holloway dealing with her demanding boss. The story opens with Mrs. Bywater accusing Kat of poisoning one of the dinner guests. When Kat defends her cooking and her kitchen staff Mrs. Bywater threatens her with dismissal. Of course that means Kat must find the poisoner so her position as cook is secure. With the help of Daniel, various staff members and Lady Cynthia, Mrs. Holloway learns all she can about the victim and his family and associates. A great quick read.
December 25, 2023
I enjoyed this story very much! The characters get more interesting with each story told, the plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding the real poisoner so the main character's cooking is no longer blamed. The revelation of the real poisoner was one I would never have suspected, I highly recommend this story!
December 26, 2023
Love these Kat Holloway stories. She's a wonderful character and the cast of secondary characters are equally awesome. In this novella Kat is trying to determine what's happened to make a guest from her employer's dinner party so ill. Many suspect poison but the question is what kind and who's responsible?
January 5, 2024
Mrs. Holloway is having trouble with her employer again! She knows that the lady of the house would love nothing better than to sack her and when one of the dinner guests becomes ill to the point of almost death, she had better figure out why before she ends up unempoyed! Thanks to her network of friends, she has all the help she needs to solve this mystery!
July 7, 2024
Mrs Holloway solves another mystery ... a guest (of poor health) at her house's table takes a turn for the worst - and the lady of the house accuses Mrs Holloway of using a bad ingredient... in an effort to prove her innocence, and to save the man (who has been poisoned slowly), and using her friends' strengths - she figures out who... and saves him in a nick of time...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
Lovely!
Despite the plot turning on attempted murder, this is a lovely story. The characters so genuine, their warmth so tangible, the dialogue so authentic and the love between Kat and Daniel beginning to blossom freely. Beautifully crafted, as always.
Despite the plot turning on attempted murder, this is a lovely story. The characters so genuine, their warmth so tangible, the dialogue so authentic and the love between Kat and Daniel beginning to blossom freely. Beautifully crafted, as always.
December 29, 2023
What a delightful novella
A delightful story for a delightful time of year. The mystery is not all that deep. And the resolution is a bit contrived. But is none the less thoroughly enjoyable
A delightful story for a delightful time of year. The mystery is not all that deep. And the resolution is a bit contrived. But is none the less thoroughly enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews