Hope Early, food blogger and amateur sleuth has her hands full with work and volunteering. Throw in a murder of "Santa Claus", and you have a Christmas mystery that Hope needs to solve before her " jingle bells" are silenced for good.

I enjoy this series and while Hope is a likable character, she tends to "run into danger" risking her life and others. That doesn't mean I don't like the book (I did!) but it can be frustrating. The supporting characters are fun and likable. The mystery has "twists and turns" and the description of the town celebrating Christmas is. so much fun that you'll love the book in any season!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Corpse Among the Carolers is the nicely done seventh book in Debra Sennefelder’s Book Food Bloggers cozy mystery series. This book is set during the Christmas season and food blogger Hope Early is busy with her job, family, boyfriend Ethan and his two daughters (and unfortunately at times his ex-wife), Christmas shopping, and various Christmas activities including the annual Jingle Bell Stroll. She has plenty to keep her busy and the last thing she needs is another murder to investigate but when someone is killed during the Jingle Bell Stroll she can’t help but get involved. However, she needs to be careful before she becomes the next victim.

For the most part I really enjoyed this mystery. I love mysteries set at Christmas and enjoyed reading about the various festivities and food (so much food!). Hope is a good main character – she’s rebuilt her life and developed a successful career as a food blogger, is involved in the community, and found new love with Ethan and his daughters. I both like her and at times dislike her – I was distracted from the mystery at times as I wondered how she ever got any work done as she was running all over town investigating the murder and at time she veered awfully close to one of those Too Stupid to Live Characters. Fortunately, even while distracted I enjoyed the mystery. The mystery was well done with just the right amount of suspects, red herrings, and tension – even with some carefully planted clues I did not guess who the killer was. Finally, the ending of the book was perfect and left me smiling.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I have never been shy about a pet peeve I have with some cozies. I hate heroines who are supposedly smart woman who do monumentally stupid things. The nominees for the Darwin Award annoy me and when there comes a time in the book when the protagonist is getting nearer and nearer to the line, I get frustrated. But when one has a potentially life threatening situation where she is injured and still, even when she herself knows she is being foolish, continues to investigate without even a soupçon of subtlety, it undermines any of the positive things in the story.

I am sad to say Hope crossed the line. Her reasons for getting involved in the first place were weak but still valid. Her excuse for continuing- to get back her “power”- would make any friends or family cringe and worry about her sanity. It is a shame because there is a really solid nugget of a story. Two murders involving people involved in the antique business. Was someone really angry that a supposed antique turned out to be a fake or is there something in the pasts of the individuals that made them murder targets.

I realize my pet peeve may not be someone else’s. So, in fairness, I am going to give the book four purrs but only one paw up. Caveat emptor.

This was a cute cozy holiday book! I’ve been into reading more cozy novels and this definitely did not disappoint.

I had enjoyed reading and reviewing the previous cozy mystery by Ms. Sennefelder, which takes place at Halloween, so when I saw this book available to read and review, I just had to read it.

I am always reading Holiday-themed cozy mysteries, and this one had me at the title "A Corpse Among the Carolers". I was not dissappointed, and when I finished reading it, I felt it was better than the previous mystery. I was familiar with the main characters, and the plot was most engaging, What I liked better than the previous mystery is that the the murder was given the importance and development it deserved.

I especially loved the expected tense scene when the protagonist Hope Early faces the murderer. It was a most satisfying ending, and all the loose ends and red herrings were cleared up.

Again, I must add that I feel sorry for Hope, because Ms. Sennefelder has her running ragged from the time she wakes up until she goes to sleep. She is in a constant state of activity, and she produces baked goods at will, because she hardly ever is described as baking.

I recommend this book to any cozy mystery reader, and look forward to reading more mysteries to come.

Thank you Net galley and publisher Beyond The Page for offering me an advance digital copy that I could read and post a personal review.

A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder is an engaging cozy mystery. While the pacing is a bit slow in parts, the story more than makes up for it with its charming setting, well-drawn characters, and intriguing mystery. The holiday backdrop adds a delightful touch, and the twists and turns make for a satisfying read. (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) Overall, it's a solid choice for cozy mystery lovers looking for a fun, festive mystery to enjoy!

Murder during the Christmas caroling has the entire town on edge, but with so many options for whodidit will Hope sleuth it out in time or will her luck as an amateur sleuth run out this time!?! This series is truly a favorite of mine as the author has developed strong, intelligent characters who have a knack for finding bodies as well as killers! Hope, our main character, is a lifestyle and food blogger who has parlayed that into a thriving business, her friends are journalists, B&B owners, former authors, interior designers, business owners and more. Hope loves her small town and can't help wanting to protect it from bad people and things thus her sleuthing habit is a strong one! This author always weaves a wonderful mystery with a few little niggling breadcrumbs that you may or may not catch that can help you discover the culprit along with Hope. My only disappointment is at the end of the book, I'm left waiting for the next book so we can see how things develop in Hope's personal life as well as what mystery she will stumble into next!

Book Review: A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder

Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄

I recently dove into A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder, and it was quite the holiday ride! Picture this: Hope Early, our charming food blogger protagonist, is all set to embrace the festive cheer of Christmas in her quaint town of Jefferson, Connecticut. She’s looking forward to the annual Jingle Bell Stroll, where everyone gathers to sing carols and soak in the holiday spirit. Just when you think everything is merry and bright, the festive atmosphere takes a dark turn when Hope stumbles upon the body of the Santa volunteer—yes, a knife in his back. Talk about a real "Ho-ho-homicide" moment!

The story unfolds with a colorful cast of characters and a long list of suspects that keeps you guessing. The victim’s ex-wife and new wife both have their reasons to be suspicious, but as Hope digs deeper, she uncovers some secrets that suggest there’s more to this murder than meets the eye. This author really knows how to keep you on your toes with her excellent misdirection and suspenseful twists.

One of the things I absolutely loved about this book was its adorable and festive cover—perfectly sets the tone for a cozy holiday read! The entire town is decked out in Christmas splendor, making it an ideal backdrop for the season, despite the chaos of a murder mystery. I could almost smell the cookies baking while reading! Speaking of which, the recipes included at the end are a delightful bonus, and they all sound delicious. I can’t wait to try them out during my own holiday celebrations!

Hope Early is such an easy character to relate to; her determination to solve the mystery while juggling her food blog makes her feel like a friend you’d want to root for. Plus, if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, don’t worry—this one stands alone beautifully.

Overall, A Corpse Among the Carolers is a fantastic addition to the Food Blogger Series. With its engaging characters and a compelling mystery that will captivate cozy mystery lovers, I found myself completely immersed in this holiday tale. The heartwarming ending left me wanting more—can't wait for the next installment! I’m giving it a solid four stars for its charm and festive cheer, along with a well-executed plot. If you're looking for a cozy mystery to get you in the holiday spirit, I highly recommend picking this one up!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Debra Sennefelder’s “A Corpse Among the Carolers” is a festive treat for mystery lovers! Set against the charming backdrop of a small town during the holiday season, this cozy mystery combines holiday cheer with an intriguing whodunit. The protagonist, food blogger Hope Early, finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery that unfolds with delightful twists and turns. Sennefelder’s writing is engaging, her characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. If you enjoy a good mystery with a sprinkle of holiday magic, this book is a must-read. Perfect for curling up with a cup of cocoa and a warm blanket!

Hope Early has a good life. She's finally happy with her boyfriend Ethan and his two daughters, and she's looking forward to a large family and friends Christmas celebration. This holiday season is starting out well...for a while. But then she overhears an argument between her 'Santa', Mitty, and Ralph, a friend, which ends up with Ralph pushing Mitty. All because Ralph believes Mitty, the owner of an antique shop, sold him a bogus lamp. While Mitty denies it, there's no denying that there's a problem to be solved. Along with shopping, Hope can't help but overhear Mitty's ex-wife and new wife having their own argument, and does what she can to stop it.

But there's more going on behind the scenes, especially when Hope is out caroling with her sister, Ethan, his daughters, and others -- and she discovers a dead body. Again. Now, while the lead detective, Sam, tells her to stay away, the main suspect's family asks her to help. How is she supposed to say no to friends? But will she be able to solve a murder, get her Christmas together, and do everything else on her agenda before it all comes to a crashing halt?...

I have to say that if I had to do everything Hope does, I'd be a wreck. Plus, I just don't have that kind of energy anymore (alas!). It's fun to read about it, but it tires me out just thinking about it! She's a whirlwind of energy, and quite a brilliant sleuth, to boot.

She's trying hard to make this a perfect Christmas, but things keep getting in the way. Things like murder and deception. Angry ex-wives (more than one). Not to mention that Hope is having little accidents -- and one big one that almost sidelines her permanently. But that's all I will say about that.

She does her best to pick up clues with the help of her best friend Drew, who's a reporter. Who has his own problems that have nothing to do with murder. In fact, there's a couple of very funny scenes that surround the man. It's all worth reading.

Without giving anything else away, I will say that this is a delightful Christmas mystery that you can try and find the clues yourself. They are there, but not easy to decipher. When the ending comes and the murderer is discovered, it comes as a surprise, which it should do. And leaves us wanting to read the next in the series. A very nice book for a holiday evening. Recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review of this book. A Corpse Among the Carolers is the seventh book in the Food Blogger Mysteries. This time, Hope Early, the main character, investigates the murder of the man who volunteered to be Santa fot the Jingle Bell Stroll. As there were many people participating in the event, there are quite a few people who could have killed the man. Added to the list of suspects are both the ex- and current wife, not to mention that the murder victim has a shady past. A Corpse Among the Carolers is a great cozy mystery, with a nice storyline and main characters that contribute to the charm of the book. Debra Sennefelder is a talented writer who knows how to keep readers guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond Page Publishing for this ARC.

This is book 7 of A Food Blogger Mystery. Hope Early lives in Jefferson, Connecticut with her boyfriend Ethan, dog Bigelow and cat Princess. She is a food blogger and cookbook writer and in her spare time solves murders in her idyllic Hallmark small-town community.

The town is gearing up for Christmas, there is a Snowflake Market and a Jingle Bell Stroll. Then Hope discovers that the Santa, a local man, has been murdered and starts sleuthing though she gets no help from Detective Reid.

This has a huge cast of people that are her family, friends or neighbours, like her sister Claire and her best friend Drew who has a new puppy. Unfortunately, I don't think the mystery was very interesting. Also, I felt like an intruder in a close-knit community I don't know because I haven't read the other six books.

There is a lot going on besides the amateur sleuthing, Hope is a kind of whirlwind who constantly bakes and organises, and I found it kind of unbelievable that her character would be so reckless and get herself into danger so easily.

After the murderer is unmasked, friends and family get together to eat and drink too much mouthwatering food, which is nice, and we get a couple of recipes at the end, but unfortunately the measurements are in imperial only. I liked how Christmassy it all was, but the ending was too sickly sweet for me.

You might enjoy this book more if you've read the previous books, just for the development of the community relationships, and if you like the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, who are very similar.

As it is, it is a nice fluffy holiday read, but the central mystery isn't too taxing or memorable.

This cozy has a little bit of everything in it with a backdrop of Christmas! Lots of twists and turns with a complete surprise villain at the end. I enjoyed the author’s writing very much and look forward to reading more of her books.

A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder.
Food Blogger Mysteries book Seven
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. This was no exception. It was very Christmassy, even the murder scene. The ending was a bit of a surprise.. It was a satisfying cozy mystery with Hope’s friends, family, and animal pals too.

This is rich in holiday cheer and events and for those who like cozies that includes, of course, a murder. Hope is at the town's night of caroling when she finds the Santa stabbed in the back. But even though she is loaded to the top of her sled with things to do for her food blog, testing recipes for her up-coming cook book and getting ready for the Christmas' Eve dinner she is hosting she is determined to find some time to do some investigating. Not everyone is happy with that--oh, the police and people she asks questions of, and of course the murderer. But with plenty of deep, dark secrets in the Santa's past, there are many suspects that just may be the one partridge in the pear tree...

A solid mystery with plenty of red herrings. I guessed who it was early on but I did not know why. I really enjoyed the holiday spirit of the book and could just imagine celebrating in this small town. And there are some recipes that sound delicious at the back of the book.

But what I might have enjoyed most about the book is that the police and the private detective that she dates, refused to give her any confidential information. So often that isn't true in these books. That always annoys me. And, sometimes people refuse to answer to her questions. I mean why would they, she doesn't have any official standing to be investigating. And people get offended when she is basically asking them for an alibi. People think she is accusing them of the crime. Which in a way she is. That part is very realistic and doesn't happen enough in cozies.

There are plenty of cozy moments and the book ends with a very sweet moment between Hope and her boyfriend. Looking for a cozy mystery with holiday cheer? Look no further this will deliver in snowflakes and candy canes.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

This one just wasn’t for me. I found the plot to be average and the dialogue was difficult to stay interested in.

Hope Early is back—and this time, her Christmas cheer gets a major buzzkill in the form of ho-ho-homicide. In Jingle Bell Dead, the annual Jingle Bell Stroll takes a chilling turn when Hope stumbles across Santa… dead as a doornail with a knife in his back. Not exactly the festive finale anyone was expecting.

With the whole town at the event, the suspect list is as long as a Christmas wish list. The drama quickly zeroes in on the victim’s feuding ex-wife and his suspiciously eager new wife, but Hope’s sleuthing uncovers a shady past that adds even more suspects—and danger. As always, Hope dives into the mystery headfirst, armed with wit, determination, and a knack for stirring up clues (and trouble).

The cozy small-town vibes are in full force, complete with tasty holiday recipes that’ll make you want to whip up some treats while flipping pages. It’s the perfect mix of suspense, holiday magic, and a sprinkle of culinary charm.

If you’re in the mood for a festive mystery that keeps you guessing while embracing all the joys (and chaos) of the season, this one is a must-read. Just maybe skip playing Santa this year... you never know who might hold a grudge! 🎄🔪

Hope has high hopes of a family night with Ethan and his two daughters. As she's running around getting all the details perfect, she overhears snippets of conversation that give her pause. Nothing prepares her for the murder of the town's Santa.

Both Ethan and the acting sheriff caution her not to investigate. Only she (and they) know she'll see what she can come up, along with her sister, Claire, Jane, and Drew. A few close calls strain the relationship between Hope and Ethan, not to mention her friends telling her to be careful. Each fact or picture Hope comes up with takes her in unexpected directions.

The characters are likable or not depending on their role and it's no clear until the end who the killer is. The plot moves along nicely. This was a fun Christmas read and I certainly wouldn't turn down any of the goodies Hope brings with her to ease her questioning. This is the seventh book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

A super cute cozy that's a quick read
Def a good addiction to your tbr if you enjoy festive mysteries

I'd like to thank netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review this book

A Corpse Among the Carolers (Food Blogger, #7) by Debra Sennefelder opens with Hope Early preparing for the annual Jingle Bell Stroll. When the person playing Santa Claus is murdered, Hope knows she must find out how and why it happened. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review.

This book was just the one I needed to read to help me get in the mood for Christmas. I know that it sounds weird since it's a cozy mystery where people are murdered, but it was full of holiday activities including caroling, a holiday market, making wreaths, picking out a Christmas tree, and more. The caroling event especially made me think of my childhood when the neighborhood kids along with a few adults would go door to door around the neighborhood to sing Christmas carols. We would have luminaries lit on both sides of the street as well.

All of the characters, minus one or two of them, were very likable, and despite me not having read any of the other books in the series, it wasn't hard to keep them straight. Additionally, the friendliness of the characters drew me into the story, and I felt a sense of community if that makes sense. I guess it reminded me of all my neighbors where I grew up. Even though the main character, Hope, does a lot of things with her church, it doesn't come across as too religious, as in the story doesn't push any religion down your throat, which is a plus.

As for figuring out who the culprit of the murders was, I had a couple of characters in mind, but I ended up being so completely and utterly wrong. Debra Sennefelder did a fantastic job of misdirection and throwing suspicion on other other people. Overall, I loved the sense of community in this book and will likely read other cozy mysteries by this author. Four out of five stars.