Queen Tarts and a Christmas Nightmare

Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery, Book 17

By: Amber Crewes

Narrated by: Elena Marino

Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Two murdered business associates. One family under the scrutiny of a conservative town. A bride-to-be in need of some comfort and joy.

Meghan is ready to celebrate the holiday season in style with the man of her dreams by her side. All that changes when she receives a text message. It's from her mum who discloses that her father is very sick

She needs to get back to Texas...fast.

She has mixed feelings about going home as she's not been for several years. Her trip to Texas is greeted by:

• Two murders
• Characters from her past she'd rather forget
• Family members disappointed in her recent choices

As the very fabric of her family's existence is torn apart by accusations surrounding the murders of close friends, Meghan longs for the peace and tranquility of her adopted hometown of Sandy Bay. She is an emotional wreck and is confronted with betrayals, accusations, disappointments, homesickness, sad revelations, jealous friends, and a murder investigation. Make that two murder investigations!

Some people wish Christmas could be every day. Meghan just wants this Christmas nightmare to end. Will she help to find the killer and restore the essence of this most wonderful time of the year?

Book 17 in the best-selling Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery series! If you want to enjoy a light-hearted listen with an amateur female sleuth, mouth-watering culinary desserts, and a gripping murder mystery with a touch of romance, then you'll love Meghan Truman and all the quirky characters in Sandy Bay.

No cliff-hanger, swearing, or graphic scenes! Start reading Queen Tarts and a Christmas Nightmare, and see how events unfold in this cozy mystery.

©2019 Pen-n-a-Pad Company Limited (P)2021 Pen-n-a-Pad Company Limited

Not what I would call a fun Christmas

After getting engaged to Jack, Meghan is called home because her father is ill. But it is a ruse by her parents to get her home to Texas for Christmas. At the party her parents are throwing, one of her father's partners drops dead. What follows is a wild tale of death, betrayal and bad business decisions. The baddy is kind of a surprise. In the beginning I loathed Meghan's parents. As the story progresses, I like them a little better. Who I loved the most was her little sisters. They were charming and sweet and adored their big sister. Loved that dynamic.

Deception, murders, and deceit at Christmas

Meghan has just returned to her bakery after celebrating her engagement with Jack's parents. She gets an emergency call to return to the family home for her father's illness. So she leaves her fiancé and her bakery in good hands to rush back to Texas.

While there, two murders take place, a former boyfriend wants to marry her, and her family is unhappy that she's not willing to change to accommodate their wishes and expectations.

Meghan's family is very rich, and very self centered. They are so over the top, I had to laugh out loud at their antics. But Meghan is distressed over them. And anxious because something is very, very wrong. But she doesn't know what is going on in the background.

This is is a fun read, typical of a cozy mystery. It can be read by almost any reader.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator was very good. She had multiple voices and used them for each character. My only other comment is that I think her "Texas" accept may be more like an east coast southern accent, but not being an expert on accents, I can't be sure.

I received a copy of the audio book from the author. This is my honest review.

Loved it

What a great light mystery with enough twists to keep you thoroughly entertained! The cast of characters is great!

a southern Christmas mystery

The narrator was perfect for this book bringing each character to life. An entertaining holiday. mystery sure to please.

Texas or the Northwest?

Harvard grad bakery owner visits her family in Texas. Entertaining relatives. Engaging murder mystery. Thanks to the author for providing a copy for my voluntary review.

This book was fun to listen to

I listened to "Queen Tarts and a Christmas Nightmare". I enjoyed listening to this book. I listened for an honest review.

Intriguing

As always this author gives you a story to brighten your day. With this Narrator’s help, you are part of the story. Loved all of it.

Change of Setting

Another delightful cozy in the Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery series, but with a change in the setting. Usually the setting is the charming town of Sandy Bay; however, the setting for the majority of this book is in Meghan's birth place as she returns home after receiving a text that her father is very ill. I enjoyed this blast from the past and the crazy twists that occur from Meghan's return to her hometown. I recommend this series to those who enjoy cozy mysteries. Elena Marino's narration is pleasing as she provides different voices for each of the characters. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.

Manipulative; no respect for Megan by her family.

Absolutely deplorable. I can’t believe a story written about manipulating your daughter to come home for Christmas by scaring her into thinking her father is so sick and he isn’t.

I could not believe the parents and her siblings thought this was an acceptable way to get her home & away from her fiancée because he’s not rich enough for their family.

I stopped reading. It isn’t worth my time to read or listen to how they have no respect for their grown daughter to lead her own life and make her own decisions.
The narrator gave a strong performance.