Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Review: A Case for the Toy Maker by Candace Havens @CandaceHavens #CozyMystery ~ Series: Ainsley McGregor, Book #3

A Case for the Toy Maker
Candace Havens
(Ainsley McGregor #3)
Published by: Tule Publishing
Publication date: October 26th 2020
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery


About the Book:

Ho. Ho. No…

It’s Christmas in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town is feeling festive apart from Ainsley McGregor. Ainsley has never enjoyed the holidays and would rather ignore them, but with her shop Bless Your Art busier than ever and filled with happy shoppers, even she’s feeling some Christmas spirit. That is, until her Great Dane, George Clooney, sniffs out a dead body in the Santa House at the Christmas Festival.

When one of her favorite crafters becomes the prime suspect, Ainsley is determined to prove his innocence. The case is full of so many twists and turns that even Ainsley begins to fear the truth. Is she protecting a killer?

With help from her friends and some extremely nosey townsfolk, Ainsley and her dog hurry to find the truth––as long as they can outwit and outrun the killer first. Otherwise, this Christmas might just be her last.

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Purchase Links:

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My Review: 

A Case for the Toy Maker is the third book in the Ainsley McGregor series by Candace Havens. 

It is Thanksgiving time and Black Friday is going to be a big day at Bless Your Art. The start of the Sweet River Holiday Festival is upon the town. Businesses, local and from afar, are setting up booths and getting the Santa House ready for the kids. Ainsley and Shannon take a break from setting up their booth to visit the Santa House and see it all set up and decorated. They get to see much more than they bargained for, though, when George Clooney, the Great Dane, discovers a body in Santa's throne. Now, a local citizen, who is also a crafter in Bless Your Art, become a suspect. Ainsley knows he is not a murderer and Ainsley makes it her mission to prove it.

The mystery was set up and executed well. I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it an why. I had no idea who the murderer was in A Case for the Toy Maker, or why. The author included so many twists and turns, I had a really hard time trying narrow down my suspect list. Every time I was sure I knew who it was, the author tossed in something to change my mind. The uncertainty amplified the suspense and nail-biting action of certain scenes, decisions, and the ultimate showdown.

Ainsley is a wonderful character with business know-how and impeccable customer service skills. Her brother, Greg, is the local sheriff, and he tries to keep her from interfering with the case but with sights set on Ainsley's friend, she knows she can't sit on the sidelines. Shannon is her best friend and partner-in-crime. Jake is a firefighter, friend of Greg's, and Ainsley's closest neighbor. Together, the four of them along with Ainsley's friends and former students, make up a great cast of characters.

This book was so much fun, enjoyable, and a fast read that keep me engaged. I loved the setting: an artisan market during the holidays with wonderful characters, written realistically, and are completely relatable. The world building allowed me to visualize the scenes and I felt like I was there with the characters as they lead their normal, everyday lives. I love the little hints of romance threaded through the book, not too strong but noticeable and sweet. I really like the direction the author is taking Ainsley, as a business owner, small-town citizen, and in her love life. I couldn't put the book down.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Go to the Book Blitz Page on Sapphyria's Books to read more about the book, meet the author, and enter the giveaway!

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