[ARC Review] Twelve Graves of Christmas by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe
Mix a murderous cat with a goofy corgi. (Ignore any hissing. That definitely probably means the two ingredients are blending amazingly well.) Then add a landlocked cemetery allegedly peppered with gold-stuffed coffins. Whisk in a gravekeeper convinced a family curse forever dooms her to lose any man she loves. Marinate with a ridiculously charming special agent whose muscles and lopsided smile make her forget said curse. Toss in a pinch of mystery courtesy of an old, coded treasure map and crank up the heat. Broil, baby!
If no one dies, serve with a smile. If they do, smile wider.
And maybe, just maybe, Jane can solve a series of bewildering clues, end the curse for good, and finally find her own happily ever after. Or not.
My thoughts: At this point, I will read any and all Jane Ladling stories that Gena and Jill decide to write, no questions asked. There's just something about these characters that pull me into the story, and I am thoroughly here for both the cozy mystery and the chemistry between Jane and Conrad.
Twelve Graves of Christmas moves Jane's story forward both in terms of her relationship with Conrad as well as her family's potentially still-buried treasure. Showalter and Monroe do an excellent job at balancing both the family curse and the family treasure storylines, and Jane's holiday adventures (and cooking) made me wish the holidays would get here faster.
With a greater emphasis on family and friendship (and friendship that feels like family), this holiday story is definitely suitable for anyone and not just for those looking for a holiday read. As the weather gets chillier in Aurelian Hills, Jane finds herself facing both her family's past as well as her future with Conrad. I loved both aspects of this story, and can't wait to see where Jane's adventures take her from here.
As always, Showalter and Monroe's writing is so easy to get lost in. Whenever I pick up a Jane Ladling book, I instantly feel like I know Jane. I can practically taste Fiona's blueberry pancakes. Aurelian Hills might be a sleepy little fictional town, but these citizens are fleshed out and the streets feel as real as any actual town.
Twelve Graves of Christmas was a quick read for me, but only because I couldn't put it down. With a larger focus on the Ladling curse and Jane's future, and less on any active crime scenes, this book moved Jane's story along while also setting up Conrad's side of things for the next book.
A huge thank you to both Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe for providing an advanced copy of Twelve Graves of Christmas; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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Release date: 11/1/22
Format: eARC
eARC provided via: Author Talk Media
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