Dolled up for Murder by Anna St. John

I really enjoyed this visit back to the charming town of English Village, set during the festive Christmas season. I could smell the fir trees and Christmas cookies, and see the lights and snow. What a quaint spot for a winter festival! Also the perfect crowded event for a murderer to blend in and escape unnoticed.

When Nellie, one of Josie’s friends, welcomes her aunt from the U.K. for a visit to the idyllic community, the aunt becomes a victim of what appears to be an accident but turns out to be murder. A doll-collecting identical twin aunt and some quirky, elusive suspects make this a puzzling case to solve. As a former crime journalist and current small-town reporter, Josie is enlisted by the police chief to get the scoop on this case, which involves a mysterious royal antique doll. Who was willing to kill to gain possession of a collector doll? Threats, stalkers, bombs, and physical assault don’t deter Josie from getting to the truth.

I love the interaction between Josie, her Mahjong-playing friends, and Chief Marshall as they work together to solve the mystery, along with the bit of tension between Josie and her potential love interest who wants her to stay clear of the danger her involvement attracts. Josie’s English sheepdog, Moe, and her red VW, Piper, come along for the ride as Josie’s dogged determination to find the killer supersedes the risk of peril to herself. 

This third book in the Josie Posey cozy mystery series is sure to please lovers of the genre. It’s such a delight to immerse oneself in Josie’s world! Intrigue, suspense, and a dash of romance—it’s all here, wrapped up neatly in a bow just in time for your Christmas reading.