I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Very Beechwood Christmas: Four Festive Magic Mini Mysteries from Beechwood Harbor by Danielle Garrett Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery, Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mystery
Published by Tantor Audio on December 22, 2020
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
Length: 2 hours 15 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Christmas is coming to Beechwood Harbor, but will the manor residents be ready for his magical visit? With mischief and mystery at every turn, Holly and friends have to rally to save Christmas before it's too late!
A Very Beechwood Christmas includes four mini mysteries set around a wild and magical Christmas when the real Santa Claus comes to town!
My top thoughts:
Oh this was just so fun. Personally, I think you need to read “Hex the Halls” to fully appreciate this story (which is part of Betwixt: A Beechwood Harbor Collection: Volume 2, and has this story too) You can read it on it’s own just fine, but together it’s a more complete story.
What I liked:
So although this is technically five stories, it’s one long story told from the perspective of some of our favorite characters:
- Holly (“A Noel Nightmare”) – This story sets the stage for the stories to come. If you read “Hex the Halls” right before, like I did it’s a very smooth transition and you do feel like it’s just one long story.
- Nick (“Nick’s Not So Silent Night”) – I loved getting Nick’s perspective. Watching Holly in action, instead of from her POV, was fun.
- Scarlet (The Spirits of the Season) – The more I read of Scarlet, the more I want to read her series.
- Flapjack (“Flapjack the Red-Nosed… Reindeer?”) – oh so funny! I love the gnome braiding (that’s all I’ll say, but it’s too funny).
- and back to Holly (“Holly’s Jolly Christmas”) – a great conclusion to the stories.
Each story changes perspective and continues where the last one left off. I think for me the real treat was Nick’s story – since it’s the first time I’ve gotten his perspective. Scarlet’s story was fun and continues to entice me to read the other Beechwood Harbor series (which I’m pretty sure is from her perspective) and then Flapjack’s story was just funny! Flapjack is one of those characters you have to love despite his sour temperament.
Narrator thoughts:
I was able to listen to it as part of Betwixt: A Beechwood Harbor Collection: Volume 2 (and the story on it’s own is also now available in audio). Amanda Ronconi is one of my favorite narrators and her voices continue to be great. I especially love her voice for Flapjack, it’s pretty great. I think the one down is that her voice for Scarlet and Holly is basically the same (because they’re both leading ladies of their own series, I think) so it’s a little off for that short story. But not enough to make them hard to follow or less enjoyable.
I didn’t read/listen to Betwixt 2 yet (I just started), so I’m a bit bummed that this wasn’t more stand alone with Hex included. Now I’m listening to Betwixt 2, so I’m going backwards.
I need to get to more of this authors work, I have read a couple of her cozies.
I haven’t read the latest in Holly’s series but I read all of Scarlet’s series and loved it. I think I can get all these on KU though I would miss out on the fabulous Amanda Ronconi.