A Dead End Christmas

It's Christmas time in Dead End. And this year Santa's bringing … murder! Join Tess, Jack, and the gang for the craziest Christmas since Fluffy the taxidermied alligator was still alive and got into Otis's moonshine. Because in Dead End, that reindeer you thought you saw might have been Bigfoot in disguise … and you never, ever want to see elves. Christmas might be merry after all, if Tess can investigate Santa and Jack can use his tiger's eye to see the truth. And nobody should miss Christmas in Dead End! Warning: This book contains a taxidermied alligator, shapeshifters, Santa, elves, a dead body, magic, hideously bad singing, horrible puns, a slow-burning romance, mystery, mayhem, and "I laughed so hard I almost peed myself"* humor. Read at your own risk. *From a reader review of the Tiger's Eye Mysteries

When telemarketer Helen Hawthorne overhears an argument followed by a scream one night while conducting a phone survey, she chases clues and tries to avoid the killer.

Starred Review on Library Journal! USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award winner Amanda Flower brings charm and intrigue to her first cozy mystery for Hallmark. Darby Piper is in shock. A seasoned female detective, she worked with Samantha Porter at the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, Samantha is dead, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby. Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town. Tate is no private eye. He’s a world traveler and a veteran whose military past is also something of a mystery. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he proves to be a talented amateur sleuth. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can solve this murder mystery in time? This first in series cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Berry Trifle.

Sue Wright and Ken Polk are about to celebrate their third Christmas together. Sue thinks it’s about time for Ken to pop the question, but her dreams don’t seem to make a blip on his radar. Ken is ready to take Sue to a barbershop Christmas concert; she’d like a romantic evening alone with her beau. They’re at the theater when all hell breaks loose ... Sue and Ken decide to part ways. She’s given him enough chances, and it’s time for her to hit the road. She links up with her friend from Hawaii, Lani. With dreams of spending Christmas in a town like It’s a Wonderful Life’s fictional Bedford Falls, the two women head to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Sue gets a job as a radio DJ and prepares for a new life, away from Ken. Ken thinks Sue and Lani are in southern California, and in an effort to get as far away from his ex as possible, he plans a road trip of his own. He wants to end up at his Uncle Phil and Aunt Betty’s place— in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Filled with twists of fate, trips to jail, and bone-chilling weather, Christmas Road Trip dares to ask ... is there such a thing as destiny?

Cowboys face down danger with their own brand of Western justice in these two stories of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author B.J. Daniels Dead Ringer Ledger McGraw may know all about horses, but he doesn’t know anything about the lie that broke up his first romance with waitress Abby Pierce. Abby, tricked into marrying the wrong man, is at the end of her tether in her abusive relationship. When she learns the truth about her terrible marriage, she becomes desperate to escape it—before her jealous husband kills her. Though Ledger’s heart was wounded by Abby, he’ll still do anything to protect her and free her from her violent spouse. He’s determined to win her back and reignite their passion. Classified Christmas Cade Jackson is as country as a cowboy can get, until reporter Andi Blake arrives to civilize him and shatter his peaceful Christmas with shocking news. But Cade has a macho reputation to uphold, even if he is a sucker for a sassy brunette in stilettos. Andi, secretly burning for revenge, is set on exposing Cade’s bank-robbing family and the truth about their greatest heist. No one is going to stop her—not even smoldering, sexy Cade Jackson. And though Andi didn’t come to town looking for a cowboy, now that she’s rustled up one, can she corral him under the mistletoe?

“The blend of romance and cozy mystery will please lovers of all things Scottish.” —Kirkus ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but in Moosetookalook, Maine, Christmas cheer is in short supply due to a snowless winter that’s keeping skiers and shoppers at a distance. Fortunately, Liss MacCrimmon of the Scottish Emporium has a plan . . . Liss’s brainstorm focuses on Tiny Teddies, the hot new toy of the season. Every store across the country is out of stock—except a few wee establishments in good ol’ Moosetookalook. The first sign of something amiss occurs when the last Tiny Teddy is summarily executed: shot through the heart in the display window of greedy toy store owner Gavin Thorne. But the Teddy’s demise is just a precursor to the eerily similar murder of Gavin himself. Now, with the Twelve (or, in Scots terms, the Daft) Days of Christmas rapidly approaching, Liss has a plate full of things worse than haggis to contend with, starting with a stockroom packed with poultry (don’t ask), and ending with a killer who’d like to see Liss’s goose well and fully cooked . . . “A picturesque location, a bit of romance, some suspense, and a cast of appealingly quirky characters.” —Booklist “Lively . . . A healthy helping of foul play.” —Publishers Weekly “Perfect for the holiday season.” —Romantic Times

Controversial yet beloved among audiences, Christmas-themed horror movies emerged in the early 1970s and gained a notorious reputation with Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), depicting Santa as an ax-wielding maniac. Some parents and conservative groups condemned the film, while others embraced the portrayal of Yuletide as a backdrop for fear and dread. Drawing on interviews with directors, producers, special effects artists, photographers and actors, this book celebrates the sordid, colorful history of the Christmas horror subgenre. Psycho Santa films such as Christmas Evil (1980) and 3615 code Pere Noel (1989) are examined, along with "Yule-Die" slashers like The Dorm that Dripped Blood (1982), Black Christmas (1974) and Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972). Commercial successes like Gremlins (1984) and Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) are covered, as well as more recent releases such as Better Watch Out (2016), Red Christmas (2016) and Deathcember (2019). Rare photographs, promotional materials and an annotated filmography are provided.