Chapter 2
“Marshmallow World”
Flames were dancing in the fireplace, adding warmth to the room. The Rat Pack was crooning over the speaker system, and the snow was coming down harder than before, transforming Albany into a picturesque landscape. Maybe she should experience guilt for having everything so perfect, but in this moment, Sara simply appreciated every nuance.
Her parents had pulled their truck into the garage to protect their tree and had taken up the offer of hot chocolate she’d extended to them and the Wilsons. Her dad had to be convinced to forego his poker night but, surprisingly, he did it with little protest. It was probably because he’d rather not show than be late.
She and her mom were snuggled on the sofa in front of the bay window, while Sean and her dad struggled to get their tree upright and in place. Sara held back her amusement—for a small evergreen it came with big issues.
“Voila!” Her dad stood back, his arms flailed out, admiring his hard work.
Her mother put her hand on Sara’s forearm. “You have your tree.”
“I do.” Those two words managed to form aloud, but her emotions were tapping at the back of her jaw. For a relatively simple thing, it warmed her soul more than the hot beverage. This would be her first time celebrating Christmas with Sean.
She got off the sofa and sauntered over to him. She slipped her arms around her husband and kissed his lips, passionately, but briefly.
“I think she likes it, dear.”
She heard her dad talking to her mom and pulled back, smiling. She palmed her cheeks. “It’s beautiful.”
Title: Christmas is Murder
Author: Carolyn Arnold
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Do you love Christmas and cozy mysteries?
“Christmas is Murder” is a touching–and comical–seasonal cozy. It will have you wanting to stoke the fire and top up that glass of eggnog.
Albany’s the perfect image of a winter wonderland, and Sean and Sara’s friend Jimmy is going to be Santa Claus for the upcoming Christmas parade. The trees and decorations have been selected and the gifts have been purchased. The season has truly cast its magical spell–until Sean and Sara’s neighbors die in a horrible house fire.
While the fire department ruled holiday-related hazards as the cause, Sara suspects there’s more to it. Her determination to find the truth has her and Sean toeing the line between what’s legal and what’s not.
As they sort out fact from fiction, the McKinleys make the final decision about whether or not they should open a private investigation firm.
CAROLYN ARNOLD is the bestselling author of the Madison Knight series, the Brandon Fisher series, and the McKinley Mysteries. Her love for writing dates back to her teen years, but her passion was reignited in 2006 when a fellow employee said “tell me a story.” Since then Carolyn has never looked back.
Her writing has since been compared to New York Times Bestsellers such as JD Robb, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, and more.
Carolyn was born in 1976 in a rural town of Ontario, Canada, and she currently lives with her husband and two beagles in a city near Toronto.
For more information on the author visit https://carolynarnold.net/
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