What We Are Reading for December 22' Part 2

WWAR for December
Part 2
Show Notes
On this episode of Dark and Stormy Book Club, we have the second part of our WWAR for
December.
Tracey reported on “The Christmas Scarf Murder” anthology by Carlene O'Connor, Maddie Day,
and Peggy Ehrhart. (Kensington Cozies 9/22)
They’re coziest of wintertime accessories...unless, of course, they become accessories to
murder! USA Today bestselling author Carlene O’Connor teams up with Maddie Day and Peggy
Ehrhart for a holly jolly Christmas collection of seasonal stories, as their beloved series sleuths
each solve cases revolving around handknit Christmas scarves.
CHRISTMAS SCARF MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR
When grinchy thefts steal the good cheer at a local nursing home, Siobhan O’Sullivan manages
to identify one missing item before Kilbane, Ireland’s Christmas tractor parade—a hideous
shamrock scarf wrapped around a very dead body. Now, with her holiday farmhouse bash
approaching, Siobhan must dash to stop a deadly Secret Santa from gifting another unwanted
surprise.
SCARFED DOWN by MADDIE DAY
It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas at Pans ‘N Pancakes, as twelve days of menu
specials dazzle hungry locals. But the festivities go cold the instant a diner dies while knitting a
brilliant green scarf. With Aunt Adele tied into a murder investigation, it’s all on Robbie Jordan to
find out who’s really been naughty or nice in South Lick, Indiana.
DEATH BY CHRISTMAS SCARF by PEGGY EHRHART
Suspects pile up faster than New Jersey snow when frosty-tempered Carys Walnutt is found
strangled by a handmade scarf auctioned at Arborville’s tree-lighting ceremony. Between a
winning bidder hiding behind the alias “S. Claws” and a victim who deserved coal in her
stocking, can Pamela Paterson and the crafty Knit and Nibble ladies freeze a killer’s merry
murder plot?
Finally, Misty reported on “Varnished Without a Trace” by herself. (Kensington Cozies 9/2020)
This Christmas, Tallie Graver would like to take a break from running her cleaning business to
be with her boyfriend, Max, and enjoy their first holiday together--alone. Instead, she’s stuck
keeping her mother and grandmother from duking it out during the town’s annual Christmas Eve
bingo game. As for festive spirit, she’ll have to settle for her mean-spirited Aunt Ronda, whose
mouth could use some soap.
The night only gets worse after Tallie discovers Ronda’s body. It seems someone cleaned her
clock with a can of varnish. While all the evidence points to Ronda’s husband, Tallie doesn’t
believe her beloved Uncle Hoagie could do such a dirty deed. Of course, his sudden
disappearance doesn’t help his case. If Tallie hopes to clear his name, she’ll need to dig up
some dirt to locate the real killer. Otherwise, someone else could get rubbed out . . .
This is our final live episode for 2022. During our hiatus, we will be broadcasting some of the
most popular episodes from this year. We wish all of our Dark and Stormy Family and friends
the happiest, healthiest, and safest of the season. We will see you on January 10.
TRIVIA
Last week's question was:
Tony Hillerman was inspired by what writer?
a. Mark Twain
b. Charles Dickens
c. Louis Lamore
d. Arthur W. Upfield
The answer is d. Arthur W/. Upfield. Hillerman repeatedly acknowledged his debt to an earlier
series of mystery novels written by British-born Australian author Arthur W. Upfield and set
among Australian Aborigines in remote desert regions of tropical and subtropical Australia. The
Upfield novels were first published in 1928 and featured a half-European, half-aboriginal
Australian hero, Detective-Inspector Napoleon (Bony) Bonaparte. Bony worked with deep
understanding of Aboriginal traditions. The character was based on the achievements of an
Aboriginal person known as Tracker Leon, whom Upfield had met during his years in the
Australian bush.
This week's question is:
Tim Dorsey writes a mystery series featuring Serge A. Slorm. What makes him unique among
mystery protagonists?
a. He is blind
b. He is transgender
c. He has amnesia
d. He suffers from several types of mental illness
Tune in January 10 for the answer.