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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Nogged off by Barbara Ross is a part of the A Maine Clambake Mystery series. If you read Eggnog Murder which came out a year ago (three novellas in one book), then you have already enjoyed Nogged Off. Julia Snowden goes to clear out her Tribeca apartment and ends up taking Imogen Geinkes home to her mother’s house for the holidays. Murder and confusion soon ensues. I enjoyed reading Nogged Off. It is well-written and proceeds at a steady pace. Julia, Chris, Gus, Julia’s mother are all included in the story. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I thought the whodunit was clever with a surprising twist. In addition, there are some mysterious happenings at the Snowden house. They are beginning to wonder if the house is haunted. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout Nogged Off. Nogged Off is an entertaining novella with a curious mystery, Christmas traditions, good food, family, friends, humor and a little mayhem.
abbyxbrandt's review
3.0
A merry mini murder mystery set in Maine. 2.5 but calling it 3, extra half star for authenticity and highlighting the LL Bean flagship store that's open 24 hours.
bookwoman37's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this novella last year in the Eggnog Murder anthology. This is one of my favorite series and this novella is a perfect read for the Holiday. Julia once again finds a body and sets out to solve the mystery with some help from Chris. The mystery is really good and there is a nice twist at the end. Enjoy spending the Holidays in Busman's Harbor
sparklingreader's review
4.0
In this Christmas themed part of the Maine Clambake series, Julia Snowden is heading to NYC to pack up the last of the personal items in her apartment before she moves permanently to Maine. When she arrives, the woman who is subletting her apartment has just quit her job and can’t take the lease over. With no other options, Julia rents a moving truck and packs up the apartment. To her surprise, Imogen—the renter—heads to Maine with her.
While she’s packing the truck, Julia spots a man sitting in a white car who appears to be watching them, but thinks no more of it once she gets on the road. When she stops LL Bean for Imogen to get warm clothes for Maine, she sees the car again. But she gets home and parks the truck and Imogen, at her mother’s house and goes to her apartment to sleep. When she wakes up, the truck and all of her belongings are gone.
When the truck is found, Imogen’s ex boyfriend is in the back—dead.
This novella is the first I have read in this series, but it is fine as a stand alone. The author gives you enough information so you’re not lost with what’s going on.
What I liked: the characters and especially, the local flavor. The “Gentleman’s Night” of shopping before Christmas. The pajama breakfast (and shopping). I can just see that happening in a small town. I like the twist at the end (not giving away any spoilers).
What I didn’t like: Honestly? It was too short! LOL. I enjoyed the story and wished it was longer.
Recommendation: If you’re reading this series, this is a must. If you haven’t, it’s a cute way to get introduced to the characters. I will be picking up more by this author in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Press and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While she’s packing the truck, Julia spots a man sitting in a white car who appears to be watching them, but thinks no more of it once she gets on the road. When she stops LL Bean for Imogen to get warm clothes for Maine, she sees the car again. But she gets home and parks the truck and Imogen, at her mother’s house and goes to her apartment to sleep. When she wakes up, the truck and all of her belongings are gone.
When the truck is found, Imogen’s ex boyfriend is in the back—dead.
This novella is the first I have read in this series, but it is fine as a stand alone. The author gives you enough information so you’re not lost with what’s going on.
What I liked: the characters and especially, the local flavor. The “Gentleman’s Night” of shopping before Christmas. The pajama breakfast (and shopping). I can just see that happening in a small town. I like the twist at the end (not giving away any spoilers).
What I didn’t like: Honestly? It was too short! LOL. I enjoyed the story and wished it was longer.
Recommendation: If you’re reading this series, this is a must. If you haven’t, it’s a cute way to get introduced to the characters. I will be picking up more by this author in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Press and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
thisandthatwithkaren's review
4.0
"Nogged Off" is the 4.5 instalment in the "Maine Clambake" Mystery series by Barbara Ross. This was previously published in the collection "Egg Nog Murder" a collection of novellas.
Twas the week before Christmas, and Julia Snowden’s escape from New York has just hit a snag. Fresh off accidentally poisoning half her colleagues with her “Killer Eggnog,” Julia’s would-be subletter, Imogen Geinkes, is now jobless and homeless—leading Julia to invite the young woman home for the holidays in Maine. But when they unload the rental truck in Busman’s Harbor, they find something that wasn’t on anyone’s packing list: the body of Imogen’s former boyfriend.
Suddenly, the wordplay in Imogen’s name—“I’m a jinx”—isn’t so adorable. But for all the calamities that follow in Imogen’s wake, Julia’s certain she’s no killer. As Julia digs into the case, the appearance of the ex’s brother—his identical twin—doubles the confusion. Has Imogene been double-crossed by an evil twin? Was the eggnog “accident” no accident at all? If Julia doesn’t unwrap the murderer’s true identity soon, one of the twelve days of Christmas could be her last . . .
I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series. I have several books in my TBR pile. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Twas the week before Christmas, and Julia Snowden’s escape from New York has just hit a snag. Fresh off accidentally poisoning half her colleagues with her “Killer Eggnog,” Julia’s would-be subletter, Imogen Geinkes, is now jobless and homeless—leading Julia to invite the young woman home for the holidays in Maine. But when they unload the rental truck in Busman’s Harbor, they find something that wasn’t on anyone’s packing list: the body of Imogen’s former boyfriend.
Suddenly, the wordplay in Imogen’s name—“I’m a jinx”—isn’t so adorable. But for all the calamities that follow in Imogen’s wake, Julia’s certain she’s no killer. As Julia digs into the case, the appearance of the ex’s brother—his identical twin—doubles the confusion. Has Imogene been double-crossed by an evil twin? Was the eggnog “accident” no accident at all? If Julia doesn’t unwrap the murderer’s true identity soon, one of the twelve days of Christmas could be her last . . .
I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series. I have several books in my TBR pile. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
asanford's review
3.0
a fun novella (wish I had read it in order). This was right after the winter restaurant started and it was about the girl tat sublet Julia's apartment in NYC. Great twist and surprises throughout.
dtaylorbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
LOVED. IT. It’s everything I’m looking for in a cozy Christmas mystery: Christmas is basically a character in the story, there’s tension, the main character is at risk, lots of twists. Couldn’t have asked for more!
I haven’t read any of the other Maine Clambake Mystery books, and this one comes in at 4.5 in the series, so I’m walking into the middle of everything. Yet I’m not lost in the slightest. I know exactly what’s going on at all times, I’m never confused, the character development is on point, and I’m just all around invested in the story.
I liked how the tension in the story unfolded. It started with the guy maybe following Julia home to Maine with Imogen, to her truck getting stolen, and it just snowballs from there. There are so many layers in this story, and with it being so short it just blows my mind how seamless it all is. I blinked and I was finished with the book, a complete whirlwind of a story.
I loved it so much that I want to read the rest of the series despite the other books not being Christmas cozies. That says something! Am I broadening my reading scope here? Maybe dipping a toe in, at the very least. It’s a short story, but so, so sweet (and a little sinister), and I highly recommend it.
5
randombookgrl's review against another edition
5.0
A cute, quick story in the Maine Clambake series that takes place over the holidays, this novella is fun way to get into the Christmas spirit. Once again, Barbara Ross steers slightly off of the typical cozy path, making this another fun read that keeps you guessing.
shammons's review against another edition
I requested via curbside pickup the hardback copy of "Eggnog Murder" which contains 3 eggnog themed cozy mysteries by three authors. However, I only read one of the three, this one by Barbara Ross, as the next in line for me in the Maine Clambake mysteries (skipped the other 2 in the book). This one has Julia running down to New York for a very quick trip, to close out her Tribeca apartment and let her sub-tenant Imogene have the apartment full time. Things didn't quite go as planned, as Imogene ends up coming back with her to Busman's Harbor Maine, and then they find a dead body. A cute mystery, with my same likable characters, and a good short holiday one for this busy time of year!