Death at Holly Lodge by Louise R Innes

Introduction

Death at Holly Lodge by Louise R Innes is the third book in the Daisy Thorne mystery series. Even though I haven’t read any of the other books, I found this story and cast of characters really easy to get into. Daisy may be a hairdresser, but she has a lot more on her mind than just the latest hair styles, that’s for sure!

About the Book

T’was the weeks before Christmas,
and Daisy nabs a new case,
when a missing man is found
stuffed above a fireplace . . .

Ooh La La hair salon owner Daisy Thorne adores the Christmas cheer in her picturesque hometown of Edgemead, England. Excitement is extra high this year, as international pop star, Mimi Levanté , the village’s newest resident, begins renovating historic Holly Lodge. But the charming country home’s makeover is cut short by a shocking discovery—the body of a man, dressed as Santa Claus, jammed inside the house’s chimney!

The secreted Santa is identified as Thom Pierce, a local father who vanished on Christmas Eve two years ago. As the case moves from missing to murder, Daisy and dashing DCI Paul McGuinness begin combing through the clues of Christmases past. But the killer will go to great lengths to keep old crimes under wraps. Now, DCI McGuinness must protect Daisy as she tries to untangle the mystery before a merry murderer embarks on another slay ride. (from Amazon.com)

My Thoughts

Death at Holly Lodge is the third book in the Daisy Thorne series by Louise R Innes. Although I haven’t read the first two books in this series I was able to jump right in to the town of Edgemead and get involved in the mystery.

I loved Daisy as a character. She’s the kind of person who has the best intentions, but just can’t seem to stay away from the case. It doesn’t help that the body is discovered while she’s visiting Holly Lodge. She’s there with her two friends Mimi and Floria, the renovation crew who is remodeling the house finds a body in the chimney.

But that’s not the craziest part. The craziest part is that he’s wearing a read and white jumpsuit!

The friends are shocked. It’s not every day you find a dead body in your house, let alone the body of Santa Claus.

Daisy’s friends and coworkers at her salon were fun to read about. I loved the mentioned of gingerbread lattes and lots of gossip as they attempted to make it through the busy season, when everybody wants special nails or a new hairdo for Christmas.

Would I Recommend Death at Holly Lodge?

Overall it was just a really fun world to dive into. I felt like the mystery was really well developed. Not only that but the tension between Daisy and DCI Mcguinness (who might also be her boyfriend, although she’s too scared to admit it) made me laugh at times. It was funny how he would try to tell her what to do. She would try her best to behave but there’s no stopping Daisy when a mystery is afoot.

If you like Christmas cozy mysteries you’re sure to like this one. I loved reading about Daisy and her friends at the salon. Hopefully I can get my hands on the rest of the series soon!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Enjoy cozy mysteries? Read more of my reviews here!

xo Marian