This was a pretty damn good cozy mystery. I jumped into book 3 but I got to know the characters without any problem. The author did a wonderful job introducing them and unlike other cozies, not everyone in town was super duper nice. It's more realistic than other cozies I've read yet still has that charm you enjoy reading this genre. Also love that the setting is in Louisiana and not another ocean side town in New England or Pacific Northwest. ( )

You know some series where you have a bit of trouble remembering the characters or what’s happened in previous books? I did not have that problem with A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron, although it’s been a good three years since I’ve read the first book in the series, Plantation Shudders.
And I really have no reason as to why I missed book two, Body on the Bayou, or haven’t read the rest of the books in A Cajun Country Mystery series…. Well maybe, so many books, so little time.
But I need to make time to read the rest. A Cajun Christmas Killing reminded me how much I enjoy Byron’s writing… and I do love books that take place in the South.

Byron’s vibrant descriptions of the plantations, living history museum, and food makes the reader feel like they are actually in Louisiana. Although I’ve always wanted to visit, I feel like she could make even those who don’t like to travel want to take a trip there.

You can feel the love and tell that family is everything to the Crozats. Gran is so much more than a Southern Belle, although she still knows how to use those connections when needed. And I really enjoyed that she knows her way around a computer. Maggie’s mom and dad work hard to keep the B&B running, and I would stay there just for her mom’s cooking.
I was also pleased that Rufus, who ends up replacing Maggie’s boyfriend, Bo, on this case, is not such an unpleasant character any more, and yet he’s still got some sass to him. In so many cozies the law ends up being confrontational to the protagonist, which is fine, but sometimes it can feel overdone.

There were lots of red herrings and great suspects, and a thrilling confrontation with the killer at the end. Byron even has a twist with the killer which I enjoyed. The Cajun Country Mysteries is a cozy series that I very, very highly recommend. ( )

It's book #3 in the series, but the first one for me as I received this in exchange for an honest review, and even though I didn't know the characters it was easy to pick up and read. I love Cajun food, so was enthused by the promise of "recipes included" referring to the delicious dishes mentioned in the book. But it's really the characters and plot that kept me reading this traditional cozy.

The story takes place just before Christmas in Pelican, a small town in Louisiana, about four hours from New Orleans. The book was well-researched as it included the history of the area, specific Cajun phrases and words, as well as unique Cajun Christmas traditions. It was also well-written with a variety of developed characters, several realistic relationships, clues and red herrings sprinkled throughout, and a mystery that kept me guessing "who dunnit."

Amateur detective Maggie Crozat has returned from New York to help her family run their historic B&B. Before long someone is murdered, and it looks like several people had a motive, including some of her family members. Maggie uses her skills to assist the small-town PD (and her detective boyfriend Bo) find the killer. In the meantime there is a dog-napping, a fire, and then another murder. Now Maggie's in danger when she comes too close to the truth.

Entertaining and enjoyable, with a vivid rendering of the area that made me want to plan a trip. In the meantime, I'll have to try out some of the recipes. ( )

Title: A Cajun Christmas Killing: A Cajun Country Mystery
Author: Ellen Byron
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Cozy/Mystery

Bonfires on the levee, zydeco carols, and pots of gumbo greet Maggie Crozat when she returns home to Pelican, Louisiana. It's Christmas time, her favorite time of the year. This year, however, things aren’t going as planned at the Crozat Plantation B&B. Murder shows up for the holidays.

Someone is writing bad reviews on travel websites that are hurting business. A rival, Donald Baxter is not whom he seems, and before long her family and everything they worked for are in danger. Maggie is set to accuse Baxter of trying to destroy their business when she finds him stabbed to death.

Her family all have alibis, Detective Bo Durand, Maggie’s boyfriends comes under suspicion. Maggie is forced to work with longtime family enemy Rufus Durand, who, as it turns out, isn’t as bad as she thought. The investigation leads her in circles and places her in the line of fire.

--
A Cajun Christmas Killing is a wonderfully entertaining book with colorful characters who will remain in the reader's memory for years to come. Ellen Byron has crafted a story that leads the reader down a path of Cajun proportions. Filled with everything you would expect for a Cajun Christmas celebration, music, unique characters and of course, food.

Maggie is crazy about her boyfriend Bo, and she wants things to move on to the next step, but Bo is a gentleman and won’t be rushed. Tug and Ninette, Maggie’s parents, are the kind of parents who support their daughter in everything she does but also want her to be happy and settle down. Gran is a delight; she has a mischievous nature; she is lively, caring and can be put on airs when necessary.

This book is the third installment of the“A Cajun Country Mystery” series. Readers that have not read the first two books will have no trouble understanding the backstory, the players or their role in the family dynamic. They will fall in love with the Cozart family. This book is a page turner and will keep the reader guessing to the end. The reveal of the killer is in true Cajun style, filled with excitement that leaves a smirk on the reader's face. The story is fast-paced and flows smoothly; it is extremely well written. The action and intrigue are non-stop. This book, along with the series is highly recommended as an all-out entertaining and satisfying read.

An ARC was provided for this book.
( )

Maggie Crozat is an artist who returned home to Pelican, Louisiana after her relationship soured. She's still painting, but mostly she's helping at her family's Crozat B&B and acting as a tour guide at the Doucet Plantation, which once belonged to her family but was donated to the state, and is now open to visitors.

She's also involved in a new relationship with Bo Durand, and while they're still finding their way, they're completely committed to each other. Unfortunately, she hasn't had the easiest (to say the least) relationship with Bo's cousin Rufus, who doesn't like the Crozats - all dating from a feud going back to the Civil War.

When Maggie's family discovers that someone is writing negative reviews of their B&B and she finds out from her Uncle Tig that a man named Steve Harmon is trying to turn the Crozat home into a boutique hotel, Maggie isn't letting it happen without a fight. And when she discovers that a particularly nasty guest is the same man, her mother throws him out of the hotel. But when Maggie is giving a tour at the Doucet plantation, she discovers Harmon's body, and now there's a bigger problem:

Although Maggie and her family have been cleared of any wrongdoing, the same can't be said for Bo. He had a very public argument with Harmon, and is on desk duty until the murder is solved. So Maggie and Rufus must team up to find the killer and clear Bo's name. But there's more going on beneath the surface, and Maggie starts to realize that Harmon's enemies weren't all in the hotel business, and even his widow isn't sorry he's gone. But as she gets closer to the truth - and the killer gets closer to her - another death occurs and Maggie's running against the tide to find out who wants her permanently out of the picture...

This was a delightful book to read. Ms. Byron gives a wonderful vision of what Maggie's Pelican looks like during the holidays, and it would be wonderful to visit. Bonfires, winter warming food and drink, and decorations galore. Maggie has grown up in a wonderful atmosphere.

Aside from the scenery, it was a surprise - albeit a nice one - to see the changes in Rufus since he's become a father. He's mellowed out and realized the type of person he was, and watching him and Maggie work together to help Bo was refreshing, to say the least; he's actually becoming a likable character.

The murder itself was very well done, and I while I figured it out a little earlier than Maggie, it was nice to watch how she put everything together at the end. I also enjoyed the subplots involving Bo's ex-wife, Rufus' new (maybe) love interest, and it was quite revelation to finally meet Maggie's ex Chris (and realize how she dodged a bullet on that one).

All in all, Ms. Byron has given us another worthy journey into Cajun Country, its traditions, its people, and a wonderful mystery to decipher. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended. ( )