Manny Porter and the Yuletide Murder
Tinker Creek Series #2

Excellent story by a new-to-me author that drew me in, held my interest, made me care, and left me feeling full of holiday cheer. Great book!

What I liked:
* That I was able to read this book without having read the previous book in the series
* Manny: journalist, works for his father’s newspaper, in a relationship with Lyle, mentor to Tristan, great sleuthing abilities, cares deeply, reliable, a good man
* Lyle: mechanic, successful businessman, strong, has lethal skills, supportive, loving, kind, generous, caring, great with and for Manny
* Tristan: aged out of foster care, in an internship while waiting to go to college, excited about his future, being mentored by Manny, accused of murdering Nikolaidis-his boss, honest, and bright
* Rico: young, has a difficult backstory, potential witness in the murder case, hasn’t had many breaks but might get one if he is lucky
* Detective Walker: a by the book policeman that grew on me as the story progressed
* The writing, plot, setting, and character development
* The murder mystery, sleuthing, and eventual solution
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that there are youth that have had as difficult times as Tristan and Rico and wishing it were different
* Thinking about the justice system and how it is not always truly just

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )