The Notorious Nutcracker Case

by Nancy Pennick

It’s time for the first Christmas market at The Pearl Hotel, but when the festivities take a sinister turn, bestselling author and amateur sleuth, Serena Tate, must help find the assailant before they strike again.

When Serena Tate’s twin daughters propose a unique holiday venture to Nina Takeda, the owner of The Pearl Hotel, Serena is reluctant to give her approval. Her friends, Mia and Lily, support the girls' plan, so Serena changes her opinion, and The Merry and Bright Christmas Market is underway. As the festive season kicks into high gear, the hotel is alive with holiday cheer—until a nutcracker mysteriously appears. Is it a harmless prank or something more sinister? Serena and her friends are on a mission to uncover the truth.

***This can be read as a standalone book***

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

For three decades, Nancy taught elementary school. She'd written short stories as a child, kept a diary and loved the writing process. After retiring, she hadn’t set out to become an author, but when inspiration struck, she couldn’t resist putting pen to paper. She now had time to follow her dream. Today her writing spans various genres, including young adult, historical romance, romantic suspense and cozy mysteries.

Nancy lives with her husband, Ron, and has a married son, who helps her with tech more than he likes! Plus, add in a wonderful daughter-in-law and grandson which makes her life complete.

Reviews

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean romance but focuses on a mystery. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone. If you've read Nancy's The Secret Billionaire Society or The Billionaire's Bride series, you will recognize some of the characters.

Serena is a single mom to twins. She is dating Jack, security for the Pearl. Her daughters are trying to earn credit for their marketing class. They want to hold a Christmas Market fair at the Pearl. Though Serena is wary, she gets convinced to help and it gets to get held there. Someone is stealing nutcrackers from one of the vendors and threatening the other vendors. Who can it be?

Great storyline. I didn't get to read the prior book, but I want to go back and read it. I really enjoyed the storyline. The characters are fun and there are a few twists and turns for sure. I thought I had it and then had to change my mind on who done it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written with good characters and smooth pace, this is the third book in the series. Though it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first two to understand the characters more.

Looking forward to the next in the series.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable cozy series that has a lot of heart as well as mystery. Serena's twin daughters convince everyone to put on a Christmas Market almost too late to find any artists to feature. They are lucky to find a Nutcracker maker from Germany and some other interesting guests, including an aunt who was living a distanced life from the family. Add an ex-husband to the scene and a few pranks and crimes, making this the perfect cozy to enjoy with a cup of tea. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy mystery story staring Serena, her twins and her extended family at the Pearl Hotel. Serena is a loving mom who is learning how best to let her twins grow into responsible adults by letting them take some chances. Their idea of a Christmas Market for their school project is a huge undertaking and involves several interesting characters and challenges. Personality clashes, stolen merchandise, and pranks keep occurring causing headaches for all. The story is well written and flows well. I like all the main characters and the ongoing relationship stories. Part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read. It had you guessing and reassessing all the way through. A ‘Who dunnit’ and much more. Families coming together and obstacles overcome. It really makes you want to stay at the Pearl and enjoy this perfect place that has a few interesting incidents. No spoilers! Read it and weep tears of happiness and joy. Soak in the wonder of the season that the author so generously immerses the book in.

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serena's twins convince her to allow them to set up and run a Christmas Market at The Pearl Hotel. There are nutcrackers and plenty of holiday spirit throughout until mischief and mayhem strike. It's up to Serena to figure everything out and restore order to the market. This is an entertaining, yuletide, cozy mystery with several twists and turns along the way and as a good dose of holiday romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge of the nutcrackers - A Christmas market is one of the last places one would expect to stumble upon a lifeless body. But that's exactly what happens after a series of pranks involving handcrafted nutcrackers escalate to a deadly level. Serena and Jack, along with their friends, piece together the clues to bring down the culprit. A great cozy mystery that is just in time for the holiday season.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 of the Pearl Hotel Cozy Mystery Series. This book is very busy with everyone doing so much. But this is a Christmas mystery, Christmas is always busy. It took a while to get to the mystery in the story, but it still kept the reader's attention. I look forward to seeing what else will happen at the hotel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas mystery

Things at the Pearl Hotel have calmed down from antics this summer. Serena’s twins are now in college and things with Jack are picking up. What could go wrong? The girls need a project for their Marketing class and present an idea to Nina and Serena: a Christmas marketplace! What could go wrong there?

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Nancy Pennick; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the second book in the Pearl Hotel Cozy Mystery Series; it is a stand-alone book. It is a Christmas story about Serena, Nina, Mia & Lily.

[Mary Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery including young people

Great read keeps the reader guessing it' a good mystery. Love her writing hope she keeps adding more of the Pearl Hotel happening.