This book is self-published; that just about tells you everything you need to know if you are contemplating reading it.

Mollie McGhie and her husband Scooter live on a boat at the marina in Coconut Cove, Florida with their calico cat Mrs. Moto. During a Christmas party aboard their neighbors’ boat The Mistletoe, newcomer & troublemaker Edward Smythe is found murdered. Jim Ferguson, one half of Coconut Grove’s resident gay couple, is quickly arrested for the crime by temporary lawman & permanent moron, Finn Booze (wrap your heads around that name, folks). But why would anyone ever believe Jim capable of such a crime? Well, for starters, he was found standing over the dead body with the bloody murder weapon in his hand; and he was overheard threatening to kill the victim shortly before the party when he learned that Edward had usurped his role of Santa in the annual Coconut Grove Christmas Parade. Jim certainly looks guilty. However, Mollie and Scooter have their doubts &, since they really have nothing else to do, they set out to solve the case themselves.

First of all, this book is very short. It’s more like an extended short story or a novelette than a full-length book.

Murder Aboard the Mistletoe is very simplistic in terms of writing style, plot, & characterizations. It is like someone with an eighth-grade education picked up a book entitled “How to Write a Novel in 10 Easy Steps” & just ran with it. Yes, this book is so painstakingly constructed you can almost see the detailed, formulaic outline on which it was created, complete with the original bullet points that got transformed into the complete sentences that make up the final text. In an effort to add a touch of verisimilitude the author subjects us to regular, carefully-staged, slice of life observations—usually revolving around someone commenting on what the cat is doing (Spoiler Alert: She’s either knocking something over or coughing up a hairball.). It’s all pretty contrived and monotonous.

Do yourself a favor & don’t waste your time or your money. ( )