We Wish You a Merry Murder [Mass Market Paperback]

Valerie Wolzien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1993

Suburban sleuth Susan Henshaw juggles motherhood, a visiting mother-in-law, and sleuthing as she attempts to determine the guilt or innocence of chic suburbanite Kelly Knowlson, the prime suspect in the murder of Knowlson's ex-husband. Reissue.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Although I now live in New York City, there's a lot I can identify with in Valerie Wolzien's mysteries. Valerie's portraits of small towns and suburban communities remind me of my youth -- and I suspect they strike a similar chord with all those readers who live (or used to) far from urban centers. Also, Valerie's novels are like comfort food in a way -- because they are, in part, celebrations of holidays and happy social occasions (weddings, birthday parties, family vacation trips) . . . plus the mandatory addition of homicidal doings. Valerie is now writing two series with two different amateur sleuths -- suburban housewife Susan Henshaw (MURDER AT THE PTA LUNCHEON is her first appearance) and businesswoman Josie Pigeon (who started solving murders in SHORE TO DIE). I heartily recommend anything Valerie Wolzien writes.

--Joe Blades, Associate Publisher --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Although Kelly Knowlson firmly thought her newly remarried ex-husband, Evan, would return to her, did she set him by the fire, egg nog by his side, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS in his hands, and put a bullet in his head? By the time the police show up, the body is gone, so of course Kelly is the prime suspect. Between molding cheese balls and salmon mousse for a holiday dinner, suburban sleuth Susan Henshaw fits in a little yultetide detecting to discover if Kelly Knowlson iced her ex. And if not, who would dare send such an uncharitable Christmas greeting...? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett Books (November 1993)
• ISBN-10: 044945259X
• ISBN-13: 978-0449452592
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,586,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Susan Henshaw mystery you should start with, October 3, 2000

By 

Melissa P. Cooper "kymissyin" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Wish You a Merry Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first of the Susan Henshaw mysteries I read--a friend recommended it to me as a fun change of pace from all the professional and religious reading I was doing at the time. To be honest, it's far superior to the first two installments, "Murder at the PTA Luncheon" and "The 40th Birthday Body"--the latter of which was especially bad. "PTA" probably would have kept me reading, but "40th" would have stopped me cold. This is the one to start with if you're new to the series. Susan copes with holiday shopping, a visit from her mother-in-law, parties--this series has at least one party in every installment!--and, of course, the murder of a neighbor. But how do I say this? This one is just plain FUN to read. Call me corny, but I can feel Christmas in the air and coming through every page. Like the other reviewer, I like to re-read this during December. That's when my holiday savings account is matured and just for a few weeks, I feel as if I could just go into the stores and buy whatever I want like Susan and Kathleen do. By the way, I'd never heard of a cookie exchange party until I read this book. This is my year to try one myself. Did I mention that this book is fun???

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, witty, and just a "little" wicked, January 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: We Wish You a Merry Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first foray into Valerie Wolzien's mystery series featuring wealthy suburban mom Susan Henshaw and her gorgeous ex-cop best friend, Kathleen. In addition to the mystery that's the centerpiece of the story, Valerie captures in delightful detail what December is like for a mom who wants to make Christmas perfect for her family. I usually dig this book out and re-read it in one afternoon during Advent. Believe it or not, it's part of what gets me into the Christmas spirit

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yuletide Murder, September 16, 2002

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: We Wish You a Merry Murder (Mass Market Paperback)

Susan Henshaw and her friend Kathleen are worried about their friend Kelly. She is still reeling over the divorce from her beloved Evan, and resents his new wife, Rebecca. The holidays promise to be a difficult time for Kelly, especially with all the entertaining that goes on in this wealthy Connecticut neighborhood. Things are complicated by the arrival of Susan's mother-in-law, her self-proclaimed nutritionist boyfriend, and Kathleen's mother. These three are constantly harping on Susan and Kathleen about something, whether it's the non-healthy food they serve or the behavior of their families. Rebecca and Evan give their usual elaborate Christmas party, but things are less-than-merry when Susan and Kelly discover Evan's dead body. By the time the police arrive, the body has disappeared and Susan and Kathleen spend the rest of the book trying to discover who the murderer is. This book is better written than the first two in the series, but the characters take a strange, blase attitude towards the fact that Evan has been killed. Neither his wife nor his ex-wife seem too concerned about his death or the disappearance of his body. Other than that, this is an enjoyable "cozy".