I don’t know what else I can say, folks. If my reviews of all Shatzer’s other books haven’t convinced you to try them, I don’t see how this one can.
So I won’t review it as I normally would. Instead, I’ll try some different approaches…
***
Review by an Academic Literary Critic
A Cozy Christmas Murder (Z. Shazter, 2021) satirizes 21st-century capitalism in its portrayal of the independent bookstore operator Roberta Smith and her cat, Mr. Bigfluff, who together represent Messianic figures who protect the town of Quaintville from the avaricious motivations of a criminal who symbolizes the profiteering of the wealthiest classes, while at the same time indulging in a pastiche of various pre-post-modernist textual norms. Smith’s friends, Jeannie and Sheriff James, symbolize conflicting modes of sexuality in a petit-bourgeois milieu…
Review by someone who has only read one very specific type of book
I couldn’t follow this story at all. The characters were not wizards, but seemed to all be non-magical people. I kept waiting for something about a prophecy to explain the plot, but there was nothing. Also, the family bloodlines and lineages were left unexplained, so I couldn’t easily categorize the characters.
Review by someone who is too easily offended
The protagonist of this book is a woman. Are they trying to say that men can’t solve mysteries? Do they want our young boys to grow up believing themselves to be incapable of logic and reasoning? Also, why do they only mention Christmas? Are they suggesting that all the other holidays should be illegal? If so, that is offensive and wrong.
Review by That Guy; you know the one…
⭐️
To be clear, I love the book itself. The characters are funny and engaging, and the whole thing is a delightful send-up of cozy mysteries. However, I’m only giving it one star because Amazon delivered it three minutes late to my houseboat in the middle of a Category 5 hurricane.
Review by someone whose keyboard only has the letter “h”
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Review by someone who is overly nostalgic
They don’t write books like this anymore. I say that because this book was written in the past, which is not the present, and therefore by definition is not being written now. You couldn’t write a book like this today. People would say it had already been written, and in a way, they’d be correct. Because we can only move through Time in one direction. Still, if you want to pretend that it isn’t now but the past, then you should read this book in your near future!
***
Yuck, what was in that eggnog?
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this silliness. Definitely give Shatzer’s books a try if you haven’t already. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and to all a good night!
Sorry about the scheduling snafu. Hope you get it resolved soon. For the reader, what popped up was a largely black screen with Error message.
Interesting. That’s helpful to know. Thank you.
You’re welcome.
So … I see this post just fine. The Test post popped up with a 404 error.
As for this post … fine! I’ll try one of his books. 😉
Yeah, I deleted the Test post after a while. I tried scheduling both it and the post over at WSW. And they both worked, so maybe this one not posting was a fluke…
For you, I recommend starting with “The Beach Wizard”. It has its share of silliness, but (IMO) it has an actual semi-serious side to it as well. So even if the jokes don’t work, the story can still be enjoyable.
I’ll give it a try.
Here’s what I usually see, “I couldn’t put the book down. Great read!” Just never on one of my books.
I know what you mean. 😐
Anyway, though, Feliz Navidad to you and yours! I hope you have a great Christmas.
Last year I bought a keyboard where the letter “h” did not work. I could’ve used that h keyboard… Happy Holidays to all!
But saying ‘appy ‘olidays does sound sort of Dickensian, doesn’t it? 😀 (All the best wishes to you this holiday season!)
A new twist for your reviews, Berthold–different reviewer personas.
Now I’ll have to check out one of Zachary’s books.
I’d recommend starting with “The Beach Wizard”. It’s my favorite of all his books. 🙂
I vote all your future book reviews are done in this manner! The ‘that guy’ and ‘overly nostalgic’ reviews gave me quite the chuckle 😁
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! And mind the eggnog 😉
😀 I’m glad you liked it. Merry Christmas!
Too funny!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I had a 404 error message on the post headed ‘Test’.
First thing which pooped into my head was ‘Word Press! What have you done?’
Anyway, in the meantime:
1. I hope you are spared the effects of that weather system freezing the USA.
2. May your Christmas be the one you hoped for.
Roger (UK)
It’s always something with WordPress. The usual scheduling of my post didn’t work, so I was testing to see if I could still schedule posts at all.
Thank you for the ‘warm’ wishes. I think we’re through the worst of it here. And the same Christmas wish to you as well. I hope it’s a great one. 🙂
Stay safe Berthold.
May your Christmas be secure and warm
-giggles- after all that how could I possibly refuse? Heading to Amazon now. :p
p.s. I just bought all 3. Someone should tell the author to raise his prices. 😀
Ha! Hope you get a good laugh out of them! 😀