The Christmas Walk Caper

A Mac and Millie Mystery

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
164 Pages
Reviewed on 11/12/2019
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Christmas Walk Caper: A Mac and Millie Mystery is a holiday-themed sleuth mystery novel written by J.B. Michaels. Though his days as a beat cop on the streets of Chicago were now over, due to his injuries received during an act of heroism that saved the Chicago Marathon and its runners, Mac O’Malley still had a nose for sleuthing and for mysteries to solve. Not willing to be sidelined, he had turned down the offer of a desk job in the precinct in favor of a publishing contract for a true-life memoir. When the owner of a cafe is found dead, supposedly from a heart attack, Mac is drawn into the mystery.

J.B. Michaels’ The Christmas Walk Caper is a fast-paced and thought-provoking novel that introduces Mac O’Malley, a retired hero cop, and Millie, his girlfriend and partner in detecting crime. Watching as these two harness their deducting skills to get to the bottom of what Mac is convinced is a murder is grand fun. Michaels’ characters are authentic and credible, and Mac and Millie are likable to boot. The author sprinkles in plenty of red herrings for armchair sleuths to consider as they enjoy the holiday cheer that so deftly conveys a seasonal warmth to the story and try to help Mac and Millie get justice for Patricia. I had a marvelous time reading this book and am looking forward to Mac and Millie’s future investigations. The Christmas Walk Caper: A Mac and Millie Mystery is a thinking person’s sleuth murder story that also celebrates the holidays, and it’s most highly recommended.

Cheryl E. Rodriguez

J. B. Michaels pens a puzzling murder mystery in The Christmas Walk Caper. A retired cop, Mac O’Malley, drinks his morning coffee at The Tiny Wanderer café. Amid the hustle and bustle of his fellow patrons, Mac should be writing his memoirs about his life as a Chicago cop. But instead, he becomes distracted, listening to a nearby conversation. Patricia, the owner of the café, is missing. Today is the first day of Geneva’s annual Christmas Walk. Patricia’s absence from the festivities is unsettling. With his cop nature kicking into high gear, Mac is compelled to investigate. Arriving at Patricia’s elegantly decorated home, Mac is met by his brother, Vince, a local police officer. Vince tells Mac that Patricia has passed away, dying of old age. But Mac believes there is more to her untimely death. He decides to do his own investigation. Enlisting the help of his beautifully strange girlfriend, Millie, Mac is determined to uncover the truth behind this Christmas mystery.

The Christmas Walk Caper by J. B. Michaels is an oddly enchanting mystery filled with intrigue, love and a little magic. Michaels immediately plants the seed of foul play into his murder mystery, hooking you with intrigue. The setting is wrapped up with the elegance of the Christmas season. As the narrative unfolds, sparkles and glitter, elaborately decorated homes, and all the joys and the excitement of timeless holiday traditions hover in the background. The main character is a likable, logical, take-charge kind of fellow. You know - a guy, guy! He is coupled with a woman who is much more than she seems. As the “something doesn’t add up” mystery evolves, the narrative’s perplexing plot turns into a romantic, wickedly charming tale. The story twists and turns through a series of bizarre events and then comes to an end. (Well, sort of). Although The Christmas Walk Caper is solved, many questions remain unanswered, unspoken words hang in the air; this is only the beginning of the Mac and Millie Mysteries.

Deborah Lloyd

Mac O’Malley, a retired police offer, found adventure in the small town of Geneva, Illinois. His girlfriend, Millie, works in the local bank. His brother, Vince, a Geneva police detective, also joins the intrigue. On the morning of the annual Christmas Walk, an untimely death occurred. Patricia Flaherty, the elderly owner of the Tiny Wanderer, a beautiful mansion now renovated as a retail store with a café, was found dead in her home. While Mac suspected a murder immediately, it took some convincing and sleuthing to solve the mysterious death. Author JB Michaels adds plenty of festive holiday merriment to the thrilling quest in this novel titled The Christmas Walk Caper: A Mac and Millie Mystery.

This murder mystery is a quick and entertaining read. The author writes in a clear and concise style, but he also leaves a few other mysteries unsolved. As it is the first book in the Mac and Millie Mystery series, some of the unanswered questions are likely to be explained: How did Mac sustain an injury leading to his retirement? What magical powers do Millie and her mother have? The main characters are likable and have fascinating personal traits, and it will be fun to watch them develop as the series continues. Likewise, other characters in the town will add delightful variety to captivating storylines. In The Christmas Walk Caper, written by JB Michaels, an introduction to the town of Geneva with its charming residents is presented. Add this book to your holiday season!