Slay Bells Ring is the 7th book in the Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery series. I enjoy this series and happily jumped at the chance to read Caprice's newest adventure. But even if I hadn't read prior books in this series, I think the incredibly cute, festive cover would have pulled me in! Such a Christmas-y happy cover! Love it! Cozy mysteries have the BEST titles and covers!

In this newest mystery, Caprice is hired to put a holiday theme in a historic home in Kismet, PA. Homeowner Chris Merriweather is a toy maker and has played Santa at the local park for years. Something seems a bit off with him this year though. He seems tired and just not himself, plus he shows up at the local community theater looking like he was just in a fist fight. His behavior seems strange. He and his wife, Sara, are at odds about selling the house as well. Then Chris is found dead, murdered on Santa Lane of all places. Caprice and her family are once again on the case to find out what happened to the Vietnam vet who loved to play Santa. Turns out he had a lot of secrets.....and enemies.

This story is a bit emotional, touching on the subjects of PTSD and other after effects of war, plus the pain of discovering dark secrets. It's a well-written and enjoyable cozy mystery though, with plenty of bits of humor and brightness among the more dark aspects of the theme. The mystery moves at a perfect pace, and there are plenty of suspects and twists along the way. The ending wasn't a huge surprise. I had my suspicions earlier in the story, but it was well executed and a good ending for the story.

All in all, another great addition to this series! I like the characters and theme for this cozy series, and can't wait to read the next book!

For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: https://karenrosesmith.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**



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4.5 Stars rounded up to 5. Slay Bells Ring is the 7th book in the Caprice De Luca Home Staging Mystery series. This is one of my favourite series and I look forward to each book. I absolutely loved the cover to this one. The dog, Blitz, plays a central role in this story. Other reviewers who have not read any of the series seem to have a problem with getting to know the characters, so it might be best to read the series from the beginning, but I don't think it is necessary.

Caprice is hired to put stage a home using a holiday theme. The owner of the home and his wife are not of the same mind when it comes to selling. Chris Merriweather is a toy maker and has played Santa at the local park for years. Caprice notices that something is off about Chris, especially when he almost falls down leaving the sleigh at the local parade. He also has some injuries that he tries to brush off as an accident at the store, but Caprice is not buying that either. When Chris is found dead, murdered on Santa Lane of all places, Caprice and her family are once again on the case to find out what happened to the Vietnam vet who loved to play Santa. It turns out he had a lot of secrets.

This story is touches on the subjects of PTSD and other after-effects of war, plus the pain of discovering dark secrets. It has a great plot with these subjects are woven into the story well. Once again the DeLuca family plays a large part in the story. Caprice's dad is a good friend of Chris and is asked by his wife to take his dog. He is involved in solving the mystery more than he has been in other stories. Her sisters and their families/friends are also part of her home-staging and volunteer life and I love how they all work together and flesh out the story. Even though there are some dark spots, the story has humor and brightness sprinkled throughout. I enjoy the pace of the relationship of Caprice and Grant and that they are remaining chaste until their wedding. The mystery moves at a great pace, and there are plenty of suspects and twists along the way. The ending wasn't a huge surprise as I had my suspicions earlier in the story, but it was well executed and a good ending for the story. Once again, I enjoyed getting together with the residents of Kismet Pennsylvania and solving another mystery. The publisher, Kensington Publishing Corporation, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. ( )

Caprice De Luca has wrapped up her holiday-themed staging gig at a stunning historic home in downtown Kismit, Pennsylvania. Homeowners Chris and Sara Merriweather, have it all. A beautiful home, great kids, and a wonderful marriage, or do they?

Chris, a Vietnam vet who plays Santa every year at the community park, has been displaying strange behavior after his annual trip to Washington, D.C. His wife has no idea of what is disturbing him. The joy of the season vanishes when Chris is found murdered. Caprice uncovers secrets as she searches for Chris’ killer. It’s a race to locate the murderer before Caprice becomes the next victim.
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Series: A Caprice De Luca Mystery – Book 7
Author: Karen Rose Smith
Genre: Career/Mystery Cozy
Publisher: Kensington

Slay Bells Ring is a tremendous addition to Karen Rose Smith’s “A Caprice De Luca Mystery” series. In this holiday-themed book, Caprice has her hands full. Her business is booming, and her love life is heating up with an upcoming wedding. Her family brings her comfort and joy year round, especially during the holidays. Her appreciation for her family becomes fully focused when a family friend is murdered while playing Santa Claus.

The characters that Ms. Smith created in this series are fully developed, interesting and memorable. Caprice is a woman on a mission. She is determined to make her business, and her relationship with Grant work, even if she has to give up the home she loves. Her dedication to making certain that Grant is happy is commendable and unselfish. This describes her character completely.

Grant is equally determined to make certain that Caprice is happy. His past makes him sad but doesn’t hinder his relationship with Caprice. If anything, it makes their future brighter on the crucial levels of a relationship. Grant is very likable without being over the top. He is also intelligent. He knows Caprice will get involved with the investigation, and he knows he can’t prevent her from doing it. All he can do is support her and watch her back to make certain she doesn’t get hurt.

The remaining characters are well rounded and enjoyable. All of them add flavor and intrigue to the plot. Caprices parents are truly lovable and remarkable in a way that parents should be. They are supportive of their daughter as well as her siblings.

The setting in a small Pennsylvania town is picture perfect. Kismet may be fictional, but the real countryside in Pennsylvania is everything the author describes and more. The shops and homes are wonderfully descriptive and make the reader want to explore, as well as savor the sights, sounds, and smells of the area.

The pace of this book is a bit slower than most. The action is mainly based on family interactions. This is not a non-stop action-filled romp; readers will need to think through the evidence. It is a steady paced mystery with clues that if the reader misses them will make it difficult for them to figure out who the killer is. Yet there are plenty of hints to the murderer’s identity if the reader takes the time to put them all together.

Slay Bells Ring is highly recommended along with the other books in this series. However, I would caution the reader to start at the beginning of the series with book one. There is a need for more information on the background and memories of the characters discussed throughout the book to enhance the enjoyment of the reader.




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It’s Christmas and while most people are rushing around with the holiday spirit, the local Santa has become dark and brooding. Before his family can discover why, he is murdered. Now Caprice feels compelled to help solve the murder, perhaps even to the point of endangering herself and those she loves. The mystery is a good one, but bogs down some in the middle and the pace slows. The characters are interesting, and the romance between Caprice and Grant is delightful. Still, a little less of the characters’ daily life, and perhaps a bit more of the flavor Christmas would have made it a better story. ( )

Caprice De Luca is working on helping to sell the home of the town Santa but when he is found murdered everyone is stunned and horrified, this man had no enemies, who would kill him? The details of this man's life that are uncovered and help Caprice to find the murderer is heartwarming. Great Cozy for the holidays. ( )