24 Bad Things by Molly Garcia

Book Blurb

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If it wasn’t bad enough that an anti-Christmas Grinch was playing cruel pranks, now DS Ellen Fine was right in the middle of a murder investigation.

With no leads and the countdown to Christmas in full swing the pressure is on to find out who’s responsible

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Best Book Editors Review

This is the fifth book I’ve read by this author and my favourite so far.

During December, we have two seemingly unrelated crime sprees, one is serious and involves serial murder, and the other is a spiteful public menace. Ellen Fine is in charge of investigating both cases with her DC, Grant Powder. Murder is murder, and as the body count rises, they are kept busy looking for connections and motives. However, at the same time, the spate of malicious pranks on a particular council estate is escalating in malice and, what started as annoying, is leading to children getting hurt.

Who hates people having fun at Christmas so much, and why?

A great Christmas-themed thriller with Garcia’s trademark easy-telling style that brings together a series of events exploring human nature and the consequences of actions. The suspense builds like a snowball throughout and it all ties off into a reveal in time for Christmas lunch. Recommended for fans of police procedural thrillers.

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About Molly Garcia

About the author

I was born in Buckinghamshire in the 1970s and at 17 I began working in mental health in the NHS. I have over 30 years experience of working in social care for charities and a housing organisation which forms the basis for a lot of the characters in my books. In between that work I have been the landlady of a pub in the UK and worked in bars in Spain.

I lived in Spain for 7 years from the late 1990s and have since returned there which has given me the opportunity to finally start writing.

I live with my partner of over 30 years and we have two grown up “children”.

C A Deegan

Loved it.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2023

Verified Purchase

I am a fan of this author’s crime books, and this is a worthy addition to the set. Set over the Christmas period, a series of horrible Grinch-like pranks on the residents of an estate sees DS Fine trying to figure out the culprits. But when the murders start, Fine’s investigation takes on a much more urgent pace. With little to go on, and increasing pressure from all parties, Ellen Fine is up against it. An explosive ending and outcome that keeps you guessing. This is a shorter novel than Garcia’s usual ones, but no less the story. Highly recommended for fans of murder fiction.

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Kindle reader

Short Christmas themed crime spree

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2024

It’s almost Christmas and someone is definitely not happy about it. A spate of pranks on a council estate by what appears to be a Christmas hating grinch, sparks outrage amongst the locals. But soon these pranks pale next to all the murders that are going on, and the police are accused of doing nothing to help.
This whodunnit is cleverly put together and the motive for the perpetrator is really believable. A great short read with a not-so-merry Christmas theme.

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caroline

Just loved it and the narration works so well. Great christmas thriller

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2023

What a great Christmas thriller, completely engaging and so different. Just loved it.
Someone hates Christmas and the fun is understanding why and comes with a bang, such a great ending.

Loved the narration so suited it, just listened to the book in one sitting it kept me captivated.

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