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y separately published work icon Melting Pot Cafe series - author   novel  
Issue Details: First known date: 2020... 2020 Melting Pot Cafe
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Includes

A Killer Christmas List Polly Holmes , 2020 single work novella
— Appears in: Christmas Crackers 2020;

'The yuletide spirit is out and about, the eggnog is flowing, fairy lights are hung, and the town is pumped for the most exciting event on the Christmas calendar, the Annual Concert. This year aunt Edie decided it would be a brilliant idea to volunteer me and my best friend, Harriet, to run both Santa’s photo booth and the refreshment stall.

'As the festivities kick-off, things turn complicated fast when my childhood friend, Trixie Snowball, winner of the Elf of the Year contest, reveals she's lost Santa's list and is desperate to find it. I agreed to use my magic to help, but things take a turn for the worse when the runner-up of the contest turns up dead behind the refreshment stall, and Trixie is the number one suspect.

'Christmas day is fast approaching, and now I’m in a race against time to find a murderer, clear Trixie’s name, bring the real killer to justice and find the list before disappointment rains down on children all over the world. How, oh, how did I get myself into such a predicament?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1
y separately published work icon Pumpkin Pies & Poisons Polly Holmes , Perth : Gumnut Press , 2020 19667176 2020 single work novel mystery

'Witches, cats, pumpkin pies and murder!

'I’m Evelyn Grayson and if you’d told me by the time I was 23, I’d have lost both my parents in a mysterious accident, moved in with the coolest Aunt ever, lived in a magical town, and I was a witch, I would have said you were crazy. Funny thing is, you’d be right.

'Camille Stenson, the grumpiest woman in Saltwater Cove is set on making this year’s Halloween celebrations difficult for everyone, but when she turns up dead and my best friend is on the suspect list, I have no choice but to find out whodunit and clear her name.

'Amongst the pumpkin carving, abandoned houses, and apple bobbing, it soon becomes apparent dark magic is at play and I must use all my newfound witches’ abilities to find the killer before another spell is cast.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

2
y separately published work icon Happy Deadly New Year Polly Holmes , Perth : Gumnut Press , 2020 20973074 2020 single work novel fantasy

'Never in my lifetime did I think I’d spend New Year’s Eve knee-deep in mischief, magic, and murder!

'When my high-school nemesis, Prudence McAvoy, chooses The Melting Pot Café to host her New Year’s party, I know I’m courting trouble by accepting her booking. The trouble begins with Prudence turning up dead, face down in a pond, and the finger for her murder is pointed directly at my shape-shifting best friend, Jordi.

'Determined to clear Jordi’s name and bring the real killer to justice, I pool resources with Harriet, Tyler, and my cheeky familiar, Miss Saffron, to find out what happened to Prudence. As the clock counts down to midnight, time is running out in more ways than one.

'Can we find the killer before another body drops? Or will Jordi’s new year begin in the pokey?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

3
y separately published work icon Muffins and Magic Polly Holmes , Perth : Gumnut Press , 2021 24860379 2021 single work novel fantasy crime

'What's a witch to do when faced with protecting the ones she loves against an unimaginable evil?

'Ever had one of those days when everything is going too well? When you have that sense that the other boot is about to drop? Welcome to my day.

'It's the Annual Saltwater Cove Show, and this year there are more rides, show bags, food stalls, and competitions than ever before. Witches from worlds near and far have descended to try their hand at winning the prestigious Witch Wonder Trophy for best witch baker.

'When Seraphina Morgan from the Coven of the Night Moon turns up dead, all avenues lead to last year's reigning champion, Aunt Edie, as the guilty party. Dark magic is lurking, and I'm determined to get to the bottom of it and clear Aunt Edie's name before the unthinkable happens, and she's found guilty. Enlisting the help of my two best friends and drop-dead greek-god gorgeous boyfriend, we set about finding the real killer before Aunt Edie's goose is cooked. Or pie is baked as the case may be.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

4
y separately published work icon Murder, Mayhem and Mistletoe Polly Holmes , Perth : Gumnut Press , 2021 23680654 2021 novel crime fantasy

'Christmas is Saltwater Cove’s favourite holiday of the year, but that didn’t stop murder and mayhem from making an unscheduled visit.

'The festive spirit is out and about, the eggnog is flowing, mistletoe is hung, and the town is pumped for the most exciting event on the Christmas calendar, the Annual Concert. This year aunt Edie decided it would be a brilliant idea to volunteer me and my best friend, Harriet, to run both Santa’s photo booth and the refreshment stall.

'As the celebrations kick-off, things turn complicated fast when my childhood friend, Trixie Snowball, winner of the Elf of the Year contest, reveals she's lost Santa's list and is desperate to find it. I agreed to use my magic to help, but things take a turn for the worse when the runner-up of the contest turns up dead behind the refreshment stall, and Trixie is the number one suspect.

'Christmas day is fast approaching, and now I’m in a race against time to find a murderer, clear Trixie’s name, bring the real killer to justice and find the list before disappointment rains down on children all over the world. How, oh, how did I get myself into such a predicament?

'If you like witty witches, talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then step into the fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery world of the Melting Pot Café series where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is sure to leave you craving more.'(Publication summary)

5
y separately published work icon A Disappearance Down Under Polly Holmes , Perth : Gumnut Press , 2022 24860431 2022 single work novel fantasy crime

'Solving the disappearance of my best friends' parents was NOT one of my New Year's Resolutions...

'A trip to sunny Australia in the scorching summer wasn't in my holiday plans, but when Jordi rings in a state of utter panic revealing her parents failed to turn up at the annual Shapeshifters Conference held in country Western Australia, what's a girl to do?

'Despite having solved a murder or two in my time, I am completely out of my comfort zone in the harsh Aussie outback where not only the sun, insects, and snakes bite, but the locals do too.

'The search is interrupted when the body of Harridan Reef local and chairman of the Shapeshifters Executive Council, Shayla Ramos, turns up dead in a sheep paddock at the local country show. I'm convinced her murder is linked to Jordi's missing parents. But what if I'm wrong?

'Forbidden to use magical powers in a town where the supernatural is concealed from view, it becomes apparent the locals have their own secrets. Secrets someone is willing to kill to keep hidden.

'Together with Aunt Edie, Detective Huxton Harriet, Jordi, Tyler and my trusty furry familiar, Miss Saffron, we must all work together to uncover the truth. With a blazing bush fire threatening to destroy all in its path we must race the clock to unlock the secrets before Jordi's parents pay the ultimate price.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Last amended 20 Oct 2020 14:20:41
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