Lowcountry Boughs of Holly (A Liz Talbot Mystery)

Who wouldn’t like a Christmas story...from one of your favorite authors? Lowcountry fans got a pleasant surprise several months ago when Susan M Boyer announced a second Lowcountry book for 2020! Once again, she did not disappoint...spending Christmas with Liz, Nate, and Liz’s wonderful and quirky family is one to remember. With so much going on in the days before the big family holiday vacation, I was caught up in the excitement of wondering where this vacation was to be and also whether it would happen due to the mystery surrounding the death of a wealthy, old money member of one of Charleston’s oldest families. You will laugh at the antics surrounding Liz’s family as they navigate Christmas in Stella Maris and wish for the recipe of the deliciously sounding vegetable soup served at The Cracked Pot! Once again, Susan Boyer has captured the hearts of her Lowcountry fans! She hit this one out of the park!

Wow I seriously thought I could not I love this series anymore than I already did- Until I read this book! Liz and Nate have gone through so much together and not only have grown but so has their family community and friends. The latest mystery comes at one of my favorite holidays Christmas!!!!!! With a beautiful Christmas parade one old character from a different book turns up dead! This mystery is hard to solve as the more that comes to light I was left wondering who was not the killer? I must say Ms. Boyer you had me in tears in the beginning and at the end- THANK YOU!!! As a lover of this series and Liz you not only made book 10 my favorite, but gave us readers who love this series a real gift and at the perfect time! As a lover of the series is recommend you read ALL of them but if your in need of a pick me up I’d highly recommend you get this book now! This was the comfort my soul needed! I loved this book so much! All thoughts are mine and mine alone.

Pure holiday magic! Lowcountry Boughs of Holly is the 10th in the Liz Talbot Mystery series by Susan M. Boyer, and is one of my favorite series. However, if this series is new to you, I recommend that you begin with earlier books in the series. It would be a challenge to understand the entire back story for new readers and there are several developments that would be “spoilers” for previous books in the series.

Lowcountry Boughs of Holly begins with a Christmas boat parade in Stella Maris, a holiday festival, and the subsequent murder of one of the Santas. Liz and Nate realize the identity of the victim and wonder if investigating this murder will put their lives at risk.

Sitting down with one of the Lowcountry books is like sitting down with old friends, I am immediately transported to Stella Maris and the Lowcountry as if no time at all has passed since my last “visit”. The descriptions are so finely wrought that I can visualize every scene and always feel emotionally connected to the protagonist. This book captured the magic of the holiday season while still offering a mystery that held my interest until the very last page. The “reveals”, and there are many, left me feeling satisfied and happy. Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own and I definitely advise you to order this cozy mystery today!

Lowcountry Boughs of Holly is the perfect way to kick off your holiday season!

It may be Christmastime, but Southern Sleuth, Liz Talbot is having a hard time finding reasons to be jolly. Her husband and PI partner, Nate, is planning a Christmas surprise she's not sure they can afford, her best friend Colleen is nowhere to be found, and to top it off, Santa is found dead in her small island town of Stella Maris! When it turns out that Santa is someone they crossed paths with on an old case, Liz and Nate are working overtime to figure out who would want him dead before they take off for their holiday plans.

Santa's naughty list of potential suspects keeps getting longer as the duo check every lead twice while juggling family secrets, trying to stay safe without Colleen watching their backs, and Liz's daddy's latest shenanigan- a stubborn reindeer named Claude.

In Lowcountry Boughs of Holly, Susan M. Boyer delivers her usual combination of witty writing, and compelling suspense with the added bonus of festive fun! As always, our favorite cast of eccentric locals, and Liz's zany, but lovable family are along for the (sleigh) ride. So, clear your calendar and grab a snack, because you won't want to put this one down!

I can't recommend the entire Lowcountry Mystery Series highly enough. Each installment is truly better than the last! Every new case takes you on an adventure through the incredible town of Charleston and nearby (fictional) island of Stella Maris that will have you planning your next vacation to the Lowcountry.

*Thank you to Susan M. Boyer and Henrey Press for granting my request for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts on this book are entirely my own.

One of the many Santas bringing happiness to the children was shot to death late at night after the holiday boat parade pausing the Stella Maris Christmas celebration.

So begins Lowcountry Boughs of Holly, the 10th book in Susan Boyer’s Liz Talbot mystery series.

Police Chief Blake Talbot of Stella Maris, a small island across from Charleston, SC , asks his private investigator sister Liz Talbot and her partner husband Nate to help investigate.

What happens, after some twists and turns and other zigzags in both Charleston and Stella Maris and, also Edisto, is that the detectives find the murderer.

The cast includes the usual friends and family, like Liz’ wonderful cook Mamma, crazy Daddy with his hound Chumley, sister Merry and her husband Joe, Blake’s pregnant new wife Poppy, Nate’s brother Scott, friends Darius Rucker, Calista McQueen, Moon Unit Glendawn of Cracked Pot fame, bright light Colleen, and godmother Grace Sullivan, as well as some other friends and acquaintances old and new.

The result is a heartwarming and entertaining holiday mystery that will end up bringing a tear and a smile to your face. I recommend it highly.

This series just keeps getting better and better! LOWCOUNTRY BOUGHS OF HOLLY, the tenth installment in the Liz Talbot Mystery Series, is sure to fill readers with loads of holiday cheer. All of the series regulars are back for the fun.

This time around the island’s Christmas boat parade and gathering is marred when private investigator Liz finds a wealthy Charleston patriarch, dressed as Santa, shot in his rowboat. Liz and her husband/partner Nate have a history with the Bounetheau family, and there are plenty of suspects, including C.C.’s nefarious wife Abigail, to consider as they unearth local connections and secrets. Is it all about money, retribution, secrets…or something else all together? In addition to solving the murder mystery at hand, Nate is being secretive about his Christmas plans for the whole Talbot clan, and Liz is bereft without her ghostly friend Colleen.

I enjoyed this story so much! I love Nate, Liz, and her whole family. They are a hoot, especially her Dad. And, oh my, Claude the reindeer! As readers have come to expect, there is copious local color and talk of food. Boyer’s writing always makes me hungry – and I NEED chicken and dumplings ASAP. The mystery is well thought out, expertly executed, and kept me guessing. The pace is quick, and the overall tone lighthearted. We learn something surprising about Nick and are introduced to a new character that I hope we learn about in future books.

I highly recommend LOWCOUNTRY BOUGHS OF HOLLY to series fans and any mystery reader looking for entertaining characters, a charming southern setting, and a challenging puzzle to solve.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and Henery Press and shared my opinions here.

Doesn't everyone spend their Christmas on a gorgeous island filled with beautiful decorations, scrumptious food, quirky residents, a basset hound, a reindeer and an abundance of Santa's? Oh, I did leave out one other important detail... a murder to solve before Christmas. If your answer is no, let me tell you how to join in the merriment and mayhem. Grab a copy of Susan Boyer's latest book, Boughs of Holly. This is the 10th book in the Low Country, Liz Talbot Mysteries. Possibly my favorite!

Stella Maris Island, SC, is a fictitious island located off of the coast of Charleston, SC. It is home to Investigators Liz Talbot and her husband Nate. The island residents have just celebrated Christmas festivities. Everything was perfect...until a body is found on the shore the following morning. Follow along with Liz and Nate as they travel to Charleston and Edisto Island tracking down leads. There are so many twists and turns, I loved every minute of it.

Susan has an amazing talent for delivering vivid, relatable descriptions of Liz's hilarious family, island residents and all characters in the book. I laughed out loud at some of their shenanigans, especially at Liz's Dad.

I highly recommend you spend the holidays with Liz Talbot and family. There are a few surprises at the end that will leave you with a warm heart and a smile on your face. Thank you Susan Boyer for this wonderful book. Happy Holidays!

If you haven't met the eccentric characters from this series, you are in for a treat! Mix 2 private detectives, 1 head-full-of-ideas Dad, 1 Mom who is concerned with wrinkles and lip stick, 1 basset hound with lots of adventures and a mystery to be solved in the beautiful island of Stella Maris and you have a story that will enchant you!

Loved it! I've read every book in the Liz Talbot/Lowcountry series and this one was just as fun and entertaining as all the others! So many twists and turns, Christmas, Santa Clause, and Liz's mom's home-cooking make this the perfect cozy holiday read!

Thank you so much to the publisher and author for approving me for an ARC at my request. My review and thoughts are my own.

I think this is my favorite book in this series! The mystery solved is interesting, who killed a Santa on the island filled with Santas. It’s funny and sweet in just the right places too. We get to catch up with some characters from previous books which is nice. This is a great read for the holidays or really anytime you need a little Christmas spirit. You won’t be disappointed!