The Twelve Days of Christmas…. Day 11

I know….I know…. I’m late. I feel terrible about it. I had a book all lined up for yesterday’s review and then Barb over at Creative Barbwire https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/9705246 suggested a different book. I wasn’t enjoying the book I was reading and she posted about a book that totally tickled my fancy!! So, I made the executive decision to take a little extra time to I could review this wonderful book instead!

Book the Eleventh

4 out of 5 Stars

“My name is Noel Kringle, the second and youngest son of Kris and Mary Kringle. My older brother, KJ – Kris Junior – had mocked me for wanting to leave the North Pole but after almost thirty-five years it wasn’t the place for me any longer. I had never really fit in there, caught between the Elves and their enthusiasm for making toys and KJ’s single-minded focus on learning all the ins and outs of Dad’s job so he’d be able to take over.”

Santa Claus’ second son (so, not the heir to the empire) leaves the North Pole to make his own way in the world as a Private Detective

“But once I made up my mind, I knew I had to do it. I had to take a shot. The only question was where? I didn’t want to go too far from home and I wanted a place that still got some snow-fall. You can take the boy out of the North Pole… Toronto fit the bill in many ways. With over two million people, it was certainly big enough to allow for another fledging detective and far enough north that it still had a decent winter.”

… in Toronto?? I could NOT say no to this, and I’m SO GLAD I didn’t!!

This novel was written almost in an old gritty Film Noir style

“The sky outside the window seemed to darken a shade, turning from slate grey to charcoal. A rumble thundered, like a god clearing its throat. The rain set up a steady tap tapping on the window sill. No, that wasn’t right. The tapping wasn’t coming from in front of me. It was coming from behind.”

You could just hear the gruff P.I voice narrating as he waited for his Femme Fatale.

Now insert an Evil Goblin that makes you weak

” I wasn’t going to worry about the police anymore. I snapped the file closed and stuffed it under my coat. Buttoning it tight, the paper crinkled against my shirt. Now or never. Already I could feel it inching down the hall. Something sliming along the sleek floor, smearing against the paint. When it reached the door, it would kill me, crush him underfoot. How could it not? I was nothing. Nobody.”

And is from another Dimension..

““You know that Santa Claus is real. Other magical creatures are real as well but most live in other realms, other dimensions. There are legends that long ago, every being lived in one realm that splintered into multi-dimensions. The dimensions are closed off to one another although sometimes there are weak spots where you can cross through. This goblin must have come through there.””

And just a dash of sibling rivalry with the 1st in line to the North Pole-dom

““Fine. Stay here, mister ‘private detective.’ Work on your case.” His booming voice faded. The air gave a slight pop as it rushed to fill the sudden vacuum. I glanced up. KJ was gone, leaving behind the scent of candy canes and my mother’s care package. Not to mention the sour scent of lingering resentment. Family was such fun.”

And you have this ABSOLUTELY fantastic read!! I MEAN IT! READ THIS BOOK!!! It was a great mystery with some great characters and I don’t regret taking the time and throwing off my whole 12 Days schedule to complete it.

Santa Claus: Private Detective is Best Served with

Maple Bacon Rye Sour

Because nothing says Christmas in Canada like Rye, Maple and Bacon!!

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup (75 mL) rye whiskey
• ¼ cup (50 mL) Maple Syrup
• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) fresh lemon juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 slice bacon

Directions

1. Cook up a slice of bacon
2. Fill two rock glasses and a cocktail shaker with ice. Add whiskey, syrup, lemon juice and salt to shaker. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds; strain into glasses.
3. Garnish with bacon slice (don’t bother patting the grease off, you want all the bacon flavour!!

Note: The original recipe that I based this on suggested using the PC brand bacon maple syrup… but, if any of you have tried that stuff I opted out for some real bacon and just plain ole maple syrup.