📖 Home for the Homicides

A Holly & Mark Mystery — Book 1

👤 Authors: Elle Cosimano and Hannah Morrissey
📚 Genre: Holiday Mystery • Romantic Comedy • Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
🏢 Publisher: Macmillan Audio
📅 Publication Date: October 13, 2026
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙️ Narrators: Angela Dawe • Colin Donnell • Patti Murin
⏱️ Audiobook Length: 11 hours, 18 minutes
📥 Acquired From: NetGalley
⭐ Rating: 2 Stars

🎄 Home for the Homicides was simply a bit too much for me. The town of Christmas, the Christmas-themed attractions, and the characters with holiday-related names all felt over the top and difficult for me to believe.

❄️ I love Christmas, but there was so much holiday whimsy packed into this story that it became overwhelming. I understand that the exaggerated setting and Hallmark-style atmosphere were intentional, but they didn’t work for me personally.

🔍 I also wanted more depth from the mystery and the characters. Some parts felt almost comical, and I struggled to become fully invested in the investigation. The romantic storyline wasn’t really my style either, which made it even harder for me to connect with Holly and Mark.

🎧 The narration was the highlight of the audiobook. Angela Dawe, Colin Donnell, and Patti Murin worked well together, and the different voices complemented the storyline. I especially enjoyed the occasional moments when the narration seemed to step outside the story to add a comment. Those moments were unexpected and genuinely funny.

💭 Although this audiobook wasn’t the right fit for me, I can see it appealing to listeners who enjoy extra-whimsical Christmas settings, romantic comedies, enemies-to-lovers stories, and lighthearted holiday mysteries.

🌙 Julie’s Final Verdict

Home for the Homicides had an imaginative holiday setting and enjoyable narration, but the story was too over-the-top for my taste. The nonstop Christmas references, holiday-themed names, romance, and exaggerated small-town atmosphere eventually became overwhelming.

I wanted more depth from the mystery and its characters, and some parts felt more comical than suspenseful. However, the narrators performed well together and added personality and humor to the audiobook.

This wasn’t the right story for me, but readers who love Hallmark-style Christmas towns mixed with romance and murder may have a completely different experience.

⭐⭐ 2 Stars

I received a complimentary advance audiobook from NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The opinions and content shared are my own. ChatGPT helped me organize and polish the wording.

🎧 ⭐⭐ 2 Stars