Cinnamon and the Spirit of Spruce
(2026)(The fourth book in the Catmint Chronicles Cozy Mystery series)
A novel by Amanda Sterczyk
A dying Christmas tree. A missing Baby Jesus. And a cat who must translate for two French-speaking pugs to crack the case.
It’s December in Cresswell-on-Wyrd, and shop owner Rowan Thorne is feeling the pressure. The village is a finalist for the prestigious "Cotswold Village of the Year" award, and the cash prize is the only thing that can fix the leaking church roof before winter destroys the history inside. But three days before the judges arrive, the village’s legendary outdoor Spruce turns brown and brittle overnight.
Desperate to save the festival, Rowan brews a potent recipe from her aunt’s secret book: The Spirit of Spruce. The herbal tonic works like magic, turning the tree a vibrant green, but the miracle is short-lived. A few days later, chaos strikes the church sanctuary. The priceless, hand-carved Nativity figures have vanished, leaving the stable empty and a frantic Reverend Primrose pointing fingers.
To make matters worse, the official adjudicator for the competition is none other than Lewis Culpepper—the village’s exiled nemesis—who is looking for any excuse to disqualify them. With a snarky talking cat calling the shots and two visiting pugs acting as undercover agents, Rowan must track down the wooden figures before the judging begins. But the thief isn't looking for profit; they are driven by a personal grudge involving the leaky roof, a stubborn Reverend, and a desperate bid to save their family legacy from a watery grave.
The tea is hot, the snow is falling, and the cat has a lot to say. Curl up with this festive novella in The Catmint Chronicles!
Genre: Cozy Mystery