For more than a year, Shayla and Seamus have built a life together, falling in love, sharing dreams and laughter.
Now, they’re embarking on a new adventure: spending Christmas with Seamus’s family in the enchanting land of Ireland.
Seamus, a down-to-earth park ranger, has always been modest about his background. Living with three roommates and driving a trusty old pickup truck, he never gave Shayla any reason to suspect he was anything but ordinary.
Until they land in Ireland, and Shayla discovers he’s practically Irish royalty.
The welcome is warm but unexpected. The press descends, camera flashes ignite, and Shayla’s previously hidden insecurities start to surface. A holiday that was meant to be filled with festive family fun now carries the weight of public scrutiny.
The getting-to-know-you dinner party sets the stage for a complicated holiday. An old flame, a mysterious uncle, and a whole town full of complex characters await Shayla. The table is set with rich Irish fare, traditional music, and sparkling conversation.
But the celebration takes a dark turn when a guest ends up dead.
Local law enforcement is quick to step in, urging Shayla to leave the matter to them. Her policing skills might be respected in the United States, but in Ireland, she’s merely a visitor.
Shayla’s instincts are sharp, and whether she seeks them or not, clues seem to find her at every turn. Despite warnings from the Gardaà and the tangled web of family dynamics, she can’t shake her sense of duty to solve the case.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of a quaint Irish village adorned with historic charm, this Christmas mystery unfolds with subtlety and suspense. Join Shayla as she navigates family traditions, new relationships, hidden agendas, and a murder that threatens to overshadow the joy of the season.
With a touch of romance, a hint of intrigue, and the authentic warmth of an Irish Christmas, this tale is a perfect fireside read. Embrace the season with this engaging holiday mystery as Shayla proves that love, loyalty, and the pursuit of truth transcend borders.
Author:
Stella Bixby
Stella is a native Coloradan who loves to snowboard, pluck at the guitar, and play board games with her family. She was once a volunteer firefighter and a park ranger, but now spends most of her time making up stories and trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.
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PERFORMER:
Piper Goodeve
Piper grew up in rural New Hampshire, the daughter of an accountant and a teacher, with a younger sister, a horse, three cats, and a black lab named Curly who carried logs from the woodpile into the house on cold winter nights so the humans didn't have to.  She started acting at the age of six at the American Stage Festival and Andy's Summer Playhouse, and studied extensively in her living room with teachers like Lily Tomlin, Betty Buckley, Carol Burnett, and the movie Beaches. ​Now, Piper is an actress, teacher, director, and audiobook narrator. She has recorded **over 250 titles** for major publishers including Audible Studios, Audible Theater, Harper Audio, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Tantor Audio, and has won an Audie Award and an Earphones Award. She has performed Off-Broadway and in regional theaters across the country, London and Canada, and earned a Drama League Award Nomination for originating the role of Anne in _Anne of Green Gables_. She graduated from NYU, studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and holds an MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA & Actors Equity & Canadian Equity. She is married to actor & narrator [Gabriel Vaughan](https://www.gabrielvaughan.com/), and their somewhat ridiculous meet cute was featured in the Sunday Styles section of the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/fashion/weddings/the-language-of-love-prevails.html).Â
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