
Is it hot?
by Elle Cosimano · The Holly & Mark Mystery Series #1
2026 · 336 pages
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When two rival federal agents arrive in the perpetually cheerful town of Christmas to investigate a murder that shouldn't exist in such an idyllic place, they're forced to confront not just a killer, but each other. Holly and Mark are both desperate for this case to save their careers and secure a promotion—and they're equally desperate to ignore the complicated history of a holiday hookup that keeps surfacing like an unwanted gift. With only twelve days before the town's economic lifeline (the Jingle Bell Jubilee festival) and the clock ticking on their one shot at redemption, they'll have to put aside their bitter rivalry and work together to solve a very un-festive murder. It's a delicious blend of witty banter, genuine chemistry, and genuinely perplexing whodunnit that proves sometimes the most dangerous cases are the ones that thaw your frozen heart.
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Create a playlist called Home for the Homicides: A Holly & Mark Mystery. Tension-filled indie pop with sultry undertones—think Phoebe Bridgers meets The Killers. Layer in moody alternative, subtle R&B warmth, and Christmas-tinged nostalgia. Capture rekindled chemistry wrapped in mystery, small-town charm colliding with dark secrets, and the bittersweet pull of second chances.
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