The Christmas Cameo

A Fiona Quinn Quick Mystery, Book 4

By: C.S. McDonald

Narrated by: Maren Swenson Waxenberg

A lovely cameo brooch is discovered in Fiona’s late Uncle Wilbur’s house two days before Christmas. The pin bears a romantic Christmas message from Wilbur for his new wife with the initials, D.A.S.

How very strange! To the family’s knowledge, Uncle Wilbur had never been married. So, who is this mysterious woman? Now, Fiona is on a holiday mission to locate D.A.S. and deliver the belated gift.

Question is, what happened to the marriage? Is D.A.S. still alive after all these years? And if so, can Fiona find her before Christmas?

©2019 Cindy McDonald (P)2019 Cindy McDonald

This is a short novella that is sure to brighten the listener”s day

The Christmas Cameo is a short, fun story with mystery, humor and an interesting fiasco all within a few pages. It is a great quick way to add to the busy Christmas Season.
The author, C.S. Campbell, is a talented writer. Her Fiona Quinn series are filled with mystery, humor, and more entertainment. The author successfully keeps the mystery alive until almost the last page. She always includes that bit of romance which appeases those of her audience who need that bit of sentiment.
The Narrator, Maren Swenson Waxenberg, does a great job with the emphasis in all the right places and in the consistent use of the various “voices “. However, I feel her portrayal of Fiona”s voice to be out of character. It sounds like an older woman rather than the reasonably young one she is said to be.
Still, I firmly recommend this audiobook.

Quick and Entertaining

When Fiona stumbles across an old cameo (brooch) purchased long ago by her late uncle Wilbur Fiona finds herself solving the mystery of who he purchased it for. Wilbur was, after all, a bachelor to the end, and this is the sort of gift one would have bought for their sweetheart...

The Quick Mysteries are redeemed! The previous mini plot didn't impress me as much as the Fiona series normally does, but this one is a return to form and I loved it. If you love cozy mysteries in general or specifically McDonald's work and you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to a longer book, these quick mysteries are a real treat! At 50 pages or 76 minutes (at regular playback speed, I listen faster!) The Christmas Cameo offers a complete, layered, well-planned mystery plot with familiar likable characters in a quick, compact package. You don't even have to be familiar with the Fiona Quinn series to enjoy it, either!

Once again, Maren's narration is brilliant. Pacing is great, performance is entertaining without being distracting, and it's easy to tell which character is speaking or thinking (and whether they're speaking or thinking) at all times. I'm always glad to start a new McDonald audiobook and see that Maren has returned as the narrator!

I was granted complimentary access to The Christmas Cameo as part of my participation in a blog tour for the latest full-length Fiona Quinn title (Matrimony, Mahem, and Murder) with iRead Book Tours. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Sweat and heartwarming mystery

Full disclosure, I listened to this one first! I regret very little, as these Quick Mysteries for the most part do stand on their own and can be read out of order. I cannot express just how sweet and heartwarming I found this story, just a perfect holiday nightcap for wrapping presents to, or if you’re in a Christmas type mood. I have suspicions that the author did their research in regards to the amazing and complicated life of the mysterious D.A.S.