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Today on Salty Inspirations, I’m welcoming author Kim Harrington with her Christmas cozy mystery, A Killer for Christmas: A Novel. In this character interview, Kelsey Hendricks introduces us to Christmasville, Maine, and gives us a little insight into her fresh start, her new job, and the mysteries waiting for her.
Character Interview: Kelsey Hendricks
For this guest feature, we’re getting to know Kelsey Hendricks, the main character in A Killer for Christmas. Kelsey has just arrived in Christmasville, Maine, looking for a fresh start, a new job, and maybe a little holiday magic. Instead, she finds herself surrounded by murder, mystery, and two potential love interests!
Let’s Meet Kelsey
1. Kelsey, you’ve just lost both your job and your boyfriend. What made you decide that moving to Christmasville was exactly what you needed?
Two reasons. First, I saw a job posting that Christmasville needs a social media manager. That would be my dream job. Also, I hold nostalgic feelings for the tourist town because I visited several times with my family growing up and always loved it. If I can be happy anywhere, it would be Christmasville!
2. What was your very first impression of Christmasville, Maine?
When I was little, I though it was magic. As we made the long drive up into the Maine woods, it truly felt like we were heading to the North Pole. Now, as an adult I see that this veneer of perfection has some…cracks.
3. You landed a job as the town’s social media manager. What do you love most about your new job?
I love highlighting the places and events in town that make people happy. I can only hope this year’s events go on without any problems…
4. Christmasville is a holiday wonderland. What is your favorite Christmas tradition, decoration, or place in town?
Oh, there are so many! I love the tree lighting ceremony and the ugly sweater party. The gazebo in the center of the park is so beautiful, all lit up with twinkle lights. The snowy hedge maze is fun, but I wouldn’t want to go in there at night.
5. You weren’t expecting murder to be part of your fresh start. What went through your mind when you realized the first death might not have been an accident?
I worried that I’d made a mistake in uprooting my life and moving to Christmasville. But I love it here. I don’t want one bad person to take away its shine. We have to find out who did this.
6. You’re not a professional detective. What do you think makes you good at investigating a mystery?
Like you said, I’m not a professional. I’m just trying to stay alive, do my job well, and figure out my dating life while I’m at it.
7. What is your biggest weakness when it comes to solving crimes?
That I’ve never done it! I’m a social media manager, not a detective. Sure, I think I’ve found some clues, but now I also think someone might be threatening me. I don’t know what to do!
8. Let’s talk about the romance! You have two heartthrobs vying for your attention. What can you tell us about them?
Ellison owns the bookstore here in town and looks like he stepped out of an L.L. Bean catalog. He’s kind and handsome, but he’s definitely holding back a secret. Aaron is an outsider like me, new to town. Everyone here hates him because his family owns a chain of hotels, and they worry he’s going to build here and ruin the town. He’s so charming, though.
9. If you could give readers one piece of advice before they follow you into your first Christmasville mystery, what would it be?
Grab a cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and get read for the sleigh ride! Or is it slay ride?
A Killer for Christmas: A Novel by Kim HarringtonAbout A Killer for Christmas
A Killer for Christmas: A Novel
Cozy Mystery
Stand-Alone Novel
Setting – Maine
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books
Publication date : September 22, 2026
Print length : 320 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-13 : 979-8892425025
ASIN : B0GC485289
Paperback
ISBN-13 : 979-8892425032
ASIN : B0GC47JK57
Digital
ISBN-13 : 979-8892425049
ASIN : B0GBZN538M
Wrapped in red has a bloody new meaning in this contemporary holiday romance with a murderous twist, perfect for readers who enjoyed The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. Christmasville, Maine, is the only place where Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend, the move is a no-brainer, especially when she sees a listing for a position as Christmasville’s social media manager. Surrounded by twinkling lights and candy canes and with the perfect job, this tinsel town is working its magic on Kelsey. With two heartthrobs vying for her attention, her life is now just like a Christmas movie.Except for the murders. The first one is dismissed as an accident. But after the second, and definitely the third, it becomes abundantly clear that Santa is leaving coal in someone’s stocking this year. Determined to bring back the holly jolly spirit to the town before tourists begin canceling their reservations, Kelsey must sleuth her way out of a chilling murder mystery and back to a holiday rom-com. This charming and clever mystery-romance where a cozy winter wonderland warms the heart while suspense chills the bones is the perfect read for the holiday season.
About Kim Harrington
Kim Harrington is the author of A Killer for Christmas, her debut adult mystery, as well as Clarity, Perception, The Dead and Buried, and Forget Me for teens and Revenge of the Red Club, the Sleuth or Dare series, and Gamer Squad series for younger readers. Her books have been sold to ten countries and optioned for television. She lives in Massachusetts with her family, where she’s hard at work on her next mystery novel.
Author Links
Purchase Links
Tour Participants
September 22 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
September 22 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW
September 23 – Romance Novel Giveaways – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 23 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
September 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
September 25 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 26 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 26 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 27 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 28 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
September 29 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
September 30 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 30 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
October 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 1 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 2 – Baseball, Books, and Banter: A Podcast – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 2 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
October 3 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
October 4 – Twirling Book Princess – SPOTLIGHT
October 5 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
October 5 – That Library Girl – SPOTLIGHT
Thanks to Kim Harrington for stopping by Salty Inspirations and introducing us to Kelsey Hendricks and her Christmasville mystery.
If A Killer for Christmas sounds like a cozy holiday mystery you’d like to add to your reading list, be sure to add it to your TBR and check out the purchase links above.
And while you’re here, take a look around Salty Inspirations for more cozy mysteries, author interviews, bookish fun, and a little Salty charm.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations! —Michelle❤️
Thanks for having me! Or, um, Kelsey. 😉
This character interview was such fun to read — Kelsey Hendricks sounds like a delightful heroine, and Christmasville, Maine sounds like exactly the kind of place I’d love to visit during the holidays (minus the murders, of course!). I especially enjoyed hearing how her social media manager skills come into play as she tries to solve the mystery. Kim Harrington has my attention; this one is going straight onto my Christmas reading list.