Hark! The Herald Angel Screamed: An Augusta Goodnight Mystery

by: Mignon F. Ballard

Published by: St. Martin's Press

Reviewed by Shawn Remfrey

Lucy Nan, her friends, and her guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight, are off on another mystery. It’s Christmastime so Lucy Nan and her friend, Ellis, went to pick up greenery to decorate the church and find a Christmas tree at Lucy Nan”˜s family estate. While there, they discover a man who has fallen from the balcony. Since the police in the town are inept, Lucy Nan, Augusta Goodnight, and their friends decide it’s up to them to figure out who this strange man is and how he came to fall from the balcony.

This is the seventh book in the Augusta Goodnight series, but the first one that I’ve read. It was easy enough to slip right into without having a previous series background, but I found myself getting bored in the beginning. Once the book picks up pace, it becomes an enjoyable holiday read. The characters didn’t have quite enough depth for me, personally, but they were still interesting. Augusta Goodnight is the best. It’s really fun to see how a temporary guardian angel views our everyday life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery portion of the story. I love when the character’s lives are intertwined and they have to figure it all out. When I finally found out who the man who fell from the balcony was, a huge light bulb when on above my head. And all of a sudden I had finally figured out who the bad guy was. Thankfully, this was one of those wonderful stories where just when you think you have it figured out, you find out that you’re wrong!

For those of you that already enjoy the Augusta Goodnight series, I’m sure you’ll be entranced by this book. For those of you who haven’t read any of this series, I found Mignon F. Ballard’s writing style similar to that of Joanne Fluke, Lilian Jackson Braun and M.C. Beaton. If that’s your cup of tea, then this would be a great book for you.

Armchair Interviews says: A nice cozy mystery.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MignonBallard.com