Bestselling author Kent Holloway lives on death. Literally. With almost thirty years of experience in forensic death investigations, he's seen it all. Experienced the worst that life has to give and never let it dim his sense of wonder or humor. Now, he brings all this experience, along with a zeal for uncovering the folklore and superstitions of death, to the written page as author of mysteries and forensic crime fiction. He currently resides in Florida.

“A surfeit of Santas seriously complicates a murder investigation... A magical mystery with a Christmas theme.” —Kirkus Reviews“A magical murder mystery novel... balancing humor, murder, and Christmas spirit... The mystery is full of ratcheting tension and rising stakes, with red herrings and revelations upending the case.” —Foreword Reviews“Holloway sets the tone from the very first sentence. This is going to be a great, fun ride. His characters are unique and imaginatively drawn. And he manages to mix humor, heart and a lot of Christmas spirit into a very satisfying whodunit. It’s everything you could possibly want from a light mystery.” —Hy Conrad, head writer for USA Network’s Monk and author of Mr. Monk and the New Lieutenant“Hidden secrets are everywhere in Holloway’s The Knives Before Christmas. It’s a twisty mystery wrapped up in holiday paper with a magical bow.” —Heather Weidner, author of the Pearly Girls Mysteries and the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries“A disgruntled and mischievous elf, magic pockets, a self-cleaning house with a guard-alligator, and ho-ho-homicide in the town of Christmas, Florida, where Santas-in-training need to watch their backs... J. Kent Holloway’s Knives Before Christmas is an imaginative, clever, holly jolly suspenseful time! I highly recommend!” —Michelle Bennington, author of the Hazardous Hoarding series“A gift! J. Kent Holloway earns himself a prominent place on the ‘nice’ list with this wonderful tale. In The Knives Before Christmas, Holloway grafts a solid traditional mystery onto the legend of Santa Claus, with delightful results... Fans of cozies and Christmas mysteries will want Santa to bring this one to their house!” —Nikki Knight, author of the Grace the Hit Mom Mysteries“When there’s a murder in Christmas, Florida, who better to solve the crime than the guy who’s next in line to become the real-life Santa Claus? And of course Santa’s helpers—a sentient house, a persnickety elf, and a thirteen-foot guard alligator. Do they get the job done? Ho, ho, ho! The Knives Before Christmas is a droll delight!” —Molly MacRae, author of the Haunted Shell Shop Mysteries, the Highland Bookshop Mysteries, and the Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries