The Christmas Fair Killer by Amy Patricia Meade is the third book in the Tish Tarragon Mystery series, and instead of taking place in and around Tish’s cafe and catering company, Cookin’ the Books, most of this one takes place at a winter festival and it focuses on the Williamsburg Theatre Group. I love when cozies branch out from their usual location since it’s always interesting to read about new places within the cozy’s community.

The Christmas atmosphere adds a wonderful layer to the story between Jules and his recently adopted Bichon Frise wearing matching clothes, to the descriptions of the literary named dishes, and even the weather conditions, where Jules, the local weatherman, swears the festival will not have any snow. Meade also does a wonderful job with making the theater costumes and sets come to life and having the reader feel as if they are actually at the festival.

And Meade shines when it comes to the characters. Tish, Mary Jo, and Jules really do feel like best friends. Their banter and how they support each other is perfect. And for being introduced in The Christmas Fair Killer, the theater troupe characters are really well developed. This sense of community makes a reader want to come back to read more books in the series to find out what is happening in the character’s lives.

As for the mystery it was a bit darker than other cozies I’ve read, but I think the subject matter was handled very well, and sexual assault of children by relatives is something that needs to be discussed and not hidden. I was surprised by the killer and I really loved how Meade used all the duplicity with the plot and characters.

I highly recommend The Christmas Fair Killer, as well as the other books in the Tish Tarragon Mystery series, and I’m looking forward to coming back for future books to see how Tish’s love life with Attorney Schuyler and Sheriff Reade ends up, as well as to enjoy the friendship between Tish and the gang. ( )

The Christmas Fair Killer by Amy Patricia Meade is the 3rd A Tish Tarragon Mystery. It can be read on its own if you have not read Cookin’ the Book or The Garden Club Murder. Tish Tarragon owns Cookin’ the Books Café and Catering where she serves up culinary themed food. I had to laugh at the creative names for her dishes. It is time for the Hobson Glen Holiday Fair with food vendors, craftspeople, and entertainers. A Christmas Carol and Twelfth Night are being performed each day by the Williamsburg Theater Group. Tish has agreed to deliver breakfast to theirs trailers each day of the fair. The first day begins with a bang when Tish finds Jenny Inkpen dead in her trailer. Tish helps Sheriff Clemson Reade by asking questions. People have a way of sharing information with Tish which provides Sheriff Reade with helpful intel. The mystery had multiple suspects in the death of the ingenue. There are red herrings and good clues. I am amazed at the secrets that come to light. I thought the murder weapon was unique as well as a couple other aspects of the crime. I found Identifying the killer, though, to be a snap while others have found it challenging. I believe it depends on the number of mysteries you have read. The whodunit does involve a sensitive subject that is normally not broached in cozy mysteries. Each food dish is described in detail along with the outfits people wore. I did feel it was a little too much detail especially in the first chapter (where each dish Tish created for the Christmas Fair was described) which slowed down the beginning of the story. I was surprised and disappointed by what happened at the end. I hope this development is not permanent. The author captured the Christmas feeling with the cold weather, the fair, decorations, and the food. Christmas Fair Killer has developed characters who are good friends and have become a family. I like that they support each other and are there in times of need. The Christmas Fair Killer is an entertaining cozy mystery with fair fun, anxious actors, earsplitting explosives, captivating cuisine, cozy cocoa, and Christmas cheer. ( )