Jacqueline FrostBesprekingen

I discovered Jacqueline Frost when she first started her cozy mystery series set in Mistletoe, Maine. Holly White and her family own the Reindeer Games Christmas Tree farm where, each year, they host 12 days of games from snowball rolling to gingerbread blinging. All fun and games until someone gets killed. I accidentally listened to Twelve Slays of Christmas, the first in the series, but it seems I never recorded it in LT. I didn’t remember the murderer right away and it was good to get reacquainted with the characters.

I am listening to the fourth book, Stalking Around the Christmas Tree, right now and Frost openly admits, via Holly, that the plots are pretty much the same: a murder, Holly gets involved, Holly gets warnings, Holly almost gets killed and the good-looking sheriff saves her. Hmmm…wonder if Hallmark Channel knows about these. Perfect cozy mysteries and I look forward to the new one each year.½

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost was the first installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries and an annual listening for me. These are classic cozy mysteries set in Mistletoe, Maine, a quaint town full of quirky characters who host tourists every Christmas who come to play Reindeer Games. Holly White and her parents run the farm and the old inn as well as the games. And, Holly gets involved in the mysteries. This one was a worthy addition to the series and seemed somewhat final. So...we shall see.½

I thought this was a fun read. I liked the mystery and it was not easy to predict. I thought the mystery was fun but the new characters made it harder to follow cause you meet them so quick. I am lving the farm and all the small town vibes. I def want more books in this series!!

I really loved this really cute cozy mystery set at a christmas tree farm, I also loved getting to know the small town and all the knew players. It was really quick listen, that just put me in the holiday season! I also realy did enjoy the mystery and was hard to see who was the killer, I def want to read more in this series!!

I thought this was a fun read. I liked the mystery and it was not easy to predict. I thought the mystery was fun but the new characters made it harder to follow cause you meet them so quick. I am lving the farm and all the small town vibes. I def want more books in this series!!

I really loved this really cute cozy mystery set at a christmas tree farm, I also loved getting to know the small town and all the knew players. It was really quick listen, that just put me in the holiday season! I also realy did enjoy the mystery and was hard to see who was the killer, I def want to read more in this series!!

Holly is getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year. Her inn and business is booming and they have all kinds of great things planned. Her wedding plans are coming right along she is getting ready for the big day. Of course things cannot go as planned as there is a murder and Holly is determined to get it cleared up before her big day, I love the atmosphere of this book and the things that come up as Holly works to solve the mystery and still go about her normal routine.

Cute cozy. I’d like to read more of these! It was like a Hallmark Christmas movie based off a murder.

3.5 stars rounded up

Holly and her family and friends are gearing up for the Christmas season. What should be a joyful time at the tree farm is spoiled by a vicious B&B critic who criticizes everything. It gets worse when the critic is found murdered. The murder weapon just happens to be a gift Holly was recently given by her friend Cookie, who then becomes a person of interest. Holly is determined to prove her friend’s innocence. Her sheriff boyfriend tells her to backs off and let him do his job, but she just can’t seem to let it go. She ought to listen to him, because now Holly has a target on her own back. This delightful Christmas cozy is filled with the spirit of the holiday, including lots of descriptions of tasty treats and lively reindeer games. The mystery is a good one, but it takes a back seat to the coziness of the setting, the interactions of the characters, and the lovely end of the story.

This fourth book in the cozy Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series set in Mistletoe, Maine is yet another outstanding installment in what is one of my favorite mystery series.

Holly, the B&B innkeeper on her family's Reindeer Games has to juggle dealing with the visiting ballet company members staying at the B&B to perform in the Nutcracker, her rapidly approaching Christmas Eve wedding, the busy holiday season, and, of course, solving a murder.

Everything I love about Christmas mysteries is in this series. Seasonal traditions aplenty, along with likeable characters who, after four books in the series, feel like old friends,

Absolutely love this cozy Christmas mystery!! Highly recommended!!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Another year, another Christmas time murder to test Holly White’s patience in the fourth Christmas Tree Mystery. Throw in a stalker and a northeaster on the way to also add stress to the most wonderful time of the year made even more special by her upcoming nuptials to Mistletoe’s sheriff and you have all of the makings of a very entertaining read.

As another Christmas rolls around in Mistletoe another murder embroils Holly in a life threatening situation. Will she solve the case and get Cookie out of jail before Christmas? And exactly what is Evan hiding from her? A fun holiday whodunit!

amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, small-business, small-town, cozy-mystery, family, family-business, family-dynamics, friendship, murder-investigation, murder, wedding, Christmas, secrets, innkeeper, Maine*****

Amateur sleuth/innkeeper Holly White, her whole family, her soon-to-be husband sheriff Evan Gray, and a whole lot of fun friends and neighbors live in Mistletoe, Maine, a town that is all things Christmas. The wedding is almost here and so is the big Christmas parade. But the parade is in trouble when the ballerina in the snow globe is found poisoned! There is an onging judicial matter going on as well, so things are busy for all the fun folks of this lovely town. Love the series and this one is a good read, too!
I requested and received a free temporary review copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.

The Reindeer Games are afoot once again in Mistletoe, Maine. Holly is running her family's bed and breakfast. Karen Moody, a critic, ends up dead, and Holly sets out to help her boyfriend Sheriff Evan Gray with the investigation even though he wants her to remain uninvolved. Because a quirky townsperson becomes a suspect, Holly determines to prove her innocence. It's an interesting puzzle, but the audiobook narrator is not as good as many, particularly with male voices.

When a body is discovered just before a Christmas tree lighting, Holly White has to work to clear her best friend Caroline’s name—particularly since she and her cupcake shop may be implicated in the murder. This was a fun Christmas cozy that has everything I look for in a cozy mystery—not too scary, check. Fun town and characters, check. For a Christmas book, going all five out of five candy canes on the holiday cheer. Definitely check. Holly’s family runs a Christmas tree farm. They’re building a cozy inn. There are Santa impersonators. Cold Maine weather. Romance with the town sheriff. Mistletoe and kissing all over town. Christmas shoppers. It’s about as Christmas-y as you can get!

Holly White’s fiancé calls off their engagement, so she moves back home to her parents’ Christmas tree farm.

There is so much I enjoyed of this book! First the name, Twelve Slays of Christmas. The play off of Twelve Days of Christmas had me wanting to know more. Then I noticed the author name, Jacqueline Frost. I’m singing Christmas Carols. But then I saw the gorgeous cover! I freely admit I am a cover lover. I will buy a book I know nothing about if the cover is done well enough. I had been drooling for days over this book, when the Cozy Mystery Review Crew offered me the opportunity to review it. I pounced on it.
The main character is Holly who goes home to Mistletoe, Maine after a romantic disaster. Her family owns the local tree farm and participates heavily in the town’s Reindeer Games. Holly is not home long when she hears a scream for help and comes across a dead body. Yikes! The sheriff is a good looking single ex cop from Boston. Holly begins asking questions which leads to danger for her, her parents and the tree farm.
I like many of the characters but especially Cookie, Ray and his family. I am hoping this book is the first in a series that will allow these characters room to blossom. I love a sense of fun in my cozy mysteries and I believe these characters have wonderful senses of humor. I like the play Holly and the Sheriff have. I think they are good together but I can also see Holly with Ray. It will be interesting to see if a triangle develops. The mystery itself was filled with suspects. A few I discounted quickly but there were some twists that kept me guessing with others. I would discard a suspect but then bring them back for another look all the way up to the end. The series is a Christmas Tree Farm Mystery but I can see interesting things happening year round. The author could go in the direction of holiday books in this series, which would also be a delight. I am really excited about this series and what the author will do with it. I honestly had a hard time putting the book down. On the inside back jacket, the blurb about the author stated, “Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile.” Well, Ms Frost, congratulations. You had me smiling all the way through the book. To those considering this book, if you are looking for a fun afternoon filled with the delight Christmas brings, get a copy of this book. Buy it. Request it from your library. Definitely get a copy and then settle in for an afternoon of entertainment.
Thank you to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for providing me with a review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are my honest feelings about the book. For those who enjoy their mysteries a little harder edged, this may not be for you. But for those who want the small town holiday feel with a dab of romance, a pet or two, three or more and a sense of fun while solving a murder, this just may provide you with hours of smiles.

Holly White moved back to Mistletoe, Maine, to manage an inn for her parents. Holly selects many of the finishing touches as the contractor nears a Christmas completion date. Her parents own Reindeer Games farm which hosts lots of Christmas activities for the town. When Derek's body turns up in a bowl of holiday mints with Caroline's knife in him, Holly knows she must investigate to clear her best friend of criminal charges. Even the local investigator Evan does not believe Caroline committed the crime, but the evidence points to her so he must take her in. Evan's closed-mouth approach to the investigation just makes Holly dig a little deeper. Both solve the case about the same time, but not before Holly almost loses her life as she did last Christmas. It's a cute holiday mystery, but not great literature. It includes a little touch of magic near the end, but it probably detracts from the mystery.

Celebrate Christmas all year with Jacqueline Frost's delightful series where the holiday spirit never dies - but murder is abundant. Christmas and cozies are two genres that provide a feeling of warmth and Frost mixes the perfect blend of the two. The setting feels like constant Christmas cheer in this wintery town that goes above and beyond to celebrate every aspect of the holiday. The primary setting is even a Christmas tree farm where you can find reindeer, trees, and sleighs. Holly White not only has a perfectly Christmasy name but has the spirit of the holiday to go along with it. The attitude of the critic - demanding and clashing - creates an immediate juxtaposition with the setting while also setting up the conflicts that will lead to the lists of suspects in her murder.

Each character is unique and stands apart from the rest but none as much as Cookie (real name Dolores Cutter) has a pet pygmy goat that goes everywhere with her and is named after her late husband Theodore. This character pairing is a perfect example of the humorous and zany personalities that Frost brings out that captures the spirit of Christmas. Every character has a place within this community and each of them helps bring it to life and makes you want to jump right into the world. Frost crafts a world that you want to join in the festivities whether it's taking a sleigh ride, petting reindeer, or purchasing a Theodore calendar. This whole town from the stores to the tree farm creates the ideal Christmas town with lovely detailed descriptions that make it feel even more magical. Among these details are the beautiful (and candy-themed) displays at the Gumdrop Shop that showcase elaborate and edible artworks. You'll instantly fall in love with this little Christmas town and with Holly White. Each new installment only adds to the wonder of it and to the holiday themes of each suspenseful mystery.

The entire series encompasses the joy and spirit of the holiday season and Slashing Through the Snow is no different. Frost strikes the perfect blend of Christmas cheer and a murder mystery to create another addicting installment.

Slashing Through the Snow is the 3rd novel in A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I always enjoy visiting Mistletoe, Maine where the residents are friendly and there is plenty of Christmas cheer. The White’s Christmas Tree Farm is a festive place where you can stay at the inn, eat at the Hearth, play in the twelve days of Reindeer Games, pick out a tree, go for a sleigh ride, and relax in front of the fire with delicious hot cocoa. I find the characters to be varied and developed. Cookie and Theodore add the quirky to the story. Cookie’s antics had me laughing. The mystery was well thought out. I enjoyed following the clues in order to solve it. There is misdirection and various warnings. The reveal was suspenseful. The only thing I did not like was everyone telling Holly to stay out of the investigation. They should have known that she would not. I love the descriptions of Holly’s recycled glass candy jewelry. Slashing Through the Snow will get in you in the holiday spirit with all the Christmas activities. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the latest A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery and I cannot wait for the next one (I hope we do not have as long a wait). Slashing Through the Snow is a jolly tale with gooey gumdrops, a teddy bear bonanza, rousing Reindeer Games, a caustic critic, a surfeit of toys, and a cheery Christmas.

What a great way to kick off the holiday reads with a visit to a fictional Mistletoe, Maine and the Christmas Tree Farm, run by Holly White's family. Everyone is a bit on edge when they realize Karen Moody is a critic, and a fan of bashing small businesses in her attempts to become more of an investigative reporter. It's hard to tell at first if some local or a past recipient of a bad review leaves her for dead. Hollys relationship with the local sheriff is thriving, even though he clearly falls on the side of her keeping her nose out of police business. This series has been a lot of fun, it has wonderful characters and atmosphere.

First off, I have to say that there are several areas in the blurb which are misleading, but that often happens before some books are actually published, so allow leeway on this. Secondly, I need to say that I have read all of the books in this series, and they just seem to get better each time.

This time out we have Holly running the new B&B her family has opened, all decorated for Christmas, even with trees in every guest room. Unfortunately, one of the guests is a newspaper critic who isn't known for being kind, but more for being vitriolic, and this time is no different. When she comes to leave for breakfast at The Hearth, her mother's restaurant, Karen Moody, the critic, is more than critical to Holly about her room and expectations. Holly bites her tongue and apologizes, telling her she'll do better.

Then Holly's friend Cookie shows up -- either a septuagenarian or an octogenarian, no one knows -- and gifts Holly with a delightful metal nutcracker that works. Holly is pleased, and leaves it on her desk while she goes to breakfast with Cookie. While there, they hear a conversation at the restaurant between other customers, and Holly can only come to the conclusion it might be Karen they're talking about. They let it pass, but realize that they aren't the only ones who dislike the woman.

Later, when Holly, Cookie, and Sheriff Evan Gray are returning to the B&B, Cookie find the nutcracker in the snow and picks it up. But when they get to the B&B, they find the body of Karen, and she's been murdered. Now, since Cookie's fingerprints are the only ones on the weapon, and someone else heard Cookie make a remark to Holly about the woman that could be taken as a threat, she's the main suspect. Holly is determined to find the killer, even if Evan warns her off. She knows Cookie couldn't hurt anyone, and between her and other friends, they're searching for clues...and putting their own lives in danger...

I actually enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one sitting. It's interesting throughout, and there's a bit of a mystery in between everything else that you need to keep on top of, but it is lovely in the end. The characters are all interesting, and yes, Mistletoe is a bit over the top, but what do you expect from a town named Mistletoe? Why, that you'd want to visit it, of course! (Except for me, it's too darn cold, but I might brave it for a day or two then I'm back to the warm weather!)

The descriptions of decorations are entrancing, and the clues are few and far between. But there is no shortage of suspects -- Karen's ex-husband, Bonnie, the owner of the Gum Drop Shop, another visitor to the B&B whose reputation was trashed by Karen; and a few others keep Holly on her toes. The problem is, Holly isn't asking questions from most people, yet someone is leaving her threatening letters and other things, having known her previous reputation of solving crimes. She's trying to stay out of the most of it, but doesn't know what's going on. It makes for a grave situation on her part, but nothing is going to stop her from keeping Cookie from being charged with murder.

So we watch while Holly discreetly asks questions, and Sheriff Gray isn't sharing, and there are a few humorous situations thrown in for levity; but in the end when the killer is revealed, it all comes together nicely, even if is also sad. The ending is wonderful, and I hope to see the next book in the series soon. Highly recommended.

The Christmas Tree Farm cozy series has become one of my favorite cozy series of all and this third installment is the best one yet. Probably my favorite cozy of the year, so far.

I adore the setting, Reindeer Farms Christmas Tree Farm in Mistletoe Maine, as well the the lead and secondary characters. Love the atmosphere and ambiance of Mistletoe, as well as the the intricate plots.

Fun puzzlers with characters who've become like family to me and a festive holiday spirit is a sure-fire winning combination for this cozy fan.

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Maine, small-business, small-town, cozy-mystery, Christmas, family, family-dynamics, friendship, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth*****

Who did it with the Nutcracker on the front porch? Holly White has replanted herself in her home town where her family has run a Christmas tree farm for ages and she now runs an inn. A bitter former schoolmate now a very critical critic is found murdered on Holly's front porch and best friend is in the frame. Let the sleuthing begin! There are enough twists and red herrings to keep the suspense going and the reader from doing other things!
I requested and received a free temporary review copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.