Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery 1 Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

This is a delightful Christmas time mystery with a sparkling cast of characters. The heroine, Holly, is instantly likeable. Dealing with a fiancé who dumped her a few days before their Christmas Eve wedding (and then can’t seem to understand why she doesn’t want to take him back), Holly has come home to her family Christmas tree farm just in time for a much disliked woman to be murdered on their property. Murder is generally a very bad thing, even when the victim is hated, but it is particularly bad for Holly’s family because A) her father is a suspect, and B) the cops close down their farm as a crime scene at the worst part of the year. So, Holly starts investigating and someone (someone besides the sheriff, that is) definitely doesn’t like it.

 

The romantic banter between Holly and the sheriff gives some additional warmth to the tale, as does Holly’s discomfort at the wannabe romantic attentions of an old high school class mate whose crush on her has just been rekindled. The mystery is enjoyable, but I think I liked even better the glimpse of life into this small town as Christmas approaches. Holly’s parents run an annual twelve-day event called the Reindeer Games that proves a fun and convenient opportunity to keep bringing the suspects together.

 

If you like Christmas and mysteries with just a light touch of romance, you’re certain to enjoy this book. My only complaint is the title makes it look more like a serial murderer than the more limited Who Done It that it is.