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Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #5
I'll Be Home for Mischief
Innkeeper Holly White is decking the halls this Christmas season, but someone is on the naughty list when a body is discovered in the fifth installment in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.
It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter.
When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive.
When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?
It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter.
When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive.
When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2024
157 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Frost
8 books628 followersJacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
January 12, 2025
I adore holiday books and I saved them all this season to shortly before Christmas. Love that this series takes place in Maine. A rivalry not unlike Romeo and Juliet, but from ~50 years ago. give or take a decade. I enjoy lots of series by this author (under other pen names). Recommended for a Sunday afternoon around Christmas.
November 13, 2024
The Christmassy cover of this Cozy Mystery made me want to read this book. It’s the first time for me to read one of Jacqueline Frost’s mysteries. Why did I wait so long? I was very impressed with her writing style and the easy flow of the story. I’m going to treat myself by reading the other books in this series for my holiday reads. I loved her humor and ability to keep me guessing till the mystery was solved. I admit I didn’t have a clue whodunnit . This Cozy had everything that makes a cozy a five star read. Captured my attention and kept me turning pages . Unpredictable and had me on the edge of my seat before the book ended.
This book came highly recommended to me by one of my reading friends. It certainly didn’t disappoint me so I also recommend it to all my reading friends. I loved the characters and the town of Mistletoe Maine. Readers who enjoy Cozy mystery will love this Christmas Cozy. Though there are other books to the series I read this as a standalone. This book is scheduled for release on 11/12/24.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of I’ll Be Home for Mischief. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
#IllBeHomeforMischiefh #NetGalley
This book came highly recommended to me by one of my reading friends. It certainly didn’t disappoint me so I also recommend it to all my reading friends. I loved the characters and the town of Mistletoe Maine. Readers who enjoy Cozy mystery will love this Christmas Cozy. Though there are other books to the series I read this as a standalone. This book is scheduled for release on 11/12/24.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of I’ll Be Home for Mischief. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
#IllBeHomeforMischiefh #NetGalley
November 8, 2024
It was a week out from Christmas in the small town of Mistletoe in Maine and on Christmas Tree Farm, Holly White (now Gray) and her family were in full preparation. Holly's mum, a top baker who ran the Hearth, was preparing to attempt a world record for the largest gingerbread man. With the two judges due to arrive, Holly had the Inn well prepared for their guests. The original founders of Mistletoe, the Snow family, had a couple of family representatives arriving as well. The town's 150th anniversary was set to be huge; the tourists expected would see the local businesses flat out - a real bonus for all concerned.
With staff and guests, podcasters, tourists and locals all surrounding the start of the big bake-off, the freezing temperatures and thick snow deterring no one, the shock of discovering a body in the batter saw Sheriff Evan Gray (Holly's husband) swing into action. And Holly, against the advice of Evan and her parents, once again began investigating. Would they discover who had committed murder and upset the spirit of Christmas? Or was Holly bringing danger on herself once again? And would Holly find the perfect gift for her and Evan's first anniversary?
I'll Be Home for Mischief is the 5th in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost and once again I loved it. I really enjoy this series, with each episode adding more fun and entertainment to the season. I've come to anticipate each new book, wondering what Holly and the team will get up to next. I really hope the author will continue these for a long time to come. Holly, Evan, her mum and dad, Cookie - all such great characters! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
With staff and guests, podcasters, tourists and locals all surrounding the start of the big bake-off, the freezing temperatures and thick snow deterring no one, the shock of discovering a body in the batter saw Sheriff Evan Gray (Holly's husband) swing into action. And Holly, against the advice of Evan and her parents, once again began investigating. Would they discover who had committed murder and upset the spirit of Christmas? Or was Holly bringing danger on herself once again? And would Holly find the perfect gift for her and Evan's first anniversary?
I'll Be Home for Mischief is the 5th in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost and once again I loved it. I really enjoy this series, with each episode adding more fun and entertainment to the season. I've come to anticipate each new book, wondering what Holly and the team will get up to next. I really hope the author will continue these for a long time to come. Holly, Evan, her mum and dad, Cookie - all such great characters! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.
November 28, 2024
I love Christmas cozies and this series is about as Christmas as you can get!! This was a really fun addition and I'm enjoying seeing all the relationships grow and evolve in this series! This cast of characters are some of my faves! Cookie is one of my favorite side characters and never disappoints! The new reindeer game was so fun! This book is just a jolly ole time!!!
I highly recommend this book to cozy lovers!
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Jacqueline Frost, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!
I highly recommend this book to cozy lovers!
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Jacqueline Frost, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!
November 9, 2024
I always look forward to reading the new book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series and I'll Be Home for Mischief is a great addition. The covers are always so fun and colorful. I love the festive atmosphere of the setting of Mistletoe, Maine, where it is Christmas year-round. Holly White Gray and her husband Sheriff Evan Gray are enjoying their first year of marriage and Christmas events are starting up. Unfortunately, a body is found in a really terrible place and Holly has to investigate even though Evan and her parents beg her to stay away this year. Expect suspense, danger, mystery, romance, fun games at the tree farm, and magic amid a backdrop of truly wonderful Christmas festivities with a lovely winter wonderland and recurring likable characters.
I received a copy for an honest review, and these are my thoughts.
I received a copy for an honest review, and these are my thoughts.
December 9, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
I’LL BE HOME FOR MISCHIEF (Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries Book #5) by Jacqueline Frost takes us once again to quirky Mistletoe, Maine for the Christmas holiday season and as much as our main characters hope against it, another holiday murder. Each of the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries books can be read as a standalone with a completed crime plot, but the main characters continue to develop, and I feel the stories can be enjoyed more by reading them in order of publication.
Reindeer games and the Hearth are going to be extra busy this year with Holly Gray’s mother attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest baked gingerbread man. Holly and Sheriff Evan Gray are also excited for their one-year wedding anniversary Christmas Eve, and the town is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a Victorian Christmas theme. Everyone is very busy hoping for no murders this year.
As Holly’s mother gets ready to have the giant gingerbread man moved to the outdoor cooking area, they take off the cover and discover a man dead in the batter. Holly cannot help herself and once again asks too many questions which leads to threats and danger. Can Holly discover the killer and survive to celebrate her anniversary?
This is another entertaining, fun, and well plotted murder mystery featuring my favorite holiday cast of characters. Holly really does want to mind her own business this year, but with the murder at Reindeer Games and a kind old man accused of the murder, she just cannot let it be. Ms. Frost had me guessing who-dun-it to the end and I was surprised. This book also has a great cast of secondary characters with Christopher’s wife and best friend, Jackie, staying at the inn along with two true crime murder podcasters in town. Their podcast is called Dead and Berried as they serve up murder clues with complimentary recipes. All the regulars are back and I love them all.
I highly recommend this book in the holiday mystery series and always look forward to the next.
I’LL BE HOME FOR MISCHIEF (Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries Book #5) by Jacqueline Frost takes us once again to quirky Mistletoe, Maine for the Christmas holiday season and as much as our main characters hope against it, another holiday murder. Each of the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries books can be read as a standalone with a completed crime plot, but the main characters continue to develop, and I feel the stories can be enjoyed more by reading them in order of publication.
Reindeer games and the Hearth are going to be extra busy this year with Holly Gray’s mother attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest baked gingerbread man. Holly and Sheriff Evan Gray are also excited for their one-year wedding anniversary Christmas Eve, and the town is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a Victorian Christmas theme. Everyone is very busy hoping for no murders this year.
As Holly’s mother gets ready to have the giant gingerbread man moved to the outdoor cooking area, they take off the cover and discover a man dead in the batter. Holly cannot help herself and once again asks too many questions which leads to threats and danger. Can Holly discover the killer and survive to celebrate her anniversary?
This is another entertaining, fun, and well plotted murder mystery featuring my favorite holiday cast of characters. Holly really does want to mind her own business this year, but with the murder at Reindeer Games and a kind old man accused of the murder, she just cannot let it be. Ms. Frost had me guessing who-dun-it to the end and I was surprised. This book also has a great cast of secondary characters with Christopher’s wife and best friend, Jackie, staying at the inn along with two true crime murder podcasters in town. Their podcast is called Dead and Berried as they serve up murder clues with complimentary recipes. All the regulars are back and I love them all.
I highly recommend this book in the holiday mystery series and always look forward to the next.
August 18, 2025
I’m almost caught up with this Christmas holiday series and I’ve become fond of Holly and the rest of her motley crew of friends and family in Mistletoe, ME, a town that is the epitome of an eastern Christmas town. It’s Mistletoe’s 150th birthday and the town is in overload preparing for the winter tourist season.
It’s the typical Mistletoe, ME holiday season, and the town is packed with tourists, and it’s the busiest shopping month for Mistletoe business owners. The book summary introduces two of the storylines with the primary being Holly’s mom trying to get into the book of records for the biggest gingerbread man only to have the dead body of a member of the Mistletoe founding family, Elijah Snow, ending up in the batter for the humungous gingerbread man. The Snow family’s arch enemy, Mr Moore, is suspected of the crime. There is another storyline of where Holly is struggling with what to give Evan for their upcoming first anniversary. During the year, Evan has proven himself to be the more romantic partner and the only gift giver. Hmmm…..what’s up with that Holly? To make matters worse, they don’t even live together year-round. Trouble in paradise?
What the book summary doesn’t mention is that there are also a couple of true crime podcasters in town in an effort to promote their podcast by trying to catch the killer of the next Mistletoe killer that they are sure will show up this year for another Mistletoe murder. Not too much of a stretch since Mistletoe has now had five holiday murders in the past five years. None of this is a spoiler since it happens in the first 20-25% of the story.
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the murder, that and quite a bit of time is spent with Evan practically begging Holly not to go snooping around and inserting herself into the case. OF COURSE, Holly ignores him and proceeds to do whatever she wants. As a result, the end comes pretty quickly and it’s an intense and scary scene for Holly. The ending was emotional and a bit of a tear-jerker.
The continuing character development of Holly and Evan was well done, with some new developments with some of the rest of the Mistletoe gang. I look forward to seeing how those developments play out in the next installment. The pacing was steady, and the storyline and writing were on par for the series. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.9 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review.
It’s the typical Mistletoe, ME holiday season, and the town is packed with tourists, and it’s the busiest shopping month for Mistletoe business owners. The book summary introduces two of the storylines with the primary being Holly’s mom trying to get into the book of records for the biggest gingerbread man only to have the dead body of a member of the Mistletoe founding family, Elijah Snow, ending up in the batter for the humungous gingerbread man. The Snow family’s arch enemy, Mr Moore, is suspected of the crime. There is another storyline of where Holly is struggling with what to give Evan for their upcoming first anniversary. During the year, Evan has proven himself to be the more romantic partner and the only gift giver. Hmmm…..what’s up with that Holly? To make matters worse, they don’t even live together year-round. Trouble in paradise?
What the book summary doesn’t mention is that there are also a couple of true crime podcasters in town in an effort to promote their podcast by trying to catch the killer of the next Mistletoe killer that they are sure will show up this year for another Mistletoe murder. Not too much of a stretch since Mistletoe has now had five holiday murders in the past five years. None of this is a spoiler since it happens in the first 20-25% of the story.
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the murder, that and quite a bit of time is spent with Evan practically begging Holly not to go snooping around and inserting herself into the case. OF COURSE, Holly ignores him and proceeds to do whatever she wants. As a result, the end comes pretty quickly and it’s an intense and scary scene for Holly. The ending was emotional and a bit of a tear-jerker.
The continuing character development of Holly and Evan was well done, with some new developments with some of the rest of the Mistletoe gang. I look forward to seeing how those developments play out in the next installment. The pacing was steady, and the storyline and writing were on par for the series. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.9 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review.
August 22, 2024
Well, it's that time of year again, time to decend on Reindeer Tree Farm for the holidays and Reindeer game mayham. Holly has the Inn fully decorated and ready to go for her special guests, including two members of the town's founding family and the White's friend Christopher's wife and her friend Jackie. Joining them is a team from the Book of Guiness World records as Holly's Mom is trying to set the record for the largest gingerbread cookie ever made. Everything is going well until there is a tragic accident with the cookie, and one of the Inn's guests meets an unusual death. Was this an accident? Was it murder? Who would want to spoil the holiday joy? Come along for Holly's annual adventure and enjoy the holiday festivities while we try to find out what really happened. Thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for a chance to read. #I'llbeHomeForMischief #JacquelineFrost #ReindeerGames #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
November 16, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This year the holidays are extra special in Mistletoe, Maine as the town celebrates its 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family are returning for the celebration and will be staying at the Reindeer Games Inn. Holly is going all out to welcome the Snows.
There is another big event happening on the farm. Holly’s mother has set her sights on breaking a Guinness world record for the largest gingerbread man. Holly and Evan’s 1st wedding anniversary is right around the corner too.
Everything goes awry when a dead body is found in the gingerbread batter. The man is identified as one of Holly’s special guests. Positive an old family feud is the motive for the murder, local mistletoe farmer, Mr. Moore is the prime suspect. Holly is positive the man she has known all her life is not a murderer. So, like the previous four Christmases Holly is again out to prove someone’s innocence even though Evan asks her to leave the case to him.
With running the inn, Reindeer Games to host, and trying to find the perfect anniversary gift for Evan, Holly is also donning her sleuthing cap to frost the real killer.
I was delighted to return to the Reindeer Games Farm and Inn where the White family welcomes everyone with open arms. It is really like catching up with old friends and there is always something fun happening. I enjoyed the lengths Holly’s mother went to in her attempt to break a world record. Holly’s dad and the farm crew were so creative making things in giant size to her specifications. My heart broke when she couldn’t complete the event. The duo represented Guinness were so nice and stayed in town after the incident enjoying themselves through the holidays. They also came up with a fabulous idea. Holly and Evan had some things to work out in this story but their love was never in question. The core characters Ms. Frost has created for this series are so genuine. They have continued to grow and I become more invested in their lives with each story. The new characters are so good too.
In addition to the Snows, there are other special visitors to Mistletoe that add to the fun, there may have been a little mischief involved. No Spoiler!
I always have a good time trying to solve the mystery before the protagonist but I couldn’t do it this time. The mystery was very well plotted with plenty of red herrings, twists, and turns. The killer did warn Holly to back off but she pressed on and got herself into some precarious situations that could have ended badly. They led up to a surprising reveal and a chilly rescue. Ms. Frost’s descriptions and attention to detail took me right into every scene, the merry ones and the scary ones. I appreciated every one.
I’ll Be Home for Mischief is a marvelous addition to the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series and a fabulous read to kick off the holiday season. Engaging characters, an intriguing mystery or two, set in a wonderful winter wonderland kept me entertained from beginning to end. The charming ending has me wishing for another visit to Mistletoe soon, but I know I must wait until next Christmas.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
This year the holidays are extra special in Mistletoe, Maine as the town celebrates its 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family are returning for the celebration and will be staying at the Reindeer Games Inn. Holly is going all out to welcome the Snows.
There is another big event happening on the farm. Holly’s mother has set her sights on breaking a Guinness world record for the largest gingerbread man. Holly and Evan’s 1st wedding anniversary is right around the corner too.
Everything goes awry when a dead body is found in the gingerbread batter. The man is identified as one of Holly’s special guests. Positive an old family feud is the motive for the murder, local mistletoe farmer, Mr. Moore is the prime suspect. Holly is positive the man she has known all her life is not a murderer. So, like the previous four Christmases Holly is again out to prove someone’s innocence even though Evan asks her to leave the case to him.
With running the inn, Reindeer Games to host, and trying to find the perfect anniversary gift for Evan, Holly is also donning her sleuthing cap to frost the real killer.
I was delighted to return to the Reindeer Games Farm and Inn where the White family welcomes everyone with open arms. It is really like catching up with old friends and there is always something fun happening. I enjoyed the lengths Holly’s mother went to in her attempt to break a world record. Holly’s dad and the farm crew were so creative making things in giant size to her specifications. My heart broke when she couldn’t complete the event. The duo represented Guinness were so nice and stayed in town after the incident enjoying themselves through the holidays. They also came up with a fabulous idea. Holly and Evan had some things to work out in this story but their love was never in question. The core characters Ms. Frost has created for this series are so genuine. They have continued to grow and I become more invested in their lives with each story. The new characters are so good too.
In addition to the Snows, there are other special visitors to Mistletoe that add to the fun, there may have been a little mischief involved. No Spoiler!
I always have a good time trying to solve the mystery before the protagonist but I couldn’t do it this time. The mystery was very well plotted with plenty of red herrings, twists, and turns. The killer did warn Holly to back off but she pressed on and got herself into some precarious situations that could have ended badly. They led up to a surprising reveal and a chilly rescue. Ms. Frost’s descriptions and attention to detail took me right into every scene, the merry ones and the scary ones. I appreciated every one.
I’ll Be Home for Mischief is a marvelous addition to the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series and a fabulous read to kick off the holiday season. Engaging characters, an intriguing mystery or two, set in a wonderful winter wonderland kept me entertained from beginning to end. The charming ending has me wishing for another visit to Mistletoe soon, but I know I must wait until next Christmas.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
August 14, 2024
I received a free copy of, I'll be Home for Mischief, by Jacqueline Frost, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book five in the, A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Holly White did not expect to solve a murder this Christmas season, but her she is, trying to prove the accused did not commit murder. Christmas and cozy mysteries, nothing can be better, I enjoyed this cozy read.
June 16, 2024
Holly tries to put her talent to good use when a body is found. Holly will need all the help she can get in solving this case. I liked this book.
December 16, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
It's Christmastime in Mistletoe and Holly is busier than ever. It's Mistletoe's 150th Anniversary! In addition of the usual cards to send, orders to fill, gifts to wrap, Reindeer Games, helping Mom at the Hearth and inn guests to welcome, she still has to find the perfect one year anniversary gift for Evan. On top of that, her mom is trying to get Mistletoe into the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest gingerbread cookie! V.I.P.s are coming to town as well. Mistletoe's very own founding family, Mrs. Snow and her son, Elijah, are coming to town for the first time since the Snows left over 40 years ago. Christopher wife, Gertie and a friend of hers are also checking into the inn and Caroline is still convinced Christopher is Santa Claus, making Gertie is Mrs. Claus. The guests are low maintenance giving Holly plenty of time to work on her to do list but the weather is getting colder and windier, upsetting some of Holly's mom's plans and threatening the Reindeer Games. Just as her mom is about to bake her batter into a giant cookie, live, a dead body is found in the tray. Uh-oh! An elderly mistletoe farmer, another Mistletoe founding family descendant, is the prime suspect. Some true crime podcasters are on the scene annoying Holly and making her out to be an amateur sleuth but she's not going to get involved. No way. Evan would kill her! But... she knows in her heart Mr. Moore is not a killer. If she just so happens to ask around and find out a few things, she can pass the gossip on to Evan. She is NOT the "Gumdrop Gumshoe" no matter what anyone says. But when thousands of cookies her mom baked go missing, the presents for the children's charity disappear and a cookie turns up in a menacing way, it seems like someone thinks Holly is investigating after all.
This story was a bit hit and miss for me. I LOVED all the cozy parts. Reindeer Games still sound fantastic and The Hearth so cozy and welcoming. The giant gingerbread baking is lifted right out of a town in Texas which is a little disappointing. I thought all the details were clever but would never work until I looked it up. I'm not sure what the difference is between the gingerbread man and the cutout cookie. Isn't that the same thing? I was eager to see Theodore and if he had a new wife but sadly, they're only mentioned but not in the story. Not even in calendar form. Cookie is looking for a new place to live now her condo's HOA has gotten wind of Clementine and the potential for a family of kids. I'm still waiting for Theodore to actually appear on page. I found Christopher's wife and her friend's names a little corny and OBVIOUS but still so fun.
The mystery was a bit meh for me. The first book had the strongest mystery. The victim was complex and her death was actually sad. The last one I didn't care who killed the ballerina and this one features a nasty character I didn't care to know. I felt bad for his mother but that was about it. There weren't enough good suspects and none of the clues led to the correct murderer. I thought it was someone else but I wasn't sure who. One red herring was so painfully obvious that Holly should have figured it out sooner. She's rather obtuse.
I do enjoy the characters for the most part. Everyone except Holly anyway. Holly is not all that likable. She procrastinates, adds too much on her plate, gets involved in things she shouldn't be involved in after nearing being killed several times and has no clue what to get her husband for their first anniversary. Evan is the world's best husband! He is so incredibly sweet, patient, kind and loving. Not to mention romantic! :swoon:. He's overprotective of his sister but that's understandable since he was her father figure growing up and she's a bit hard-headed and was in a spot of trouble. Libby is funny. She's settled into Mistletoe now and adjusted to the quirky way of life but also wholly her own person. She's tough, sarcastic, witty and like her brother, loving. It's so obvious what's up with her and Ray. I can see why Ray transferred his affections from Holly to Libby. They're a lot alike but Libby is younger and tougher. Her investigation was more thoughtful than Holly's, albeit more dangerous, and her brother taught her how to be tough and handle herself in difficult situations. Holly just needs Evan to come rescue her.
Cookie is my favorite character and she's barely in the book. She's going through a tough time and I think the reality of her situation is starting to sink in. Most people see Theodore as livestock and to be fair, I hear goats smell and eat everything in sight. Cookie sees him as family, maybe the reincarnation of her beloved husband? He's the child she never had and Cookie hopes for grandkids from him soon to keep HER company in her old age. I don't think Theodore would be lonely for long if something happened to Cookie. Holly's parents would take him in and he would get lots of attention and love at Reindeer Games. Gertie, Christopher's wife, is as lovely as you would expect of Mrs. Claus. Her friend Jackie "Jack" is a little more mysterious and has a bit of an edge to her. I'm not sure I like her. It's too obvious who she's supposed to be though.
The Snows and the Moores were founding families of Mistletoe. They were once close but the Snows pulled away from farming and went into big business, became wealthy and added all the airs to go with it. They sound super snooty and awful. Elijah is quick to turn his nose up at anything Holly has to offer. They don't DO carbs, sugar, etc. etc. He doesn't seem to like Reindeer Games much. Further revelations make him out to be just as I expected and a classic victim in stories like these. Violet, his mother, kept her maiden name and passed it on to her son, which is a little weird. She is recently widowed and was last in Mistletoe when she was a teen. She seems distant, unconnected and claims not to remember the chaos of Mistletoe at Christmas. I thought for a minute maybe she killed her son because he somehow failed the family name or something. She might have and is a fabulous actress but perhaps she really is just a sad woman who lost her only child, the last of the line, on top of losing her husband of over 40 years. I wasn't surprised by the revelations in her backstory just that it wasn't a story from 60 years ago or 100 years ago or 200 years ago.
Mr. Moore is eccentric but I think he's harmless. He's a lonely old man who only has his mistletoe for family. No one wants to listen to him rattle off odd offhand comments about mistletoe but I found him interesting and his facts were useful. He's ill and old. Would he have the strength to push a younger man to his death in a tin of gingerbread batter? I don't think Evan seriously thinks Mr. Moore is the suspect but as Evan points out, he wants to keep his job so he has to follow protocol.
I'm with Holly. Those podcasters, Tate and Harvey, are tacky, tasteless and have GOT to go. She is well within her rights to sue them. They're ghoulish. Their interest in true crime is bizarre but true crime with recipes? (LOL! YES bring on the recipes! This series is missing recipes!) I can't distinguish one from the other and I don't care. They're guilty in my book. I agree with Holly. Those podcasters could have killed Elijah to give themselves a new story and get more likes or listeners or whatever. Caesar and Marcy from the Guinness Book of World Records are a little strange too. He's overly enthusiastic and friendly and I can't tell if he's sincere and she doesn't seem happy.
THE prime suspect has to be Hamis Hunter, a billionaire real estate mogul who lies, cheats and steals whenever he can in order to make more money. He's such a typical billionaire. I think he had a deal with Elijah Snow, Elijah came to Mistletoe with the intent to make that deal and then something happened - either he changed his mind, double crossed Hunter or no longer served a purpose and Hunter had the guy bumped off. Another strong suspect is Orville at the Historical Society. He brushes off Holly when she tries to question him. He's known for being uptight and rigid about the rules of historical accuracy regarding the buildings in town. Oh please stop making historians and librarians out to be stuffy, inflexible bad guys. I'll be mad if he's the killer but he's near the top of my list. He does have a strong motive.
Jerry Weible is an old man who lives in a converted old mill. He's done the electricity for all the historical buildings in town and truly loves Mistletoe. He's born and bred, lives and breaths the town's historical character. Sadly, his wife died recently after a long illness. He's comforted by his daughter and young granddaughter. Mr. Weible seems nice and Holly likes hanging out with him. He doesn't really have a motive unless he's really lying to Holly or understating the situation. His daughter, Natalia, is angry and has a motive for murder but I don't think she'd do it. She has a family and she wouldn't do that to her dad or her husband and child. I also don't think the killer is Leisel, a gallery worker who sometimes sells Holly's jewelry. Sure she loves her work and the building but is it worth it to kill someone over it?
I read the ending twice and I still don't see clues pointing to the murderer. I guess that makes this a strong mystery? I read this series for the Christmas charm and not so much the mysteries anyway.
It's Christmastime in Mistletoe and Holly is busier than ever. It's Mistletoe's 150th Anniversary! In addition of the usual cards to send, orders to fill, gifts to wrap, Reindeer Games, helping Mom at the Hearth and inn guests to welcome, she still has to find the perfect one year anniversary gift for Evan. On top of that, her mom is trying to get Mistletoe into the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest gingerbread cookie! V.I.P.s are coming to town as well. Mistletoe's very own founding family, Mrs. Snow and her son, Elijah, are coming to town for the first time since the Snows left over 40 years ago. Christopher wife, Gertie and a friend of hers are also checking into the inn and Caroline is still convinced Christopher is Santa Claus, making Gertie is Mrs. Claus. The guests are low maintenance giving Holly plenty of time to work on her to do list but the weather is getting colder and windier, upsetting some of Holly's mom's plans and threatening the Reindeer Games. Just as her mom is about to bake her batter into a giant cookie, live, a dead body is found in the tray. Uh-oh! An elderly mistletoe farmer, another Mistletoe founding family descendant, is the prime suspect. Some true crime podcasters are on the scene annoying Holly and making her out to be an amateur sleuth but she's not going to get involved. No way. Evan would kill her! But... she knows in her heart Mr. Moore is not a killer. If she just so happens to ask around and find out a few things, she can pass the gossip on to Evan. She is NOT the "Gumdrop Gumshoe" no matter what anyone says. But when thousands of cookies her mom baked go missing, the presents for the children's charity disappear and a cookie turns up in a menacing way, it seems like someone thinks Holly is investigating after all.
This story was a bit hit and miss for me. I LOVED all the cozy parts. Reindeer Games still sound fantastic and The Hearth so cozy and welcoming. The giant gingerbread baking is lifted right out of a town in Texas which is a little disappointing. I thought all the details were clever but would never work until I looked it up. I'm not sure what the difference is between the gingerbread man and the cutout cookie. Isn't that the same thing? I was eager to see Theodore and if he had a new wife but sadly, they're only mentioned but not in the story. Not even in calendar form. Cookie is looking for a new place to live now her condo's HOA has gotten wind of Clementine and the potential for a family of kids. I'm still waiting for Theodore to actually appear on page. I found Christopher's wife and her friend's names a little corny and OBVIOUS but still so fun.
The mystery was a bit meh for me. The first book had the strongest mystery. The victim was complex and her death was actually sad. The last one I didn't care who killed the ballerina and this one features a nasty character I didn't care to know. I felt bad for his mother but that was about it. There weren't enough good suspects and none of the clues led to the correct murderer. I thought it was someone else but I wasn't sure who. One red herring was so painfully obvious that Holly should have figured it out sooner. She's rather obtuse.
I do enjoy the characters for the most part. Everyone except Holly anyway. Holly is not all that likable. She procrastinates, adds too much on her plate, gets involved in things she shouldn't be involved in after nearing being killed several times and has no clue what to get her husband for their first anniversary. Evan is the world's best husband! He is so incredibly sweet, patient, kind and loving. Not to mention romantic! :swoon:. He's overprotective of his sister but that's understandable since he was her father figure growing up and she's a bit hard-headed and was in a spot of trouble. Libby is funny. She's settled into Mistletoe now and adjusted to the quirky way of life but also wholly her own person. She's tough, sarcastic, witty and like her brother, loving. It's so obvious what's up with her and Ray. I can see why Ray transferred his affections from Holly to Libby. They're a lot alike but Libby is younger and tougher. Her investigation was more thoughtful than Holly's, albeit more dangerous, and her brother taught her how to be tough and handle herself in difficult situations. Holly just needs Evan to come rescue her.
Cookie is my favorite character and she's barely in the book. She's going through a tough time and I think the reality of her situation is starting to sink in. Most people see Theodore as livestock and to be fair, I hear goats smell and eat everything in sight. Cookie sees him as family, maybe the reincarnation of her beloved husband? He's the child she never had and Cookie hopes for grandkids from him soon to keep HER company in her old age. I don't think Theodore would be lonely for long if something happened to Cookie. Holly's parents would take him in and he would get lots of attention and love at Reindeer Games. Gertie, Christopher's wife, is as lovely as you would expect of Mrs. Claus. Her friend Jackie "Jack" is a little more mysterious and has a bit of an edge to her. I'm not sure I like her. It's too obvious who she's supposed to be though.
The Snows and the Moores were founding families of Mistletoe. They were once close but the Snows pulled away from farming and went into big business, became wealthy and added all the airs to go with it. They sound super snooty and awful. Elijah is quick to turn his nose up at anything Holly has to offer. They don't DO carbs, sugar, etc. etc. He doesn't seem to like Reindeer Games much. Further revelations make him out to be just as I expected and a classic victim in stories like these. Violet, his mother, kept her maiden name and passed it on to her son, which is a little weird. She is recently widowed and was last in Mistletoe when she was a teen. She seems distant, unconnected and claims not to remember the chaos of Mistletoe at Christmas. I thought for a minute maybe she killed her son because he somehow failed the family name or something. She might have and is a fabulous actress but perhaps she really is just a sad woman who lost her only child, the last of the line, on top of losing her husband of over 40 years. I wasn't surprised by the revelations in her backstory just that it wasn't a story from 60 years ago or 100 years ago or 200 years ago.
Mr. Moore is eccentric but I think he's harmless. He's a lonely old man who only has his mistletoe for family. No one wants to listen to him rattle off odd offhand comments about mistletoe but I found him interesting and his facts were useful. He's ill and old. Would he have the strength to push a younger man to his death in a tin of gingerbread batter? I don't think Evan seriously thinks Mr. Moore is the suspect but as Evan points out, he wants to keep his job so he has to follow protocol.
I'm with Holly. Those podcasters, Tate and Harvey, are tacky, tasteless and have GOT to go. She is well within her rights to sue them. They're ghoulish. Their interest in true crime is bizarre but true crime with recipes? (LOL! YES bring on the recipes! This series is missing recipes!) I can't distinguish one from the other and I don't care. They're guilty in my book. I agree with Holly. Those podcasters could have killed Elijah to give themselves a new story and get more likes or listeners or whatever. Caesar and Marcy from the Guinness Book of World Records are a little strange too. He's overly enthusiastic and friendly and I can't tell if he's sincere and she doesn't seem happy.
THE prime suspect has to be Hamis Hunter, a billionaire real estate mogul who lies, cheats and steals whenever he can in order to make more money. He's such a typical billionaire. I think he had a deal with Elijah Snow, Elijah came to Mistletoe with the intent to make that deal and then something happened - either he changed his mind, double crossed Hunter or no longer served a purpose and Hunter had the guy bumped off. Another strong suspect is Orville at the Historical Society. He brushes off Holly when she tries to question him. He's known for being uptight and rigid about the rules of historical accuracy regarding the buildings in town. Oh please stop making historians and librarians out to be stuffy, inflexible bad guys. I'll be mad if he's the killer but he's near the top of my list. He does have a strong motive.
Jerry Weible is an old man who lives in a converted old mill. He's done the electricity for all the historical buildings in town and truly loves Mistletoe. He's born and bred, lives and breaths the town's historical character. Sadly, his wife died recently after a long illness. He's comforted by his daughter and young granddaughter. Mr. Weible seems nice and Holly likes hanging out with him. He doesn't really have a motive unless he's really lying to Holly or understating the situation. His daughter, Natalia, is angry and has a motive for murder but I don't think she'd do it. She has a family and she wouldn't do that to her dad or her husband and child. I also don't think the killer is Leisel, a gallery worker who sometimes sells Holly's jewelry. Sure she loves her work and the building but is it worth it to kill someone over it?
I read the ending twice and I still don't see clues pointing to the murderer. I guess that makes this a strong mystery? I read this series for the Christmas charm and not so much the mysteries anyway.
August 12, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🎄 Christmas scenery ❤️❤️❤️
🎄 small town mystery
🎄 quirky characters
🎄 short chapters
It is just a liiiiiiiittle bit early, but I was honestly craving a Christmas read 🤣 I have read a few others in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series, so there is no surprise that I loved this one as well.
One thing I really like about this is the relationships between the family and the friends. The family all works on the farm together, the friends all come together when each other is in need… if only the real world was like this 🤪
This one was a little different than usual cozy mysteries where the murder takes place immediately when the book starts (which I do like) but this one was kind of nice that it built the story and characters up a little bit before the crime happens.
There was SO MUCH Christmas scenery throughout this whole book; it is the absolute perfect read if you are in need of a beautiful Christmasy murder 🤪 All of the names were Christmas names, the towns were Christmasy and of course the beautiful descriptions of the town completely covered in Christmas and snow and mistletoe. And we can’t forget all the delicious Christmasy treats!! Mmmmm it makes me can’t wait for the Christmas season! Some Christmas books just mention that it’s Christmastime once or twice and that’s it… but this one did such a good job with setting the scene in every single page 🩷 I literally felt like I was in a little Christmasy winter wonderland village.
As serious as murder is, I love cozy mysteries so much because they’re a little bit silly and almost humorous even though obviously, someone in this perfect, quaint town has killed someone else. The body found coated in cookie dough batter actually made me laugh-out-loud 🤣
I love that the (nosy, amateur detective) female main character is married to the sheriff 🤣🤣 That is so cozy mystery 🤪
Another very enjoyable mystery read from Jacqueline Frost! I love that this series is so specific (Christmas tree farm mystery) but as I just demonstrated, they are not just for Christmastime; they can be read year round for anyone looking for a little palette cleanser between heavier reads. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
Read if you like:
🎄 Christmas scenery ❤️❤️❤️
🎄 small town mystery
🎄 quirky characters
🎄 short chapters
It is just a liiiiiiiittle bit early, but I was honestly craving a Christmas read 🤣 I have read a few others in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series, so there is no surprise that I loved this one as well.
One thing I really like about this is the relationships between the family and the friends. The family all works on the farm together, the friends all come together when each other is in need… if only the real world was like this 🤪
This one was a little different than usual cozy mysteries where the murder takes place immediately when the book starts (which I do like) but this one was kind of nice that it built the story and characters up a little bit before the crime happens.
There was SO MUCH Christmas scenery throughout this whole book; it is the absolute perfect read if you are in need of a beautiful Christmasy murder 🤪 All of the names were Christmas names, the towns were Christmasy and of course the beautiful descriptions of the town completely covered in Christmas and snow and mistletoe. And we can’t forget all the delicious Christmasy treats!! Mmmmm it makes me can’t wait for the Christmas season! Some Christmas books just mention that it’s Christmastime once or twice and that’s it… but this one did such a good job with setting the scene in every single page 🩷 I literally felt like I was in a little Christmasy winter wonderland village.
As serious as murder is, I love cozy mysteries so much because they’re a little bit silly and almost humorous even though obviously, someone in this perfect, quaint town has killed someone else. The body found coated in cookie dough batter actually made me laugh-out-loud 🤣
I love that the (nosy, amateur detective) female main character is married to the sheriff 🤣🤣 That is so cozy mystery 🤪
Another very enjoyable mystery read from Jacqueline Frost! I love that this series is so specific (Christmas tree farm mystery) but as I just demonstrated, they are not just for Christmastime; they can be read year round for anyone looking for a little palette cleanser between heavier reads. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
November 12, 2024
"I'll Be Home For Mischief (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #5)" by Jaqueline Frost sees Holly and crew facing yet another Christmas time death. That's 5 years in a row now. At least they're starting to point out the oddity and problem that it is. There are even true crime podcasters stalking Holly and the crime scene.
Holly's mom is set to make the world's largest gingerbread man. They even make a cookie cutter to frame it in. Why didn't that break a world record? Of course, someone has to go and spoil it all for them by being found in the middle of the uncooked batter as they're about to start baking it on a truck bed.
Holly gets on the boarder line of too stubborn and, well, stupid, when it comes to this one. She is asked outright numerous times by numerous people to not risk her life by investigating yet another murder. Does she listen, nope, not at all. I think it is time for her to step back. Especially since Ethan's sister and Caroline's boyfriend are suddenly quitting their jobs to be private investigators, despite only a mention of their interest in PI work and not being involved in this one at all.
The fact that I have this much to say means that the story kept me involved. That's good. I did enjoy the overall story, and it follows the previous books flow. We get to meet the mysterious Christopher's wife, that happens to resemble the classic Mrs. Claus. We also get introduced to her friend Jaqueline Frost, aka Jack. She may or may not be the Jack Frost and might have something to do with all the extra cold air that's been around. She even saved Holly in the end.
Holly's mom is set to make the world's largest gingerbread man. They even make a cookie cutter to frame it in. Why didn't that break a world record? Of course, someone has to go and spoil it all for them by being found in the middle of the uncooked batter as they're about to start baking it on a truck bed.
Holly gets on the boarder line of too stubborn and, well, stupid, when it comes to this one. She is asked outright numerous times by numerous people to not risk her life by investigating yet another murder. Does she listen, nope, not at all. I think it is time for her to step back. Especially since Ethan's sister and Caroline's boyfriend are suddenly quitting their jobs to be private investigators, despite only a mention of their interest in PI work and not being involved in this one at all.
The fact that I have this much to say means that the story kept me involved. That's good. I did enjoy the overall story, and it follows the previous books flow. We get to meet the mysterious Christopher's wife, that happens to resemble the classic Mrs. Claus. We also get introduced to her friend Jaqueline Frost, aka Jack. She may or may not be the Jack Frost and might have something to do with all the extra cold air that's been around. She even saved Holly in the end.
October 21, 2024
I'll Be Home for Mischief the 5th instalment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost. Innkeeper Holly White is decking the halls this Christmas season, but someone is on the naughty list when a body is discovered
In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter…
Omg I loved it! I love this series and hope that Julie can write more in the series in 2025.
What a great story to get us in the Christmas spirit. I love reading books about Christmas all year long. I loved the characters and want to be friends with Holly, Evan, Libby, Ray, Cookie, Carolyn, Samantha etc. as with most of Julie’s books you fall in love with the characters. Holly has so much going on between running her family's Inn, being a newlywed, hosting Reindeer games, and now the murder of Mr. Snow!
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter…
Omg I loved it! I love this series and hope that Julie can write more in the series in 2025.
What a great story to get us in the Christmas spirit. I love reading books about Christmas all year long. I loved the characters and want to be friends with Holly, Evan, Libby, Ray, Cookie, Carolyn, Samantha etc. as with most of Julie’s books you fall in love with the characters. Holly has so much going on between running her family's Inn, being a newlywed, hosting Reindeer games, and now the murder of Mr. Snow!
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 11, 2025
I’ll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost is the fifth installment in the Christmas Tree Farm series, and once again it’s an absolute festive delight. Every return to Mistletoe feels like slipping back into a warm holiday hug—I’ve grown so attached to both the main and supporting characters, and I love watching their relationships deepen with each book. This one is packed with twinkly Christmas vibes, charming small town moments, delicious holiday treats, and a solid mystery that kept things moving. It’s adorable, entertaining, and the perfect cozy read if you want something super festive with heart, humor, and just the right amount of sleuthing. 🎄✨
December 21, 2024
I loved it! I love my yearly trip to Mistletoe for Christmas and Murder. The characters are great and you can really feel the love. The mystery was entertaining and the ending exciting. Can’t wait to see what happens next year.
August 8, 2024
I love the A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series and Jacqueline Frost has done it again! I am seriously considering moving to Maine or finding a town like Mistletoe Maine.
Holly White has been married almost a year to her dreamy husband Evan and you guessed it there is another murder on the farm.
Evan doesn’t want Holly to get involved but how can she not. She is drawn to solving mysteries and she has to help out her families farm.
All of the usual characters are back and I can’t get enough of them! I enjoy the close knit community in this series and it gives all the cozy vibes.
The is definitely a twist to the mystery that I did not see coming. I did feel that this might be the last book in the series. I don’t know if that’s true but it has that sense in the writing. Very well written and a must read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, opinions express in this review are completely my own.
Holly White has been married almost a year to her dreamy husband Evan and you guessed it there is another murder on the farm.
Evan doesn’t want Holly to get involved but how can she not. She is drawn to solving mysteries and she has to help out her families farm.
All of the usual characters are back and I can’t get enough of them! I enjoy the close knit community in this series and it gives all the cozy vibes.
The is definitely a twist to the mystery that I did not see coming. I did feel that this might be the last book in the series. I don’t know if that’s true but it has that sense in the writing. Very well written and a must read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, opinions express in this review are completely my own.
August 13, 2024
Thank you to net galley for the ARC. Another great addition to the Christmas Tree Farm!
November 13, 2024
Oh this is like a cozy Christmas hug. It is exactly what I needed to get my reading focus back on track; this lovable town full of holiday cheer and the sweetest characters. I love all the humor infused throughout (thank you Cookie) and also the earnestness of the characters and how much they adore their town and their neighbors. The way they keep going, and going BIG, even with their curse of a Christmas murder each year. There were so may good twists and SO many sweet moments that it really cheered me up. And the dramatic ending WOW it had my heart racing! The gift exchange had me basically in tears in the best way and I cannot wait to (PRETTY PLEASE) catch up with Holly, Evan, and everyone and enjoy more Reindeer Games and hot coco and cupcakes next year!
Note: I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration!
Thanks to the publisher for a free audiobook; my thoughts and review are my own.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration!
Thanks to the publisher for a free audiobook; my thoughts and review are my own.
June 10, 2024
I've fallen hopelessly in love with these Christmas Tree Farm Mystery books. This latest one, only added to that love. Holly is one of my favorite characters of all time. She's sweet, thoughtful, intelligent, rolls with the punches, and makes things work. She is my kind of gal, too. Jeans and T shirts, tennis shoes, and hair up in a messy bun. However, she also cleans up nice too. And did I mention how much I love her family?
If I had a family like that, I don't think I would ever want to leave Mistletoe either. They're protective yet supportive and they love Holly regardless of what she may or may not do. And Evan is just another welcome addition on top of that. He makes an excellent sheriff and an even better husband!
I wish this place was real. I really do. This sounds like the most amazing place on the planet. Christmas spirit all year round? Sign me up! And Carol bringing the town together to break a world record of the biggest gingerbread man? That part right there was so sweet (no pun intended).
Once I start reading these books, I just can't stop. I get sucked in and I am instantly swept away into a world of magic, love, togetherness, and unfortunately murder. However, I think it's worth the risk.
Fantastic world building, great wholesome characters, new places to explore and visit, what more you could you possibly want?
I have to admit, I was a little bit surprised by the killer this time around. I was really hoping it wasn't the one I thought it was. The ending was a complete surprise. They almost seemed remorseful. I am not sure if that's a redeeming quality for them or just a cry for help, but I appreciated the fact that it wasn't just another 'evil villain' that was the killer. This one was definitely more human, even though what they did was atrocious.
Still, there were plenty of surprises and happiness all around to be shared. Have I mentioned that I love this book and this series? Because I do! I highly recommend!
Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Jacqueline Frost for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are honest and are completely mine alone.
If I had a family like that, I don't think I would ever want to leave Mistletoe either. They're protective yet supportive and they love Holly regardless of what she may or may not do. And Evan is just another welcome addition on top of that. He makes an excellent sheriff and an even better husband!
I wish this place was real. I really do. This sounds like the most amazing place on the planet. Christmas spirit all year round? Sign me up! And Carol bringing the town together to break a world record of the biggest gingerbread man? That part right there was so sweet (no pun intended).
Once I start reading these books, I just can't stop. I get sucked in and I am instantly swept away into a world of magic, love, togetherness, and unfortunately murder. However, I think it's worth the risk.
Fantastic world building, great wholesome characters, new places to explore and visit, what more you could you possibly want?
I have to admit, I was a little bit surprised by the killer this time around. I was really hoping it wasn't the one I thought it was. The ending was a complete surprise. They almost seemed remorseful. I am not sure if that's a redeeming quality for them or just a cry for help, but I appreciated the fact that it wasn't just another 'evil villain' that was the killer. This one was definitely more human, even though what they did was atrocious.
Still, there were plenty of surprises and happiness all around to be shared. Have I mentioned that I love this book and this series? Because I do! I highly recommend!
Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Jacqueline Frost for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are honest and are completely mine alone.
July 13, 2024
I'll Be Home For Mischief is the fifth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series where the town celebrates Christmas year round. Each book is set at Christmas and there is a lot of talk in this one about the murder problem every year. It's the 150th anniversary of Mistletoe, Main. To celebrate the town is decorated in a Victorian theme. No cars are allowed downtown and even resident's are dressing appropriately. Holly's mother is also trying to get into the Guiness Book of World Records by baking the largest gingerbread man cookie. Descendants of the founding family are back in town. There is a lot going on at the farm and things once again take a dark turn when someone is found murdered.
This is the first one in the series I read and I had a little trouble keeping the characters and relationships straight, There is talk, without spoilers, of previous incidents and murders from the other books. It made me excited to read them.
The Christmas details are fantastic. It really feels like Christmas while reading. All of the events described were a lot of fun.
The mystery itself is interesting. It wins most memorable discovery of a corpse. The investigation wasn't as satisfying to me. Holly is a nice person but her sleuthing skills could use some work. For all the talk about danger she didn't seem to be aware of some things. I had more questions after the murderer is revealed because some of their actions don't make sense.
There are a few things that were distracting. At one point Holly has brought some cookies with her. Within a few paragraphs how they are contained and where they are located keeps changing. I read an ARC so maybe this will be changed by publishing date. Another time when Holly is alone she has a thought that something is odd but nothing ever comes of it. But it almost seems like it's supposed to be explored further.
If you want a seasonal mystery this is one to read. Readers will love the Christmas theme. It's done so well. However, I wish some detail was also given to the inn to balance things out and provide clarity.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
This is the first one in the series I read and I had a little trouble keeping the characters and relationships straight, There is talk, without spoilers, of previous incidents and murders from the other books. It made me excited to read them.
The Christmas details are fantastic. It really feels like Christmas while reading. All of the events described were a lot of fun.
The mystery itself is interesting. It wins most memorable discovery of a corpse. The investigation wasn't as satisfying to me. Holly is a nice person but her sleuthing skills could use some work. For all the talk about danger she didn't seem to be aware of some things. I had more questions after the murderer is revealed because some of their actions don't make sense.
There are a few things that were distracting. At one point Holly has brought some cookies with her. Within a few paragraphs how they are contained and where they are located keeps changing. I read an ARC so maybe this will be changed by publishing date. Another time when Holly is alone she has a thought that something is odd but nothing ever comes of it. But it almost seems like it's supposed to be explored further.
If you want a seasonal mystery this is one to read. Readers will love the Christmas theme. It's done so well. However, I wish some detail was also given to the inn to balance things out and provide clarity.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
December 31, 2024
Book Review: I'll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost - 5 Stars
Book 5 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series
Yet ANOTHER 5 Star cozy from this author! LOVE all of her books and pen names, seriously! If you want a fun holiday escape to a cozy Christmas town with a dash of romance and mystery, this series truly is a must read. In this one, Holly and her husband Evan get roped into a mystery where a local mistletoe farmer is accused of a man's murder who ended up in the batter during a baking contest.
Again, love the characters - they are HILARIOUS and just some of my most favorite characters of 2024! I really don't have much else to say with this being book 5 in the series, but just check this cozy mystery series out asap if you want something fun for Christmas.
Book 5 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series
Yet ANOTHER 5 Star cozy from this author! LOVE all of her books and pen names, seriously! If you want a fun holiday escape to a cozy Christmas town with a dash of romance and mystery, this series truly is a must read. In this one, Holly and her husband Evan get roped into a mystery where a local mistletoe farmer is accused of a man's murder who ended up in the batter during a baking contest.
Again, love the characters - they are HILARIOUS and just some of my most favorite characters of 2024! I really don't have much else to say with this being book 5 in the series, but just check this cozy mystery series out asap if you want something fun for Christmas.
May 23, 2024
#IllBeHomeforMischief #NetGalley featuring Holly White Gray is a wonderful holiday cozy mystery sure to keep you guessing.
The town of Mistletoe is celebrating their 150th anniversary and everyone is going out of their way to make it special.
Their jubilation quickly turns to shock when a dead body is discovered and Holly must act fast to put the clues together and discover whodunit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
The town of Mistletoe is celebrating their 150th anniversary and everyone is going out of their way to make it special.
Their jubilation quickly turns to shock when a dead body is discovered and Holly must act fast to put the clues together and discover whodunit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
December 17, 2024
I loved the Victorian Christmas theme in Mistletoe! It was the same great Mistletoe with a twist. I enjoy spending the holidays in Mistletoe. I was hoping for little more of Cookie and her antics. She always adds a little something extra to the story. The mystery was intriguing and fun as always.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book.
August 25, 2024
We are so back! This book was so much better than the last one and it made me feel all the warm fuzzy feelings this series always gives me. Okay, so in this book Holly is helping her mom with get the world record for biggest gingerbread person cookie, trying to get an anniversary and Christmas present for her husband, and run the Reindeer Games Inn when one of the Inn's guests is found in the gingerbread murdered! Holly decides to help find the killer while also doing all her other tasks.
As I mentioned before I was so happy to see this series make me feel all cozy again. I really enjoyed this book and the mystery was awesome. I sat down and read the book in two days which means I had a great time. I went with vibes only for the rating so I think I had 4 stars worth of fun. I can't wait to re-read this book during the holidays.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves the holidays and cozy stories. The drama level is low. The characters are all nice. The vibes are festive. Put on some comfy clothes and curl up with this book because it will make you feel warm and cozy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Jacqueline Frost for giving me the opportunity to read this advance reader copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
As I mentioned before I was so happy to see this series make me feel all cozy again. I really enjoyed this book and the mystery was awesome. I sat down and read the book in two days which means I had a great time. I went with vibes only for the rating so I think I had 4 stars worth of fun. I can't wait to re-read this book during the holidays.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves the holidays and cozy stories. The drama level is low. The characters are all nice. The vibes are festive. Put on some comfy clothes and curl up with this book because it will make you feel warm and cozy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Jacqueline Frost for giving me the opportunity to read this advance reader copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
December 21, 2024
3.75 🌟
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: Christmas time without a doubt
I’m giving this a few points higher than I truly think it’s worth due to both its cute and comfort factor. It’s an easy and overall enjoyable read for the holidays.
I’ve really enjoyed following the cast of characters in this series and overall I find them unique enough to stand out from the other cozies I read. I look forward to seeing what they get up to.
I’m glad this book addresses the issue of a main characters constant meddling (despite her still doing it) but I still found her to be a tad bothersome. In addition some of the side plots felt either boring (her needing to get a 1st anniversary gift for her husband) or unfinished (the podcasters which was a plot I was enjoying but don’t have a clue how it ended).
Overall, the mystery is where it lost major points for me. I’ll admit to listening to this at night over a span of time so maybe I missed a few chapters but when the killer was introduced I went “Huh?”. I just didn’t care enough to go back to see what I missed to make it make sense.
I think I’m starting to listen to this series more for the towns crazy antics and the Christmas vibes than the mysteries at this point which is something I never thought I would say.
Hoping we get a bit more of an intriguing mystery in the next one cause I know I’m going to pick it up!
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: Christmas time without a doubt
I’m giving this a few points higher than I truly think it’s worth due to both its cute and comfort factor. It’s an easy and overall enjoyable read for the holidays.
I’ve really enjoyed following the cast of characters in this series and overall I find them unique enough to stand out from the other cozies I read. I look forward to seeing what they get up to.
I’m glad this book addresses the issue of a main characters constant meddling (despite her still doing it) but I still found her to be a tad bothersome. In addition some of the side plots felt either boring (her needing to get a 1st anniversary gift for her husband) or unfinished (the podcasters which was a plot I was enjoying but don’t have a clue how it ended).
Overall, the mystery is where it lost major points for me. I’ll admit to listening to this at night over a span of time so maybe I missed a few chapters but when the killer was introduced I went “Huh?”. I just didn’t care enough to go back to see what I missed to make it make sense.
I think I’m starting to listen to this series more for the towns crazy antics and the Christmas vibes than the mysteries at this point which is something I never thought I would say.
Hoping we get a bit more of an intriguing mystery in the next one cause I know I’m going to pick it up!
November 18, 2024
Its Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine and Holly's mother is setting out to break the world record for the world's largest gingerbread man. The towns founding family, the Snows, are in town for the towns 150th anniversary and are staying at the Inn. During the baking of the gingerbread man, a body is discovered in the batter of the gingerbread man.
I love this series. It is the perfect book to get me in the Christmas mood. The characters are wonderful and make me smile. I love the games and activities that are offered at Reindeer Games. I love how we see something different every book. I loved the ending of the book. The gift exchange gave me the feeling of Christmas magic and I absolutely loved it.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love this series. It is the perfect book to get me in the Christmas mood. The characters are wonderful and make me smile. I love the games and activities that are offered at Reindeer Games. I love how we see something different every book. I loved the ending of the book. The gift exchange gave me the feeling of Christmas magic and I absolutely loved it.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2024
The usual cast of likable characters and familiarity of Holly getting herself in the middle of an investigation made this book feel like a holiday visit with family. I really enjoy this cozy mystery series and hope there are more to come.
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