The Curious Christmas Trail

by Haley Stewart, Betsy Wallin (Illustrator)

It’s Christmas Eve, and under the floorboards of G. K. Chesterton’s home, curious clues lie hidden…

Sister Seraphina and the other Sisters of Our Lady Star of the Sea are busy with preparations for the Christmas play and long-awaited feast. That’s enough to be getting on with! But where is Sister Dymphna? The elderly nun is nowhere to be found in Saint Wulfhilda’s Abbey. Outside it’s growing dark, and the snow is falling. The brave search party will need all their wits to avoid danger and follow the trail—wherever it leads!

This is the second installment of the Sister Seraphina Mysteries. Be sure to check out Pursuit of the Pilfered Cheese, too!

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Catholic, Childrens

80 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2022

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curious Christmas Trail is the kind of children's Christmas story you want to crawl inside. The cozy, Christmasy illustrations and the tight-knit mouse community at Saint Wulfhilda's will draw children in as the young mice work to solve a mystery and help an aged religious sister.

Also includes directions for paper snowflake-making and putting on your own Christmas pageant, guaranteeing children will want to revisit this book year after year.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cozy! If there was a mouse version of a Call the Midwife Christmas special, it would be this book.

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stellar sequel! And no need to read the first one first--this stands alone.
While the mystery in the first book was fun, this one will be even better for very sensitive readers; there's no villain, just a mystery to be solved.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

An order of mouse nuns lives under the floorboards of G. K. Chesterton's house. I really can't imagine anything sweeter. The second of the Sister Seraphina Mysteries: written for primary grades, illustrated by an angel, and thoroughly enjoyed by this adult.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So let me tell you what you need to know…

These books are mystery stories solved by an order of nuns (mice nuns!!) that live under the floorboards of G. K. Chesterton's house. Yes. You read that correctly.

all the stars in the world. Is there a more endearing concept? I really don’t think so. And the illustrations are beautiful.

[The Rudie Librarian (Brian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a delightful warmth and classic sense about it. From the sweet talking mice that are nuns and students to the portrayal of the Chesterton family to the warmth of the holiday traditions, this is a book that would be a delight to anyone to add to their traditional reading at home during the season.

[Ann M. O’Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was adorable, and I can’t wait to collect the whole series as my son grows up. I’ve been trying to think of ways to create a Catholic culture in the home, and the Sister Seraphina Mysteries seem like a good step :)

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 4.5 year old. We both enjoyed the Christmas adventure with the mouse nuns and their students. Such a delightful premise!

[ConnaCarol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable, cozy Christmas tale. Full of charm.