Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys

Mrs. Claus #4

by Liz Ireland

It’s year-round Christmas cheer in this creative and witty mystery series featuring a unique heroine who’s married to the real-life Santa Claus and living in the North Pole. In Santaland, it’s beginning to look a lot like…Thanksgiving…and in between the festivities, April Claus must track down a killer hiding amid a parade of suspects…

At Castle Kringle, the elves are excitedly arranging their first ever Thanksgiving day feast. April’s husband, Nick—the real Santa—has some misgivings, since it’s tough to get ready for Christmas when everyone is obsessed with helium balloons and pie recipes. Chaos erupts when Gobbles, the live turkey imported for the castle feast, is bird-napped. That crime is quickly overshadowed at a pre-Thanksgiving potluck when Nick’s cousin, Elspeth, face-plants into her mashed potatoes—dead.

Someone poisoned Elspeth, and April believes Constable Crinkle is hauling the wrong suspect off to jail. An ominous message, written in what seems to be blood and urging April to stop investigating, only convinces her more. But who’s really to blame? Where is Gobbles the turkey? And can April solve a double helping of mystery in time for everyone to sit down to a non-deadly dinner together?

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Holiday, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Thanksgiving, Contemporary

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2023

About the author

Liz was born in Texas and credits a rural upbringing in a houseful of books for her lifelong love of stories. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, she moved to New York and worked various jobs (book clerk, world’s slowest professional typist, substitute teacher) before landing a job in publishing. Since then, she’s made her home in Austin, Portland (Oregon), Ottawa, Montreal, and now Vancouver Island in British Columbia. In her free time, she enjoys playing in local concert bands, watching classic films, and—of course—reading. In addition to her writing career, Liz has worked for two decades as a fiction editor. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and has served as a regional representative for Crime Writers of Canada.

Under the pen name Liz Freeland, Liz writes the Louise Faulk historical mystery series. She also writes women's fiction as Elizabeth Bass.

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read the first three books in this series, but I didn’t think that spoiled enjoying this one at all. I have always been a fan of Christmas themed things so I knew I had to read this cozy mystery series at some point. I thought the world building was cute and I loved the side characters of elves and reindeer and snowmen. April is the current Mrs. Claus and she is trying to bring Thanksgiving to Santaland despite her husbands misgivings about the time of year. When Santa’s cousin Elspeth is murdered at a pre-Thanksgiving dinner celebration April is suspected. Desperate to clear her name and find the real killer April is hunting for a killer, and their missing turkey hoping to save Thanksgiving. I will definitely read more in this series. I gave it 4.5 stars overall rounded up for the fun holiday charm.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys by Liz Ireland is the fourth book in the cozy Mrs. Claus series. As with most cozy mystery series each book in the Mrs. Claus series features it’s own mystery that will be fully solved with that book so they can each be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There will be some character development that carries over from book to book though for those that follow the series from the beginning.

April Claus was just a regular woman living in the United States when she met Nick, the man she just knew she’d be spending the rest of her life with. What April didn’t know or suspect at the time was that the wonderful Nick she was going to marry was none other than THE Santa Claus. After marrying Nick April found herself moving to Christmastown in Santaland at the North Pole and living among elves with Christmas celebrated year round.

As April’s third holiday season in Santaland is approaching she has decided to start teaching the year round Christmas village how to celebrate other holidays along the way. The elves are busy arranging the first Thanksgiving feast at Castle Kringle when chaos erupts when, Gobbles, the turkey meant to be the center of the feast is bird napped. As everyone is frantic over what to do to save the feast though Nick’s cousin Elspeth is poisoned quickly overshadowing the missing bird and leaving April a bigger mystery to solve quickly.

Liz Ireland’s Mrs. Claus series is the type of cozy that readers who favor quirky over the top characters and hilarious antics will love. When you bring in all things Christmas to a fun mystery I couldn’t help but fall in love with this series and enjoy coming back to it year after year. It was fun this time to throw in a Thanksgiving twist to all things Christmas in the town with all the normals crazy antics and I’ll definitely look forward to seeing that comes along next in the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys, by Liz Ireland, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book four in the Mrs. Claus, Mystery series. Its Thanksgiving and all should be safe and happy, but it is not. Gobbles, the turkey is missing, Mrs. Claus is a suspect in a murder, can Thanksgiving be saved? I love the names of the shops in this town Tea-piphany and Santaland Scoop, are two of ,y favorites. A good mystery in a good series.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read. It was fast paced and it kept me on my toes following the clues of the missing turkey and the murder. I enjoyed getting to know Christmasland and Nick the regent Santa Claus and April the Mrs. Claus. April gets everyone excited to celebrate Thanksgiving in the North Pole. The elves took the idea and ran with it. With a pot luck and a thanksgiving parade and the main event, dinner.
Gobbles the turkey goes missing. Then one of the Claus's Elspeth dies at the potluck last seen eating one of April's deviled eggs. April is a prime suspect. I'm excited to read more from this series. I'm a big fan of the magic of Christmasland.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of series,
North Pole, Santa,Thanksgiving,Murder and turkey.
IA cute fun mystery murder with a missing turkey.
A fun easy read .
Voluntarily reviewed.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Santaland, it’s beginning to look a lot like…Thanksgiving…and in between the festivities, April Claus must track down a killer hiding amid a parade of suspects. But not everyone is happy with this new Santa Land holiday!

I would just like to say that this book made me want Thanksgiving to hurry up and get here and… live in Santa Land. I’m not a lover of the cold, so maybe April and I have a lot in common, but the description of this mythical place makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy.

An over-the-top Thanksgiving tradition is the only way to describe the celebration in Santa Land. Parades, pumpkin pie, or at least the Elves take on that very American dessert, pre-Thanksgiving potluck dinners, and so much more. Oh, and don’t forget a side dish of murder. April finds herself the center of attention when the victim dies after eating one of her deviled eggs. Of course, April, her best friend, Claire, and Jake Frost (Yes, a descendant of Jack Frost!) set out 5to prove her innocence and find the culprit before the wrong person ends up out in the cold forever.

You really have to love April, Nick, and all the other characters in this story. Although, I think Nick needs to pay a little more attention to his wife in general. Readers, new and old, love these characters, the location, and all the activities that the elves, reindeer, and the Clauses get up to make for an entertaining read with a few good laughs. The victim is innocent enough this time around, and the suspects vary from day to day, but they all have means and opportunities. It isn’t easy figuring out who the killer is or the motive, but leave it to April to not only figure it out but to almost get herself killed in the process. The side mystery of who stole or let the prize turkey out of his pen (not a traditional turkey but a sympathetic character nonetheless) Giblet is almost as fun as the murder mystery. But… I think most readers will figure out who took Giblet quickly.

This series was not on my absolutely must-read list when it first came out, but now, with book number four, I really don’t want to miss a single installment. I hope Liz Ireland will write a book for every holiday and repeat them with new ones, and it wouldn’t make me upset if we could get a few more books about April and Nick that didn’t involve holidays.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Santaland's first Thanksgiving. Like every holiday in Christmastown the residents are going all in. Even a Thanksgiving parade is planned. But then Gobbles the Turkey is birdnapped. Can he be found? Will a spot open up on the frozen turkey wait list? Or will the Claus family end up with soy tofurkey on their plate?

Luckily the pre-Thanksgiving dinner celebration at Amory and Midge's doesn't include a bird. That doesn't mean it will go off without a hitch though because murder is on the menu and Nick's cousin Elspeth is the unlucky diner.

This book and series is just delightful. The Trouble With Turkeys might be my favorite one yet. There is so much charm and humor. Literally, every sentence is perfect. You are there in the magical world of Christmastown right with the unique and fun residents. The characters are all so wonderful. Every single one of them brings a smile to my face.

The mystery is really good too. I figured out who took Gobbles, but I got the killer wrong. There's another part of the mystery I guessed though. The showdown with the killer is everything you would expect and want.

If you haven't read this series you really should give it a try. It's fantastic!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mrs. Claus series is so unique and fun to read, it's quickly become one of my favorites. In this book, Thanksgiving is being celebrated in Santaland for the first time and so many things are going wrong, including a missing main course!

I loved seeing Mrs. April Claus in action once again to solve a murder and also tracking down a missing turkey! I also liked the scenes between April and Nick because they really showed how much he loves his wife. It was fun having April's best friend Claire in Santaland, but her secret shouldn't have been that hard for April to guess. The murder mystery is more complicated than I expected and I like the way it was resolved. This creative mystery series will have you cheering for April and believing in Santa and the whole world Liz Ireland has created.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series. It’s so cute. I really hope Liz Ireland continues writing stories in Santaland.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Group for a copy of "Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys" in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 4 in the Mrs. Claus series and the series gets better and better with each book. This time April (Mrs. Claus) has introduced the Thanksgiving holiday to Santaland and everyone has embraced it and is going all out to prepare for the festivities which seem to have expanded from one day to a whole week.

Of course, no Mrs. Claus mystery would be complete with murder and mayhem. First there is the missing Thanksgiving turkey Gobbles. Who would steal a turkey and why? Then there is a murder at Amory and Midge's pre-Thanksgiving buffet and the prime suspect is April. Constable Crinkles and his deputy Ollie are as hilarious as ever. They spend more time baking and crafting than they do actual police work. This time they were preoccupied with creating the perfect Thanksgiving Day parade float.

April's best friend Claire is visiting again and she's being rather secretive. Jake and April once again team up to solve the turkey-napping and murder. Before all the pieces come together there is another murder and mayhem breaks out at the parade.

It's hard to put down the Mrs. Claus books. They are fast-paced and exciting to read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Cuppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys is the fourth book in the Mrs. Claus series. The residents at the North Pole have decided to celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday from April, the current Mrs. Claus's, country. With their usual enthusiasm, the elves turn the entire week of Thanksgiving into a celebration. Nick complains that they are too busy to take time away from Christmas preparations. The band April is part of is learning to march for the Thanksgiving parade and she's stuck with the bass drum. And worst of all, the castle's turkey, Gobbles turns up missing. Who could have taken him? Bad goes to worse when a potluck to kick off the week ends in Nick's complaining cousin face down in the mashed potatoes. No one liked Elspeth, but who would poison her? April ends up as the prime suspect when her dish for the potluck is found to have poison in it. Plunge into the chaos in this comic tale of holiday disaster and follow along as April, her friends and family, clear up another North Pole mystery. If you enjoy the idea of a "real" Santa Claus, presiding over a real city and it's citizens, then you will love Liz Ireland's Mrs. Claus Mysteries. They are like a Hallmark Christmas movie with a dose of mystery and mayhem added in.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this series! I have this on preorder and can't wait 🥰
Update: Just finished it and of course, I love it!! One of my all time favorite series.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to just adore this series. It is just a light, fluffy book with a unique spin on the cozy mystery. This time, Santaland is celebrating Thanksgiving. The elves have decided that since they celebrated Halloween, they should now have a go at celebrating Thanksgiving "southerner" style. And to do that, you need a turkey. But when Gobbles goes missing, April realizes they have a crisis on their hands. In the midst of searching for the absent fowl, April is accused of murdering a fellow Claus. Now, it's up to her to clear her name and rescue a bird-napped turkey with the help of Nick, Wrinkles, Claire, Juniper, Jake, and the rest of the Santaland family.

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books have quickly become my favorite cozy mystery series. I’m so obsessed with sleuthing with Mrs. Claus. I absolutely adore April a little more with each and every book. She’s just so witty.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner this was absolutely the perfect read for the holiday. Equal parts cozy and mysterious.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t read these for a head-scratching mystery, as a lot of the mystery part is easy to spot early on. I read them because they are simple fun in a great setting. This one made me chuckle out loud a few times.

That said, I did NOT have the killer figured until the reveal.

[Kathy Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of Santaland’s adventures. Characters are wonderful and it is just an enjoyable read. Hope she continues the series.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite yet of the series!!

[Erin Iglesias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun take on a Thanksgiving book!

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys (Mrs. Claus, #4) by Liz Ireland.  When my request to read this book was approved, I was happy to receive this novel for free in exchange for my honest review.

My first foray into this series was a novella that was a part of collected works, and I thought the story was just okay, so I was happy to see that the series does get better.  It still is a cozy mystery and a bit young for my taste, but it was a lot more interesting.  This is a series that I'll likely stay with as most of the characters are relatable.  I am happy to say that I didn't see the ending coming despite the author dropping lots of clues . . . I should've figured out part of what was going to happen.

Four out of five stars is what I gave Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys (Mrs. Claus, #4) by Liz Ireland.  It's a super cute book that is a definite must read in October or November to put yourself in the mood for Thanksgiving.  I look forward to seeing what kind of shenanigans happen in the next installment.

[ColleenSC (colleenallbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun entry in an incredibly creative series. I always love going back to the North Pole and seeing what crazy shenanigans they are up to! The plot amps up in intensity and ends with a thrilling chase through Christmastown’s first ever Thanksgiving Parade!

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

MRS. CLAUSE AND THE TROUBLE WITH TURKEYS is the fourth book in the Mrs. Claus Mysteries by Liz Ireland. Once again, the author has brought the North Pole to life with charming characters, captivating capers, laugh-out-loud moments, a turkey kidnapping fiend, and a dastardly pre-Thanksgiving feast poisoner. Her vivid imagery with whimsical humor brings the setting and the characters to life in such a delightful way, page after page. This is one series I rush to read each new book as soon as I receive it. April Claus, a transplant from Oregon after falling in love with Nick, the real Santa, is not who you might envision a Mrs. Claus to be. She’s trying her best to uphold her role, but she’s a bit klutzy and even though she has great intentions, somehow falls short of expectations. Yet, she makes a perfect protagonist with her caring personality and her enthusiasm for whatever she attempts to do.

The multi-faceted mysteries are well-plotted with a fast pace. First, there’s the puzzling turkey-napping of Gobbles, the turkey awaiting its Thanksgiving fate. Instead of Gobbles being in his cushy crate, Grimstock, the vulture sent from a scam turkey-by-mail company, has taken his place. (While this can easily be read as a standalone, you’ll have more appreciation for the humorous situations by starting from the beginning.) Then there’s Claire, April’s best friend from Oregon. Claire has shown up but is hanging out with a questionable man, instead of with her friend, and seems to be hiding something. And then Santa’s cousin, Elspeth, is murdered during their pre-Thanksgiving potluck dinner. Fingers quickly point at April since the victim ate one of April’s deviled eggs that she’d made from a YuleTube video. This is one of those books that’s fun to just go along for the romp and enjoy every single last detail instead of trying to guess ahead on who the perpetrator is. The clues are there if you want to be an armchair detective and the reveal brings all the pieces together in a highly satisfying manner. While I’m very thankful to have read this newest release, I want to be greedy and say more please and the sooner the better!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marina Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was actually a recommendation in The Girl Friend Book Club for a holiday themed book that would be easy to read and also fun. I was not aware that this was the fourth in a series but I had survived the Thanksgiving Day food overload and wanted to read something light. This book did not disappoint it was definitely entertaining and fun.
I always thought of Mrs. Claus as a little pudgy, patient, long suffering wife of Santa who has to put up with her husband working away and worrying about bringing presents to all the little kids while managing the elves.
This is a different take on Mrs. Claus. She's definitely more fashion conscious and doesn't really tolerate cold weather (imagine that). This describes Christmasland which is run by the Claus family as a hierarchical type organization and there is sort of queen mother figure named Pamela who is actually Claire Claus's (Mrs. Santa) mother-in-law, then there is Nick Claus who is the regent, and he has a brother named Amory, a nephew named Christopher who is the Santa in waiting and several cousins including Mildred and Elspeth. Other funny character are present in the novel, including various reindeer tribes such as the Comets, Dashers, Cupids, Blitzens and so forth; there are also snowmen, and many elves. It turns out some of the elves are wonderful and hardworking while there are some that are up to no good.
The story evolves around the supposed kidnaping of Gobbles the Turkey but then devolves into a murder mystery when Elspeth, Nick's cousin is poisoned; now the hunt is on to discover who done it. At first Mrs. Claus (Claire) is accused but she is cleared and is committed to find out who stole Gobbles and also who murdered Elspeth
Needless to say this is an over the top story over about the zealous endeavors by the elves, the snowmen and the Claus family to have a superb Thanksgiving celebration ala the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and the madcap search and capture of the murder culprit.
The book was fun and kept one in suspense as to who done it. I think I will probably read the rest of the series.

[Jason Wrench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz Ireland's Mrs. Claus series is a lot of fun. I've read the first three books in the series and jumped at the opportunity to read the book when I saw it was available on NetGalley. Although I am thankful for the author/publishers' generosity of previewing the book, the review is entirely mine and not impacted by their generosity.

This is the fourth book in the series, Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys. In this case, all of our friends are back with another mystery. April and her husband Nick are ushering in yet another new tradition in Santaland, Thanksgiving. As with many things in Cozy Mysteries, the setup is a bit bonkers, but for the world Ireland has crafted, it works. Is this my favorite book in the series? It's not. However, I still found this book highly enjoyable and can't wait to read the next one in the series when it comes out.

In Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys, the sacrificial bird of the holiday goes missing from Castle Kringle, and April has a ton of suspects to work through. And if that's not bad enough, Nick's cousin Elspeth face plants in the mashed potatoes at a pre-Thanksgiving Day feast (because the elves can't just have a holiday for one day). Immediately, suspicion is thrown on April, and her deviled eggs are a culprit. April needs to get suspicion off herself and onto the real killer while finding Gobbles, the death row turkey that's supposed to be the Thanksgiving Day meal.

Again, this is a fun book. Is it perfect? No. Is it a fun book in this series? Yes. I think the book is entertaining and kept me reading to the end. I think people who enjoy the series will definitely find this a solid addition to the series. I would not recommend jumping in with this book; go back and read the earlier books. Personally, I liked the earlier books a bit more, but it may be because part of me couldn't get over bringing an American custom to Santaland. With all the talk of Thanksgiving, it seems the point of the actual holiday does get a little lost in translation.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanksgiving is finally coming to the North Pole, and April Claus is determined to make it a holiday to remember. (Spoiler: It absolutely will be, but not for the reasons she hoped.) The turkeys have arrived, the elves are deeply confused by this whole “stuffing a bird and eating it” thing, and April is so close to pulling off a drama-free holiday. And then? One turkey (Gobbles, an actual celebrity bird) vanishes, and before anyone can even process that, Nick’s cousin Elspeth faceplants into a bowl of mashed potatoes. Turns out, she was murdered—and the suspected weapon? April’s own deviled eggs. (Happy Thanksgiving, you're now the prime suspect!)

Instead of finalizing her menu and making sure Santa doesn’t offend yet another North Pole delegation, April now has two massive problems: a missing turkey (was he kidnapped? Did he just decide to opt out of the holiday?) and the minor issue of being accused of murder. If she doesn’t figure out who actually had it out for Elspeth, she might be trading in her cozy Christmas castle for a cozy jail cell—the Santaland prison is basically a cabin from a Hallmark holiday movie. But still, not the ideal living arrangements for the current Mrs. Claus.

The best part? It works. Liz Ireland nails the balance of cozy mystery, holiday chaos, and laugh-out-loud absurdity (because truly, the idea of elves trying to understand Thanksgiving is comedy gold). The mystery itself has solid twists and red herrings, and April remains the perfect mix of sharp, sarcastic, and deeply exasperated at how ridiculous her new life is. The only reason I give this entry 4.5 stars instead of a full five stars? A tiny bit of the pacing lags in the middle—but honestly, when the plot is “Mrs. Claus investigates a turkey heist and a deviled egg murder,” it’s hard to be mad about anything. Whether you’re here for the mystery, the North Pole antics, or the pure chaos of Thanksgiving dinner turning into a crime scene, this holiday feast of a book serves it all up.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway from Kings River Life online magazine. It's my first exposure to this series and this author.
What a fun read! I loved the clever world building and all the creative place names in Santaland.
The story is told in first person from the point of view of April Claus (Nick, a.k.a., Santa's wife). In a nod to April's homeland, Santaland is celebrating its first ever Thanksgiving holiday, and a huge weeklong fete is planned, culminating in a themed parade. April's friend Claire from Oregon is visiting.
When they ordered the turkey, a live bird arrived, so one of the elves has been caring for him (and growing quite attached to Gobbles) until the big feast. But when the story opens, Gobbles has gone missing. Mrs. Claus is on the case, as the less-than-competent Santaland police force doesn't show much interest.
The Thanksgiving week festivities kick off with a potluck feast at the home of Nick's cousin Amory. But before everyone can sit down to dinner, Nick's cousin Elspeth (no love lost between her and April) falls face down into her plate, dead. The cause of death is determined to be poison, and April becomes a suspect, as the last thing Elspeth ate was one of April's turkey-shaped deviled eggs.
Determined to prove her innocence as well as explore a connection between Elspeth's murder and the disappearance of Gobbles, April investigates. Suspects abound; Elspeth was not well-liked, although April has a hard time believing anyone hated her enough to kill her.
This was a clever mystery with charming characters. I had a little trouble keeping them all straight and how everyone was related, but it might have been easier had I read the earlier books. Nevertheless, it still works as a stand-alone.

[ReadThisAndSteep · Rating 5 out of 5]

April uprooted her life in Oregon to marry Nick, who is the actual Santa Claus. After moving to Santaland in the North Pole, she becomes an amateur sleuth in addition to her duties as Mrs. Claus. This time, the residents of Santaland are enthusiastically preparing to celebrate their first Thanksgiving when Santa's cousin Elspeth is poisoned, and fingers are pointed at April.

I have been looking forward to this one, and it did not disappoint! With excellent world-building and such an original premise, this whimsical series is one of my faves. The setting is magical--as charming as you would expect Santaland to be, and at the same time, the mysteries make these books a fresh take on the imaginary North Pole.

Fast-paced and solidly plotted, this is a well-written mystery with just the slightest edge and all the holiday spirit, and kept me guessing right to the end! The characters are memorable and quirky. April is a likable sleuth, and the elves have a range of vividly depicted personalities, including those with criminal tendencies.

The books take place during different holidays; this time, it's Thanksgiving, complete with family drama, a missing turkey, the stress of getting everything ready, and a parade that doesn't quite end up like the ones on TV. The story is fun and filled with clever details, misadventures, witty dialogue, and humor. Super cozy and imaginative, I loved this! Mystery lovers or anyone looking for a fun seasonal read should check this out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute cozy that does Thanksgiving with gusto! April Claus is married to the real life Santa Claus and lives in Santaland for part of the year. This year the elves have decided to surprise April with a Thanksgiving feast and the entire town has gone in for turkey, a parade and a side of murder!

Yes, this has sentient reindeer, entrepreneur elves and a whole Claus family. And lots of Christmas decor, after all that is what drives most of the economy. Not everyone is dipped in Christmas cheer as a disgruntled woman is poisoned and April wonders if a wild elf wanted for murder and theft might some how be linked to the latest homicide (yes, there has been homicide before, this is the fourth in the series). April is also confounded by the disappearance of the live turkey, Gobble, who is suppose to be the featured centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner from a locked condo abode.

This is full of holiday trappings and feelings and also quirky and fun characters. It has everything you want in a cozy and a decent mystery to boot. And, there are also some family clashes (there has to be at least a few on Thanksgiving, doesn't there?). But in the end the spirit of Thanksgiving prevails and it will leave you with a smile on your face. There aren't that many cozies that go for all out for Thanksgiving but this one will definitely get you in the mood and hungering for some Turkey, sides and pies!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

April has brought some of her holiday traditions to Santaland, and celebrating Thanksgiving is just one of them. The elves has even ordered a live turkey to fatten for the feast, but Gobbles has escaped, or was turkey-napped! In the midst of this trouble, at a lavish dinner party Nick’s cousin falls face first into her plate of mashed potatoes, dead. At first, Nick’s wife April is suspected of poisoning her, but was soon cleared . . . or was she? Someone is setting her up for this crime! April will need the help of her friends, and maybe even a reindeer, before this all gets sorted out. Meanwhile, everyone in Santaland is getting into the Thanksgiving spirit with baking special things, making candies, and planning a parade with floats, bands, and Santa. Emotions are running high and the hectic pace shows no sign of slowing down. Dare I say that nearly everyone is running around like a chicken with its head cut off! (Or maybe a turkey.) This highly entertaining and quite imaginative tale is filled with Christmas joy, except for the murder, of course, but then, nothing is always perfect, even in Santaland. However, this is the perfect story for some Christmas fun. It s well written, has wonderful characters, (elves, reindeer, and snowmen included), and quite an interesting plot. I wonder what other holiday traditions April will share with her new friends in Santaland. I hope I don’t have to wait long to find out!

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit up front that I was initially a reluctant fan of this cozy series that's just silly good because, well, Santaland, elves, and talking reindeer with egos, but now I'm proud to say- I love it! Once you buy the premise that Alice, a human who met and married Nick, the real Santa, when he was on vacation in the US and moved to become Mrs. Claus in, yep, Santaland, I'll bet you'll be all in too. This time out, there's going to be Thanksgiving, a holiday that's never been celebrated in Santaland because it's too close to Christmas and it's not a Santa thing. Except that Gobbles the turkey has been stolen but even worse, someone has poisoned the nasty (not everyone in Santaland is nice) Elspeth. Alice is trying to find Gobbles and the villain even as she's also juggling being part of the parade. Oh and her human friend Claire is in town but Claire's romantic interest, the mysterious Jack Frost, is not. Once again Ireland has written a clever, entertaining mystery that has little twists and turns and made me laugh more than once. I do think that it will help to have read one of the previous novels, if only to be in the, ahem, spirit of the atmospherics. That said take away the reindeer etc. and it's a cozy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This was a great read on a rainy day.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santaland is getting ready to celebrate their first Thanksgiving. Castle Kringle has imported a live turkey for their holiday meal, but the weekend before the big day, he vanishes. Then, one of Santa's cousins dies at a potluck to kick off Thanksgiving week. Can April Claus figure out what is going on?

I love this series, and this latest entry didn't disappoint in the least. It did take a bit for the entire book to get going since there are several storylines that need to be introduced. But once it got going, it was like a turbo charged sleigh with so much going on you couldn't put the book down. I did have a couple of pieces figured out early, but there was still plenty I didn't know about that surprised me at the end. The characters are charming as always, and I'm curious where some of the growth will lead in future books. The humor just adds to the charm. This is a cozy mystery first and foremost with some light fantasy in it, and the mix works perfectly. If you are looking for a holiday series, you'll be glad you gave this series a chance. If you are already a fan, you'll be thankful for this latest book.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.