SLASHING THROUGH THE SNOW by Jacqueline Frost

No one likes a critic, and Karen Moody appears to be one of the worst. Holly White is determined to please the travel journalist for the New England Magazine despite Karen’s less than pleasant behavior. After all, she wants a good review for her newly opened inn, her family’s latest addition to Reindeer Games, and their family Christmas tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine. Karen is the perfect villain for Mistletoe, as it’s easy to envision her as the Grinch coming to steal Christmas. Instead, Karen’s nastiness has driven someone to murder her and now Delores “Cookie” Cutter is the prime suspect. Cookie is practically family to Holly, and Holly is determined to clear Cookie’s name.

SLASHING THROUGH THE SNOW by Jacqueline Frost is the third book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series but can easily be read as a standalone story. However, I suspect new visitors to Mistletoe will find themselves captivated by both the characters and the environment! And speaking of Mistletoe… I want to visit Mistletoe! Whether it’s the creativity behind each unique event in the Reindeer Games or the fascinating shops in town, each and every aspect of Mistletoe is delightful. And oh my, the scrumptious sweets and treats available in places such as Caroline’s Cupcakes can almost cause weight gain just imagining the flavors!

Jacqueline Frost is a master at crafting a Christmas-themed cozy mystery that is both heartwarming and intriguing. The Christmas atmosphere permeates every aspect of the storyline, right down to the name of Holly’s perfectly named cat. I’ve read several of Jacqueline Frost’s other books under different pseudonyms, but the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series remains my favorite. SLASHING THROUGH THE SNOW is yet another phenomenal installment in the series and my only regret is that I have to wait now for the next one to be published.

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SUMMARY

Maine innkeeper Holly White returns to sleuth another seasonal slaying in the third Christmas Tree Farm mystery from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm is going into the B&B business, and Holly White is looking forward to her new role as innkeeper. Even better, Mistletoe, Maine's sheriff, Evan Gray, has deputized his little sister Libby to help Holly wrap presents for Mistletoe's toy drive. But a cold wind ruffles the cheery holiday decorations when a new guest checks in: Karen, a vicious B&B critic, who could make or break the new inn. And the short December days turn even darker when Evan and Libby find Karen's dead body in the gift-wrapped toy donation box.

The suspect list is longer than Santa's naughty list, and local resident Cookie is on it, since her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon, a metal nutcracker that she gave to Holly. So is Libby, who recently moved to town from Boston in less-than-savory circumstances. But cranky Karen was an oh-holy-nightmare to lots of the townsfolk, such as Evan's reporter friend Ray; Christopher, the inn's former contractor; and confectioner Bonnie, whose Gum Drop Shop was a direct target of Karen's scathing prose.

To figure out the killer's identity and clear Cookie's name, Holly and her friends brainstorm at The Hearth, the farm's café, while her mother keeps them fueled with Christmas goodies fresh from the oven. But if they can't put the culprit on ice, Holly may never see another Christmas.

EXCERPT

BOOK SERIES

Christmas Tree Farm