I always enjoy visiting Stan Connor in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, and love her schnoodle, Scruffy. In this story (#), Stan has worked hard to prepare for the Grand Opening of her Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie. It's been her dream to have a shop where pets and their owners can meet and eat gourmet delights. At the annual tree lighting ceremony, however, Santa's arrival in a beautiful sleigh is diminished by a call for an ambulance and the state troopers. Someone is dead, and someone is missing! Stan worries the crime will overshadow her opening.

Liz Mugavero's writing skills shine in this holiday tale featuring Stan and her boyfriend, Jake's, families; their menagerie of cute pets; and close friends. The mystery that's strung like twinkling lights throughout the pages of the story held me captivated by its twists, turns, and hidden clues. The author unwraps the answers just in time for a Christmas celebration in a snowy wonderland.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

I've read a couple in the series before so I was familiar with the setting and characters and happy to pick up a holiday themed mystery. Good installment to the series that continues to build on the previous stories. Very enjoyable read.

I absolutely adore this series, so I was beyond happy when I was given the chance on Netgalley by Kensington Books to read this early. It was like all my Christmases had come at once! (No pun intended)

I'm very familiar with Stan and Frog Ledge, having visited with them before. I think the only book I haven't read in this series is the one just before this one, and although I had missed the introduction of a few key characters I had all the background I needed to fall back into this world.

From the title you know this is going to be a Christmas story, and it doesn't disappoint. We have a Noel Christmas mystery to solve, and Stan is especially motivated because the two main suspects couldn't possibly have done it. Adding to the fun of the mystery, we have the baking aspect of this book, and the author includes recipes at the end for the readers to try. I can't boil an egg, but I'm sure my dogs and cats would love these treats (cooked by anyone who wasn't me)

I have loved seeing Stan and Jake grow as a couple, and he includes her more and more in his family and thus adds more spice to the mystery. It's good to finally have some tension introduced to a relationship that has been slightly too perfect in the past.

My only disappointment was the lack of Nutty in the book; I think he only makes one appearance! I know they have a number of dogs and cats now, but I'd like to see my favorite a little more.

This is one of those fun themed cozy series that you hope goes on forever. I mean, you don't want to see a member of the community bumped off every book, but then there would be no murder mystery to solve! It's pet themed but Stan also gets involved in the community as well, so we meet a number of characters.

Recommended for mystery and cozy lovers, I was hooked until the grand finale. Five stars.

The latest installment of the Positively Organic Mystery series is my favorite so far! Its Christmas time in Frog's Ledge. Stan and company are getting ready for all of the town festivities with Jake's uncle tapped to play Santa. When Santa ends up murdered and it is not Jake's uncle, Stan is thrown into solving the crime and to find out the whereabouts of Jake's uncle.
This series is so enjoyable on many different levels. I love how the author develops the characters, describes the relationships and family dynamics, history, and also how the author touched on racism in this edition. The story line was well written and doesn't jump from plot point to plot point without is flowing beautifully. The pet recipes at the end are such a fantastic bonus. All in all, a fun, spectacular mystery that always leaves you waiting in anticipation for the next.

Purring Around The Christmas Tree.
A Pawsitively Organic Mystery
Liz Mugavero
5 Stars


Synopsis:

In the New England town of Frog's Ledge, the Holiday Light Festival is a Christmas tradition. Killing Santa is not. To bring joy back to the season, organic pet patisserie owner Kristan "Stan" Connor will have to find another Santa before it's too late . . .
To the townspeople's delight, the annual lighting of the tree is a spectacular success. Unfortunately, Santa pulled up in his sleigh, DOA. At first Stan is sure it's Seamus, her boyfriend's uncle, inside the red suit. But the victim turns out to be an employee from the town's Christmas tree farm. Rumor has it the deceased was a mean drunk with a soft spot for feral cats. Stan has no idea why he was dressed as St. Nick--or why he's dead.
Meanwhile, Seamus, a jolly Irishman who comes to America every December to visit his pub-owner nephew, is nowhere to be found. Could he just be off on a Boston bar crawl? Or is something more sinister under the tree? Seamus was supposed to be dressing up and posing for pet pictures with Santa at the shop, but the dogs and cats might have to find another lap to curl up in if Stan doesn't solve two mysteries soon. Or murder might be the only thing under the mistletoe this holiday . . .
Includes Gourmet Pet Food Recipes! (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Stan is a hard worker who loves owning her own business. She has good friends and employees who have helped her make her dreams come true. Two people that really surprised Stan with their helpfulness is Stan’s mother and sister. That was not always the way things worked with them and it was nice to see that their relationships have grown and matured.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place. I felt like I could see and smell all of the great pet treats that Stan creates. She is also very talented in creating a small town setting that you would want to visit.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The murder was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through that I did not figure out the culprit until the reveal at the end. I liked the fact that there was more than one mystery to solve in this book, that made things even more interesting.

I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like animals in your cozies and great characters, then this book is for you.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book/

I enjoyed this book but I think it would have been more enjoyable if I had read the earlier books in the series first as would have been nice to know a bit of background of the characters. I still enjoyed it though and would recommend to people who like to read a good cosy mystery.

Purring Around the Christmas Tree: A Pawsitively Organic Mystery
By Liz Mugavero
Kensington
September 26, 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

In a small New England town like Frog Ledge, the community is united through a surfeit of festivals and events. So it shouldn’t be surprising that Christmas is the grand-daddy of celebrations, with nearly the entire population gathering for an early holiday stroll and lighting of the town Christmas tree. This year it looks as though Santa will not be handing out gifts on his “nice” list though, as someone very naughty has left him dead in his sleigh. Kristan “Stan” Connor had hoped to coincide the opening of her new bakery for pets, Pawsitively Organic Patisserie, with the weekend’s celebration, but having a dead Santa on hand certainly puts a damper on the festivities.

The one (sort-of) good piece of news is that the victim is not Seamus McGee, the town’s regular Santa and the uncle of Stan’s boyfriend. While the very late Harold Dewey had a reputation for being a mean drunk, Seamus’s inexplicable absence has Stan believing that he must somehow be involved. Questioning the role Seamus may have played in the crime does not smooth Stan’s relationship with boyfriend Jake, who only sees the best in the uncle he idolizes. Seamus’s own sons have a far less sunny opinion of their father, making this family reunion more than a little awkward, especially since many are being housed in Stan’s home for the holiday. When she learns that Seamus isn’t the only one to have vacated Frog Ledge without explanation or even a text, Stan knows that she will be unable to continue her business or move on her personal life until she gets some answers.

The joys of this series are many. In many other novels the nosiness and meddling nature of the Frog Ledge residents could be seen as irritating, but instead here it stems from concern (and perhaps a little boredom). The needs of animal companions of course assume a predominant role, although many of Stan’s baking duties are sidelined as she pursues her human-focused investigations. Dealing with one’s family is never easy during the stressful times of the holidays, and suspecting a Significant Other’s relatives of murder is sure to add a stumbling block or two. Fortunately, now that Stan’s mother has moved into town and getting married, their relationship has smoothed out and matured surprisingly well. Stan remains a genuinely likable character who stands up for herself and those she loves, using humor and a few pet-friendly treats to smooth the way. Animal lovers will enjoy the recipes included at the end, while mystery lovers will appreciate the surprising twist and satisfying criminal-catching conclusion.

Another great instalment in the series. I love how the author is continually building and deepening characters and relationships. There are no stagnant people in the town acting as filler. That's one of my chief complaints about this genre but this series has skillfully risen above with the interesting plots and forever fresh takes on our favourite characters.

Who Murdered Santa?
Purring Around the Christmas Tree is the sixth book in Liz Mugavero’s Pawsitively Organic mystery series. The storyline is well plotted and the characters well developed and colorful. The mystery began quickly, there was always something happening to keep my attention. There’s plenty of twists and turns to hold the reader’s interest and keep them guessing. I highly recommend this series to readers who love well-crafted cozies.

Kristan “Stan” Connor lives in the small town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, with her boyfriend and local bar owner, Jake McGee, and is organic pet food baker who is preparing for the grand opening of Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie and Bakery. The town is preparing for the annual Holiday Light Festival. On the night of the tree lighting and holiday stroll. Seamus McGee, Stan’s boyfriend, Jake McGee’s, uncle, visits a few times a year, but always for Christmas and is always the town’s Santa. When the sleigh arrives, Santa is dead and Tony Falco, the town’s mayor who’s engaged to Stan’s mother, Patricia, quickly lights the tree and encourages everyone to stroll around town and visit the shops. Harold Dewey, a down-on-his luck part-time resident, is the deceased Santa. Seamus and Ray Mackey, who owns the B&B with his wife, Char, went to Boston the night before for their annual poker game and never returned to Frog Ledge. Sergeant Jessie Pasquale, Jake’s sister and the town’s resident state trooper, is in charge of the investigation and asks Stan to keep out of the investigation. When Stan realizes Jessie is focusing on two suspects who she believes are innocent and not even looking for the missing men, Stan just can’t sit back and plunges into her own investigation.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This author is one of my favorites and I like this story (series). It was fun to see how everyone has progressed and how their lives are moving forward. The story is is well written and enjoyable I think that this is a book that you will enjoy it.

'Purring around the Christmas Tree' is another spectacular visit to Frog's Ledge, CT. Stan Connor and her boyfriend Jake, along with their families and townspeople make for delightful characters. The mystery was crisp and multi-layered, and issues around the town were realistic. I wholeheartedly recommend all the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries by Liz Mugavero. They are wonderful!

This has quickly become one of my favorite series, filled with small town charm, interesting characters and plots that keep you guessing all the way through. It's Christmas season in Frog Ledge, Conn. and Stan Connor is about to open her gourmet pet bakery. She is on the Village green for the annual Christmas celebration waiting for Santa, who is being played by her boyfriend Jake's Uncle Seamus, to appear in his sleigh. But when the sleigh shows up Santa is dead, having been poisoned and he is not Seamus but Harold, a local alcoholic handyman. Jake's sister, Trooper Jessie Pasquale, is in charge of the murder investigation and is focusing in on two of Stan's friends who may have had a beef with Harold, but Stan is convinced that the murderer was after Seamus, who was known to have been in and out of trouble and shady dealings. Once again Stan follows her instincts and unearths the truth. I loved this book and can't wait for the next volume in this series.

I would have enjoyed it more if I had read previous books in the series. It was hard to get invested in the characters without knowing the backstory.
However, a good solid cozy.