I actually read this sequel to the "Christmas Tree Farm" mystery series before the original story, THE TWELVE SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS. I'm not sure if I would have asked for the second book if I'd read them in order.

In the first book Holly White returned to her hometown of Mistletoe, Maine, from Portland after her fiancé dumps her fifteen days before their Christmas Eve wedding for a yoga instructor. Her parents run the local Christmas tree farm, Reindeer Games, and when a local historical society member was found dead among the trees, Holly's dad was the prime suspect. Of course while trying to clear her father, she asked too many questions and became the victim of a stalker who leaves ominous notes on her doorstep.

In this second book, Holly's wealthy friend Caroline West, is loving working at her new cupcake business with "Cookie" Cutter, owner of the local Christmas craft shop, is accused of killing Derek Waggoner, who started to put the moves on her in a date arranged by her disapproving parents (they feel it's "beneath" her to work in "trade") when one of the monogrammed knives from her shop is found to be the murder weapon. Holly can't let her best friend take the rap, and once again starts asking questions. And once again starts getting threatening notes. Sheriff Gray—who struck sparks with Holly immediately in the first book, but now their romantic status appears to be on the rocks—tells her to stop asking questions.

Of course if she does, the mystery stops here.

I love the town of Mistletoe, Holly's parents, Cookie, Caroline, and even Cindy Lou Who, Holly's cat. I want to visit there during the Twelve Days of Reindeer Games put on at the tree farm, as the events all sound like a blast. I like the fact that Holly's talent at making glass jewelry has borne fruit. I like the moody sheriff from Boston. I love the people of Mistletoe; it's the ideal small town. It's Holly I'm not sure I like. Oh, I love her pluck, but, especially in the first book, she seems immature. I also am irritated that the romance between her and the sheriff took off so quickly; I would have liked to have seen it build. Frankly I am tired of romances in cozies, especially with the male always being impossibly handsome and heroic, and the lead being so cute and wonderful that he falls for her immediately.

I enjoyed the second book more than the first, with Holly taking over more responsibilities, and the Christmas atmosphere is grand. If you like cozies with romance and Christmas, this may be your cup of tea.

The timing of reading this in the summer was just so nice! Everything about this book is Christmas. Main character Holly works at her family’s Christmas tree farm in the town of Mistletoe (of course). I love a good holiday themed cozy.

A holiday cozy.
The second book in this new series loved the first book and the second was just as good.
I enjoy the Christmas celebrations,the fun they have on Mistletoe Farm with Holly ,family and friends .
A murder takes place behind Caroline and Cookies Cupcake shop .Holly's best friend Caroline is the suspect..
Good twists through out ,kept me hooked until the end . I would highly recommend this book .
Many thanks to crooked lane books and to nett galley for letting me review this book.

When I received ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost I had not yet read the first book in the Christmas Tree Farm series.
Three chapters into ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas I set it down and promptly purchased The Twelve Slays of Christmas, finished it in two days and picked up where I left off in this second novel.
There was enough hints to the characters connections, background, and of events that took place in the previous novel that I wanted to be in the know. (There was a kiss, I needed to know about the kiss.) Who doesn’t love a trip down memory lane with the characters?
For instance, and hopefully not a spoiler, Holly White and Caroline are not originally friends. More acquaintances from high school when circumstances bring them together in the first novel and due to those circumstances a great friendship was created.
It is this friend who is in trouble after a former date is found dead during a great Christmas celebration and all signs point to Caroline as the killer. Through some not really inconspicuous sleuthing and scary mishaps Holly puts Christmas on hold to help clear her friends name.
The characters are great together, chemistry and conflict that kept me questioning who was and wasn’t the killer. With new friends and returning ones the little town of Mistletoe, Maine is a Christmas paradise.
I won’t say I blame Holly for her antics. I would try to do anything and everything to help out a friend but after reading the events of the first novel I would have thought a person would approach another mystery with a bit more caution. But her take charge, “I’m going to do this” attitude does bring some sunshine to the Maine snow.
This is a wonderful page-turner cozy mystery. It even opens up more for the future of the series, with introductions of new characters with questionable backgrounds and suspense of what could happen next.

Welcome to Mistletoe, Maine, a town where it's always in holiday season...and fortuitously, it actually is close to Christmas and everyone is gearing up for the holiday. Holly White's family owns the Reindeer Games Christmas tree farm, where guests are always welcome and there is plenty to keep everyone busy, but right now Holly is taking a break from the whirlwind, and visiting her friend Caroline West at the cupcake shop she owns and listening while she tells Holly of last night's fiasco. Caroline is the daughter of the local mayor, and is expected to attend events in the company of young men her father knows. Unfortunately, this one - Derek Waggoner, son of a judge - is not the gentleman he should be, and there is a confrontation between the two.

When Caroline, Holly and their friend Cookie go to the town square a little later to see the unveiling of the giant candy bowl full of mints they're in for a big surprise, and it's not just the red and white mints, but the red of blood....when the bowl is unveiled they see Derek, definitely dead, who's been stuffed inside.

When one of Caroline's kitchen knives is found along with the body, evidence is pointing toward her as the killer. But Holly knows Caroline wouldn't have killed anyone, and even though Sheriff Evan Gray, Holly's maybe-boyfriend, is determined to follow the evidence, Holly makes a decision to sleuth on her own.

Insert the fact that she still has jewelry orders to fill for Christmas, her mother's kitchen contractor is destroying things instead of building them, and her parents' plans for erecting an inn that Holly will be managing is giving her headaches because she's the one having to choose designs for the interior of it, not to mention that her relationship with Evan has pretty much come to a standstill.

Even so, Holly is determined to find out who's framing Caroline for a murder, and it could very well be the worst decision she's ever made; especially when it looks like the killer might actually be looking for another victim...

I read the first in this series and I liked it so well I decided to give the second one a go. I have to say I'm glad I did, because this does not disappoint. While some may think that it starts out a bit slow, I believe that it's mainly to give a little background for those who haven't read the first, and the fact that the groundwork needs to be laid for what is to follow.

And what follows is indeed enjoyable. We are once again in the magical town of Mistletoe, and you will, by reading the book, eventually see just how magical this town is, for both Holly and her family.

Holly is determined to keep looking for a killer - surreptitiously, of course, and under Sheriff Gray's radar, she hopes - by questioning those most likely to have wanted Derek dead. But she doesn't count on the fact that Derek's girlfriend Samantha has a wicked temper that flares up at any time which leads her to start throwing things - usually at Holly, it seems; nor that there was more than one woman who disliked the man enough to want him permanently gone.

Her investigating leads her to plenty of Derek's business ventures, which were more about his ego rather than anything he might have invested; and even as the evidence piles up against Caroline she's still convinced of her innocence, and still determined to find the real person responsible, even after she realizes there's a deranged Santa following her and leaving mints just like the ones in the bowl nearby - something she's sure Evan isn't taking seriously.

But Evan has problems of his own that he's not talking about, and her friend Ray Griggs is having a bit of a meltdown at the fact that his widowed mother is dating again and Holly finds him in most unusual places as he's following his mom 'to keep her safe'.

All of this adds up to a delicious mystery that keeps one interested and wanting to discover a killer along with our protagonist. While I will state that I read a lot of mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I hadn't a clue about the killer right up until the point that Holly did, and that was indeed the best surprise of all.

Ms. Frost is a new addition to the cozy mystery genre, and one to keep an eye on, especially if her books keep one as entertained as this. She has managed to make the second book in her series even more fun to read than the first, and that one was a pleasure in itself. For those who have not as yet read The Twelve Slays of Christmas, I urge you to do so; you will not be disappointed. I love mysteries, and plan on re-reading them both come the holiday season.

When all is said and done, there were plenty of twists and turns throughout the book, and even a couple of harrowing scenes for Holly. The tale was woven like a tapestry, with each thread coming together nicely at the end, and leaving just enough of a hint of what is to come to make us eager for the next - which I hope is soon. Highly recommended.

Reindeer Games is a beautiful Christmas Tree Farm in Mistletoe, Maine, and it’s the perfect winter wonderland to escape to for lots of fun and relaxation. Construction is underway for the new Inn that Holly White will manage, and her family hopes it will be ready by Christmas Day.

Alarm bells start ringing when a local investor, who’s also a womanizer, is found dead in a huge bowl of peppermint candy at the tree lighting ceremony. Caroline, Holly’s best friend, is the top suspect, so Holly starts asking questions around town even though Sheriff Evan Gray, her boyfriend, tells her to let him handle the investigating. I found the writing top-notch as the author skillfully ribbons suspicious characters, including Santa Claus’s, throughout the brilliant plot. Threats to Holly snowball as the real killer’s tension escalates.

The story is a pageturner! Rich in details, the originality of the setup of the town of Mistletoe and the Reindeer Games Tree Farm is simply captivating. I want to visit and stay at the new Inn! The characters are written so friendly and likable or they’re detestable. I loved the magical ending for Holly. I’m excited about book three and looking forward to reading it.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane. Thank you.

This book was suspescul and had a good plot running throughout. I enjoyed the Christmas theme. I didn't find myself totally hooked but it was a fun and fast read.

Thanks to author/publisher for the ARC.

Very cozy time mystery with all the required elements like baking mother, cute boyfriend, christmas time setting and uncomplicated plot.

I liked the book and would have loved it if it was a shorter.

I love a story that has a town in holiday mode all year round! This really just adds a little bit more to the story, and really draws you in. The characters are so wonderfully developed, you really feel as if you know them. The story was well written and easy to follow with the perfect dash of mystery! Such a great series and a strong installment.

What a delightful cozy mystery! This is the second in the Christmas Tree Farm series, and I hope that the series continues as I would look greatly forward to book 3.

Holly White lives in Mistletoe Maine, where Christmas seems to be celebrated all year round. This book takes place in December, and Christmas preparations are in full swing andeveryone is in celebratory mode. That is until Holly finds a body behind Caroline's Cupcakes, the shop owned by her best friend Caroline. Unfortunately, Caroline argued with the victim before his murder, which makes her the prime suspect. Holly vows to clear Caroline's name.

Throw in a little maybe romance with Evan, the local sheriff, and maybe, just maybe, a real Santa, and you have a delightful holiday mystery.

I admit to not having read the first in the series, but I was quickly able to understand who all the characters were, and their relationships. Even though there were references to the murder that happened in the first book this could be read as a stand-alone. The dialog was great and the build up to some scenes were great (the sleigh ride for example). I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good cozy.

This is your typical Christmas themed cozy murder mystery with some romance thrown in. I'm not normally into the romance aspect of mysteries, but overall the balance of the book did keep me guessing & interested till the end. If you enjoy these types of cozy mysteries you will like this.

It's Christmas in July and what better way to celebrate than with a Christmas themed mystery. Twas the Knife Before Christmas is the second book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost. The story starts at two weeks before Christmas with a murder in the cozy town of Mistletoe, Maine.

Our main character Holly is trying to clear her best friend's name and find out who is the real killer. Holly decides to start her own investigation and finds herself in some sticky situations. Good thing that Holly has lots of support from her family and friends to keep her safe.

If you are not a fan of Christmas and all the things that go along with it, you might want to skip this book. The story is good and kept me wanting to find out how it would end. The characters were likable and the ending was heartfelt. Most of the loose ends were tied up and the author left a good opening for more books in the series.

A fantastic installment in the Reindeer Games Christmas Farm series. The characters are so well crafted I felt as if they were friends. It's probably best that you read these on a full stomach or else the delectable food descriptions will have you raiding the cupcake aisle.

It takes a special type of person to live in a town called Mistletoe where Christmas is so very, very big. The crime rate is low though, even though the cupcakes, sugar treats, cookies and candy rate is high. This book is a good murder mystery in a lovely setting, with decent people who care about others.

Nice, heartwarming cosy mystery. I enjoyed it.

I love Christmas and this is a really good Christmas cozy murder. Miseltoe, Maine where the book is set sounds idyllic and theres a really good sense of place. It seems like the perfect place to spend Christmas.

Holly works on her Parents Christmas tree farm and her friend Caroline is accused of murdering a man she went on a date with the evening before. Holly doesnt believe her friend is the killer and investigates much to the annoyance of her on/off boyfriend Evan who is the Sheriff.

The characters are likeable and the book has a warm and cozy feel.

Mistletoe, Maine sounds like the perfect Christmas paradise. Unfortunately for Holly White, things are far from perfect.
Her romance is on the rocks and her best friend is accused of murder.
In Twas the Knife Before Christmas, the second in this wonderful series, you will become involved in a devious murder mystery that will keep you reading until you finish.
There are so many laugh out loud moments that I couldn't put the book down.
All the characters are fun and colorful and I simply cannot resist a Christmas themed cozy.
This book hit the spot and I can't wait to see what's in store next for my friends at Reindeer Games.

I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

I love holiday themed cozies and Twas the Knife Before Christmas was no exception. The book is endearing and overflowing with Christmas spirit. The characters are fun and likable. The story takes place in Mistletoe, Maine where Holly makes jewelry and manages her family’s Christmas Tree farm and friends Cookie and Caroline own a successful bakeshop. Caroline is suspected of murder after a very public disagreement with a man who got quite “handsy” with her is found dead in the town square. Holly is determined to clear her best friend’s name, even if it means putting herself in danger. I love the author’s descriptions and engaging writing style.

What a great cozy mystery series! I'm jumping in on the second book, and will definitely continue. Mistletoe Maine sounds like my dream destination, the author did a great job with the smallest of details. A tricky 'who-done-it', good character development and a Christmas theme- can't get any better than that!

This is the second in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series. We find Holly White again helping at her parents' farm as well as getting ready for the opening of the inn which Holly will be caretaker of. Holly and her friend, Caroline, go to the tree-lighting and during an unveiling, the body of a man Caroline was fighting with is found dead. Of course Caroline is number one on the suspect list and you can bet Holly won't take this lying down.

This book started a little slow for me but by the end I was intrigued and wondering who the murderer could be. I also got caught up in the suspense of who is trying to scare off Holly and how they are able to stay unseen. I almost gave this three stars, but the end kicked it up a notch for me. I enjoy this author, and I am interested to see where this series goes. I received an ARC from NetGalley for review.

This was a sweet and well written book. The setting of the town and the farm is stunning, some great visual imagery there. I also found the characters endearing and easy to relate too. and I didn't find the killer obvious (which for me is essential). A great Christmas mystery and I look forward to seeing what the girls in particular get up to next.