My favorite type of holiday reads are fun ones. I want to feel their growth but also laugh. This book made me want cookies and snow. I loved all the recipes inside the book. If you are looking for a holiday book that is light and makes you want to bake it up, read this.

Review: AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES by Leslie Budewitz (A Food Lovers' Village Mystery #5)

A heartfelt series cozy mystery, AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES strums emotions deeply while providing a convoluted mystery and the themes of opportunity, second chances, and forgiveness. Amateur Sleuth Erin Murphy is so by design and interest. Retail operator by day (she runs the village Mercantile her ancestor founded), she also heads the Village Merchants Association, plans her wedding (Christmas Eve!) and awaits her sister's imminent second childbirth. The return of a nearly middle-aged town native ostracized decades ago by her parents brings an opportunity for forgiveness on both sides, and a potential new close friendship for Erin. But life is often bumpy, not smooth, and obstinacy and murder block positive possibilities.

Budewitz does a lovely job creating an immersive, cozy Christmas environment while all the while setting the stage for an engrossing mystery. I personally found the romance angle a bit weak, but that probably won’t be an issue for those looking for a cozy Christmas mystery to put you in the holiday spirit.

The holiday season is upon us and who doesn’t love to snuggle in with a sweet book about a romantic Christmas wedding in a picturesque small town in Montana. There might also be some embezzlement and MURDER and there are a couple fun recipes to try, you’ll find all the fun in this story! This is a quick to read, light hearted cozy mystery and perfect for the holiday season. It’s the 5th book in the Food Lovers Village series but I had no trouble reading this as a stand alone. Thank you NetGalley, Beyond the Page Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Available now

This sparkly book is the fifth in a series, although it works well as a festive standalone. However, I imagine having read the preceding novels will add an extra element of richness to the reading experience.
It's a nicely-crafted cozy with some interesting characters and a clever plot. Our heroine Erin is very likeable and lively, and we enjoy following her about her investigations into the death of the festively-named Merrily. The story is set in a close-knit community, but we don't get bogged down with too many characters and overly complicated back stories and inter-relationships. The writer has a very sure touch in keeping the reader adequately informed whilst maintaining a brisk pace of action.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery and the deft nuances in the characterisation.
I'll certainly read more by this author.

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles is a foodie mystery and will make you hungry lol.

Erin runs Murphy's Mercantile which is a delicious place to be. She is caught up in holiday season and has a new friend, Merrily. Merrily made some poor choices in her past but has turned her life around. Which doesn't mean she has been forgiven by everyone - including her parents.

Merrily doesn't show up for work and the workplace was robbed. Her boss instantly assumes that Merrily is a thief who has absconded with the money. Until Merrily's body is found.

It is up to Erin to solve this mystery. Does she make it in time for a more pleasant holiday? Read it and find out

This is book 5 in the Food Lover's Village Cozy series. Erin Murphy is decorating for Christmas and is shocked to learn her new friend Merrily is dead. Merrily's boss says he's been robbed and Merrily is accused of that crime. Many in town think she deserved to die and not real interested in finding the killer. Erin investigates and someone is trying to stop her. A good Christmas cozy. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Erin had me on a merry-go-round, but I have to say it was an entertaining one. She was determined and relentless in her quest for the truth. Finding the killer was the only way she was going to stop. This book was an exciting, intriguing, and entertaining read, filled with the scents of Christmas and romance.

There is definitely alot happening this Christmas in jewel bay. Erin is having a Christmas wedding and everything is hectic. She also meets a new friend. In the midst of all events there is a murder. Now Erin must deal with that. This was a delightful and light hearted Christmas cozy. I love them. The plot twists were hard to guess and of course I guessed wrong. I have to admit I was really surprised who did it. This is a gem of a story. I recommend it to all who love Christmas cozies with a clever plot.

Erin is in full Christmas madness at her store , the merc, while also planning her wedding to Adam. When she witnesses a family feud boil over, she invites the daughter Merrily to come to her Christmas get together. Unfortunately Merrily never shows and as Erin digs deeper to discover more about her new friend, the more dangerous things become for Erin.

I enjoyed this book! The pace was quick and the book was well written. I did feel like I was missing information as this is the 5th book in the series but it just made me want to go back and read the others. I’m excited to see what else jewel bay Montana has in store for us!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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I fun and quick holiday cozy mystery that I would personally recommend to anyone who us a fan of the genre.

This book is the perfect antidote to the stresses of Christmas prepartions. Get the Christmas cake in the oven, sit back with a nice Christmas Latte and enjoy the mysteryunfold. This book is the fifth novel in a series , and a tasteful and delectable read.

As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz is book five in the Food Lovers Village Mystery series.
This well written Cozy is hard to put down. There are plot twists and numerous suspects. The main characters are likeable. There is family, friendship, and romance.
Recipes are included.
I was given an ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

Erin is one smart cookie but can she keep the holiday spirit and herself alive till Christmas? Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong but has turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin. When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed fingers point to Merrily until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. CanErin nab the killer and keep herself in one piece in time for a special Christmas Eve? Fun story which also includes delicious holiday recipes.

Great Christmas story and interesting characters and loads of holiday spirit. Love the author and. Most of her books.

As the Cookie Crumbles Is book #5 in the Food Lovers’ Village Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz.

It is just weeks away from Christmas and Erin Murphy’s wedding. While decorating the business for the holidays, there is a confrontation between Merrily Thornton, a woman who made a mistake years ago, and her parents. Erin feels bad for her and befriends her.

I really like Erin’s friends and family and the feeling of community they have. It was an interesting mystery. There were plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. There are several recipes at the end that I plan on trying.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series but it won’t be the last.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This mystery had all of the elements that I look for in a cozy - twists, turns, red herrings, well developed puzzle and characters and a satisfying ending. I will definitely be reading the next one.

This book was a fun read. The characters were memorable, and the plot was good. The story was enthralling. I look forward to reading more Erin Murphy mysteries. I highly recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers.

A great, fun story with a great plot, likeable, believable characters and a few recipes too! You'll find it a real page turner!

Princess Fuzzypants here: Christmas holidays can be fraught especially if you are in retail as is Erin who also happens to be planning her wedding and doing all sorts of other assorted things around the village. She witnesses a cruel rejection of a wayward daughter by her parents. Erin feels for Merrily as she tries to make amends. The two click and Erin believes she has a new friend. So she is doubly sad and shocked when Merrily is murdered.

She gets dragged into the investigation and the more she learns about Merrily’s past, the less she thinks she could have been guilty of the crimes for which she has been accused. It is a very tangled web where parental expectations and teenage mistakes become far more complicated. But when Erin’s car is sideswiped off the road, her questions could turn deadly for her. Now she has two mysteries. Who tried to kill her and who killed Merrily and are they the same person.

It is a good mystery that also explores family dynamics and how to a large degree children become who their parents perceive them to be. Five purrs and two paws up.