This is the only cozy mystery series I read. I absolutely love how much Christmas is packed into them. So many "Christmas books" just seem to happen around December or mention snow or the holiday in passing and I'm always disappointed. That's not the case with these books the only thing that could make them more merry is if the pages were lined in tinsel or twinkle lights!

While I really enjoyed this book, I felt its predecessors were better- with the first book being my very favorite. I was really missing Cookie in this one- while she's there it's only in small doses. I was also a bit frustrated with Holly in this book- she had so many characters point out how she's repeating past mistakes and she just shrugged it off. I also found it a bit off putting how many times she was questioning someone and told them "I won't take too much time" or "just one more question" and then proceeded to drone on and on.

All that aside- I really enjoyed the ballerinas! What's Christmas without the nutcracker?! The mystery was a lot of fun and kept me guessing. This was a fun cozy Christmas read that is definitely worth the read!

Jacqueline Frost does it again with another Christmas themed murder mystery. This time it’s a ballerina who is appearing in The Nutcracker in town. But no fear, Holly White is there along with friends and others to figure out how it’s done. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane to read this book for an honest opinion, I’d recommend reading this 4th in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series.

Another wonderful visit to Mistletoe, Maine...well all except for another murder!! Every Christmas at the White tree farm is filled w/ joy, cheer, delicious coffee/treats, reindeer games, but this year it is going to be extra special w/ the Christmas wedding of Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray! That is if Holly can keep herself safe long enough to get married.
The ballet troupe in town for a performance of the Nutcracker is staying at the inn. During the towns Christmas parade the lead prima Ballerina is discovered dead.
This holiday cozy series is one of my favorites! The characters are lovable (Cookie is one of my all time favorites), and the town and community sound nothing short of magical! I want mistletoe to be a real place!
I can't go w/o mentioning that Theodore is not that kind of goat, and that I would totally buy a Theodore calendar!!
If you are a fan of holiday cozies...this book is for you!

This book wasn't for me and I am not sure why. It had all the elements of a cozy mystery, which I enjoy, but I just couldn't connect with the characters or storyline.

I didn't read any prior stories in this series and I don't feel you need to. Any references yo prior storyline were filled in, so I wasn't lost.

I had trouble connecting with the main character, Holly, as I found her to be annoying and frustrating. Someone is very upset about the murder of someone and she is sorry for their loss but still wants to interegate the person. I feel like her love of true crime makes her think she knows too more than others, even her soon to be husband that is the sheriff.

I love the little town of Mistletoe, Maine. I found many of the townspeople to be wonderful as well. Again, overall I enjoyed this book, except there was something about Holly that made me not want to read the book.

I finished the book with audiobook version, as this is much faster with work and traveling. The narrator was very good!

Thank you very much to the Author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I am on the fence on whether I will reaf more of this series. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3. We need 1/2 stars!

*Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Book 4
*Fun, fast read
*The Nutcracker & ballerinas
*mysterious rubber rats involved
*Clever method of poisoning someone
*Fairytale Winter Wedding
*Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

'Tis the season to be jolly…. and SOLVE A MURDER!!

Holly White owns Reindeer Games Inn in Mistletoe, Maine. She has a lot on her plate with it being a week until Christmas, her wedding on Christmas Eve to the town's Sheriff and an entire ballet company in town for The Nutcracker performances!

When the lead ballerina is murdered, it sets up an insanely good mystery to find out who murdered Tiffany and why, before Holly and her financé's wedding!

I haven’t read anymore in this series, but I would absolutely love to!

I decided to pick up the first Christmas Tree Farm Mystery last year around this time and fell in love with this series. This is the newest release from Jacqueline Frost and it does not disappoint. The characters are amazing. I love them all. The town of Mistletoe sounds like such a magical place to live. I wish I could find a town like that. Holly, of course, is neck deep in the murder mystery, while trying to plan a wedding, and Evan is doing everything he can to keep her alive and out of trouble. These books are always such a fun read! Be sure to pick one up this Holiday Season!

Once again, murder comes to visit Mistletoe, Maine, in the holiday season. After a ballerina from the Nutcracker dies, Holly White charges in to help her fiancee, the sheriff, solve the murder before their wedding only one week away. Filled with small town goodness and charm, this series is perfect for settling down with a cup of hot chocolate and your sleuthing cap. Interesting mystery and you can't help loving all the characters who call Mistletoe their home.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Christmas in a town called Mistletoe is going to be big. Add to it a family business called Reindeer Games that includes a restaurant, inn and tree farm. Then mix in the final preparations for a Christmas wedding and you have the ingredients for chaos. Add in the murder a visiting ballerina who is part of a troupe performing in town and things are going to be tight for the groom who also happens to be the sheriff. The excuse for his intended to get involved is a tad on the flimsy side since she always ends up in danger and it is only her overwhelming curiosity that motivates her.

Her betrothed knows he is not going to win that battle and it seems she has half the town encouraging her to get involved. She does and it does put her in danger again on the eve of her wedding. But that is only one of the many challenges she will face to pull of the wedding against the odds. At least she is not one of those heroines who never lets the police know what she has discovered or what she is doing. It is the biggest saving grace when she wanders into danger. That and the fact that the story is quite exciting.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Book Review: Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars

Jacqueline Frost's "Stalking Around the Christmas Tree" is a delightful addition to the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series that will captivate readers with its festive setting, well-crafted mystery, and endearing characters. Set in the charming town of Mistletoe, Maine, innkeeper Holly White finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation during the most wonderful time of the year.

The story unfolds with the excitement of the holiday season, as Holly prepares for her upcoming wedding and the arrival of the state's ballet company for performances of The Nutcracker. However, the joyous atmosphere takes a dark turn when the lead ballerina, Tiffany, is found dead on a parade float, sparking an intricate and compelling mystery that Holly is determined to solve before Christmas and her wedding day.

Frost's storytelling shines through her high-quality writing and fast-paced narrative, keeping readers engaged as Holly delves into the secrets surrounding Tiffany's life and untangles the web of suspects within the ballet company. The plot is well-crafted, offering twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

One of the standout aspects of the book is the charming and festive setting of Mistletoe, Maine, which adds an enchanting backdrop to the unfolding mystery. The author skillfully brings the town to life with vivid descriptions, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances the holiday spirit of the narrative.

Furthermore, the cast of characters in "Stalking Around the Christmas Tree" is highly likable and relatable, drawing readers into their world as they navigate through the complexities of the murder investigation. Holly's determination and sleuthing skills make her a compelling protagonist, while the supporting characters add depth and intrigue to the story.

Additionally, the cover of the book is visually stunning, capturing the essence of the festive holiday season and adding to the overall appeal of the novel. As a fan of series, I found "Stalking Around Christmas Tree" to be a thoroughly enjoyable read that left me eagerly the next installment.

In conclusion, Jacqueline Frost's "Stalking the Christmas" is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and holiday-themed stories. With its plot, charming setting, and endearing, this book delivers a perfect blend mystery and festive cheer. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming and entertaining read during the holiday season.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This is the fourth book in one of my favorite Christmas cozy series. And I have to say that this one was my favorite of the series. And even though this one did seem like it was a good place to end the series, I hope it's not the last and that there's more to this series.

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is the fourth book in Jacqueline Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm mysteries. In this book we find Holly White in the week before not only Christmas but also her Christmas Eve wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray. With all of the pre wedding activities to keep Holly busy, she also has a full house at the Inn with the primary dancers of the state ballet troupe in town to perform the Nutcracker.

On the day of the town’s Christmas parade, Holly is set to watch the parade to see the magic of the prima ballerina dancing in a snow globe float to promote the upcoming performances. When tragedy strikes in the midst of the parade, the mystery begins and the clues are set to be followed by Holly and Evan. However, there is another mystery to be solved as Evan’s sister, Libby, is being stalked and threatened by an unknown person, possibly connected to when she testified in a trial putting a mobster in prison for killing her friend.

Once again, Ms. Frost has penned a perfect mystery for the holiday season. As always, I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

A delightful and entertaining cozy mystery. I enjoy the characters in Mistletoe Maine and love reading of their adventures. Will Holly be able to find the killer in time?
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the 4th installment in a series, but it's the first I've read in it. It worked well as a standalone,but definitely made me curious enough to want to check out the earlier titles in the series.

It was a great cozy mystery, where the strong, independent female owner of a business partners with the handsome, rugged sheriff/cop of a small town village to solve a crime.

Like many cozy mysteries that fit into that trope, this one showcases the tentative partnership that develops between our heroine and her love interest.

But what I really enjoyed was that this particular mystery included the murder of an outsider, not a native to the town. And so there's the added urgency to figure out the mystery before her dance troupe leaves town. Add an anonymous blogger into the mix who seems to know more than they should about the victim, and you've got quite an interesting mystery to solve!

I really enjoyed the story and look forward to further installments in the series.

Thank you to Jacqueline Frost, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

A very hot/cold reading experience. I like the dancers angle, and I still very much like the characters and the setting. The romances are good. The whole thing is overwritten in places, to the point of unbelievability, and the mystery solving drags. A genuine 3-star experience (except when it threatens to dip to 2.5 stars).

Thank you to Jacqueline Frost, Crooked Lane, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dollycas's Thoughts

There is no better place to be for Christmas than Mistletoe, Maine. The White family has a ton of events planned at the Reindeer Games Farm and Inn. The town has booked the state's ballet company to perform The Nutcracker for the days leading up to Christmas Eve. There will also be a Christmas parade through town.

Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray will be hosting a big event of their own. They are getting married on Christmas Eve and family and friends will be arriving soon to celebrate their nuptials.

Something not on the calendar was the Christmas Parade coming to an abrupt halt when they noticed the lead ballerina was unconscious on her float. Closer examination reveals the young woman is dead.

Four years and 4 murders! Will Holly, her family, and the residents of Mistletoe ever be able to celebrate Christmas without a killer coming to town?

______

The characters in this series truly feel like old friends. The White Family knows how to do the Christmas holiday perfectly for all their visitors. Holly's new inn is full of ballerinas, and along with her other duties at the farm, she is making jewelry to sell and trying to get ready for her wedding just days away. Evan has a lot going on too with a murderer on the loose and his family coming into town for the wedding. Cookie is trying to find a bride for her goat, Theodore, and waiting to see next year's goat calendar. She is a whirling dervish with fingers in all the happenings. Libby has her own scary drama to handle and for some reason, she is pushing Ray away. And Caroline has a new friend that is very interesting. I just love the way everyone always comes together to do anything for each other and have fun with each other too.

There are two mysteries in this story. The main one involves the death of lead ballerina, Tiffany Krieg, and the other involves Evan's sister Libby. Libby tries to deal with hers on her own but finally shares with everyone when the threats start to become more public and dire. The murder mystery has Holly snooping to find answers so the murderer can be caught before her wedding. I had an inkling much earlier than Holly about a key element she was trying to solve but was still up in the air about the actual killer due to the several twists and turns Ms. Frost scattered expertly throughout the story. The exciting showdown answered all the questions and brought the mystery to a very satisfying conclusion.

I know this is a bit of a spoiler but while I really enjoyed the mysteries in this book my favorite part was Holly and Evan's wedding. I have read quite a few cozy mysteries where the protagonist weds her prince charming but several lately include the barest of details or the book ends before the nuptials, and the next book begins after the wedding has taken place. I felt slighted, missing out on something that had been built over the course of the series so far. Well, Ms. Frost gave us details. Her descriptions put me right there on the scene. The vivid imagery was just grand. Even a blizzard couldn't keep the guests away including us readers. A barn wedding, twinkle lights, horse-drawn sleighs, ice crystals, and "Sunlight fell into twilight, then darkness to the inky sky of Mistletoe." I loved it!!

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is a charming Christmas cozy and a terrific addition to this series. Clever mysteries, with engaging characters, set in a wonderful winter wonderland, it is sure to raise your holiday spirit. I have enjoyed every book in this series and recommend them highly. I am elated when a happy ending and a little Christmas magic are added to such well-written mysteries. You will find Stalking Around the Christmas Tree on my Best Reads List for 2023.

A great wee Christmas themed cosy mystery. I haven’t read the other books in the series but will definitely be looking the, up in the lead up to Christmas!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for this gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

If you ever wondered to yourself, why don’t they just combine Hallmark Christmas movie with a cozy murder mystery movie, 1) same! & 2) look no further, this is that epic combination. Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost is the answer & it is out now!
This is book #4 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. It could be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting from the beginning if you’re looking for cozy holiday mysteries! I was so excited to learn there was another one coming in this series & I am happy to say it delivered.

It takes place in Mistletoe, Maine, which is as quaint & delightful as it sounds. I want to visit there & pretend I am in a Christmas movie.

Stalking Around is perfect for fans of
🎄Christmas Romances
🎄Cozy Murder Mystery
🎄Small Town/Christmas Tree Farm

I loved being back in this town. I love being able to experience another holiday season & such a momentous occasion of the wedding. It is a joy seeing all the old favorite characters back.

I love that the main character, Holly White, is her own Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars with her curious nature, intelligence & delightful nosiness. I just adore this small town & everything about it.

If you’re looking for a holiday themed cozy murder mystery, Stalking Around the Christmas Tree & the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery by Jacqueline Frost is a wonderful recommendation for you!

I will be posting on my social & I am waiting for my Amazon review to go live. I will add links once I do.

The best book in this series, yet! Believe it or not, Holly White has gotten herself into hot water again in "Stalking Around the Christmas Tree." As a longtime reader of the series, it's so fun to see everyone's respective storylines continue and the relationships grow. But I also love that you can pick up this book and not feel like you've missed a beat. Highly recommend this book for any fans of cozies and mysteries.

I loved this fourth return to Mistletoe, Maine and it's wonderfully charming inhabitants especially sheriff Evan Grey and his resident sleuth and fiancée Holly White. I have loved this cozy mystery series by Jacqueline Frost, a christmassy pseudonym for mystery writer @julieannelindsey . This year there are not just reindeer games, parades and Christmas themed goodies - there is also a Christmas wedding on the horizon but than one of the ballerinas from the nutcracker ballet winds up dead on the parade float in her very own snowglobe. The competitive world of ballet ensembles takes center stage as Holly and her sheriff try to solve the murder before their Christmas wedding.
The plot was well done and the writing was fun and snappy. The book has all the Christmas elements that make books like this one so fun, there are yummy sounding Christmas treats, Christmas crafts and games, Christmas songs, lots of snow and of course Christmas trees !