Member Reviews

Christmas time has arrived and Jules is excited about all that Fern Valley has planned. But when a guest is murdered, she has her work cut out for her if she’s hoping things will be merry and peaceful.

This is the third book in this series, but the first I have read. I found it interesting and it read fine as a stand alone for me. I’m looking forward to more in this series.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery: entertaining, festive and well plotted.
I liked the characters and the solid mystery kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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"Christmas has come to Fern Valley, and the town’s decked out with enough glitter and sparkle for a month’s worth of celebrations, each more over-the-top than the previous one. The idyllic setting, filled with laughter, carols, and sweet treats, is shattered, along with some of the decorations, when the current wife and the ex-wife of a big-cat showman have a knock-down, drag-out fight in the center of town. Jules Keene, owner of the Fern Valley Glamping Resort, tries to keep peace among her guests and with the town council, but it turns into a catastrophe when Tabbi Morris, winds up dead in one of her ex-husband’s tiger cages." Cat fights turn into murder. Tabbi is the first to die and her friend was the second one. Jules is determined to solve the case but it gets her into trouble.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

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Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is a new book in the Jules Keene Glamping Mystery Series.
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and this one is the first I have read in this series.
Jules is the main character. She owns what is known as a Glamping Resort. This adds an angle to the story that is perfect for the story. When the ex-wife of one of the guests is murdered Jules is set to solve the mystery of who did it!
Thank you NetGalley, Heather Weidner and Level Best Books for the copy of Christmas Lights and Cat Fights. This is my personal review.

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This is a mystery that takes part in a small town in December. The main character Jules owns a camping site that rents fancy tiny houses and trailers to tourists. When a woman is murdered at the site she goes on to investigate. This was the first book I read in the series and by Heather Weidner. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first books in the series. As it is I found it a bit lengthy and the mystery was not really gripping. The characters were o.k. but we don"t learn a lot about them or their lives other than their actions and what they talk about. Also the ending felt very fabricated and unbelievable.
I guess if you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this book but it just wasn't for me.

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I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and was excited for the next one. However, I found Christmas Lights and Cat Fights to be a bit disappointing compared to the previous two books. The story didn't have the same level of pacing and suspense.

The mystery element was well-explored. Somehow, Jules going on a clue-finding adventure didn't pique my curiosity. The murder mystery was interesting but I would have liked it more if it was more 'catty.'

But if I have to consider the festive spirit and all-things Christmassy (except murder, that is), this book checks all the boxes. Last but not the least, this story gave me hippie vibes - free-love and the vendor/showman wanting only beautiful blondes to work in his zoo.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

3.5/5

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"Christmas Lights and Cat Fights (Jules Keene Glamping Mystery #3)" by Heather Weidner is a festive Holiday/Christmas themed cozy mystery. I like the idea of a camping/resort with themed tiny houses and fancy campers to rent. I do have to wonder when Jules is actually working though. She does a lot of running around and driving for hours frequently. I would think it would be all hands on deck at a resort in a town with a month long festival going (even if it's just weekends).

I didn't feel like everything was answered at the end. There was a lot brought to light during the murder investigation. Maybe it was answered very briefly but blew past me. I want to know what came of the baby big cat situation. That whole thing reminded me of a cult situation I remember hearing about out of the 60's or 70's. The zoo/big cat rescue guy who only let pretty young girls work for him.

As far as the murder itself, I totally called it. The other suspects just felt too convenient and like a distraction. I did wonder why the murderer picked to have their hideout where they did. It would seem a bit odd to be coming and going from there since they're not anywhere near where they're expected to be. Maybe more explanation there too.

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Good Christmas Food and fast paced drama. I liked the village, the tiny houses, the inhabitants. The scenery was good, I enjoyed the book at lot and Imagine there will be more in the series. Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a delightful and suspenseful holiday mystery that will keep you hooked from the very first page. This book combines the festive spirit of Christmas with a thrilling murder mystery, creating a unique and captivating story.

The story unfolds in Fern Valley, a t0wn that is decked out with an abundance of glitter and sparkle for the holiday season. The author paints a vivid picture of this idyllic setting, filled with laughter, carols, and sweet treats, making it the perfect backdrop for a cozy Christmas mystery. However, the peaceful atmosphere is shattered when a heated altercation erupts between the current wife and the ex-wife of a big-cat showman right in the center of town. This is where the adventure truly begins.

What makes this book truly engaging is Jules' determination to unravel the mystery behind Tabbi's murder and the disappearance of some of the big cats. The plot thickens as she faces the owner of Cal's Cats and his family, who insist that nothing is amiss. As a reader, you'll find yourself eagerly turning the pages to discover if Jules can uncover the truth and save the holiday season and her business.

Heather Weidner's writing is engaging and full of surprises, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. The characters are well-developed, relatable, and add depth to the story. The blend of holiday cheer and suspenseful intrigue creates a perfect balance that will appear to fans of both cozy mysteries and Christmas-themed stories.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating holiday mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. With its charming setting, well-crafted characters, and a plot that is both heartwarming and thrilling, it's a book that deserves a solid 4-star rating. Get ready to be enchanted by the magic of Fern Valley and the suspense of this intriguing mystery.

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This story is about Jules, who owns a Glamping resort and a murder happens during an event there! Jules does some poking around, naturally because she owns the resort! This book reminded of the mysteries I read when I was younger, good clean and fun! I like the author’s writing style and she seemed to have a good knowledge of police procedurals without over doing it for this fun styled book. There’s some good clean, budding romance, sleuthing and mystery that you won’t want to miss!

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This novel was given to me as an arc for free from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review. This book I expected would be cute and kind of a fluff novel for winter and maybe Christmas vibes kind of read. I thought the title was cute and the cover was simple enough. Other than that I couldn’t find any good in this. To me it was incredibly boring and slow from the very beginning and it was incredibly frustrating that I had to completely dnf the book at like 15% of the way in it was too much. No offense to the author or the book itself I just couldn’t get through it. Is it worth the read or the time I’m not sure. Maybe it was just me but I personally wouldn’t recommend.

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A resort owner starts solving the murder of the ex-wife of one of her guests. This book literally made me so jealous that I wasn't in a cabin near the mountains with fresh snow and a murder to investigate. The plot is very refreshing and enticing. The writing is sensational, I could envision everything so perfectly. Some conversations did feel a little repetitive, although she may be telling different people the same story, as a reader I only feel like I need to see it once as a whole speech. Other than that, brilliant!

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