I love this cozy mystery series! The characters are wonderful and feel like close friends. Holly is always involved in a ton of activities and is always threatened both mentally and physically by the killer. Luckily, her husband is the Sheriff so he can help her out of any dangerous situation. One of my favorite things about this series is that there is a lot of dialogue between the characters to keep the plot moving forward. There is also a good balance between everyday activities and investigation opportunities. This book ended with a feel-good romantic celebration for Holly and Evan’s first wedding anniversary. If you’re looking for a Christmasy cozy mystery, this is the perfect book to read! I listened to the audiobook and would highly recommend it! Allyson Ryan is a great storyteller and uses a different voice for each character which helps to keep the characters straight while listening to the audiobook.

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

It's always a special treat to visit with Holly, Evan, her parents and all their friend and loved ones in Mistletoe, Maine every year. The folks in the town sound like an awesome bunch, well aside from an occasional killer popping up. Holly always had lots on her plate this time of year but she always had time to investigate when murder came to town.

The showdown with the killer was possibly the most danger Holly ever found herself in and it seemed like it'd take a Christmas miracle to get outta this one alive. But no worries, Holly lived to investigate another day and enjoy Christmas with the ones she loves most. There were some fun announcements at the end and good changes coming for some of those loved ones. Can't wait till the next book comes around next year!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

"I'll Be Home For Mischief (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #5)" by Jaqueline Frost sees Holly and crew facing yet another Christmas time death. That's 5 years in a row now. At least they're starting to point out the oddity and problem that it is. There are even true crime podcasters stalking Holly and the crime scene.

Holly's mom is set to make the world's largest gingerbread man. They even make a cookie cutter to frame it in. Why didn't that break a world record? Of course, someone has to go and spoil it all for them by being found in the middle of the uncooked batter as they're about to start baking it on a truck bed.

Holly gets on the boarder line of too stubborn and, well, stupid, when it comes to this one. She is asked outright numerous times by numerous people to not risk her life by investigating yet another murder. Does she listen, nope, not at all. I think it is time for her to step back. Especially since Ethan's sister and Caroline's boyfriend are suddenly quitting their jobs to be private investigators, despite only a mention of their interest in PI work and not being involved in this one at all.

The fact that I have this much to say means that the story kept me involved. That's good. I did enjoy the overall story, and it follows the previous books flow. We get to meet the mysterious Christopher's wife, that happens to resemble the classic Mrs. Claus. We also get introduced to her friend Jaqueline Frost, aka Jack. She may or may not be the Jack Frost and might have something to do with all the extra cold air that's been around. She even saved Holly in the end.

I'll Be Home for Mischief is book #5 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost.

Will they make it through the holidays with a murder in Mistletoe, Maine? No, not this year. Holly’s mother is trying bake the world’s largest gingerbread man, but she ends up with a body in the batter.  Holly jumps in to investigate and clear the accused man’s name. This was another fun visit to Mistletoe, Maine with its wonderful inhabitants. Great Christmastime read!

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

This is the fifth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. The story is set in Mistletoe in Maine at the Reindeer Tree Farm. The farm is run by Holly White Gray’s family. Holly runs the inn at the farm.

There were plenty of holiday games, a try at the largest Gingerbread Man cookie, and unfortunately a death. So, this is the fifth holiday death in five years. It was not unexpected.
I enjoyed every twist, turn and mis-direction.

The ending was a bit of a surprise but well worth the read. Looking forward to next year’s book.

I was given an advanced reader copy by Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

"Holy Holly Berries!" It’s that time of year again. Time for a warm drink, a yummy treat, a warm blanket and another cozy Christmas Tree Farm Mystery!

This series has all the quirky characters, small town gossip, reindeer games, and funny puns one can handle. Each book has a new murder mystery that must be solved and the FMC always finds herself in the middle of the mayhem. This year is no exception. The town is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Many activities are planned including trying to break a record for baking the largest gingerbread man. The batter has been mixed and the only thing left is to bake the cookie the next day, but when they return the next day, they discover a dead body in the batter that had been mixed the day before. Many visitors are in town to celebrate and reminisce, including a couple of nosey meddling podcasters who will do just about anything to get a story to grow their social media.

I have really enjoyed this series over the past couple of years and was excited to see there would be another Christmas on the tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine. It is an easy, cute, fun, and silly read that is full of holiday cheer! This is book #5 in the series and continues the story seamlessly from the first 4 books. I would suggest reading them in order but it isn’t necessary.

The narration was superb! Allyson Ryan did an incredible job with tone and inflection and giving each character their own voice and accents which helps bring the story to life. She has narrated the whole series…I couldn’t imagine anyone else narrating. In my mind, she is the voice of Mistletoe, Maine.

This book is part of a series, but it could be read alone as a standalone novel.

A key part of this story is making the world's largest gingerbread man, which gives the story the perfect holiday vibe. The town is adorable, and the characters are quirky. It is fun to sleuth along with Holly. This is a great book to check out if you love cozy mysteries, particularly Christmas-themed ones.

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I’ll Be Home for Mischief
A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #5
by Jacqueline Frost
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 288
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Release date: 11/12/24

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

It's ten days before Christmas, and at Reindeer Games Tree Farm, Holly Gray’s mom is preparing to set a new world’s record for the world’s largest gingerbread man. The event is going well until a body is found embedded in the giant cookie cutter.

Oh yay! A return to Mistletoe, Main, and Reindeer Games Tree Farm. I always look forward to the next installment in Jacqueline Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Immersing myself back into Mistletoe, Maine, is like returning to a favorite town and catching up with old friends. On this visit, Mistletoe is gearing up for the town’s 150th celebration by moving back in time to the Victorian era. Frost does a great job of immersing the reader in the Victorian ambiance of Mistletoe. Reindeer Games Tree Farm with its Christmas-themed games also embraces the Christmas spirit. This reader felt like she was in the middle of all the action, whether it was the games or inside the Hearth, the farm’s café.

But what really brings me back are the characters and their commitment to each other.
She’s part of a tight circle of friends, of different ages and backgrounds. I also enjoy the humor present throughout the book.

I’ll Be Home for Mischief is a solid who-dunnit. Plenty of red herrings pointed to one possible suspect, then another. I kept guessing and changing my mind up until the reveal, which is always a plus.

I’ve read all the books in the series, and this is the best one yet. I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a fantastic Christmas read. Highly recommended.

Holly White is preparing for her first wedding anniversary in Mistletoe, Maine. Which means of course she’s getting ready for the big Christmas celebration. This Christmas Holly’s mom is trying to prepare the world biggest gingerbread man. Holly is hosting the judges at her inn along with the founders of her town. Holly is known for investigating what has become Mistletoe’s annual Christmas murder. This year everyone is hoping that there will not be a murder this year.

The town is filled with wonderful characters and Christmas excitement. But unfortunately, this year Mistletoe will not go without a murder. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery.

I always look forward to my annual visit to the Christmas Tree Farm and the Reindeer Games. Once again, the town of Mistletoe is gearing up for Christmas with the usual influx of tourists, events and this time a Victorian theme. Over on the farm Holly's mother is also trying to break a World Record with the biggest gingerbread man. Unfortunately, the return of the last remaining members of one of the founding families of Mistletoe isn't as jolly as expected - especially when a body is found in a very un-merry place.

This series cannot be beat for setting. It's so Christmasy and full of holiday fun with winter events and lots of yummy treats. The cast of characters is wonderful with Holly's family and friends. These are always characters I'm glad to catch up with. I also liked that they're not matter of fact about tripping over corpses on a weirdly regular basis. Holly's mom especially worries about Holly's safety and Holly really tries to stay out of the investigation to keep her mom and husband from worrying.

However, that's frequently easier said than done and Holly can't help but getting involved a bit. I did figure out a few things before Holly and Evan did but getting to the end was fast paced and kept me reading so I didn't mind. This is a fun read and a great way to kick off the holiday season.

It’s Christmas time again in Mistletoe Maine. Holly’s Mom is trying to make the largest gingerbread man and break a record. The town has gone with a Victorian theme and invited back to town the descendants of the founding family. Holly White’s first anniversary with Sheriff Evan is approaching. All seems set up for a magical Christmas.
Sadly, there is once again a death. Holly’s natural curiosity has her asking questions even though her parents and Evan beg her to give them the present of her safety this year.
Jacqueline Frost creates a lovely mystery in I’ll Be Home For Mischief. She even has a cameo appearance in the story, which was so fun.
While danger creeps in and gingerbread men are harmed in the making of this mystery, I think you’ll enjoy reading this book. This could be read as a stand-alone, but your enjoyment of the characters will deepen by reading the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

Mistletoe Maine goes all out at Christmas time. But the last four Christmases have included murder. So this years celebration is bigger and better than ever hoping to erase that memory. So of course there is another murder this years. Innkeeper Holly decides to solve the murder and save her friend who the accused. Good cozy. Wonderful characters.

I’ll Be Home for Mischief is the fifth book in Jacqueline Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm mystery series. Life is good but hectic for Holly White Gray. Between working at her family Christmas Tree Farm Reindeer Games, helping her mother in the the Hearth cafe, running her own craft jewelry company both online and with various local merchants, managing the family’s inn on the property, and juggling the home in Mistletoe she shares with her husband of almost a year, Sheriff Evan Gray, as well as the manager suite at the inn, she is beginning to feel the stress of the coming holidays. Add in the 150th anniversary of Mistletoe’s founding, the coming visit of members of the founding family to the inn for the town’s celebration, and her mother’s bid to bake the largest recorded gingerbread man for the Guinness book of records, and Holly is one tired young lady.

But the tiredness is a small price to pay for the joy of the season. However, when one of the guests of honor is found dead in the cookie batter the stress of the season is amplified and the danger is real. As Holly with her unfettered curiosity begins asking questions she walks into the crosshairs of a killer. The more she discovers, the more danger Holly is in.

This is a fun cozy mystery with well drawn characters in a scenic wintry setting with a twisted plot. I very much enjoyed this book, as I have this series and I do recommend it!

This is the 5th title in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series. I have read the previous four and have enjoyed them all.

Of course, there is another murder, what would Christmas at the Farm be without one? Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, is attempting to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans end tragically when a guest at Holly's Inn ends up in the batter.

When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly again feels the need to investigate despite her family and new husband's pleas not to do so.

I received an advance copy from Net Galley. All my opinions are my own.

I always look forward to reading the new book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series and I'll Be Home for Mischief is a great addition. The covers are always so fun and colorful. I love the festive atmosphere of the setting of Mistletoe, Maine, where it is Christmas year-round. Holly White Gray and her husband Sheriff Evan Gray are enjoying their first year of marriage and Christmas events are starting up. Unfortunately, a body is found in a really terrible place and Holly has to investigate even though Evan and her parents beg her to stay away this year. Expect suspense, danger, mystery, romance, fun games at the tree farm, and magic amid a backdrop of truly wonderful Christmas festivities with a lovely winter wonderland and recurring likable characters.
I received a copy for an honest review, and these are my thoughts.

‘I worried when I didn’t see you badgering the farmhands of deputies.’

Holly is trying her hardest not to be the Gumdrop Gumshoe this Christmas but it’s not to be when a man ends up dying in her mother’s huge gingerbread cookie dough. Yes, in the cookie dough but that’s a whole other story! World records, Mrs. K, Jack Frost, a devious podcast duo and a few others round out the newcomers to Mistletoe while our old friends welcome us home for another holiday season. Tis the best time of the year whenever you visit this series!

It was a week out from Christmas in the small town of Mistletoe in Maine and on Christmas Tree Farm, Holly White (now Gray) and her family were in full preparation. Holly's mum, a top baker who ran the Hearth, was preparing to attempt a world record for the largest gingerbread man. With the two judges due to arrive, Holly had the Inn well prepared for their guests. The original founders of Mistletoe, the Snow family, had a couple of family representatives arriving as well. The town's 150th anniversary was set to be huge; the tourists expected would see the local businesses flat out - a real bonus for all concerned.

With staff and guests, podcasters, tourists and locals all surrounding the start of the big bake-off, the freezing temperatures and thick snow deterring no one, the shock of discovering a body in the batter saw Sheriff Evan Gray (Holly's husband) swing into action. And Holly, against the advice of Evan and her parents, once again began investigating. Would they discover who had committed murder and upset the spirit of Christmas? Or was Holly bringing danger on herself once again? And would Holly find the perfect gift for her and Evan's first anniversary?

I'll Be Home for Mischief is the 5th in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost and once again I loved it. I really enjoy this series, with each episode adding more fun and entertainment to the season. I've come to anticipate each new book, wondering what Holly and the team will get up to next. I really hope the author will continue these for a long time to come. Holly, Evan, her mum and dad, Cookie - all such great characters! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

It’s always Christmas time in these cozy mysteries. I was really looking forward to this book. I’ve read the past three, and they’re always filled with so much Christmas cheer. Just like the others, this is truly a magical Christmas setting. Even when a murderer is afoot, you can’t get down this group of crazy townspeople. Such a great story. Has all the earmarks of a great cozy mystery. It didn’t disappoint. If you love cozy mysteries, murder, a noisy innkeeper, a hot sheriff, and some Christmas cheer or chaos, this is the read for you.

Getting new book in Christmas Tree Farm book series has become a holiday tradition and one I wholeheartly enjoy! I'll Be Home for Mischief was a wonderful edition to the series. Back to the charming town of Mistletoe Maine and it's quirky lovable characters. Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are now married and going through the year one challenges. Holly's mother is attempting to break the world record on baking the world's largest gingerbread man. Unfortunately, a body ends up in the batter and Holly must put on her amatuer sleuth hat to find a killer. In addition to the returning characters there are new ones including two true crime podcasters who are filming after hearing about the previous four Christmas murders and are overjoyed when there is a fifth, two mysterious older women named Gertie and Jackie who may or may not be Mrs. Kringle and an elf, and a mother and son from one of the founding families of Misletoe.
The mystery has excellent twists and turns with a wonderful dose of humor and love.

Anyone who enjoys holiday cozies will love this series and this book.

Thank you to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books and Jacqueline Frost for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are honest and are completely mine alone.