We are finally back in Mistletoe Maine where my favorite Christmas farm is located. The founding family of the town, the Snows, are coming into town, and Holly wants everything to be just right. It is an exciting time as Holly's mother is preparing the largest gingerbread man ever made in hopes of breaking the Guinness Book of World Records. If you have read any of the Christmas Tree Farm books, you know there is going to be a murder that needs to be solved.

This one was quite interesting as the body is found somewhere you will not believe. There is an immediate suspect, but you know it can't be that easy. Holly, as usual, cannot keep her nose out of the investigation, even though she has been sternly warned by her husband, Evan, who just so happens to be the sheriff.

Things gets a little dicey, but nothing can destroy the festive spirit in Mistletoe, Maine. The mystery is very well written and interesting with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. I always enjoy an installment in this series, and have been anxiously awaiting this newest book. You cannot go wrong with this one. You do not have to read the previous four books, but I highly recommend them as well. This will put you in the Christmas spirit. Even though there is a mystery to be solved, there is also a lot of fun and games.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun Christmas mystery set in the town of Mistletoe, Maine on a Christmas tree farm. The town is celebrating it's 150th anniversary and inn owner Holly is ready to host the founding family for the event. Unfortunately, one of the members ends up dead in an unfortunate accident and Holly has to find the murderer before they ruin the festivities.

A very enjoyable Christmas read.

This series just gets better and better! I loved getting to spend more time in Mistletoe with Holly and her new husband, Evan, her family and friends, and the myriad of Christmas-themed activities they have prepared for the guests of the town. The mystery was fascinating and had me guessing until the end. Their housing situation made me very anxious but I am glad it all worked out in the end. Hoping for many more in the series!

Holly and her close-knit friends and family are back in the next book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. This is a perfectly cosy series set on a christmas tree farm in the town of Mistletoe, and we return each December just in time for the Christmas preparations and as Holly's luck strikes again and she discovers a body. This time, they're trying to break a world record for the largest gingerbread man, and as they unveil the dough in front of the cameras, a guest from the inn is discovered dead!
I loved returning to the cosy town of Mistletoe, where I'm sure to get into the cosy mood no matter what the weather is like irl. I like to think of this series as Christmas all wrapped into a book with a bit of murder mystery for some fun, and I have to say this is probably my favourite Christmas series (and I am a Christmas book girlie) both based on vibes but also because Jacqueline Frost is a really good cosy writer!
This could be read standalone, but I recommend reading in order as there are continuing relationships that may be a bit confusing if you haven't read the others.
Highly recommend if you want a festive cosy mystery ❄️⛄️🎄
Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Jacqueline Frost gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Julie is my favorite cozy mystery author. I have read some others in her cozy mystery series, the live and let chai series, and I just LOVE her writing. She has several pen names for different series, so Jaqueline Frost, is one of those!
This was my first in the Christmas series, and of coarse, it was adorable and I loved it!
I just love her writing, and the characters she creates. I will be going back to read the rest in this Christmas series.
This is the fifth book in the series, so I can’t disclose the relationships and too much about the characters. But the town is adorable, the names of everyone are Christmas themed. She has a cat named Cindy loo hoo 😍🎄, need I say more? All the Christmas vibes! I highly recommend reading this for Christmas time, I also used the audio, and it was great!


Thank you NetGalley for giving me this arc, in exchange for my honest review.

Jacqueline Frost just can't lose with this series. It's another 5 star cozy Christmas mystery for Holly and her family. This has all your favourite characters from the other books and all the Christmas fun and cheer that you can imagine. The town is decorated like a Victorian village for the holidays. The farm is busy with Reindeer Games. Holly is behind on cards, wrapping and even shopping, like she always is and of course to top it off, there's a murder. I could and would happily read these every Christmas for as long as the author would like to write them. What a great way to get in the Christmas spirit and to feel jolly no matter what's happening in the world.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy.

I’ll Be Home for Mischief is the fifth cozy mystery in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. It’s Christmas time once again in Mistletoe, Maine and with that comes murder. As the town celebrates its 150th anniversary and the descendants of the founding family are coming back to town. Holly is determined to make their visit as magical as possible, but when one of them turns up murdered all she can do is find the murderer before it’s too late.

I have been a fan of this series since the beginning and I’m always excited to see another mystery coming out. I love the town, the characters and the mysteries in these books and they have me coming back for me. Holly is the perfect lead for these books and I love how her family and friends fit into everything. I was hooked from the beginning of this mystery and was kept guessing until the very end. If you haven’t checked out this series yet and are a cozy mystery fan, there is no time like the present to fall in love with this series. I hope to see more in this series and will keep recommending this as a great holiday themed cozy mystery series.

I enjoyed revisiting this lovely town for Christmas. I like the characters and the setting. I'm also enjoying the is he really Santa Claus and the visit this time with Jackie. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Newlywed Holly is hoping for a Christmas in Mistletoe without any dead bodies. Her mother is attempting to break a world record for the largest gingerbread man as part of the town's 150th anniversary. The town's founding Snow family is visiting for the first time in years. But the celebrations get off to a rocky start when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the gingerbread batter.

Mistletoe farmer Mr. Moore had argued with the victim & there was historic bad blood between the two families. Despite getting threatening messages to stop snooping, Holly is determined to help Mr. Moore and find the real killer. This was another fun entry in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions are my own.

I’ll be home for mischief is the fifth book in a festive series by Jacqueline Frost. I’ve been longing to get my hands on some f these festive or “hallmark” themes books and this is the first of this kind I have ever read. It is a very festive cozy mystery, and if you really love Christmas, it will be what you’ve ordered (if you’re a grinch, be warned lol). The story is set in Mistletoe, Maine – can you not be more festive?
Holly has been married for almost a year to the town’s Sheriff, Evan. Her parents run the Christmas tree farm where there are reindeer games occurring every day in the lead up to Christmas, in a town that embraces old world charm and the magic of Christmas for most of the year. And every year, there’s been a murder to solve. You’d think that would deter the locals and tourists; apparently not. It also encouraged a podcast duo, waiting on the edges for the next murder to occur, which it does when Mr Elijah Snow is found dead in the gingerbread cookie dough. It all seems a bit crazy and tumultuous, and it wraps up very neatly tied with a red bow. Holly was the amateur sleuth but seemed a bit sterile when it comes to having a lot of feeling to some of the characters and events. She loathed her “gumshoe” nickname given by the podcasters, and contradicted herself by investigating the murder. No-one can help her, and no-one can criticize her from being involved in the unravelling of the murder mystery, which her husband is firmly against, knowing her life has been risked every time.
I was hoping there was going to be more to capitalise on all the food described in this story – the baking of cakes, biscuits and sweets sounded wonderful, and I could smell the cinnamon in the air. The idea behind baking the biggest gingerbread shaped like a person/gingerbread person was a fabulous side story that lead to the actual murder mystery. Frost does such a great job making the reader feel as if they’re right there in the book with the characters, and there are so many to get behind, all with their own festive activities or stories, even Cookie with her goats. Was it me or did the author insert herself into the book as Jackie Frost??

Holiday baking season is upon us. I for one have started making nutrolls for the holiday season and know baking takes a ton of ingredients which as more expensive today. For that reason, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the overwhelming amount of ingredients needed to make the large gingerbread. Again, as a baker (at least at the holidays,) I would have love to have seen exactly would go into something like that. We get some great descriptions as we prep for the contest, the author does her part to make us feel like we are a part of it. Although, I am sure that no one expected a body in the batter.
The baking and the town description with the holidays set the stage for a lovely hometown Christmas in Mistletoe Maine. Even the character names like Holly and Mr Snow alluded to a book filled with holiday goodness. The holiday goodness was interrupted by a body in the batter. From there we mixed a classic who done it with the holiday cheer. Holly with her husband, sheriff Evan, had to save the day so the town could celebrate and bring the spirit back.
This was a pretty good story. I may have enjoyed it more if I had read other books in the series but I find I love holiday who done its.
I would probably give it 3.25-3.5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I’ll Be Home for Mischief

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter.”

Another great addition to this series. I absolutely loved the main mystery but all the little mysteries as well. The big picture plot lines are awesome. I just adore this series all together. I highly recommend this book and this series and can’t wait for the next one.

It's holiday time again in Mistletoe! Reindeer Farm is gearing up to set a world record for the largest gingerbread man cookie. Holly's mom is the busy baker, but when a body shows up in the dough, everything changes. Holly and Evan are almost at their one year anniversary and Cookie and her goats need a new place to live. This is the backdrop for this fun story where Holly again finds herself in the midst of figuring out the clues. I enjoyed this book and liked the storyline. The plot had enough red herrings to keep the reader engaged.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

The charming town of Mistletoe, Maine where the holiday season is as abundant as the snow outside, which is the perfect setting for a cozy mystery. Holly White, the innkeeper, is determined to make the town's 150th anniversary celebration the most unforgettable event ever. With the help of her mother who is determined to bake the world's largest gingerbread man. How could the anniversary not be the best the town has ever seen? The discovery of Mr. Snow's body in the gingerbread batter is a shock she wasn't expecting but is the stage for a classic whodunit. As an amateur sleuth determined to clear the name of the accused, Mr. Moore, a beloved local mistletoe farmer, shows you just how loyal and caring Holly is with warm and funny community of Mistletoe. The mystery itself is cleverly crafted, with enough twist and turns to keep even the most seasoned mystery readers guessing. It's a heartwarming tale about community, love, and the true spirit of Christmas. This is my first book by Jacqueline Frost and I definitely came to this Christmas party some what late but, I can't wait to read the past books and get caught up with the residents of Mistletoe, Maine. I now have a favorite Christmas cozy series.

Holly knows that Mr Moore didn't kill Mr. Snow but who was the villain who not only killed Snow but also wreck Holly's mom's effort to bake the biggest gingerbread cookie? This latest in the series- which will be fine as a standalone- sees Holly once again coping with murder and mayhem at Christmas. Her husband Evan, the Sheriff, is used to her investigations but both of them wish things were happier for their first anniversary. It's a classic cozy with lots of Christmas bits (it can get to be a bit much at times). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read to get in the mood for the season.

Returning to the Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm has come to feel like a holiday tradition, and these lovely cozy mysteries never fail to disappoint. This series has become a favorite of mine within the cozy mystery genre, and I was hopeful I'd end up feeling just as positive about I'll Be Home For Mischief.

Readers will notice a few changes with this one, as Holly and Evan are now newlyweds making a go of her continuing to be the farm's inn keeper, and him the beloved town sheriff. This Christmas season is bringing about many wonderful things including their upcoming one year wedding anniversary, and Holly's mom attempting to break a world record for the biggest gingerbread man. However, it wouldn't be Christmas on the tree farm without a dastardly murder plot taking place, and readers are once again treated to a "keep you on the edge of your seat mystery." As Holly and Evan race against the clock to solve another murder mystery involving her family's beloved Christmas tree farm, readers get to go along for the ride.

If you're looking for a wonderful and atmospheric Christmas cozy this season, then this is definitely the book you've been waiting for. In typical Jacqueline Frost fashion, the mystery keeps the reader engaged, and the small town feels will keep you coming back for more. This read may see some changes from the rest of the series, but our favorite eclectic cast of characters are just as fun as ever, and they'll all band together to help bring this case to a close before their favorite season of all.

Another wonderful addition to the series, I highly enjoyed this one, and I'm hopeful the author will keep writing these titles for years to come.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to advance read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Crooked Lane Books) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jacqueline Frost for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for I’ll Be Home for Mischief coming out November 12, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read the first book in this series, but not the other ones. So I definitely need to go back and read the others. But I really loved cozy Christmastime mysteries. Holly is a fun character. The setting in Maine is very quaint and lovely. I love Holly and Evan’s supporting relationship. It was a really fun mystery. I’d definitely read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmastime cozies!

I'll Be Home for Mischief the 5th instalment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost. Innkeeper Holly White is decking the halls this Christmas season, but someone is on the naughty list when a body is discovered

In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter…
Omg I loved it! I love this series and hope that Julie can write more in the series in 2025.

What a great story to get us in the Christmas spirit. I love reading books about Christmas all year long. I loved the characters and want to be friends with Holly, Evan, Libby, Ray, Cookie, Carolyn, Samantha etc. as with most of Julie’s books you fall in love with the characters. Holly has so much going on between running her family's Inn, being a newlywed, hosting Reindeer games, and now the murder of Mr. Snow!

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read "I'll Be Home For Mischief" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the fifth book in A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Set in Mistletoe Maine, continuing the adventures of Holly (White) Gray as she finds herself involved in another Christmastime murder. Holly the innkeeper at the Reindeer Games Tree Farm has been involved in a murder for the past 4 Christmases and this one is no exception. Her husband of one year Sheriff Evan Gray spends most of his time worrying about what she is up to. Holly has an adorable calico cat named Cindy Lou Who - a quite determined feline.

Violet Snow and her son Elijah are guests at the inn. They are part of the founding families of the town. Great mystery surrounds why young Violet and her family up and moved from Mistletoe in a great rush. Violet claims to have no memories of the town yet she lived there until she was a senior in high school.

There are a couple of incredibly annoying true crime podcasters who may have a few redeeming qualities but it takes a long while for them to appear.

Cookie is one of Holly's oldest and dearest friends, she shares her life with Theodore and his wife Clementine - pygmy goats. There is the mysterious Christopher who everyone believes is really Santa Claus - except for Holly. Christopher's wife Gertie and her friend Jackie Frost are also quests at the inn - again everyone thinks that she is really Mrs. Claus.

There is talk of a feud between the Snows and the Moores. When one of the Snows ends up dead in the gingerbread batter, poor Mr. Moore is the obvious suspect.

Holly once again puts herself in danger to solve a case. She's threatened several times, kidnapped and almost loses her life (again). Evan wants her to stop investigating and placing herself in the path of danger but that's just not who she is.

Woven into the story are 1000 missing gingerbread men and where exactly did all the toy donations disappear to and how were they all taken from the inn.

During the time that Jackie Frost is in town, there are severe low temperatures but as soon as she and Gertie leave... There is a heartwarming Christmas Eve which brings to mind that the holidays are for gathering with family and friends.

Another truly wonderful story by Ms. Frost.

I loved this book. It was silly, but warm, cozy, and filled with fun and joy. I loved being whisked away into a fun magical world and the mysterious and fun sleuth.