B&B Cozy Mystery that follows a Maine innkeeper who turns sleuth after a body's dumped into the batter of her mother's attempt at baking the world’s largest gingerbread man.

5/5 stars: This is the fifth entry in Frost's Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series which is a B&B Cozy Mystery set during the holiday season in a Maine seasonal tourist town and features an innkeeper who runs the B&B on her family's Christmas tree farm. When the local mistletoe farmer's accused of killing a founding family descendant, she reprises her role as amateur sleuth to uncover the Grinch who dumped the dead man into the batter of her mother's attempt at baking the world’s largest gingerbread man. In between hosting the decease's mother and other guests at her inn, preparing for her first wedding anniversary and receiving threatening messages from the killer she might need a Christmas miracle. With plenty of twists and turns, Frost has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Frost's writing and character work are brilliant; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's a joy to catch up with Holly, her friends and parents at Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm and the town folks of Mistletoe. I love seeing how happy she is with her Sheriff husband, Evan. Oh and of course we can't forget Holly's perfectly named feisty rescue cat, Cindy Lou Who. I adore the small town holiday-filled atmosphere of the inn and Christmas tree farm and always get a kick out of the Reindeer Games hi-jinks. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Twelve Slays of Christmas. A great read, highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I loved returning to Mistletoe, Maine in Jacqueline Frost’s latest book, I’ll Be Home for Mischief! The familiar characters in this cozy setting was just what I needed to get me into the holiday spirit…though I do read Christmas books whenever I feel like it! Whatever the season, I’ll Be Home for Mischief is one to add to your to be read piles!

Frost does such a great job making the reader feel as if they’re right there in the book with the characters. I love Holly along with her friends and family. In this book, we get a little less of Cookie, a fun elderly woman, but her scenes will still make you smile and laugh at her antics. I enjoyed getting to know the “guest” characters and thought they added a lot to the story and not just to the mystery. I’d love it if some of them pop up in future Christmas Tree Farm mysteries!

I adore the setting of this series! Mistletoe is such a happening place during the holiday season, and I enjoy reading about the events at Holly’s family farm. They have lots of games that entertain guests from all over and of all ages. Holly’s mom is the best! Since I’m close to her age, I’d love to have her as a friend…and not just for her mad baking skills! She’s so kind and caring, and people always feel welcome when they walk into her on-site restaurant.

I really enjoyed solving this mystery with Holly and clearing the names of the innocent! There are plenty of clues that will lead you down the right path, but there are also plenty of red herrings.

I highly recommend I’ll Be Home for Mischief as well as the rest of the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series. It’s got well-written characters, a cozy setting, and a mystery you’ll enjoy solving! I give it 5 stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Another phenomenal read from Jacqueline Frost, or should I say Jack Frost haha. This is the fifth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm series and once again we get to solve a murder in Mistletoe. One of the things I love most about this series are the cjatavyer) characters. The author does such a great job of creating characters I would want to hang out with. So, with each book, it's like getting to sit down for coffee with old friends. I love being able to catch up on what's been going on in their lives since the last installment. I am always sad when the story ends, but excited to catch up with them in the future. The author creates an entire vibe with this series and this book. You truly feel like you've transported to this winter wonderland of a town. I encourage you to read the entire series, but it's not necessary to enjoy this book.

Christmas magic doesn't seem to work quite the same way for Holly Gray. Each year, a sinister spirit seems to seek out her and her family at the Reindeer Games Tree Farm in Mistletoe, Maine. As the season starts, Holly is busy with guests at the Inn on the property and creating her signature melted glass jewelry. She helps out with the dozens of holiday activities around the tree farm and collects donations of toys to wrap and distribute to local children. But, this year, she is especially busy collecting massive amounts of sugar, flour, and molasses for her mom, who is attempting to make the Guinness Book of World Records with the world's largest gingerbread man.

One ingredient decidedly NOT called for in the recipe is a dead body.

As much as her family asks (begs) Holly to leave the investigation to her husband, Sherrif Evan Gray, her curiosity calls her to get involved. And, as careful as she tries to be, Holly still finds herself in the path of a killer.

I'll Be Home for Mischief is the fifth Christmas Tree Farm Mystery story. Each book features plenty of holiday spirit, family-friendly games, a sprinkle of romance, and cleverly written murder mysteries. It's a great seasonal read just in time for the holidays. Grab a cup of cocoa and a couple of cookies, curl up, and enjoy!

Poor Holly. It’s Christmastime again at Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm and, for the fifth December in a row, someone is killed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The setting is wonderful. Mistletoe, Maine sounds like such a cute place. I love how close Holly and her family and friends are. They have fun together and work together and they’re people I’d like to hang out with . Holly and her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, have a good relationship.

The plot was put together well and it moved along at a good pace. We have several potential suspects and the whodunnit wasn’t overly obvious.

The book and the series are so Christmassy. From the town to the food to the way the man was killed, it just screams Christmas, which I enjoy. It would be a perfect December read. And it has several touches of Christmas magic that set it apart.

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. When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive. When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?

I LOVE this series. I’m a huge Christmas person so this had all the feels for me. I’ve followed Holly and Evan through the whole series and I love that we get to check in with them each year. Cookie remains my absolute favorite character in the whole series. I can’t wait to see what happens with Libby coming up!!

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This is one of my favorite series! I love the characters and the setting on the Christmas Tree Farm is so magical. I would like a book that takes place during a non-Christmas time to see what the town does then. I could definitely relate to Holly with trying to find the perfect presents. I can't wait to see what is going to happen with Libby. Looking forward to the next book already!

Loved this newest installment of the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries! This book revolves around a plan to make the world's largest gingerbread man when one of the guests at the Inn is found murdered covered in the batter. This book is perfect for the holidays with all the Christmas vibes, the cutest town, quirky characters and a little mystery.

Welcome to Mistletoe, Maine, where there are a lot of Christmas activities going on. As I enjoyed all the activities, there is also a mystery to solve, and two guests at the inn, are questionable to who they actually are. Settle into an exciting, thrilling ride, of everything that is happening here, as it comes barreling into Christmas, and all is revealed.
I received an ARC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley.

This is a beautiful book and it is so amazing, the story is so lovely and very enjoyable to read. i loved everything about this book and i would recommend to anyone who loves reading to give this book a go. it is a lovely book and i will read other books from this author.

This series is just so cute! I love a good cozy mystery! This book follows Holly White, now Gray, around her cute little town Mistletoe, Maine. Once again there is a murder right before Christmas! I just love everyone knows Holly wont listen to her husband, Sherriff Gray and keep her nose out of it. She is just too curious for her own good. I love how he tries repeatedly to get her to stay out of it to protect her but knows it will never work. He just accepts her. I don't know how they eat all the sweets and never gain a pound. Everyone is always so trim and fit. I did notice few things in the book that didn't quite make sense but they would be spoilers so, I'll leave it at that. Thanks NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

[ thank you @crookedlanebooks & @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

PUB DATE: November 12, 2024

This is probably one of my all time fav cozy series!! I mean, the vibes are so good. All the Christmas references galore, a small Christmas town, great characters.. oh, and murder. 😳

I love being in Mistletoe, Maine. I love Holly and Evan, I love their friends and family. I seriously loved this book.

I was all for the who-dun-it. I solved half the mystery, does that count and earn me my sleuthing badge?!

Overall, another great addition to the series! Highly recommend. Here’s to hoping there’s a book 6!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

My first Christmas-y book of the year!

Jacqueline Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series is always a lot of fun. The little scenic town of Mistletoe and the White’s tree farm with its annual Reindeer Games are always a joy to revisit and, between descriptions of all the décor and delicious food, always feel genuinely warming.

You’d need to watch out though because, as protagonist Holly points out early on:

There’d been a murder this time of year, seemingly like clockwork, for the past four Christmases…

You’d think that’d put a dampener on the festivities somewhat, but that’s not the case (and I really love that wry sense of humour, when longer running cozies are able to acknowledge and poke fun at how persona non grata you’d expect these amateur sleuths to become!)

In I'LL BE HOME FOR MISCHIEF, we have a couple of World Record attempts, a death in a giant gingerbread man, and some nosy podcasters poking around while Holly valiantly tries to resist jumping into the investigation.

These books are such fun, especially at this time of year, and I really recommend them is you like cozies or just want something light and seasonal. There are a few romantic plotlines that would benefit from reading the series in order, but you wouldn’t lose much be diving in wherever takes your fancy.

A great addition to the series, with a ton of holiday touches and a mystery that will have you guessing right up until the end. Perfect book to read in front of the fire on a cold winter’s night.

This is probably my least favorite book out of the series. The story of Holly's meddling in yet another murder case is well written and I love the characters and setting. Most of the characters.

An attempt to break a World Record for the biggest gingerbread man cookie reveals yet another murder on the Christmas tree farm. And the town and farm now have a bit of a reputation for dead bodies at Christmas time. Which, is pointed out constantly in this story. Holly finds herself possessed with finding out the who, what, where, and why of the murder. If you think it sounds like I"m 50/50 on liking this book, you would be correct. I do like the story. I especially loved the easter eggs pointing towards other books written by the author and the Doctor who reference. And I do like the story. But it is a bit chaotic and honestly felt like it was an end to the series. I don't think it is, it's just my opinion.

I do not like Holly in this story. We all know she's going to look into the murder. But it's pointed out constantly by everyone. Holly embraces it, but to a point where she comes off rude and unsympathetic. She points the finger at the true crime podcasters for their nosing around the crime, but is upset when they point out she is doing the same thing. She's not afraid to offend anyone with her questions, but is offended when her friends offer to help her investigate. The story was predictable. The murderer wasn't obvious at first but did come to light for me before Holly figures it out.

Still happy to have read the story and that the The Christmas Tree Farm series is continuing.

Thank you to NetGalley and #CrookedLane Books for the eArc.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Jacqueline Frost for the E ARC of this book.
We are back in Mistletoe, Maine and this year the Historical Society are celebrating the towns 150th Anniversary, they have invited one of the towns founding family the Snows to come back for the event. To help the celebrations and help get Mistletoe back on the map Holly’s Mum decides to try and bake the world’s biggest gingerbread man.
However, being Mistletoe things do not go to plan and when Mr Snow’s body is found in the gingerbread batter the hunt for the killer starts. Mr Moore the local Mistletoe farmer is accused of being the killer Holly gets back to her sleuthing ways. Her time is full what with running the Inn, which is full, planning her 1st year Wedding Anniversary, helping with the Reindeer Games and helping with the local toy drive.
When she starts getting threatening messages and the killer breaks into her home, Holly knows she has to work quickly before she is the next victim.
I love Holly as a character, she is so caring and wants to make everyone’s life easier and happier. Her friends are great, they look out for her and help her sleuthing. We can’t not mention Theodore, he is such a sweet gentleman and now that he has a wife will there be kids on the way?

I'll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost is a delightful holiday read that beautifully blends charm, mystery, and festive cheer. With engaging characters and a captivating plot, it’s the perfect cozy escape for the season. (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own,) Frost’s warm storytelling will leave you smiling and eagerly anticipating the next adventure!

I love visiting Mistletoe, Maine and am so grateful this series was continued. I hope there are more in the offing. 'I'll Be Home for Mischief' is the perfect blend of mystery, love and whimsey. The book is character rich, and there is growth in each character that is a delight to read. The mystery was well done and I was surprised by the outcome. I also was shedding some tears at the love expressed in the "family" that is represented in the stories. I highly recommend it, and hope for many more to come.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

It’s time for another entry into the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost. Each year there is a murder in Mistletoe, Maine at Christmas time and Holly White just can’t resist trying to solve it. The town and its residents are quirky and fun and I love visiting them each year. This year’s mystery was very twisty and turning and I had no idea who did it until the end. My main criticism about this book is that Holly is literally married to the sheriff and still thinks the police department needs her to solve crimes. But, I still really enjoy the yearly entry to this series and a visit to the reindeer games!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Set the mood and get ready for Christmas cute little cozy Christmas mystery. Has some very funny banter. Mistletoe, Manie sounds like an amazing little sleepy town full of Christmas cheer and fun activities planned for the town. I would have loved to have seen this gigantic gingerbread man in person. I now want to read more about Mistletoe Maine and the reindeer tree Farm.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for this amazing cozy Christmas mystery.