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??

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.

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.

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.