I recently read Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's by Liz Ireland. This is the story of April Claus, who is Santa's wife. Santa is out delivering gifts when three strangers are found outside of Santaland. They are lost in the frozen wilderness after being stranded during a scientific expedition. One of the strangers is murdered while staying in Santaland. The reader is along for the ride as Mrs. Claus and cast solve the mystery. The story is complicated as the Santaland residents don't want their existence to be discovered. Everyone; elves, reindeer and talking snowmen, must pretend to be part of a normal Canadian town, hiding their true identities.

This book was lots of fun. Loaded with charming characters and an easy to picture location, it is super creative. This would make a great holiday read, definitely taking your stress level down while increasing your holiday spirit. A win all the way around.

Many thanks to NetGalley and, the always kind and generous, Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy. I'll never look at Santa the same way.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for a copy of "Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the fifth book in the Mrs. Claus series. Everything about the series is engaging from the great artwork on the covers to the storylines which draw you in from the first sentence and keep you reading until the last word. I look forward to the next Mrs. Claus book before I even finish the current one.

This story has April worried about her husband - Santa Claus - because he's off on his round the world ride to deliver toys to all the children. When he's late getting back, that really doesn't help matters. This story also has an element of danger to the way of life in Santaland when Boots Bayleaf brings 3 unconscious strangers into town. 2 men and 1 woman that he found and one of them has an antler sticking out of him.

How will they keep Christmastown a secret? It could be a disaster if they told anyone and it became a tourist destination. They have no idea who these people are, all they found in their pockets were 42 American dollars and a business card for a photographer/video maker.

Butterbean decides that they will turn the town into somewhere in the middle of Canada and he pipes Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell music everywhere, not realizing that it would be normal to play Christmas music in December in Canada. The snowmen and reindeer are forbidden to speak, the elves are covering their ears and wearing clothes that went out of style in the 70s. When one of the strangers dies, April ends up inviting them to stay at the Kringle Hotel so she can keep an eye on them.

How they end up getting the strangers to leave and to protect the secret of Santaland makes for great reading. As always there is a lot of great adventure and suspense. Sadly Santa being away for his big ride means that he's not featured in most of the book. The conclusion of the story is quite surprising as the culprit is not someone that would have been suspected.

I loved Santaland and it’s the only thing that saved this from being a DNF for me. Talking snowmen, adorable elves and chubby reindeer. I would’ve loved more of that.

The story became a drag. Cut 20% out and it’d be a better book.

The reveal of the murder was very anticlimactic. The whole story is centered around it and the reveal is so quick, blink and you’ll miss it.

I received a free copy of, Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's, by Liz Ireland, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 5 of 5 in The Mrs. Claus Mysteries Series. All April wants to do is relax with Santa and enjoy the new year, but when they find 3 strangers in Santaland, and then a murder, April is way busier then she wanted to be, This was a nice coy mystery, I loved Mrs. Claus and the elves.

"Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's (Mrs. Claus Mystery #5)" by Liz Ireland takes place over Christmas week. Nick, aka Current Santa, has just taken off on his Christmas journey around the world. April is extra worried for him since weather has been bad and there's some upgrades to the safety level of the sleigh they fought about that didn't happen. On top of that worry, three humans are brought to the Christmas Town hospital after they'd been found out in the snow. One of them seriously injured. While at the hospital the seriously injured one dies.

To keep herself distracted and the strangers from figuring out where they are. April takes least in figuring out what happened to the one guy and distracting the other two people. This proves harder and harder, but in the end it wrapped up right where I thought it might. However, I wouldn't say there were a lot of clues that pointed to that ending. Just a couple of well placed ones that had me thinking, well why bother mentioning that unless it's important now or later?

Liz Ireland has done it again! I thoroughly enjoy these cozy mysteries with April Claus, and this book was no exception. When 3 scientists turn up injured in Santaland, April has to use her wits to figure out what they're really up to- and how to hide the North Pole's true identity from outsiders. I love the small-town, winter fantasy setting of Santaland and April's can-do attitude. Now if only we could find true love for Juniper...

Great addition to the series and filled with loads of holiday touches this book is great for both old and new fans!

This is a fun, holiday, cozy mystery that goes into the realm of fairy tales. The characters have a lot of personality and quirks that make them enjoyable. The plot, while pretty predictable, had me laughing more than a few times. A must read for any one looking to rediscover the magic of Santaland!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's by Liz Ireland is a delightful holiday mystery with a whimsical twist. Set in the North Pole, Mrs. Claus finds herself unraveling a mystery just as New Year's Eve approaches. With charming characters, light humor, and a dash of holiday magic, it's an engaging read for fans of cozy mysteries. While the plot isn't too complex, the festive setting and clever twists make it a fun, heartwarming escape for the holiday season. Perfect for those who enjoy Christmas-themed mysteries with a quirky, magical flair.

April Claus fell in love with Nick and they live in Santa land (of course.)
Elves and talking animals require the suspension of disbelief and that works for me in this novel.
A cozy mystery that has a murder and a need to hide the fact that this is Santa land from strangers that are escorted in by a naughty elf, it is a quick read for a holiday day or night.
I would like to have seen more of April with Nick.

This book is 5th in the Mrs. Claus Mystery series. April sees Santa off on his annual trip and then settles in to enjoy all the festivities held in Santaland during Christmas week. A problem arises when 3 strangers are brought into town by an outlier elf. Keeping Santaland secret is paramount, so they all decide to pretend to be living in Canada, and the elves all cover up and dress accordingly. Mayhem...and murder...ensue. This is another fun visit to Mrs. Claus and her new family as April continues to adjust to her new world. I would still like to see a little more of Santa with April, and I would like to see a story set in April's summer home in Oregon. Still, this is a really fun and original series. Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Kensington Cozies for providing an ARC.

I love this clever and inventive series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone but they're such fun that I recommend you read them all in order. April Claus, expat American and wife of acting Santa Claus, Nick Claus, has been living in Santaland for several years now. With Nick out doing his annual trip around the world, April's both worried about him and confronted with the surprise appearance of three half-frozen humans, found by an elf. During what should be the only week of relaxation for elves, reindeer, snowmen and all other denizens in Santaland, stress is really ratcheted up while everyone tries to prevent the humans from learning about Santaland's existence. When one of the humans dies while in hospital, April has to figure out the killer while awaiting Nick's delayed return home. Such a fun book!

Recommend this book. A wonderful Christmas series mystery. Lots of enchanting characters to a funny entertaining cozy.

I love this series and look forward to reading every new one when it comes out!

The author, Liz Ireland, created an interesting mix of personalities when she came up with this series. From perfectly normal to quite silly, they are definitely an entertaining group! Since it is the hometown of Santa Claus and his wife, the reindeer talk and so do the snowmen. Thrown into the mix is an enjoyable cozy mystery that is solved by the end of the story.

Keep them coming Liz!

I keep coming back for more with this series. It is the perfect mind melting book. At this point in the series you should know to not take things too seriously and that there will be a nice mix of fantasy world building along with your mystery. The icing on the cake for this book was the way they tried to act human. Ultimately this is a 'just for fun' type of read.

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you ever wondered how Mrs. Claus feels when Santa leaves on his journey every Christmas Eve, then this book is for you. After Nick heads off to fulfill his duty as Santa, April finds herself in the middle of a mystery when three humans are found in the wilderness near Santaland. She must rush to find answers before the fate of Santaland is forever changed.

Thank you Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This was a cozy mystery based in the north pole in Santaland!

It start shortly after Santa leaves to start delivering presents and ends around New Years!

I didn't know I needed a Santaland version of Knives out but I did! It was a fun mystery/ thriller to read and offered a lot of entertainment.

Suspend disbelief and enter into the world of talking snowmen and reindeer, not to mention a Santaland citizenship of mostly elves. It's a world April Claus entered after falling in love with northerner Nick, ruggedly handsome. You guessed it. Nick is the real Santa Claus. At least until his nephew Christopher turns 21. In the meantime, April is dealing as well as she can with her husband setting out in a reindeer powered sled, sans seat belts, she notes, to deliver Christmas gifts and cheer around the world. What's a wife to do? And, what's a wife to do when three injured "normal" humans are brought into Santaland after being found nearly dead in the desolate northern area.

April and the residents of Santaland take on what may be their most impossible task ever, to pretend Santaland is simply a small, isolated village with a Christmas obsession. They'll pretend to be "normal". To complicate matters, it seems one of the notoriously cranky reindeer may be guilty of stabbing one of the humans with its pointy antlers. Did you know reindeer can indulge, and do, in antler toupees? They've also been known to overindulge in sweets and one of April's personal reindeer is working on losing weight. Hmm, maybe these reindeer aren't so unlike us humans after all? In any case, the gored victim ultimately mysteriously dies while the other two recover, meaning the not-so-well-taken plan to pretend to be "normal" must go on. All the harder when, well, I'm not telling. But it gets even more complicate, not to mention funny, as the plot moves along. Even romance gets some space with April's human friend Claire's budding romance with Jake Frost. You guessed it, a relative of Jack Frost, Their relationship turns frigid....rather literally, actually. And, his Uncle Jasper? Oh, don't ask. He's an artist and....well, again, not telling. You're going to have to read the book.

Seriously, this is one of those series I love to read when I'm simply looking for a fun read. The fact there is a murder mystery involved is just a plus. The whole "let's pretend to be normal humans" plot line is what really holds it together, especially with April's tendency to snoop. If nothing else, it gives her something else to focus on besides the worrisome fact that Nick is late in returning. April is likable, although at times seems overwhelmed, and the various other characters, human, snowmen, reindeer, and elves, not to mention a witch, all exhibit unique personalities that make you feel like you know them. Cannonball may be my new favorite although I think that varies from book to book. In any case, a fun holiday read with both laugh out loud humor and some tense moments. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing for allowing me this early look at what is up for April and the quirky residents of Santaland this holiday season.

This series is probably not for everyone as it’s very tongue in cheek with all the Santa and Christmas themes in it, but I just love this series. April is left at home while her husband does his yearly duty to all the children of the world, and three out-of-towners are found almost frozen to death. Hilarity ensues as first one of them is murdered, then the inhabitants have to disguise Santaland as a “normal” town to the visitors. Poor April is run ragged running to all the Christmas events, trying to solve the murder, keep the visitors in the dark about the town, and worried as Nick is late from his trip. I loved this latest installment, I love all the characters, and I love the happiness and chuckles this brings me when I read a book in this series. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book!!! Such a good story and great writing style. This was my first by this author and will not be my last! Gotta live Santaland. I loved the Clauses!!