Book Review: Twelve Slays Of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

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 SUMMARY:
When Holly White's fiance cancels their Christmas Eve wedding with less than two weeks to go, Holly heads home with a broken heart. Lucky for her, home in historic Mistletoe, Maine is magical during Christmastime--exactly what the doctor prescribed. Except her plan to drown her troubles in peppermints and snickerdoodles is upended when local grouch and president of the Mistletoe Historical Society Margaret Fenwick is bludgeoned and left in the sleigh display at Reindeer Games, Holly's family tree farm. 

When the murder weapon is revealed as one of the wooden stakes used to identify trees on the farm, Sheriff Evan Grey turns to Holly's father, Bud, and the Reindeer Games staff. And it doesn't help that Bud and the reindeer keeper were each seen arguing with Margaret just before her death. But Holly knows her father and is determined to exonerate him. The jingle bells are ringing, the clock is ticking, and if Holly doesn't watch out, she'll end up on Santa's naughty list in Twelve Slays of Christmas, Jacqueline Frost's jolly series debut.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

I found Twelve Slays of Christmas on Audible while I was looking for something light and quick to listen to while I was doing things you can't possibly read doing. 

Twelve Slays of Christmas was a delightful little cozy mystery that brought loads of Christmas cheer along with a wee bit of murder.

I loved the setting. It takes place in Mistletoe Maine mostly on a family-owned Christmas tree farm. Ok. I admit I am a sucker for snowy locales in a Christmas book ( is there any other kind? ) maybe because in all my trips around the sun I have yet to see a white Christmas. It is true, I live vicariously through holiday books to get a sense of one.

Holly White is dumped by her fiance, so instead of getting ready for her big Christmas Eve wedding, she finds herself back on her families Christmas tree farm helping out with their reindeer games ( these are not actual reindeer games, but fun activities for the visitors ) Even more bad luck strikes Holly when she finds on of the towns prominent people on their farm, things are not going as easy as planned from here on out.

Not only did I enjoy the setting of the book, but I also enjoyed most of the characters. Holly, of course, was a bit nosey enough and determined to get to the bottom of the murder but she wasn't a true sleuth and did let sheriff Evan Grey do most of the work. Speaking of Sheriff Grey, he was another favorite, who Holly found herself attracted to. There is a hint of romance in the book, but let's not forget Holly had just been dumped, so don't expect major love here ( I did like that, so many authors force the romance trope even so soon after breakups...guys..we need time to heal and stuff our faces with ice cream ). There was also the town's wanna-be reporter, who was actually just the photographer for the paper, who seemed to like Holly, and knew her in High School, even though she can't seem to remember him. There are also a few quirky shopkeepers and a loyal best friend thrown in that keep the story interesting at times.

Truth be told, the mystery wasn't earth-shattering, and some of you will quickly figure it out, but you guys, it is just a cute book and it is a Christmas book, and if you are reaching for a cozy mystery you're not wanting rocket science right?

From what I understand this is the first of a few in a series titled Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries, and after reading Twelve Slays I'm almost positive I will make a return visit to Mistletoe Maine. I mean what's not to like? Snow...Reindeer... Christmas Trees...Small town America...Cute Sheriff...and an MC who makes cutesy Christmas jewelry....what else could we ask for in a book????









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