Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is book #4 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost.

This is the first book I’ve read but I was able to follow along fine. I do want to read the rest of the series to see how relationships have developed through the series. I love the location of a Christmas tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine. The characters (most of them) are great. This was a fun Christmas mystery and I look forward to catching up on the earlier books.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is the fourth book in the Christmas Tree Farm series, but only the second I've read. I quickly remembered who was who but may have enjoyed it more if I had read more of the books in this series. I couldn't resist the cozy setting of a tree farm in a small town called Mistletoe, Maine!

The main character, Holly White, must solve the murder of a visiting ballerina whose body is discovered during the annual holiday parade. Holly finds a few different suspects, but has to get to the truth, hopefully before the snowstorm approaching the town hits. The pace of the story stalled a bit for me in the middle, but I still enjoyed this fun holiday mystery. I would rate it 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

In the town of Mistletoe, Maine, one will encounter a place that even Hallmark is outdone in its Christmas festivities. Holly, who runs the Reindeer Games Inn on her parent’s property, while her mother operates the Hearth Cafe and her dad runs the Christmas Tree Farm are triplely busy this Christmas because Holly is marrying the local sheriff, Evan, on Christmas Eve. A special event is being held this year in Mistletoe with the state ballet company doing several days of The Nutcracker with several of the company staying at Holly’s Inn. To spice things up further, the lead ballerina is found dead on the parade float. Holly needs to find the killer before the company leaves town. Evan’s sister presents another problem that needs to be resolved before the wedding. What could have been a real disaster for Christmas and the wedding is the great friends that Holly and her family have to step in and create a very special week in Mistletoe. While this is the fourth book in The Christmas Tree Mysteries, this book can stand on its own but if you haven’t read any of the other books in the series, you will want to devour those as well. A warning: you might be tempted to get an early start on your Christmas cookies baking. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this book; this is my honest opinion.

This is the fourth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries. I haven't read the others and still thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. Taking place in Mistletoe, Maine on a Christmas tree farm sounded perfect. Holly is the Innkeeper at Reindeer Games Inn and about to get married to the town sheriff. There is the upcoming Christmas parade and the state's ballet company is in town to perform. Well during the parade, the top ballerinas is found dead! Now Holly is on a mission to solve the crime. This is what you would expect from a cozy mystery, along with all the Christmas vibes, decorations, treats, backdrop. The locals and main characters were fun and lively , the mystery was good, and it gave me that happy feeling!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, but I’m so glad I picked up Stalking Around the Christmas Tree. There is a strong sense of family and community in Mistletoe, Maine.
I like Holly White. I think it’s lovely that she is set to marry Sheriff Evan on Christmas Eve.
The mystery is an interesting one. I didn’t figure out who murdered the lead ballerina in the Nutcracker. I do agree with Holly that masks and full head covering costumes are creepy.
I like all the secondary characters - Libby, Ray, Caroline, Evan and Holly’s parents.
I think this can be read as a stand-alone as that’s what I did and I didn’t feel lost.
I’m happy to recommend Stalking around the Christmas tree.
I both read an ebook and listened to the audiobook. I like the narrator.
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this story.

This festive cozy mystery has everything that I love about them - a smart & spunky main character who gets herself into some situations, interesting and loving friends and family, and a sweet small town where all of the murders take place. This is #4 in the series, but the first that I've read. It worked well as a standalone, although I am interested enough in finding out how the characters got where they are to read the first 3. And I'll definitely continue with the series as more are published! Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the advance digital copy!

For a Christmas lover like myself, the joy of living in a little town in Maine called Mistletoe is dreamy. Holly White and her family own a Christmas tree farm and the Reindeer Games Inn where it is Christmas everyday. The sound of bells ringing this Christmas are more than Christmas bells, as Holly is about to marry to her dream man, Sheriff Evan Gray. If you have read any of the books in this series, you know the story would not be complete without a mystery to solve.

The state ballet company is in town to perform The Nutcracker, and they are staying at the Reindeer Inn. Everything is going well until the lead ballerina collapses on a Christmas float during the parade and dies. It is quickly determined that she was poisoned. Evan knows that it will do no good to tell Holly to keep out of the investigation because she cannot help herself. In the cutthroat world of entertainment, the suspects are many. The mystery deepens further when we learn that Evan's sister, Libby, is in danger as well. So, we actually have two mysteries going on at one time.

I adore the characters in this book and this series. Their small community acts more like family than just neighbors. One of Holly's best friends, Caroline, is convinced that a local man named Christopher is actually Santa Claus. You never know. He does live in Mistletoe. The wonderful setting with snow everywhere and Christmas everywhere makes my heart beat a little faster. The mystery is perfectly paced and clues are scattered throughout, but it is not an easy one to solve. For fans of this series, we have been waiting patiently on the wedding. It could not be more appropriate than to happen at Christmas on a Christmas tree farm. I just love this series and everything that goes with it. You can read it as a standalone, but I would highly recommend that you read all of them. You will not be disappointed.

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

Holly is busy with Reindeer games and getting ready for her Christmas Eve wedding.. A special feature this year is a ballet performance leading up to Christmas. When the lead ballerina is found dead inside a snow globe during the parade, Holly begins to ask questions. I loved this story back in Mistletoe, ME. The subplot of the stalker added to the mystery and suspense. Well thought out plot and a wonderful ending made this story truly enjoyable.

I’m sitting in bed with tears in my eyes from reading the sweetest ending. 🥲

If you haven’t started this series yet, I urge you to pick it up soon. Jacqueline Frost -AKA the lovely Julie Anne Lindsey- has done an amazing job with these books. The town of Mistletoe is such a heartwarming place, the characters feel like old friends, and the mysteries are complex enough to keep you guessing.

I haven't read the prior books in the series, but this could be read as a standalone novel. However, reading them in order would probably give the reader a greater appreciation for the characters and their development. There's a nice blend of holiday cheer and sweet romance. I enjoyed Holly, along with the quirky supporting cast. The cover is a nice fit for the tale. Some overdetailing did create lulls and pull me out of the story on occasion, but it balanced out overall. This could be a good option to help the reader get into the holiday spirit.

Holly White, inn keeper at Reindeer Games, her family owned farm in Mistletoe, Maine, was excited as Christmas drew closer, and with it, her upcoming wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray. The state's ballet company had arrived to do performances of The Nutcracker, and most of the ballerinas were staying at Holly's Inn. As preparations for the annual parade finalised, the various games began, with tourists from out of town joining in the fun. But the sudden death of the lead ballerina in the middle of the parade sent Sheriff Evan Gray into full cop mode. Who had killed Tiffany, and why?

With the investigation into Tiffany's death well underway, Holly could see something was bothering Evan's sister. As she withdrew into herself, those around her became concerned. As Christmas Eve drew closer, Holly and Evan wondered if they would be able to close the case before the ballerinas left Mistletoe, as well as discover the reason for Libby's despondency. And would they still be able to get married when they planned?

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is the 4th in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost and I loved it! Intriguing, suspenseful, I was glued to the pages until the end. The bitter cold, the beautiful scenery, the delicious food which littered the pages, the fun and entertainment - all combined to ensure an excellent read. I encourage anyone who is interested to start at the beginning of the series. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

It's been almost two years since the last installment of Christmas Tree Farm, so imagine my excitement when I read that the latest installment would be released as an early Christmas present this year.

I love this series for many reasons. One, the setting: a town named Mistletoe where you one find all things Christmassy. Two, the recurring characters and their side stories. Three, storytelling, duh! I love Frost's writing.

In Stalking around the Christmas Tree, we have not one but two mysteries. First is the murder of the ballet group's main actress. The second has something to do with a story we first heard of in the previous installment.

Coming to the murder mystery, Holly's curiosity is piqued when the understudy gives her a vital clue - something to do with Tiffany's personal life. Suspects weren't plenty and Holly had to juggle between getting ready for her own wedding and sleuthing. Though the mystery and suspense elements were a tad low here, I did not let it stop me from enjoying the story - I was waiting for the Christmas wedding, you see!

The killer's identity wasn't a surprise. Holly had her eyes set on one particular suspect but from the beginning I felt it was an overly explored red herring. Having said that, I didn't expect the surprising turn of events when Holly came face-to-face with the killer.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to knowing what's next for Holly and Evans. After all, the story ended on a good and happy note.

This is the fourth book in the series and my first. I found the characters lovable and quirky . The two mysteries are compelling. I just wish I had read the first three books to really appreciate it all.

The Reindeer Games are back in action with a ballet troop in town, wedding planning underway for a Christmas Eve wedding, a stalker and a killer which puts Holly once again in the crosshairs! This series makes me smile every time I listen to a new book from the series! The characters are charming and relatable while the plot is always detailed with just the perfect amount of twists and turns that you may or may not see coming! If you are looking for a fantastic Christmas themed cozy mystery, then you need to have this series and especially this book on your list. I can't see what is in store for the characters in future books, but it will be hard to pass this one as my favorite as a good wedding is hard to beat....that is if the bride doesn't get knocked off before the I do's!!! You'll have to read to find out!

The state ballet is visiting Mistletoe, Maine, and some of the performers are staying at the Reindeer Games Inn where Holly White is the innkeeper. Christmas will be here soon, and so will Holly’s wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray.

During a holiday parade, the lead ballerina, Tiffany, is found dead on one of the floats. As the investigation into her death begins, it seems she had a lot of secrets and there are a lot of suspects.

Can Holly do some sleuthing of her own and help Evan solve the crime before anyone else gets hurt, or worse, and will her wedding take place as planned?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another great visit to Mistletoe. Love is in the air, with the impending Christmas Eve wedding for Evan and Holly. But first, a murder to solve! This is the fourth in the series and you should probably read the earlier ones first, as the cast of characters has been developed more in each book. The murder was intriguing and the magical Christmas wedding had all the holiday romance feels. This series is a must-read near the holidays.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a delightful, Christmas-themed cozy mystery. My favorite part of the book was the holiday world-building - fictional Mistletoe, Maine is town stuffed with bakeries and Christmas trees and holiday sweaters, and the story opens a few days before protagonist Holly's planned Christmas Eve wedding, with a blizzard on the way - a perfect storm of holiday fun!

Of course, the story also opens with a murder - the lead ballerina of a visiting troupe is killed - and protagonist Holly immediately starts investigating. Her fiance is the town sheriff and she runs the inn where the ballet troupe has been staying, but otherwise she has no special access, and her fumbling and very human take on the mystery is a nice change from the hard-boiled attitude of some other fictional sleuths.

The one part of this book I didn't enjoy was the secondary mystery plot, in which Holly's future sister-in-law is stalked by someone (presumably) allied to a criminal she helped condemn in a previous novel in this series. This mystery was grittier, more realistic, and scarier than the main plotline, and the tone felt out of step with the other, non-mystery elements of the story.

It should be the happiest time for Holly- she's about to marry Evan, the Inn is doing well, it's Christmas, and the ballet is in town! Wait- that last proves to be a problem when Tiffany, the lead ballerina in the Nutcracker is murdered! Of course, Holly, along with her pal, has to investigate. And there's another issue with her soon to be sister in law Libby- no spoilers on that. It's very much a classic cozy and while there's lots and lots of Christmas stuff (including, let's face it, the name of the author), that works for those looking for a read focused on the season. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I had previously read book 1 to familiarise myself with the atmosphere of this mystery series. And I liked it enough to go on. You get strong cozy vibes due to the decor (a Christmas tree farm in a town called Mistletoe), tons of festive events, a romance and a mystery all wrapped into one. Even though this fourth installment did drag a bit in some parts, I thought it was a solid one.

Fantastic! I love the idea of a Christmas wedding and it’s perfectly fitting for Holly. The town is adorable and picturesque, making an idyllic background for all this Christmas. Add in the Nutcracker and it feels like it really is that time of year. The mystery was front and center but didn’t take Holly away from her other responsibilities. The characters, as always, are welcoming and make you want to visit. There’s the added drama of the continuing storyline so read this series from the beginning. Highly recommended for holiday cheer and a great mystery.