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.

Holly is looking forward to her wedding on Christmas Eve at her family Christmas Tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine. There is a lot to do and with the Inn being so busy plus helping out with the Reindeer games,she has her work cut out for her.
The twon's Mayor has arranged for the States Ballet Company to come and do a number of performances of The Nutcracker to help the town's profile, a number of the ballerina's are staying at the Inn plus the grouchy choreographer. The principal ballerina Tiffany is taking part in the annual Christmas parade in the town but as her float comes buy there is something wrong, Tiffany is dead.
Holly gets drawn into the investigation, giving her findings to her fiance Evan, who is the town's sheriff. Working somewhat together can they unmask the killer before the ballet company leaves town?
Add to that Evan's sister Libby, who lives in the town and works at the cafe on the farm is receiving strange cards and messages, plus why is there a car following her at times?
Can Holly, Evan and their friends wrap up the murder and the mystery of the sender of the cards before their wedding? Also will the wedding take place as there is a huge snow storm forecast?

I loved the characters we meet back up with, the town and the farm sound so lovely - makes me want to visit it. Cookie is such a quirky character with a heart of gold. I loved how supportive all Holly's friends and family are.
This was a really enjoyable Christmas Cosy Mystery. I will definitely be reading more in this series.

I haven't read the previous books in this series, but mystery and Christmas? That was enough to have me saying sign me up!

Holly and Evan are preparing for their wedding, the boon times at their Christmas tree farm - and solve a murder!

Intriguing characters (some who are funny without them realising why they are funny), a goat on a mission and antics abound.

I enjoyed this story, and need to go back and read the previous books.

This was a fairly standard cozy mystery. A lot of what was going on in the characters’ lives interspersed with some sleuthing. It’s a quick read but not a very memorable one for me.

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Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #4
Stalking Around the Christmas Tree
Jacqueline Frost
4.38
144 ratings139 reviews

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Tis the season to solve a murder—and innkeeper Holly White knows she’ll have to make her list and check it twice if she wants to catch the killer in the fourth Christmas Tree Farm mystery from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

For inn keeper Holly White, Christmas time in Mistletoe, Maine, is the ultimate holiday gift. Business at the Reindeer Games Inn is booming, her wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray is nearly here, and the annual parade is about to begin. The town is lucky to have another gift this year with the state’s ballet company staying for several performances of The Nutcracker. But disaster strikes when Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade, the Rat King’s mask nearby. Holly will have to spruce up her sleuthing skills if she wants to catch the killer before Christmas—and her wedding day.

Immediately, Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show’s understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly’s way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. When Holly discovers a secret passage leading to Tiffany’s dressing room, with footprints leading out; she wonders if this is evidence of a secret lover—or a stalking killer.

With an impending snowstorm and the ballet company on the way out of town, Holly must act quickly if she wants to find the person responsible for this terrible murder. Will she be able to save Christmas—or will her investigation turn cold like the weather?

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Genres
Christmas
Cozy Mystery
Mystery
Fiction
Contemporary
Holiday
Murder Mystery
288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 17, 2023


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About the author
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Jacqueline Frost
4 books400 followers

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Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).
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Ratings & Reviews
My Review
Profile Image for Christine.
Christine
508 reviews · 30 followers
September 5, 2023
I am beyond happy when I found out this series was continuing. Its Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine and Holly White is getting ready to marry police chief, Evan Gray. The nutcracker ballet is in town for the season and the dancers are staying at Holly's inn. When one of the dancers is found dead on one of the floats in the Christmas parade, Holly decides to investigate.
I loved everyhting about this book. The characters are always my favorites. I enjoyed the secondary mystery revolving around Evan's sister, Libby and am glad with how it ended. Holly and Evan getting married just made the book that much more special. The main mystery was well done and I was not expecting some of the twists at the end. Frost aka Julie Anne Lindsay always does as exceptional job with her mystery plots and characters. I haven't read a book of hers that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. And I love that she just announced that there will be another book in the series. I can't wait to read it.

This is what I would categorize as a cozy mystery novel. Set in my one of my favorite states, Maine, in an imaginary town called Mistletoe. These books, (this is number 4), all have a mystery that occurs around Christmas the towns most popular time of the year.
Holly White is the main character, and Innkeeper of the family complex. She has a front row seat to the murders in her town. Aided by her family, friends, and her now fiancée Sheriff Evan Gray, she seeks to solve the deaths each time.

While watching the local parade to showcase the performers of The Nutcracker Suite, the primary dancer is found dead in the "snow globe" meant for her to perform in. This ballet troupes' appearance in a local theater is the culmination of an entire year's worth of effort for the local authorities and one of the big tourist draws, so finding her murderer is imperative.

Throw in a couple of other storylines, a big snowstorm, and oh yes, her wedding to Evan, and Holly has her hands full. While not officially an investigator, she has access to a couple of suspects, the room that the dancer was staying in, and her own good sense to enable her sleuthing.

This was an enjoyable story, and I will look forward to more Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries.
Opinions expressed are strictly my own. Thank you to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.

5/5 stars: This is the newest entry in Frost's Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series, which is set in Mistletoe, Maine and takes place during the holiday season. I adore the small town holiday-filled atmosphere of the Inn and Christmas tree farm and get a kick out of the Reindeer Games hi-jinks. Frost's characters are incredibly likable and Holly's relationships with her friends, parents and her fiance, Evan, are genuine and delightful. Oh and one must never forget feisty rescue cat, Cindy Lou Who. Most importantly, Frost's mystery perfectly balances the clues, red herrings and suspects and will keep you guessing until the end. Some tough topics are discussed, take care and check CWs. This is the fourth book in this B&B Cozy Mystery series, to start at the beginning check out Twelve Slays of Christmas and catch up on all the festive fun and oh yeah... crimes.

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

its like your good ol mystery with nothing out of the box happening but its set around christmas which is my favourite time of the year so a three star will suffice i suppose

Tis the season to solve a murder—and innkeeper Holly White knows she’ll have to make her list and check it twice if she wants to catch the killer

Omg I loved it! It was extra special recognizing friends names from the cozy community. I love this series and hope that Julie can write more in the series next year or 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, getting her jewelry orders mailed, hosting Reindeer games, getting married on Christmas Eve, and now the murder of the lead ballerina Tiffany Krieg!

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end. We also had the sub-plot of who was terrorizing Libby.

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.

This is book 4 in the Christmas Tree Farm series. It's Christmas in Mistletoe, Maine and the farm is busy. Also Holly has a full hotel with tourist in town for the parade and the ballet troupe presenting the Nutcracker. When the star ballerina is killed during the Christmas parade the town is upset. Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show’s understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly’s way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. Will this be an end to tourism in Mistletoe?

Another great Christmas mystery for Holly to solve.
Can Holly solve murder before her wedding.
Very good story with drama,mystery,twists great characters and romance.
Really enjoy this series.
Voluntarily reviewed.

When you live in a town called Mistletoe, Christmas is a big thing! For inn-keeper, Holly White, it has always been that way as her parents are the owners of a Christmas tree farm and the inn she manages. This year, her December guests include a ballet company, in town to perform The Nutcracker, and her future in-laws, there for her Christmas Eve marriage to their son and local sheriff, Evan Gray. Over the three previous festive seasons, there have been murder investigations for Evan and Holly to deal with, but it couldn't happen again, could it?

After a body is found with links to the Reindeer Games Inn and her soon to be sister in law begins struggling with problems she won't share, Holly knows she has to help Evan find his killer at the very least. With the weather starting to close in and the annual Reindeer Games about to begin, will this be one Christmas killer too many for Holly at her favourite time of year?

The fourth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series is my first, but I was in no way disadvantaged by this fact, and I loved every word. Holly and Evan are brilliant main protagonists, but their supporting cast often stole the show! What’s not to love about a family friend trying to find a bride for her housemate Theodore the goat? I really hope there will be more of this excellent series ready for next Christmas.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read set in a winter wonderland that will grace any Christmas tbr book list. Highly recommended.

A murderer on the prowl in the heat of the season, what a way to spoil the Christmas vibes. The storyline was great. I love the Mafia Baby Mama drama, which created the green eye monster. This cozy mystery was a delight to read. It was intriguing and captivating, with a romantic edge.

I didn’t read the previous book in this series and felt completely lost. The characters were more like charictures to me . Not real and almost comedic. I had no interest in the story and mystery. The relationship between the main characters was very casual. It took me 5 settings to read the book. I do think if I had read the book prior I may have felt differently.

Jacqueline writes another fun mystery with Holly. Even though Holly is gearing up for her wedding day, this sleuth must help solve this murder before her wedding to the Sheriff.

This one will keep you guessing and turning pages!

Title: Stalking Around The Christmas Tree
Author: Jacqueline Frost
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publish Date: 10/17/23
Rating: 5 stars

I love this series and thought this was a wonderful addition to it. Holly has so much going on: running her family's B&B, hosting Christmas games, getting married on Christmas Eve, and now a murder. Will Holly get everything done, find out whodunit, and get to the church, err barn, on time? Maybe with a little help from her friends and family.

So fun and cozy and Christmasy. I was hooked from the very first page. I adore all the characters in this series, and can't wait to read what happens next.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

I love a great, make you feel good cozy mystery. and this book brings it all to life. With Christmas right around the corner and a wedding to plan what can possibly go wrong. This has a great story line that is easy to follow. This author brings the town, the places and people all to life. You feel like you're in the book hanging out with the people. The cozy Inn brings you right in and you really want to be there. I loved this book.

Oh, rats! Holly has her work cut out for her this time. With her wedding fast approaching, as is a major winter storm, she's also dealing with an inn full-up with a ballet company, holiday games to play and officiate, and the troubling behavior of soon-to-be-husband Evan's sister, Libby. Then Tiffany, the lead ballerina for the town's presentation of The Nutcracker, is killed. Who did it? One of the other ballerinas, or maybe the company's ballet master, George? Tiffany's online fan, or, wait, was she even the intended victim? Holly doesn't have time to think, to be honest, but she still can't help getting involved in the case, even after receiving threats.

Overall, I found it a fun read but wasn't quite as taken with it as I'd expected to be. Seemed to get bogged down with excessive descriptions of, say, clothing or hair styles, at times. Now, true, I loved every tiny detail at the end but, well, took me awhile to get to that point. Holly is likable although, quite frankly, I question, one, her common sense of darting out alone to confront a potential murderer, and, two, that she blew off parts of her mother's big moment being filmed to chase after said suspect. That left me annoyed at her for quite awhile. She also seemed to continually be distracted by thoughts of the murder. Never mind she'd barely spoken to the victim. She was fully invested in investigating. Investigating against Evan's attempts to detour her, btw.

The secondary plot involving Evan's sister was interesting. It did showcase Libby's ultimate maturity, however, and the bond between Evan and her. As for the involvement of Holly in that situation, she seemed largely sidelined and a bit overly dramatic as she thought about the case although, in her favor, her pestering Libby may have ultimately been the key to guiding Libby to share the situation with the already worried Evan. Mind you, all this is going on for Holly at the same time as the holiday festivities, wedding planning, addressing and signing cards, officiating at a snowman hat throwing contest, and watching the advance of the impending winter storm as her wedding day approached. Then there's the quirky friend who becomes an ordained minister to perform, no lie, a wedding for her pet goat. And, oh, the repeated comments about the toy drive coordinator looking like Santa and being able to seemingly make things happen. That said, the final scene is wonderfully described and reminds us all of the magic of people coming together to make the impossible happen.

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the dose of Christmas. It was a fun story and I loved how it incorporated The Nutcracker into the plot.

Cozy Mystery at Christmas.

This is a cozy mystery with lots of Christmas. Which is great for me since I love Christmas and mysteries. Everything that is going on in this book is about Christmas. There are reindeer games which really sound fun for a community. The town is called Mistletoe and the main character is Holly. There is holiday cooking, parades and the Nutcracker going on during this story. And if that is not enough, there is also romance, a wedding and a murder.