Great series. The ideal getaway to a quiet little farm with loveable cows, a dog, Brynn the owner and Wes her apprentice cheese maker and friend. Add in a tough veterinarian who has a special way with animals, and a town full of people and you have a calamity waiting to happen. Sit back and enjoy the chaos and the fun as the story weaves a tale of treachery and greed brought down by love and friendship. Love this series, the world building is fantastic. You almost feel like you can pet Petunia along with Brynn. The characters are well crafted and you feel close to the friends of Brynn and dislike the evil doers.

Another first time author for me.
I like the Victorian Christmas feel. The town has set up like a Dickens village. I like that Val lives with her grandfather.
People keep dying and it keeps you on your toes trying to figure it out.
Then that ah ha moment that makes you say duh🐱

There's a Dickens festival in town and Val is hosting a tea for the volunteers, unfortunately during the tea Santa dies . The person playing Santa is not a popular man and there are plenty of suspects for Val and her Granddad to investigate. The book is set during the holidays which is always fun.

I'm not entirely convinced by the relationship between Val and her Granddad but its an easy to read book.

I’ve become quite fond of Val and her grandpa. Even though they struggled in the beginning, they have come together when it’s time to investigate a murder.
It’s Christmas in Bayport and everyone is working hard to get into the spirit. A Dickens Tea sounds like a great idea, but when a most unpleasant Santa Clause is given a deadly cookie, it’s time to find out who is responsible.
I love books with a holiday theme, and this title is very cute, and the cover was filled with vibrant, holiday colors. This book has become my favorite in the series.

I really enjoyed the latest book in the Five Ingredient Mystery series - it's a perfect Christmas themed mystery for the holidays. There's a Dickens holiday festival, a mysterious visit from the Ghost of Christmas Present, and a poisoned gingerbread man cookie that kills Santa Claus.

The man playing Santa Claus is murdered at a tea that Val is hosting for the festival volunteers. Val and Grandad (who has grown on me) investigate of course, but the stakes are raised when another man dies days later following a dinner catered by Val. This is a clever mystery with well thought out clues. Gingerdead Man is my new favorite book in this series.

what better way to begin than having a Dickens Festival? As the festival wraps up, Val and Irene serve tea for the volunteers and receive a visit from someone dressed up as the Ghost of Christmas Present, who hands out gingerbread men decorated as skeletons. Santa eats his and ends up ends up dying. Now Val and Grandad need to find a killer before Christmas is cancelled.

Another fun entry in this series. You can’t go wrong spending time in Bayport or visiting with Val and Grandad.