Slashing Through the Snow is the third installment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series set in Mistletoe, Maine and featuring Holly White. Holly is looking forward to her new role as Innkeeper at her family's Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm and is hoping that her current guest, Karen Moody the travel critic for New England Magazine, is going to leave a glowing review.

Although Holly is doing her best to keep the cranky critic happy, the woman seems determined to put a damper on the holiday season. After a few altercations with Holly's friends it's not really a surprise when Karen winds up dead - but, the murder weapon is the nutcracker that Cookie had given to Holly just hours earlier and unfortunately, Sheriff Evan Gray has no choice but to hold the elderly woman as a suspect.

An entertaining read with the return of series regulars. While I enjoyed the setting, reconnecting with Holly's friends and family, and the descriptions of the mouthwatering treats served up on the farm, there was just something a little off with this latest addition. The reveal and reason for the murder just didn't really seem to connect for me. There's a lot going on with Holly, Evan and his sister Libby so I will look forward to my next visit to Reindeer Games.

I received an advanced copy of Slashing Through the Snow from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

I would like to extend my thanks to the author, #NetGalley and publisher for sending me this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Unfortunately, I found this book too farfetched. The murder storyline really was terrible. I liked the sound of the Reindeer Games book and loved all the references to Christmas which I love but not on this occasion. The characters were not developed at all. I read till the end to find out who the murderer was and even that was unbelievable. I really do not like leaving a poor review, but I do not have a choice.
2

Highly enjoyable book. I enjoyed the fact that I couldn't pick the killer. Book 3 of a series but I didn't feel as though I missed out by not reading the first 2 books (although I will look for them now11)

There was a murder early on in this book of a rather nasty person. Then there were rather convenient circumstances that pointed the finger at Holly's friend. It is predictable but you basically know what you are getting. There were numerous mistakes in time and sentence structure that created confusion.

This was sugar overload and I skimmed several parts of it.

Maybe the murder happened too soon or maybe it was the overwhelming Christmas theme but I could not get into it. I got sleepy reading it.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley on Kindle for review. It is a light quick read about family business and dynamics. It is a slow read but fun at times. Try it.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Holly is look forward to the holiday working at her families farm. A guest is found dead. The suspect list keeps growing, Holly and her friends try to determine who the killer is.

This series just gets better and better! Jacqueline Frost keeps the reader on their toes as they dive through the various twists and turns. The clues are meant to throw the reader off the scent of the actual killer. However, when the clues are laid out after the reveal of the killer, they all make sense. The ending was sweet and lays the groundwork for future books.

I have enjoyed this series however, this book seemed clunky and awkward. I had a hard time attaching to the mystery and skipped to the end.

I''ve been waiting so long for this next book in the series and it did not disappoint! I love this series and am so into the characters and the setting. Who wouldn't want to participate with the Reindeer Games?! Another great Christmas time mystery for Holly and Cookie to solve. While I wish a little more time had been spent on the Reindeer Games and fun, there was so much going on with the mystery/murder that it kept your attention and kept you guessing. Mistletoe sounds like a truly wonderful place to live and the author does a fabulous job with descriptions. She makes you want to be there. I hope she is already working on the next book!

Doesn't matter what time of year it is , this cozy is a fun read anytime! Love the characters! Just like the previous 2 in the series, this one has a great plot with turns that keep you guessing until the end. Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I had listened to the first two books and enjoyed them. I like town and set up of the books.

Although I enjoyed this book overall (I like the town and characters), I did find myself becoming irritated with the main character Holly. Not due to her ignoring safety or Evan's requests she stop investigating (there would be no story if she did), but due to her "fury rising" when people asked her to be safe. Honestly, I'm surprised Evan doesn't run for the hills. She is constantly insinuating that he is bad at his job, surprised when he already knows a fact or clue she has found out...how is he still in love with her????

I'll continue with the series....but I'm not sure for how long depending on the next book.

Breakout out the mistletoe and hot cider! I loved this cozy mystery. Even in April I was longing for the story to never stop. I haven't read many books by this author but I plan on picking up some of her earlier books. With wonderful characters and a solid plot line I enjoyed this book even though I haven't read her earlier books. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

Slashing Through the Snow the third instalment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost. I am a huge fan girl of author Julie Anne Lindsey and was super happy that the publishers decided to extend the series.

Omg I loved it! It was extra special recognizing friends names from the cozy community as well as myself. I love this series and hope that Julie can write more in the series next year or in 2023.

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, Cookie, Carolyn, Samantha etc. as with most of Julie’s books you fall in love with the characters. What can I say about Hollys Parents other than I want them as my grandparents, how much fun would that be . I drank a few hot cocoas while reading this story.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end. I had an inkling on who the villain was but was just happy reading the story and seeing how it unfolded.

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.

I’m such a fan of Jacqueline Frost (and her numerous pen names). I’ve been hoping for another book in her Christmas tree farm series, and was thrilled to see this available for an early read on NetGalley Shelf.

I re-read the first two prior to starting this third in the series. Although each could easily be read as a standalone, I enjoy the characters and friendships so much that I recommend reading them as a series.

“Cookie” Cutter is the central suspect in this mystery. She is a hilarious character. I was sorry to see her framed for murder, but it did allow for some extra funny dialogue.

This installment had a lovely and romantic ending. It would make for a nice finale, but there are some loose ends concerning Libby’s issues in Boston. I sure hope the series continues! Highly recommended.

With the new inn open, Holly White is busy with running the inn right before Christmas and trying to keep a critic happy as she reviews the inn.

When the critic is found with her head bashed in with the nut cracker Cookie just gave Holly for Christmas, it makes Cookie look like the murderer. Knowing hits a setup, Holly vows to find the true killer and clear her friend’s name before Santa arrives! Holly just hopes she will be there to celebrate the holiday with her family and not be the killer’s next victim.


I have been waiting for the third installment in this series for almost three years...and it was worth the wait! Please, please keep an annual murder in town so we can have an entry each year for Christmas in our favorite town!

Maine, small-business, small-town, cozy-mystery, Christmas, family, family-dynamics, friendship, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth*****

Who did it with the Nutcracker on the front porch? Holly White has replanted herself in her home town where her family has run a Christmas tree farm for ages and she now runs an inn. A bitter former schoolmate now a very critical critic is found murdered on Holly's front porch and best friend is in the frame. Let the sleuthing begin! There are enough twists and red herrings to keep the suspense going and the reader from doing other things!
I requested and received a free temporary review copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.

I received an advance copy of, Slashing Through the Snow, by Jacqueline Frost. This is a good winter or holiday mystery. I liked the characters and the setting.

A warm read on a chilly day with a beautiful setting in Mistletoe and loveable characters with Holly giving it her all to solve the interesting mystery.

This is book 3 of the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series – I haven’t read books 1 & 2, but I will be now.

It has been a joy to read a Christmas book in April, and I’m going to buy the first two books to enjoy them as well.

The story is set in a beautiful town which is totally Christmas focussed the whole year round, and has truly likeable characters.

I did feel there are some loose ends, but it may be they will be resolved either before publication, or in a possible book 4. It certainly didn’t detract from the ending, which was just perfect.