Book Review: Christmas Lights and Cat Fights: A Jules Keene Glamping Mystery
Stars: 3 of 5
Author: Heather Weidner @heather_mystery_writer
Publisher: Level Best Nooks @levelbestbooks
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

What a sweet little mystery. Jules inherits a campground in Fern Valley Virginia and turns it into a Glamping Paradise even with tiny houses. It is the Holiday Season and not only is Fern Valley all decked out for the holidays but Jules’ campground is too. The Christmas Festivities include many vendors selling their holiday crafts. One of the vendors ends up dead and since there are so many people who dislike him the suspect list is enormous. Just as the investigation gets going another victims is found. Jules steps in and decides to try to solve this herself. Can she solve these two murders before another one occurs?

This was a cozy little mystery that I enjoyed and just in time for the holidays.

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This fell flat for me and honestly I didn't have the desire to finish after 50% mark. This story was full of drama, and gave major Tiger King vibes. However, some of the dialog was a bit much, especially in the beginning. No one talks like that in real life. I also felt there was a lot of unnecessary information that could have been omitted as it was not important to the story, like all the food descriptions. I also found it very unrealistic and absurd that Jules glamping blessings has had five murders in less than one year. How does she even get business with statistics like that?! Although this is the 3rd books of the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

This was a suspenseful holiday mystery that kept me hooked from the first page to the end of the story. It's the 3rd book in the series and is full of surprises. The characters are engaging and entertaining. Many are suspects with secrets that kept me guessing. I also enjoyed reading all the recipes following the end of the story. I look forward to reading another book by Heather Weidner. If you like cozy mysteries, then I am sure you will love this one.

Jules Keene is back with another murder mystery this time involving Christmas, a love triangle and some big cats in Heather Weidner’s new book Christmas Lights and Cat Fights! Fern Valley is in the throes of Christmas preparation with a fun-filled Christmas festival run over multiple weekends however when one of the vendors winds up dead at Jules Keene’s glamping resort a murder mystery begins to unfold. If the murder of a vendor wasn’t enough, one of the big cats brought in as entertainment for the festival is now missing from its cage! Will Jules be able to solve the murder, find the big cat and save the Christmas festival in time? You’ll just have to read Christmas lights and Cat Fights to find out.

While this is my first time reading a Jules Keen Glamping mystery book it doesn’t seem like you need to read any other books from the series to grasp the plot and characters of this book. I enjoyed reading this book but I found the plot to be a bit slow at times. I found that there was often unnecessary information that added nothing to the storyline of the book. For example, every time Jules was at a restaurant there was entire dialogue of what food she ordered. Now I love food, but this just felt like a way to increase word count and added excessive details that are not needed. The characters are likeable and it was an easy read to pick up after a long day.

I give Christmas Lights and Cat Fights by Heather Weidner 2.5:5 stars it was a fun quirky Christmas murder mystery. This book is available now!

I feel slightly mean with this star rating but there were so many things that grated with me about this book that I couldn't give it a higher rating.

Christmas Lights is the third in a series starring Jules Keene, the manager/owner of a glamping business in Virginia. I haven't read the others. If I had I wouldn't have requested this one. But every year I think that I might enjoy a cosy Christmas murder. I'm afraid not this year.

The storyline is that following a public bust up, Tabbi Morris (ex-wife of a big cat showman) is found dead at the glamping site. No one has any clue why Tabbi has been murdered (despite her being an extremely unlikeable individual) so Jules, who has a penchant for mystery solving, determines to crack the case.

So my first problem with this is the dialogue. It's really clunky and stilted. I can't think of one person who speaks this way. Jules herself is a mass of contradictions - says she's good at solving problems but can't work out why anyone would constantly try warning her off investigating. I'm terrible at working out whodunnit but even I'd worked it out by halfway through.

Jules friend, Pixel, who is interviewing for the FBI supposedly, calls Jules "Miss Marple" and "Nancy Drew" at times but the overall feeling I had was of an episode of Scooby Doo.

I was also quite surprised that Jules had any customers at her glamping site since Tabbi's murder counted as the fifth in a year. Bit too dangerous if you ask me.

I'd hoped for a cosy murder and if you like something that reads more as an ad for glamping life in Virginia then you'll probably love it. There's also a lot of recipes thrown in for good measure at the end and since the characters seem to spend an inordinate amount of time eating I'd not be surprised if a cookbook wasn't in the offing.

Not my cup of tea. I'll stick to Agatha Christie.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review copy.

Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.
I DNF’d this book at 30%. I had a really hard time connecting with the characters in this book. The groundwork that was being laid for this story was not grabbing my interest. I’m sure this is a nice holiday mystery, but I was unable to get invested in the story. The recipes included in the back was a nice touch. From what I read, I am assuming it is recipes for dishes mentioned throughout the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and if you enjoy cozies, I think you will too.
Plus there are cats, and it's Christmas. What's not to like?
It’s a nice addition to this series by Heather Weidner!

Jules Keene inherited her family campground in Virginia, and has turned it into a glamping experience with themed tiny houses. A they gear up for the Christmas Festivities, one of the vendors is found murdered. No one really liked the victim, so there are plenty of suspects to go around. Before that murder can be solved, a friend of the victim is found dead. Jules feels she must step in to try and solve the murders, in order to save the holiday bookings, which the campground desperately needs and the town depends on. But as she digs deeper into the murders, she begins receiving threatening notes. She must work to uncover the murderer, while being careful not to become a victim herself.

This is s #3 in the mystery series, and I'm going to go back and pick up the others in the series. I was expecting a fluffy cozy mystery with little plot and character development, but I was pleasantly surprised with the pacing and character development. Out now, this is. a fun page-turning read! Out now, so pick up a copy wherever you get your books!

Thanks to Netgalley for ARC of this one; all options are my own.

Such a cozy, festive mystery! I binged this in one sitting! Definitely need to pick up a trophy copy. I can’t wait to read more by Heather in the future!

#ChristmasLightsandCatFights #NetGalley is a great holiday cozy mystery that entertained me from beginning to end.
I enjoyed getting to know Jules, Jake and Roxanne and the resort with tiny houses sounds amazing!
Jules and the rest of the crew are getting ready for the Christmas festival, but things don't go according to plan. Two deaths, cheating, lies, secrets and more will keep the reader engaged throughout the story.
I'm so happy I waz selected to read an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, and to the author, Heather Weidner, for writing a delightful book.

Absolutely loved this book! The authors writing style is amazing! I look forward to reading more from them

Will appear on blog Dec 7

Christmas Lights and Cat Fights by Heather Weidner is a delightful and cozy mystery that combines the joy of the holiday season with an entertaining feline twist. With engaging characters, a charming small-town setting, and a purr-fectly mysterious plot, this book is sure to keep fans of cozy mysteries entertained.

The story revolves around Delanie Fitzgerald, a private investigator who finds herself caught up in a tangled web of secrets and suspicious activity during the holiday season. When a beloved local cat is kidnapped, Delanie takes it upon herself to investigate the matter, leading her on a merry adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Heather Weidner's writing style is engaging and flows smoothly, capturing the cozy atmosphere of the small town and bringing the characters to life. The author has a knack for creating relatable and likable characters, and Delanie is no exception. Her determination, wit, and love for her feline companions make her a compelling protagonist that readers will root for.

One of the highlights of Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is the clever incorporation of cats in the story. The feline characters steal the show with their personalities and antics, bringing an added layer of charm and humor to the narrative. Cat lovers will be delighted by the way the author seamlessly weaves these furry companions into the plot.

The mystery itself is well-crafted, keeping readers guessing and turning pages until the satisfying conclusion. Weidner introduces a variety of suspects, each with their own motives and secrets, making it an engaging game of whodunit. The pacing is steady, with just the right balance of suspense and lighter moments to keep the story entertaining.

The small-town setting is cozy and inviting, filled with the warm glow of Christmas lights and festive decorations. Weidner's attention to detail brings the town to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and feel like they're part of the community.

While Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is an enjoyable read, there were a few occasions when the plot felt slightly predictable, which prevented me from giving it a full five-star rating. However, this minor issue didn't significantly detract from the overall charm and entertainment provided by the story.

Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is a delightful cozy mystery that cat lovers and fans of the genre will thoroughly enjoy. Heather Weidner's engaging writing style, lovable characters, and clever incorporation of feline companions make this book a purr-fect holiday read. If you're looking for a cozy mystery to curl up with during the Christmas season, this book is a great choice.

Embrace the warmth of the holiday season, pour a cup of hot cocoa, and immerse yourself in the charming world of Christmas Lights and Cat Fights.

Absolutely loved this book!

The authors writing style is amazing!

I look forward to reading more from them!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3.5 stars

Christmas lights and cat fights is like the cozy mystery version of a Hallmark movie.
I’d call this an interconnected stand-alone as it’s the third in the series but it’s the first one I’ve read and I think Heather did a great job with the accessibility of it if you’ve never read any of the others. It’s wholesome, fluffy, and heartwarming and I think it can be a good palette cleanser. It’s reminiscent of the mysteries I read growing up and I loved the bit of nostalgia it gave me.

I did find it slow to start but I’m overall glad I have stuck with it. I enjoyed the small town vibe and Jules as a curious detective. Bijou as her sidekick warmed my heart. Pixel is super cool and I love their digital forensics and cyber security background. There’s also a sweet romance subplot. Overall this is a great festive mystery for the holiday season!

Christmas time has arrived and Jules is excited about all that Fern Valley has planned. But when a guest is murdered, she has her work cut out for her if she’s hoping things will be merry and peaceful.

This is the third book in this series, but the first I have read. I found it interesting and it read fine as a stand alone for me. I’m looking forward to more in this series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery: entertaining, festive and well plotted.
I liked the characters and the solid mystery kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

"Christmas has come to Fern Valley, and the town’s decked out with enough glitter and sparkle for a month’s worth of celebrations, each more over-the-top than the previous one. The idyllic setting, filled with laughter, carols, and sweet treats, is shattered, along with some of the decorations, when the current wife and the ex-wife of a big-cat showman have a knock-down, drag-out fight in the center of town. Jules Keene, owner of the Fern Valley Glamping Resort, tries to keep peace among her guests and with the town council, but it turns into a catastrophe when Tabbi Morris, winds up dead in one of her ex-husband’s tiger cages." Cat fights turn into murder. Tabbi is the first to die and her friend was the second one. Jules is determined to solve the case but it gets her into trouble.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

Christmas Lights and Cat Fights is a new book in the Jules Keene Glamping Mystery Series.
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and this one is the first I have read in this series.
Jules is the main character. She owns what is known as a Glamping Resort. This adds an angle to the story that is perfect for the story. When the ex-wife of one of the guests is murdered Jules is set to solve the mystery of who did it!
Thank you NetGalley, Heather Weidner and Level Best Books for the copy of Christmas Lights and Cat Fights. This is my personal review.

This is a mystery that takes part in a small town in December. The main character Jules owns a camping site that rents fancy tiny houses and trailers to tourists. When a woman is murdered at the site she goes on to investigate. This was the first book I read in the series and by Heather Weidner. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first books in the series. As it is I found it a bit lengthy and the mystery was not really gripping. The characters were o.k. but we don"t learn a lot about them or their lives other than their actions and what they talk about. Also the ending felt very fabricated and unbelievable.
I guess if you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this book but it just wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and was excited for the next one. However, I found Christmas Lights and Cat Fights to be a bit disappointing compared to the previous two books. The story didn't have the same level of pacing and suspense.

The mystery element was well-explored. Somehow, Jules going on a clue-finding adventure didn't pique my curiosity. The murder mystery was interesting but I would have liked it more if it was more 'catty.'

But if I have to consider the festive spirit and all-things Christmassy (except murder, that is), this book checks all the boxes. Last but not the least, this story gave me hippie vibes - free-love and the vendor/showman wanting only beautiful blondes to work in his zoo.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

3.5/5