I have to say that while I enjoyed this story, it was a bit too happy-go-lucky for me. I missed Holly digging deep into the investigation and questioning people. So much of the story was her sitting with Libby, Ray, Cookie, Caroline, and Zane at the Hearth for Reindeer Games that it just felt repetitive rather than Jacqueline's usually thrilling cozies. It made the ending feel more lackluster, too, because Holly didn't really do much to find the killer. The killer came to her without really having much of a reason to. And the solution to the mystery felt...I don't know, it didn't feel right. The killer's motivation felt so weak compared to some of the other suspect's reasons and it didn't feel very believable. I'll keep reading the series, but I was a bit disappointed with this one.

A Wonderful Christmas Time is a wonderful mix of holiday cheer and crime. The author, Jacqueline Frost, gives readers a vivid image of the town of Mistletoe. It is easy to feel you are there while reading. The only thing I struggled with was the slow start to the book. I would definite Read more of this series!

Every Christmas season there’s a murder in the town of Mistletoe, Maine. Every year Holly White, the Gumdrop Gumshoe, solves the case. Until this year, that is. Holly and hubby Sheriff Evan White are expecting a baby and both are determined that Holly will not risk her life or that of their unborn child chasing murderers.

The plot revolves around the theft of heirloom antique Swedish Christmas goat figurines from the collection of Holly’s friend Alice. A dead body is found at the crime scene making Alice the prime suspect. Antiques Roadshow is in town along with a huge antique show, which means there are several people who might know how valuable Alice’s antique Swedish Christmas goats are. And is there any connection between the theft of the antiques and the theft of giant inflatable snowmen from front yards around the town?

Quirky characters abound in this cozy series. Holly herself makes Christmas-themed jewelry and is well-known as an amateur sleuth. In fact, she has been branded the “Gumdrop Gumshoe” for solving murders in the previous books and is a reluctant local celebrity who is pursued by the media, including local podcasters. Her friend Cookie, manager of the local inn, is obsessed with goats (think goat yoga, goat calendars, etc.) and co-owns a bakery with her friend Caroline. The inn and bakery feature holiday decorations, activities, and baked goods (especially cupcakes).

The Christmas theme of book is echoed in the setting. Mistletoe, Maine goes all-out for Christmas and Holly’s parents own a Christmas tree farm with daily activities for families. They also host merchant booths for convenient Christmas shopping. Even the huge antique show plays into the Christmas theme with most of the characters shopping there throughout the novel as Holly investigates-without-investigating the people who might know the value of antique Swedish Christmas goats.

The only thing missing from this series are recipes for all the wonderful holiday treats.

If you love Christmas and light cozies, this is the book/series for you! I have not read any of the previous books in this series but was able to jump right in with this book. This is only the third series I’m aware of where every book takes place at Christmas. The other two are Anne Perry’s Christmas series and Kate Kingsbury’s Pennyfoot Hotel series. Given the popularity of the Christmas and cozy mysteries I am surprised there aren’t more.

Julie Hatcher writes mysteries and romantic suspense (Harlequin Intrigue) and also publishes as Bree Baker (Seaside Café Mysteries), Julie Anne Lindsey (Patience Price Mysteries, Geek Girl Mysteries, Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries, Cider Shop Mysteries, and two non-series YA romantic suspense), and Julie Chase (Kitty Couture Mysteries). Cat lovers note that the Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries and the Kitty Couture Mysteries feature cats!

Merry Christmas in July!

I am not a fan of heat and humidity, so Christmas in July is a form of escape for me. I love watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books at the this time of year. I'm so excited to have received an ARC of the sixth book in Jacqueline Frost's Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series, A Wonderful Christmas Crime. This series has become a favorite of mine and it fit the theme perfectly this month. It has all the cozy Christmas feels I was hoping for.

Something significant is revealed at the beginning of this installment. I won't spoil it, but it plays a huge role in Holly's motivation not to get involved in crime-solving this Christmas. In an effort to relax and have some fun, Holly participates in a town-wide progressive dinner. After an attempted robbery at one of the stops, followed by the discovery of a dead body, Holly can't help thinking about why all of this happened and who is responsible for yet another Christmas crime in Mistletoe, Maine. Holly knows the person accused of the crime is not the responsible party and, with the help of her friends and family, she is determined to get to the bottom of it all.

This is a solid mystery. In fact, there are multiple mysteries going on simultaneously. I was especially thrilled to see one involving crossword puzzles. You will have to read it to find out if and how they are all connected. I was really shocked when the killer was revealed, but it came to a logical conclusion. There are several suspects to consider and twists and turns along the way, which made for a mind-boggling mystery.

The setting for this entire series is one of my favorites in any cozy mystery. It has all the festive and cozy Christmas feels, complete with hot chocolate and reindeer games. The imagery is vivid with lots of descriptions to awaken all five senses. This is one town where I would love to spend Christmas.

It was comforting to meet up again with the same main characters who have been present throughout the series. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and it feels like a true community. The progressive dinner is the perfect example of how they all come together.

Holly is one lucky lady to be surrounded by so much love. However, I did feel like her loved ones were very over-protective of her in this installment. Throughout the book, she is struggling to keep her blood pressure under control. I understand why her friends and family were concerned, but as much as they babysat her (this term was actually used in the book multiple times), that alone would be enough to raise her blood pressure. They needed to loosen the grip. She's a grown woman who is fully capable of making her own decisions. I also wasn't a fan of her acquired goofy nickname.

Overall, though, this is yet another strong installment in the beloved Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. If you've read all of the previous books in the series, this is definitely one you won't want to miss. It's light-hearted and fun, just like all of the previous books in the series. If you have not yet read any books in the series, I highly recommend starting with the first one, Twelve Slays of Christmas, and reading them in order. Each installment is a self-contained mystery, but it's a lot of fun to follow the growth of the characters with each consecutive book.

As I was reading this book, I thought it was going to be the final one in the series. However, I was delighted to learn that there will be another one released next year. I can't wait! I'm definitely going to read it!

A Wonderful Christmas Crime releases on October 21, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This series is always a preorder for me. Frost continues to deliver such amusing characters and suspense that each book turns into my new favorite of the series. I would love to live in Mistletoe and have Holly as a friend. I’m always rooting for her and her crew and hope another book shares their next adventure. Thank you NetGalley for the free review copy!

The sixth installment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series is a festive, feel-good read that blends cozy holiday atmosphere with a heartfelt personal journey. Returning to Mistletoe, Maine, feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie—with the added intrigue of a well-paced mystery. Holly and Evan’s evolving relationship brings genuine emotional depth to the series and is one of the reasons I recommend reading in order. Despite recovering from an injury and navigating big life changes, Holly remains a smart and steady amateur sleuth—curious and capable without ever crossing into reckless. The mystery kept me engaged throughout, striking just the right balance between suspense and seasonal charm. As always, the supporting characters bring warmth and humour, and the town of Mistletoe is as inviting as ever.

This continues to be one of my favourite holiday cozy series, and I’m already looking forward to the book in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

A Wonderful Christmas Crime is book six in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries and would be best read as part of the series to get a feel for the main characters. An antique show is in the town of Mistletoe and someone tries to steal Alice’s antique Yule goats and then someone is murdered. Holly finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery as she tries to navigate pregnancy and elevated blood pressure while walking straight into danger. The characters are entertaining and the cozy keeps you guessing for another good read in the series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

I so love the Christmas Tree Farm series!! This is another wonderful and mystery filled season!! The characters are so well written and the mystery is always so satisfying that I’m always surprised by who done it! I look forward to each new book we get in this series!! It’s one of my all time favorites in Cozy Mystery!! I hope there are more books to come!!! I highly recommend this book and series to everyone!!

I received a free copy of, A Wonderful Christmas Crime, by Jacqueline Frost, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book six, in a Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Its Christmas in Mistletoe , Maine, and even though she is pregnant Holly still has a mystery to solve. Cozy Christmas mysteries are the best, I really enjoyed this story, Holly and her friends are great characters.

A Wonderful Christmas Crime

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the season: a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure, and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list. ”

Perfect addition to a great series!! The puzzles and crime and who done it in this one is the best yet. I had no idea what was connected until the end which I love. The ending was amazing and even brought a tear to my eyes. Can’t wait for the next one and would highly recommend this book and this whole series to anyone.

This book feels like stepping into a warm kitchen while snow falls outside, with the smell of pine and cinnamon in the air. Holly White is expecting a baby, and seeing her trying to slow down for once while still getting tangled in a mystery was both comforting and real. Her cravings, her stubbornness, and her small moments with Evan made me smile, and the cozy Maine town of Mistletoe feels alive with twinkling lights even as a failed robbery turns into a murder. It captures that comforting small-town feeling, where everyone knows each other but secrets still find a way to slip through.

What I loved most was how it blends a murder mystery with the warmth of community and the gentle chaos of preparing for a new baby. Holly’s determination to find the truth, even while being gently scolded by her husband, makes her feel like a friend you’d want to have in your corner. It is a story that reminds you how life doesn’t pause even when scary things happen, and there is always room for kindness, friendship, and hope even when you are piecing together clues. It leaves you with that cozy satisfaction only a Christmas mystery can give, perfect for a quiet evening with a cup of cocoa.

This is one of my favorite series. I love the wonderful setting and the Christmas theme.
There's a murder to solve, many red herrings, a new baby on the way, a little romance, and several new characters that I hope to see in the next book.

Loved reading this book and series. If you haven't read it yet. I highly recommend doing so. 1 of my favorite authors

A Wonderful Christmas Crime is the sixth installment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost. Although I haven’t read the previous books, this one can be enjoyed as a standalone, and I picked it up as a festive way to kick off my Christmas in July reading.

Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite work for me. While I was hoping for a cozy Christmas mystery, much of the plot centered on the main character discovering and processing her pregnancy. This storyline dominated the book to the point that it overshadowed both the mystery and character development. It often felt like the pregnancy was a bigger obstacle to the investigation than the actual crime.

There is a murder to solve, but the narrative repeatedly returns to how the pregnancy complicates things—so much so that it distracted from the core mystery. For readers less sensitive to this theme, it may still be an enjoyable read, especially if you're already invested in the series or the main character.

That said, I do wish the book had included a content note. For readers navigating grief, infertility, or related struggles, the constant focus on pregnancy could be painful or triggering. I personally would have skipped it had I known.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m sharing my honest thoughts voluntarily.

A Wonderful Christmas Crime (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6) by Jacqueline Frost
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: October 21, 2025

A fun Christmas cozy is enjoyable even in July! Holly and Evan get great news that Holly is pregnant. Her blood pressure is a little high so her friends and family are driving her crazy, trying to keep her calm. After a dinner out with friends, they come across a murder and one of their new friends is a suspect. The death revolves around antique Yule goats and an antique show is in town, in addition to Mistletoe’s usual fun and games and vendors. Holly is trying to not get involved in sleuthing this time, now that she’s expecting, but that doesn’t work out for her.
As always, a story set in Mistletoe is full of warm friendships, close and loving families and lots of Christmas cheer. In addition, there’s a good mystery to be solved.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Book #6 in the series. Awesome characters. Mistletoe Maine never disappoints. A story that is enjoyable during the hot summer months as much as the cold winter days. Holly is caught up again in solving a mystery. Love how her character has developed. Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Love this series set in MIstletoe Maine, Holly White is married to the Sheriff Evan Gray. She is the amateur sleuth along with some of her friends. In this book a family heirloom ornament is stolen from Alice's food establishment the night of the progressive holiday dinner. Holly and her friends were there at the time someone tried to take one of Alice's Yule goats. There also is an antique show in town. Later that night someone breaks into Alice's place, steals some things and there e is a murder. Does Holly and her friends start sleuthing around. ?? Holly hurt her hand because she fell and the doctor Ranson some test. Guess what is wrong with Holly . A GREAT COZY MYSTERY.

This was a combo of murder mystery and romantic holiday vibes. You could imagine yourself in this Christmas town, the foods, the smells, the ambiance. Sometimes you forgot a murderer was on the loose! The main character is witty and smart. The mystery wrapped up nicely. I would very much like to know what happens in their futures!

"A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6)" by Jaqueline Frost has yet another Christmas time murder happen and Holly in the middle of the investigation. Honestly, I wasn't expecting another book in this series after how the last one ended. Especially with Evan's sister Libby saying she was going into private investigation work, not Holly.

This time a woman is found outside the business she was previously caught trying to steal from. Holly kind of backs off from sleuthing when someone health concerns come up for her. It doesn't stop her completely though.

I always enjoy coming back to Mistletoe because of all the festive and laid back vibes. But this book was especially good because of the happy news at the beginning of the book.

As a fan of Holly and Evan, I was so happy to hear about this big step in their relationship. It makes it worth reading the series in order so that you can experience how their relationship first started. I love when Cozy Mysteries focuses a little on romance as well. It definitely adds to the vibe of the book.

Needless to say, I enjoyed the mystery plot as well. Although injured and recovering, Holly is a great ametuer sleuth that doesn't get too in over her head. I've always liked that about her character. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series.