A Wonderful Christmas Crime

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“ 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.

This is a favorite series of mine and i can read it any time of the year. Just gives me joy and relaxation. Al,so cozy vibes. The town, the people. A murder?! I love it. Such a good series.

Christmas. Friends. Family oh and murder!

Thank you Netgalley for this. Truly. I adore this series sm!

oh my stars and snickerdoodles this was good. I love the characters and the town. So happy for Evan and Holly. Especially Libby and Ryan. Babies on the way! This series is so special. Well done.

I was able to download it, thank goodness, and it was wonderful! I LOVE this series! It’s so comfortable, familiar, warm and endearing. I feeel like I’ve grown up with holly and that she’s a friend. The plot is, like always, easy enough to follow but fun enough to keep it interesting. The writing flows well, the story is absurdly believable, and it gives me all the feels for the Christmas season. Love it, thank you for giving me access!!

I have not read the previous books in this series, but jumping in at this one was still enjoyable. I will likely go back to the others to find out context for friendships and backstory that I have missed, but I do not feel that it is imperative to read the first ones in order to enjoy this one. Due to the fact that Holly is not able to actively investigate, I feel like this book fits into a cozy mystery category. The stakes are still there, but they feel much lower than if she were constantly in physical danger.

As Holly is not able to be as active in the investigation it feels, at times, as if things are just happening and being told to her. Instead detailed focus tends to be about her day to day on the farm and with her friends. The friends do feel a little one dimensional though as the reader mainly knows them for one specific thing. All you really know about Cookie in this book for instance is that she loves goats and beards. There were also times I had to search the book on my kindle for a character because he was only brought up at random times and had no other connection to this individual story. I also noticed a lack of diversity in the book.

Even though there are these issues that I noticed in the book it was still enjoyable. Holly was relatable, the love she shares with her family was cute, and the story itself was very fast paced. I recommend it as a cozy Christmas mystery to read while sitting next to a pet and a fire.

The amount of joy this series brings to me is amazing. Holly and Evan are preparing for another joyous (and murderous) Christmas season and the love surrounding them is immeasurable.

A couple of new characters, Alice and Hugo, are a welcomed addition and I can already see the potential plot lines forming!

Cookie running the inn now is so fun -her character is always there for a fun & funny time.

The author had me crying big tears towards the end with the mention of the children’s hospital. Many nights have we personally spent on the children’s floor with our daughter and it’s incredible how much your community shows up for you. She captured the emotions, the sense of community, and the steadfastness perfectly and it was easily my favorite part.

Just when I think I can’t love this series more, the author releases another book and proves me wrong. I simply adore this series. It’s full of Joy. Literally. If you’re reading this Jacqueline, are you picking up what I’m putting down? That’s my guess! 😉🥰

Amazing. Joyful. Christmas to the max. Well done!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun mystery novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

The latest in Jacqueline Frost's A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series was absolutely fantastic. The characters are all so likeable, and the mystery was so unique and immediately engaging. There is whimsy with Christopher, and kind, kind people that combine to make a delightful read. I would encourage all to read the entire series, and I can't wait for more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Christmas season in Mistletoe is time for celebration and the Reindeer games. To add to the
festivities, the Antiques Roadshow is also in town. While Holly is dining out with friends, a person
attempting to steal a holiday ornament is stopped by the owner, Alice. Unfortunately, Alice finds the
thief dead outside her cafe later in the evening and becomes a suspect. When the ornaments are
revealed to be desired by collectors, Holly wonders if participants at the roadshow are involved. While
Holly is determined to clear Alice, she must deal with her husband's, family's and friends' concerns
about the early stages of her pregnancy.
Love returning to Mistletoe to catch up with the characters and read about the changes in their lives.
#AWonderfulChristmasCrime #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

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.

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?


Where to start? So this is my opinion.

I love the cover, I love the concept. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped. I appreciate Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Jacqueline Frost for gifting me the book to read. I would never have requested if I'd realised that this was part of a series as it mentioned not much, but history, which was clearly from the other books, so I got a bit lost. Although the FMC is portrait as a kind, thoughtful, compassionate person, I just found the way she went on irritating, she seemed to enjoy putting herself in danger and when her husband made sure she stayed out of things the book was stale with filling. Filling that doesn't need to be there. it was just dragged out. Yeah, that's probably the best way to sum up the book. It was dragged out.

Julie Anne Hatcher aka: Julie Anne Lindsey, Bree Baker, Jacqueline Frost, and Julie Chase is one of my favorite authors. I can always count on a great cozy when she choses to write in this genre. The sixth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery does not disappoint.

Holly Gray is trying to stay out of sleuthing to protect her baby, herself, and her future family life. Everyone is concerned about her blood pressure. Her family and friends know her too well. As hard as she tries to keep her promises to stay out of it, she is often caught crossing the lines. It isn’t intentional but that is how she is wired.

Her friend, Alice, is the prime suspect in the death of a burglar of her business. The woman tried to steal a Yule Goat during the first portion of the progressive dinner the town was having. The woman returned to secure one or more Yule Goats. She was found by Alice outside the café already dead.

I enjoyed the red herrings, the plentiful suspects and motives. I had a strong suspicion of who the murderer was. I was surprised by the motive.
Again, Holly is joined by her friends and family in trying to keep her safe. I enjoyed the subplot of the stolen blowup snowmen and it’s resolution.
This is an uplifting story just in time for the holidays.

I was given an advanced e-copy by Netgalley and these are my opinions.