2 Bloggers 1 Series - I'll Be Home for Mischief

 

One of the favorite series Stormi and I are buddy reading is The Christmas Tree Farm cozy mysteries.  The fifth one came out much earlier than we anticipated and to be honest, it's always a question as to whether this series will continue or not.  Either way, we knew we had to read it this Christmas season.  Read on to see what I thought and then hop over to Storm Reads to see if Stormi liked it as well.  

TITLE: I'll Be Home for Mischief (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #5

AUTHOR: Jacqueline Frost

PUBLISHER: Crooked Lane Books

PUBLISHING DATE: November 12, 2024

PAGES: 288   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter. 

When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive. 

When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?

MY THOUGHTS: As I mentioned, I love this series a lot.  It's always fun to see what is going on at Christmas Tree Farm each season.  This time around, Holly's mom is trying to break the world record for the largest gingerbread man ever made.  I just had a feeling that someone was going to show up dead in the gingerbread man and I was right.

The morning of the baking, Mr. Snow, a historical figure who is visiting Mistletoe with his mother for the first time in years, is found dead inside the batter.  An elderly friend of the family, Mr. Moore, quickly becomes the top suspect but Holly knows there is no way he can be responsible.  So of course, she starts meddling into the investigation despite her husband, the local sheriff's, protests.

While I really loved the mystery in this book, as well as seeing all the characters once again, I really found Holly nerve-wracking at times - more than usual.  She continues to investigate even though she knows everyone is worried about her getting hurt and at times, doesn't seem to have faith that her husband can solve the mystery on his own.  This conclusion of this one threw me for a curve as the author really incorporated a few plot twists which kept me on my toes.  

I hope there is more to come of this series as I do believe there are still stories to be fleshed out amongst the side characters.  However, if it is the end, it does sum everything up pretty nicely.  If you love cozy mysteries and holiday reads, then this is the series for you.

MY RATING: 4 Paws