I kind of talked Stormi into catching up on this series now that Christmas is moving closer. I know it just released at the end of October but I believe both Stormi and I have had an ARC for a while now. I adore this series but that being said, I also would not be upset of this was the last installment. I believe it was actually supposed to end a few books back but then the author was greenlit for some more. So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Storm Reads and see what Stormi thought.
TITLE: A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6
AUTHOR: Jacqueline Frost
PUBLISHER: Crooked Lane Books
PUBLISHING DATE: October 21, 2025
PAGES: 288
SOURCE: ARC
FROM GOODREADS: As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift this year - 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?
Holly and her sheriff husband Evan have just learned Holly is pregnant. While everyone is excited, they are also worried because the doctor expressed some concerns with Holly's blood pressure being high. Holly really tries to stay out of the mayhem this year but it she really likes the suspect, Alice, and wants to help. Will she be able to watch from the sidelines or end up in the middle of another Christmas caper?
It is always fun visiting the crew from Mistletoe and see all the reindeer games going on at the farm. There are so many likable characters in this series and Frost does a great job of working them all in. This year, they may even be an appearance from Santa himself, but you'll have to read it yourself to find out. The addition of an antique road show going on provides a new backdrop and intensifies the latest investigation.
I have gone back and forth between four and five stars for my rating. It is one of my favorite cozy series and it was just the Christmas vibe I was looking for. The mystery was good and threw in a few surprises along the way. There is also a side plot that really pulled the heartstrings (yes, I have some) as well. My only issue is that since each book happens at Christmas time, we miss a whole year of happenings and have to be caught up through the author's narration. I would love to see one set at a different time, maybe even a Christmas in July event, just to switch things up.
If you are looking for a light Christas read and love cozies, I can't recommend this series enough. It's become a yearly tradition to read the newest and if there is another one next year, I will be right there reading it as well.
MY RATING: 5 PAWS
I love this series!
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