Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6
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 Christmas and cozy mysteries I am surprised there aren’t more.
Jacqueline Frost, aka 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! — Cathy Akers-Jordan