Deck the Hall with Boughs of Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #7) by Jacqueline Frost

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: New parents Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are sleep deprived, but incandescently happy to be celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. Their family, friends, and neighbors are spoiling the newest addition. Adding to the perfect holiday season is the recent completion of their newly built home. All that’s left to do is move in and send off those change of address cards. But their cup full of cheer turns sour when Holly discovers a dead body.

It all started with a sweet trip down memory lane–Candy Cane Lane and Toyland were two of Holly’s favorites as a child, and she had been looking forward to sharing them with her baby. Then she stumbled upon the body of Greysen, the animal keeper, left among the reindeer at the petting zoo.

Earlier in the day, Holly witnessed a fight between Greysen and a stranger. Stranger still, the reindeer petting zoo had originally been empty that day–no reindeer in sight until they reappeared along with a corpse.

As Holly fights to keep the Christmas spirit alive, she is Greysen’s only chance at justice–and her baby’s only chance at a happy first Christmas.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed this series in the past and was curious to see how it would develop with Holly as a new mother.

My Impression: I really like the setup for this series.  There is one mystery a year and that happens every year around the holiday season which is fun and we get to check in with what's been happening with Holly over the past year.  I also love the supportive family and friends in Mistletoe, Maine and the yummy sounding treats always sound amazing.  There are also some fun animal sidekicks like a goat named Theodore and Holly's cat Cindy Lou Who.  The mysteries are enjoyable and Holly is a likable main character.  

Unfortunately, this series is starting to go a bit flat for me.  I liked the mystery and the dynamic between Holly and her sister-in-law Libby who is also a PI.  I liked that there is some awareness about the risk of balancing toting an infant around everywhere and interrogating killers.  However, the fact that pretty much everyone mentions their concern for Holly's safety every chapter felt a bit repetitive.  As well, Holly is legitimately scared for her safety but for some reason kept asking questions she didn't need to ask and going out of her way to question suspects.  It was a bit frustrating and added with the repetitiveness impacted my enjoyment of the book.

I've really enjoyed this series and would recommend the first 5 books or so of the series but the previous one didn't quite live up to expectations and this one was a bit disappointing.  The writing style and revisiting characters that feel like friends made this still a mostly enjoyable read but I'm not anxious to pick up the next book in the series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would read more from this author but unfortunately, I do think I'm done with this series.  

Would I Recommend this Book? I would really recommend the first 5 or 6 books of this series and this series really is best read in order.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books on my TBR with Autumnal Covers

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books with Autumnal Covers so I went through my TBR and found 10 books I want to read with Autumnal Covers.

1.  Tara Road by Maeve Binchey

2.  The Ghosts of Misty Hollow by Sue Ann Jaffarian

3.  The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert

4.  Murder at Chateau sur Mer by Alyssa Maxwell

5. Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

6.  Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower

7.  Dead and Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen

8.  Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis

9.  Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Woods

10. A Dream of Death by Connie Berry

What books with autumnal covers are on your TBR?

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - The Third to Die by Allison Brennan

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  The Third to Die by Allison Brennan

Blurb:  Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage. Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous if elusive killer before he strikes again. But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before, because if they fail, one of their own will be next...

My Thoughts:  I'm kind of annoyed at myself that it has taken me this long to read this author.  I really enjoyed this one.  It reminded me a bit of early Criminal Minds with a complicated serial killer and a team with different elements of strength.  This mystery is over 500 pages but it was a very fast read.  I liked the two primary characters and while they have some serious baggage they're competent adults and very good investigators.  The mystery was dark and gritty but the on page violence or grief was never so pronounced that it crossed the line for me.  I'm looking forward to continuing this series and anything else by this author.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4.25 Stars)

Have His Carcase - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Have HIs Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers

Rating:  Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description: The second Dorothy L. Sayers classic to feature mystery writer Harriet Vane, Have His Carcase. Harriet’s discovery of a murdered body on the beach before it is swept out to sea unites her once more with the indomitable Lord Peter Wimsey, as together they attempt to solve a most lethal mystery, and find themselves become much closer than mere sleuthing partners in the process.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book: This was the next book in the Lord Peter Wimsey series.

My Impression: This year has been all about reading what I love and I've had to have a bit of a sit down with myself and realize I just don't love Dorothy Sayers.  She loves a clever turn of phrase and is brilliant at using them but sometimes it gets a bit much.  Plus, I can only handle Wimsey in small doses.  Much more and I want to throw something at him.  I do love Harriet Vane and she and Wimsey play off each other very nicely.

This was a fun mystery with a lot of different threads and more then a few dead ends.  The mystery reveal was surprising and entertaining.  Unfortunately, to me, a lot of the impact got lost in all the phrasing and asides.  I have a few more Lord Peter Wimsey books - including Gaudy Night which features Harriet Vane.  I will read them but I don't think I will be picking up any more of her books.  When it comes down to it I just don't think this is an author for me.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I will but only the ones already on my shelf.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy classic mysteries I'd give Dorothy L. Sayers a try - though I'd focus on the ones featuring Harriet Vane.

Friday Fives - Five Books with Ghosts

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  I'm reading spooky books in October and I'm starting with 5 books with ghosts.

1.  Middle of the Night by Riley Sager - This sounds spooky and ghostly and Sager can create some stunningly creepy atmosphere.  

2.  Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand - I didn't like the ending of the Paradise trilogy but this sounds fantastic and I'm hoping I have better luck with a standalone - especially one with a ghost.

3.  The Witching Hours by Heather Graham - Graham was responsible for my worst book of the year so far and I've been hesitant to read any of her newer books ever since but I like the premise so I'll give this one a try.

4.  The Restorer by Amanda Stevens - This has been on my TBR for ages.  

5.  The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James - Does anyone write creepier atmosphere that St. James?  

Do you have any ghostly books on your TBR?

The Claus Conspiracy - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Claus Conspiracy (Seven Ponds #2) by Tamara Berry

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description:  Amber Winslow thought she'd left chaos behind when she traded bounty hunting for small-town life in Arizona. Between her job as a barista and recording a true-crime podcast with a lively group of retirees at Seven Ponds Retirement Community, life has finally settled into something resembling calm.

Until a battered, amnesiac teenager crashes into it―literally.

The girl knows only one thing for Amber's voice from the podcast. Clutching a Post-it note with Amber's address, she arrives with no memory of who she is…and a dead Santa Claus in her trunk.

Determined to uncover the truth, Amber and her sharp-witted octogenarian crew begin digging―and quickly discover this is no holiday mishap. Their search uncovers a trail of rogue Mall Santas, a dangerous drug operation, and secrets someone is willing to kill to protect.

As the bodies pile up and the past closes in, Amber must untangle a mystery that's far bigger―and far more personal―than she ever imagined.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy(ish)

Why I Picked This Book:  I really like this author and I enjoyed the first book in the series.

My Impression: This was a bananas book.  It starts off with a car crashing into a cactus, a teenage girl who doesn't remember her past but is quite sure there's a body in the trunk of the car - a body dressed as Santa.  Throw in a group of chaotic senior citizens who have very little to do to fill there day other coming up with theories and some day drinking and each page is one chaotic incident after the next.

I really like Amber and I love her sidekick Tatiana the tortoise.  She's trying to keep her grandmother and friends in line just a smidge while participating in a true crime podcast.  

When law enforcement gets involved in the form of Detective Vega who is also Amber's ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend (kind of and also Amber is really good with it) as well as just an intimidating force of nature things start coming together until suddenly there are more questions than answers.

I figured out a few things before Amber but I really didn't have any idea of how everything would work out until it did - such as it is.  It was an enjoyable read and while I am very glad I don't live Amber's life I was very entertained to read about it.  This is the second in a series and while the mysteries aren't connected there is a large cast of characters that would be way easier to keep track of if you read the first one.  Plus, the first one is also a lot of fun.  If you're looking for a fun and quirky read that's not on the page graphic but also not a typical cozy this is a great pick.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes definitely though I do recommend starting with the first book.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

What I'm Reading - October 7

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Ebook:

Jay to the World by Donna Andrews - I've just started this one but I've been really looking forward to it.  I love her cozies and the Christmas ones are my favorite.

Print Book:

The Third To Die by Allison Brennan - I'm about 30% done with this one and am really enjoying it.  It has kind of an early Criminal Minds vibe which I really like.

Audio Book:

The Guest List by Lucy Foley - I'm about halfway done with this one and am enjoying it.  I don't Foley will ever be a five star read for me but so far I've enjoyed what I've read by her.

Slow Read:

Sauvigone for Good by J.C. Eaton - I love this writing team but this isn't my favorite series.  This is an entertaining read but probably not one that will stick with me.

What are you reading today?