ASIN: B08SW3B341
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (October 12, 2021)
Publication Date: October 12, 2021
Print Length: 298 pages
Amazon: https://amzn.to/40OLT3y
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56706289-slashing-through-the-snow
About the Book:
Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm is going into the B&B business, and Holly White is looking forward to her new role as innkeeper. Even better, Mistletoe, Maine's sheriff, Evan Gray, has deputized his little sister Libby to help Holly wrap presents for Mistletoe's toy drive. But a cold wind ruffles the cheery holiday decorations when a new guest checks in: Karen, a vicious B&B critic, who could make or break the new inn. And the short December days turn even darker when Evan and Libby find Karen's dead body in the gift-wrapped toy donation box.
The suspect list is longer than Santa's naughty list, and local resident Cookie is on it, since her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon, a metal nutcracker that she gave to Holly. So is Libby, who recently moved to town from Boston in less-than-savory circumstances. But cranky Karen was an oh-holy-nightmare to lots of the townsfolk, such as Evan's reporter friend Ray; Christopher, the inn's former contractor; and confectioner Bonnie, whose Gum Drop Shop was a direct target of Karen's scathing prose.
To figure out the killer's identity and clear Cookie's name, Holly and her friends brainstorm at The Hearth, the farm's café, while her mother keeps them fueled with Christmas goodies fresh from the oven. But if they can't put the culprit on ice, Holly may never see another Christmas.
My Review:
Slashing Through the Snow is the third book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost. The mystery was solid, exciting, and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the small-town setting and the main location of this book being a Christmas Tree Farm named Reindeer Games.
Holly is a fantastic, down-to-earth heroine. She's now the innkeeper at the new B&B on Reindeer Games' property. She's heading up a toy drive, managing the inn, and assisting with anything that needs to be done during the holidays at Reindeer Games and in Mistletoe. When Holly's new gift from Cookie becomes the murder weapon in the death of a visiting critic, Cookie is number one on the long list of those who had means, motive, and/or opportunity.
I loved Slashing Through the Snow. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book realism. The romance between Holly and Evan, the sheriff, has moved deliciously forward but doesn't overshadow the mystery. I love their chemistry. The author included the perfect amount of romance into this series. The reader is also provided excellent imagery, character development, and a great story.
The author's writing style is fluid, the pacing is perfect, and the story is so easy to read that when I reached the end, I couldn’t believe I was done already. I found myself engaged and completely captivated in the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Slashing Through the Snow and can't wait to start reading the next book.
My review copy came from my local library’s MelCat eLibrary program.
My Rating:
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