REVIEW: The Twelve Slays of Christmas

The Twelve Slays of Christmas
Author: Jacqueline Frost

Holly White returns to Mistletoe, Maine after her fiance breaks off their engagement for a younger woman he met at the gym. The family business, Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm, is just what she needs to help put her life, and heart, back together. The farm, and town, are gearing up for Christmas. The Twelve Day of Reindeer Games at the farm, plus cookies and hot cocoa, are really packing in the tourists and locals. Everything is holly jolly until the head of the local historical society, Margaret Fenwick, is found beaten to death, her body gruesomely stuffed into the Reindeer Games sleigh display. Unfortunately the owners and staff at the tree farm immediately become suspects because the weapon happens to be a spike used to identify trees on the farm. Holly's father, Bud, was seen arguing with the annoying woman just before her death, making him look guilty. Holly knows her dad is not a killer....so she is on the case to ferret out the murderer!

I love holiday theme cozy mysteries! And I'm pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The background theme of a Christmas tree farm and all the holiday events really added to the plot of the book. The mystery moved along at a great pace with some great amateur sleuthing, several possible suspects, and some surprises along the way. I enjoyed Holly as a main character, she is intelligent and has spunk. The side characters were all believable and well-written. The murdered woman was annoying, but she was meant to be. I have dealt with over zealous historical society people before when I was a reporter.....and they can be incredibly over-the-top and annoying...just like Margaret Fenwick. Luckily, none of the ones I knew were ever murdered. :)

This is Jacqueline Frost's debut novel. I am definitely going to read more in this series! Although it's not even Halloween yet, this book really got my holiday spirit going! Great theme, awesome cover, and a fun read!!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**