I'll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost Review

 Happy Friday Sweet Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you've chosen to stop on by The Preppy Book Princess today for another book review.

I'm Kirby, and I'm always happy to welcome you to my little bookish corner of the internet.

Are you someone who enjoys Christmas books? And if so, is there a particular time of the year you stick to reading them?

I adore Christmas books, and will honestly find myself picking them up all throughout the year. However, there's something extra special about picking them up in the months leading up to Christmas, and it's crazy to think that as of today, there's only two months until Christmas Day!

It seemed like the perfect day to share another Christmas book review with you all, but before I dive into that, if you'd like to check out my reviews of previous titles in this Christmas themed cozy mystery series, you can do so using the links below:

Twelve Slays of Christmas

Twas' the Knife Before Christmas

Slashing Through the Snow

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree

Otherwise, I hope you'll keep on reading down below and dive into today's review with me.

I'll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost:

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publication Date: November 12th, 2024

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries

Synopsis:

Innkeeper Holly White is decking the halls this Christmas season, but someone is on the naughty list when a body is discovered in the fifth installment in the Christmas Tree Farm mystery series from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter. 

When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive.

When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

Returning to the Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm has come to feel like a holiday tradition, and these lovely cozy mysteries never fail to disappoint. This series has become a favorite of mine within the cozy mystery genre, and I was hopeful I'd end up feeling just as positive about I'll Be Home For Mischief.

Readers will notice a few changes with this one, as Holly and Evan are now newlyweds making a go of her continuing to be the farm's inn keeper, and him the beloved town sheriff. This Christmas season is bringing about many wonderful things including their upcoming one year wedding anniversary, and Holly's mom attempting to break a world record for the biggest gingerbread man. However, it wouldn't be Christmas on the tree farm without a dastardly murder plot taking place, and readers are once again treated to a "keep you on the edge of your seat mystery." As Holly and Evan race against the clock to solve another murder mystery involving her family's beloved Christmas tree farm, readers get to go along for the ride.

If you're looking for a wonderful and atmospheric Christmas cozy this season, then this is definitely the book you've been waiting for. In typical Jacqueline Frost fashion, the mystery keeps the reader engaged, and the small town feels will keep you coming back for more. This read may see some changes from the rest of the series, but our favorite eclectic cast of characters are just as fun as ever, and they'll all band together to help bring this case to a close before their favorite season of all.

Another wonderful addition to the series, I highly enjoyed this one, and I'm hopeful the author will keep writing these titles for years to come.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to advance read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Crooked Lane Books) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Thanks so much for reading guys! I pray you all have a great rest of your weekend:)