by Tracy Condie

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

It is Christmas time in the iconic town of Mistletoe as the residents prepare to celebrate their 150th anniversary and attempt to make a one-thousand-three-hundred-and-eight pound and eight-ounces gingerbread man to break the Guinness World Record. I bet you will never guess where the body drop takes place.

Our sleuth is Holly Gray nee White, newly wed to the town’s sheriff, and inn keeper on her family’s Reindeer Games Tree Farm. This season finds Holly being her usual busy self, with Christmas cards from the Tree Farm to be mailed, jewelry orders to be filled, the annual toy donations to be wrapped, Reindeer Games to be overseen, and important inn guests to be taken care of. Evan, who has a habit of doing amazing things and giving amazing gifts, is ready for their big day. Not so Holly, who couldn’t possibly have time to hunt down clues, make suspect lists, question people, and irritate the murderer.

This is the most harrowing book in the series in terms of Holly being threatened. Holly says that she isn’t going to investigate … at first. She has a strong desire to see justice for Elijah Snow even if he was arrogant, but she refuses to entertain the idea that Henry Moore could be a suspect. I have no idea how Holly has the energy to sleuth; she is going all over town and even with her special parking spot (made me laugh out loud), I would be exhausted. She isn’t supposed to be asking questions. She told her parents and Evan that she wasn’t going to get involved. At least that is how the story starts out.

In Holly’s defense, everyone seems to be goading her into investigating, except for her mom, dad, and hubby Evan. A friend tantalizes people, including Holly, with some choir group gossip that includes a brief history lesson with a Romeo and Juliet angle. Don’t even get me started about the podcasters who pair murder with recipes and have nicknamed Holly the Gumdrop Gumshoe. Are they helping or hurting? I am not sure, but what I do know is that they are driving Holly crazy which is reason enough for them to end up on her suspect list.

This is a wonderfully entertaining holiday cozy that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. It also has you craving treats with its wonderful descriptions of seasonal sweets. I am definitely looking forward to my next trip to Mistletoe and the Reindeer Games Tree Farm. Now I think I will go and make some Christmas cookies. P.S. Check out the author’s name––Jack Frost!

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of I’ll Be Home For Mischief, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Mischief” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 21, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.