This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This was great! I listened to the first book in this series around the holidays last year so I was excited to check out this second installment this season. Each book could be read as a stand-alone even though I think that the relationships between the characters would be best appreciated if the series is read in order. I had a great time with this one and found it to be a wonderful holiday read.

Holly is looking forward to a nice murder-free Christmas. She goes wither her friend Caroline to an event in town where a giant candy bowl is revealed. Unfortunately, this year the bowl of candy has been topped off by a body. The murder weapon near the body is one from Caroline's shop so Holly decided to do a little investigating herself.

I thought that this murder mystery was very well done. I had no idea who the culprit was until it was revealed in the story. Holly is just a wonderful character and she really does seem to have a knack for solving the crimes in Mistletoe. The town does, of course, have a sheriff who is also quite capable and happens to be interested in Holly even if he doesn't always act like it. In fact, I found that the mystery behind the sheriff's behavior to almost as interesting as the murder.

Allyson Ryan did a fantastic job with the narration of this story. I loved all of the voices that she used for the different characters. She added a lot of emotion into her reading which made everything a little more exciting. She read the book at a very nice pace and I found her voice to be very pleasant. I think I enjoyed this book a bit more because I decided to listen to the audiobook.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very well done cozy mystery filled with wonderful characters and quite a bit of Christmas spirit. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of this fun series.

Initial Thoughts
This was so much fun! I listened to the first book in this series, Twelve Slays of Christmas, around Christmas last year and enjoyed it so I was excited to give this one a try this year. I thought that the mystery in the story was really well done and the characters were wonderful. The narrator did a fantastic job with the story which added to my enjoyment.

Book source: Library via Hoopla

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Mistletoe, Maine, the perfect place to celebrate Christmas. Holly White’s family’s tree farm is a magical place this time of year with its Reindeer Games. All kinds of treats and festivities are planned and a contractor named Christopher has promised their new inn will be ready to open by Christmas Eve.

The first big Mistletoe event is the annual tree lighting. Everyone is gathered in the town square but when the big moment arrives the night turns from Merry to Scary. There, next to the tree is a huge candy dish full of peppermint candies and a dead body. The man was stabbed with a monogrammed custom made knife. A knife that belongs to Holly’s best friend Caroline. The deceased is the same man that got handsy with Caroline at a recent dinner and the whole town was witness to her dressing him down. With all the evidence it isn’t long before Caroline is behind bars. Holly knows her friend is no killer, she just has to prove it. But the killer is watching every move Holly makes and leaving her special warning gifts. When the gifts escalate to real harm Holly just hopes she will survive until the killer is caught.

I loved the first book in this series, Twelve Slays of Christmas last year, so I put this book on my reading calendar several months ago. I was so excited to start reading and the author exceeded all my expectations.

The White family are such wonderful characters. They make everyone feel right at home and try to make their tree farm experience as merry as possible. Holly hands her hands full as she has been put in charge of all the building choices for the new inn, in addition to helping her mother in the cafe and making her glass jewelry, a business that has really taken off.

I wanted to sit back with a couple of cups of hot chocolate and savor my visit to Mistletoe, but there is so much happening that was impossible. The author sets a brisk pace and fully draws the reader in. Chasing down clues, running from a creepy Claus, keeping up with the tourists, Holly takes on a wild ride, at times literally! The pages were flying.

Ms. Frost’s descriptions really take us there. A sleigh ride around the tree farm was described in such vivid detail, I was enjoying the scenery and after a scary moment, I was feeling chilled to the bone and was pulling a blanket over myself. The blindfolded games played were also described so well. I easily pictured what was happening and was laughing at loud. Great ideas for family get-togethers too. I also enjoyed the details along the way as the inn neared completion and the entire subplot was heartwarming. I am ready to call in my reservation today.

This was an exciting holiday read, cozy mystery lovers will be overjoyed. It will also get you truly into the holiday spirit. Fun and entertaining, a book you will not want to put down. I loved it and I can’t wait for next year. I already have saved a date on my calendar and added this story to my Best Reads List for 2018.

Eight grade school children go on a field trip to a turkey farm the day before Thanksgiving where they meet eight turkeys with names.  When the children discover that their new turkey friends are intended to be Thanksgiving dinner the next day, they save them by hiding the turkeys under their shirts and sneaking them back to school on the bus.  The next day, instead of eating turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, they each have a turkey as a guest for Thanksgiving dinner.  The story is told in the same style as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

 

This would be a good book to read to the class the day before Thanksgiving break.  It can be used to teach a lesson about rhyming words.  The students can also use illustrations and context clues to help them decipher unknown text (boarded, terrain, clatter).

 

The lexile level for this book is NP

Scholastic level is at P

A read this book in her library class so I checked it out and figured K would enjoy this story as much as she did. K thought it was really funny how the kids smuggled the turkeys out and the farmer didn't notice. Though he did say that he loves turkey so he isn't sure if he would bring them home as friends. 

If you like story 'Twas the Night before Christmas than you will like this take on 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving and what happens when a group of children go on a field trip to a turkey farm. 

There is plenty of rhyming and the pictures go great with the story being told, so kids I believe will really enjoy this story and will laugh by the end of it.

Blue, City, Face, Night, Power, To

 

'Twas the Night After Christmas / Sabrina Jeffries ~ 3/12/15

 

Death Comes to London / Catherine Lloyd ~ 3/3/15

This is the second in a series. I thought the romantic leads were done in the first book, but nope. They were once again involved in a mystery and their relationship was rocky and fun. Makes me eager for the next book to see what happens with them and the other characters.