Slashing Through the Snow

I saw that ending coming in the first ten pages, but I can't understand the relationship dynamic at all. I knew I was right but it seemed so weird given how the main character was waiting for the bf to invite her to an event... Anyway, this mystery was good! Probably my favorite. The relationship is gettting slightly annoying and distracting, but overall it's a good Christmas time. None of the Christmas stuff feels repetitive either, which is awesome.

This is the 3rd in the Christmas Tree Farm series and Holly has a reviewer staying at the inn, but she's not very nice. She is very entitled and is making lots of demands. When Cookie finds out she makes a joke about hitting her with some “Christmas spirit” while she is waving around a giant nutcracker. When the person is found dead and Cookie's fingerprints are all over the murder weapon she finds herself in a world of trouble.

The characters in this series feel like friends now and I found myself as invested in solving the murder as Holly. As usual though she is asking lots of questions and stirring up trouble for herself as well as her friends. Her boyfriend Evan isn't happy about what she's doing and she isn't happy that Cookie has been accused, so there is lots of drama and Christmas craziness.

The number one thing I love about this series is how festive the books are. Nothing annoys me more than a cozy advertising itself as having a holiday theme, and then the holiday is barely mentioned. So not the case here. These books are festive on steroids. However, I think they would be even better with some recipes included. There are so many foods and drinks mentioned, It seems like a lost opportunity not to include any. 

This was another solid book for this series. The setting is wonderful. It has an extensive cast of interesting characters. The mystery kept me guessing. The key problem I had was Holly. She just wasn't likable in this book. She constantly acted like Evan was an idiot. She got angry when people expressed concern for her welfare. She expected Evan to give her every detail of an ongoing investigation and cop an attitude because he didn't (someone explain to me what he sees in her??!!). Lastly, she is an awful inn owner. No wonder all her guests checked out. She basically screwed off to stick her nose in the investigation instead of actually doing her JOB! 

I am still a fan of this series overall, and hope that in the next book Holly goes back to being the likable character she was in the previous two!

ARC Via NetGalley