The Lane That Leads to Christmas

by Melanie Lageschulte

This holiday season in Eagle River, the past is never far from the present.Kate is bracing herself for a blue Christmas this year. It’s the first since her divorce, most of her decorations are missing after too many moves, and her impulsive gesture of goodwill to one struggling family has spurred debate at the post office.But her troubles take a back seat when a mail stop at one of the area’s oldest churches presents a puzzling dilemma. The rural congregation’s antique nativity set, which was hard-carved by an early settler, has vanished from the altar.As Kate and her friends try to track the artwork’s whereabouts, they are met with a fascinating mix of folklore and facts … along with resistance to their efforts. And the case only gets more complicated as secrets are exposed and new leads are revealed. Can they recover the beloved nativity before the Christmas bells ring?

Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2023

About the author

Melanie Lageschulte is the author of the "Growing Season" women's fiction series. She grew up on an acreage in northern Iowa with a menagerie of four-footed friends. She’s spent much of her professional life telling the stories of Iowa and its residents, including several years as a features reporter and editor for the Des Moines Register. Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in American history from the University of Iowa.

Reviews

[Lynn Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series of books. They are refreshing and wholesome and feel good books. But they do get just a tad predictable and slow the longer the series goes on.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The motivation for the crime seemed questionable enough to me to drop half a star. But I still enjoyed the small town setting and the familiar characters.
3.5 stars

[Donna Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember ever doing this before on Goodreads, but I am writing a review on a book I only read 41% on -- this one, and I will explain why I put it down. I liked the characters, the town, that it took place around Christmas, etc. BUT I was not at all interested in the stolen nativity. So the story dragged for me. Even by almost 1/2 there didn't seem to be much action except an occasional reference to this stolen nativity. I was surprised at the high scores people were giving it, so it looks to be a book that isn't charming to everyone, so I would represent the non-charmed side. Maybe it is just this year, but I ended up putting quite a few books down this year, and this is one of them. As a result, this is the first year in about a decade where I didn't end up with one book increase in the total books read in comparison to the preceding year. My total went down quite a bit; I don't think I read slower, but I DO think I came across a lot of longer works that I decided to tackle, and was not excited by those either. I would give this a 3, so far. I don't think I will come back to it, but might check out some of her other books, because the her style was not displeasing to me. P.S. One big annoying this, though, in the style is that the author puts thoughts in italics with quotation marks, and as a reader, I am confused if she talks to herself or those in quotation marks are her thoughts. If the latter is the case, because of the POV, the author does not have to put thoughts into quotation marks.

[SylviaV · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lane That Leads to Christmas by Melanie Lageschulte.
(Mailbox Mysteries Book 3).

This is a small town story with a cozy mystery thrown in. This is book 3 in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone book. The main character Kate is a postal delivery worker and is rebuilding her life back in her home town after a divorce. The reader follows along as Kate delivers packages on her rounds, her interactions with her co-workers, with her customers who receive packages, with her friends both old and new. At the end of the book the mystery of who stole the nativity scene from the local church is solved and the slow burn romance between Kate and Alex has progressed and Kate is more positive about her future. I have not read previous books in this series and for me this book was just very slow moving. A nice holiday read. 3 stars.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

Just love these mailbox mysteries. I was so thrilled to find book three I had to read it right away. This book is full of great characters and holiday cheer. With one broken mailbox is all it takes for Kate to do the right thing for others during the holidays Her next delivery leads to a missing hand carved nativity that's been taken from one of the oldest churches in the area. With the help from her friends discover some interesting family history but will they find the missing nativity before Christmas. I can't wait to see what's next. I recommend this book.

[Frieda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lane That Leads To Christmas

I love books about Christmas which include "The Reason For The Season", Jesus coming to Earth as a tiny baby wrapped in human flesh! This book does exactly that! It also includes the mystery of a crime, an investigation, & the solution! In a small town where everyone knows each other, & most are friends, some find that their family trees intertwine! Good deeds done by the most unlikely of characters! Good fun shared by all! However, Jesus' presence is always right there, can't be missed. I recommend you read this book before Christmas! There's plenty of time! I wish a Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year to you all!!

[Sharon Seliskar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a heartwarming story. I love how she adds strays of cats and dogs to her writing and finds a way to have them warm your heart. The characters are true to life and reality is part of this authors writing. The book is set in a country small town and it reminds me so much of where I grew up. The series brought me home, so to speak. Cozy fire places, furry friends, wonderful neighbors, and a rural setting, add to the delight of this book. Each time I pick up the mail I think of the characters in this book. It's like sitting down and having a cup of coffee with an old friend.

[Sherri Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun Christmas read! Mystery but one that any reader could possibly experience. No deaths but still impactful. Getting ready for Christmas and the challenges rural mail carriers face in bad weather. Supporting small towns and shopping local. A must holiday read if you like wonderful characters that could be your neighbors or friends.

[Marilynn Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean Romantic Suspense

I enjoyed reading this story and the preceding two of this series. A woman returns to the town of her childhood after a divorce, becoming a letter carrier. She meets old friends and makes new ones as she adjusts to her new life. Along her route she gets involve in a mystery and helps solve it. I like forward to trade Mr by the aur.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lane That Leads to Christmas

One of the most touching recent Christmas stories I have read, and the reminder that from adversity a community can work to help others. I love the characters in this series and look forward to continuing the journey of Kate Duncan and her family and friends in Eagle River.

[Joelle Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

I absolutely loved the simplicity of the growing season books, but this was a snoozer. A bit too much time was spent on exposition of the mundane. The characters lacked depth and you never really got to know them. Hoping this was just a hiccup in an otherwise charming series.

[Carol Engler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy book.
Set in rural Iowa Kate has moved back home and works as a mail carrier. There are thieves taking odd ball stuff from barns and shed.
Kate stop buy a local church to drop of their mail and finds the door ajar. When talking with someone familiar with the church , they realize a very old and special Nativity scene has been taken.
Just ok for me.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story and Beautiful Characters!

I love this story, which was even better reading it just prior to this year’s Christmas season. The last few paragraphs gave me goose bump on my arms! I look forward to reading more of Melanie’s stories!

[sherie McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great collection!

I really enjoyed all three of the Mailbox Mysteries books. It was great meeting new characters and seeing old characters blended into the stories. Looking forward to the fourth book in 2024. I recommend these books to everyone!

[Tamara Sallee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love a good light hearted mystery and that’s what I would call this one. Great writer and great story. The book is set during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, which I love and I read it as I sat beside my own Christmas tree. Perfect

[Dodger]

I was so excited about the spinoff from the Melinda Foster books, but I don't like the Mailbox Mysteries very much, and I'm not going to finish this one.
Why do women in mystery books feel it is their job to solve the case, it's so boring and predicable.
It's a little sad and disappointing.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful!

Such a well written story about farming life in the breadbasket of America. Of course it wouldn’t be a good story if there wasn’t a crime to solve for our favorite postal lady Kate and her coworkers and friends. You are going to have to read this one folks.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book in this series, as well as my first book by this author. I enjoyed it and did not feel that I missed out on past storylines in the series. It was the perfect mystery for the Christmas season.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Prevails

I loved this book and not just because it's a Christmas story or because of who wrote it but also because Love Prevails! I'm sure you will love this story as much as I did!

[A_Friend · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lane That Leads to Christmas

This is a very good read, characters and storyline were great. I thought there too much describing all the house and history, but in the long run it fit well with the storyline. Would recommend.

[Betty Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lane That Leads to Christmas, Book 3

It was so real and I will tell my friends so they enjoy it also. It seemed like you were there with them and I would live to be friends with Kate and fur babies. Can't wait to read the before and after series.

[Ike Standifird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great feel good story.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Christmas story.

[elissa mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story with good friends

This delightful book allowed me to visit with all of the good friends I have made throughout the Iowa series. Enjoyed it immensely.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

So charming! I love this author. Perfect cozy Christmas read.

[DHammacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice spin off series. Though this was a bit Marple-esque in that you didn't have enough information to solve the mystery. Surprising twist.

[Deanna Utt · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

I adore all of Melanie’s books! She knows how to embrace the small home town soul! Cannot wait for book 4. Her romances are not overly mushy and never improper!

[Robin Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cleaned cabinets listening to Alexa read this to me...the book and my cabinets are very tidy.

[Joy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Christmas story!

I have enjoyed the first 2 books in this series but I think this is the best one yet! And now I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one.

[Stella Shahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A cute mystery story that happens during the holiday season. I enjoyed reading this story full of action small town woes and in general the holiday feelings. I loved it.