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Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm #7
The Christmas Camel Caper
The Christmas Camel Caper is book seven in the Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm Series.
Harriet Bailey is delighted with the way White Church Bay comes alive during the Christmas season, with decorations everywhere and an air of joyous festivity among the inhabitants of the Yorkshire village. She’s attending veterinarian for the annual live Nativity, though she’s a bit nervous caring for some unfamiliar animals at such a meaningful time. But when Calvin the camel somehow escapes his enclosure and ends up in a neighbor’s garden, his nose deep in a basket of figgy pudding, there’s more than a ruined dessert to contend with. During his escape, the church’s priceless Christmas star, made of silver and sapphires, has gone missing!
As Harriet and Pastor Will Knight begin their search for the historic treasure, they uncover clues dating back to Harriet’s great-grandparents. Perhaps the secrets of the past will guide them to the present-day thief. Can Harriet and Will restore the town’s beloved star before the midnight service on Christmas Eve?
Harriet Bailey is delighted with the way White Church Bay comes alive during the Christmas season, with decorations everywhere and an air of joyous festivity among the inhabitants of the Yorkshire village. She’s attending veterinarian for the annual live Nativity, though she’s a bit nervous caring for some unfamiliar animals at such a meaningful time. But when Calvin the camel somehow escapes his enclosure and ends up in a neighbor’s garden, his nose deep in a basket of figgy pudding, there’s more than a ruined dessert to contend with. During his escape, the church’s priceless Christmas star, made of silver and sapphires, has gone missing!
As Harriet and Pastor Will Knight begin their search for the historic treasure, they uncover clues dating back to Harriet’s great-grandparents. Perhaps the secrets of the past will guide them to the present-day thief. Can Harriet and Will restore the town’s beloved star before the midnight service on Christmas Eve?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2024
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 11, 2024
3.5 stars, personally. ✨ Christian Fiction - Cozy Mystery
About this book:
“Harriet Bailey is delighted with the way White Church Bay comes alive during the Christmas season, with decorations everywhere and an air of joyous festivity among the inhabitants of the Yorkshire village. She’s attending veterinarian for the annual live Nativity, though she’s a bit nervous caring for some unfamiliar animals at such a meaningful time. But when Calvin the camel somehow escapes his enclosure and ends up in a neighbor’s garden, his nose deep in a basket of figgy pudding, there’s more than a ruined dessert to contend with. During his escape, the church’s priceless Christmas star, made of silver and sapphires, has gone missing!
As Harriet and Pastor Will Knight begin their search for the historic treasure, they uncover clues dating back to Harriet’s great-grandparents. Perhaps the secrets of the past will guide them to the present-day thief. Can Harriet and Will restore the town’s beloved star before the midnight service on Christmas Eve?”
Series: Book #7 in the “Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm” series. Review of Book #1 Here! Book #2 Here!, and Book #3 Here! (Reviewing out of order due to the Christmas-centered plot of this book, but they can be read as stand-alone novels as well.)
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are read at church in sermons (including the first Christmas) quoted, & mentioned; Set during Christmas time; A couple Prayers; Talks about God; 'H's are capital when referring to God; All about & many mentions of the Christmas star, churches, church events and groups, & pastors; Mentions of God, prayers, praying, & being lead by God’s life; Mentions of Bibles & hymnals; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of church going, services, sermons, & hymns; Mentions of a live nativity; A few mentions of confessions and Catholic priests; A couple mentions of stained glass as a church; A mention of a painting of Jesus; A mention of Godspeed; A mention of whispering a prayer for a deceased family member;
*Note: The author of this book is written by a female reverend; A free-spirited character talks about never having a pet before because of her unpredictable life feels wrong to tether “another soul to”, but had found a ferret and it being like their “inner beings had fused”; An artist shows Harriet her painting titled “Moonbeam Meditation” of cats doing yoga; A man talks about knitting almost being “meditative” and has been shown to “improve mental health”; A mention of a pastor being in “prayer and meditation” to prepare for a service.
Negative Content- A tiny bit of sarcasm (rude, not teasing); Being attacked, Being tied-up, Passing out, Pain, Receiving threatening notes, Fear, & a Nightmare of almost drowning (up to semi-detailed); In a flashback/journal entry of Harriet’s great-grandmother, there are scenes of her young brother being sick (influenza), her concern about him dying, and then grief from her and her parents after his passing; Also in the journal, there are scenes during World War II and being in a bomb shelter, being concerned for loved ones, & a woman enlisting as an ATA pilot; Harriet is homesick at times; Harriet helps injured and dying animals (including a hedgehog near death); All about & many mentions of break-ins, stolen items, stealing, thieves/criminals, & crimes; Mentions of World War II, fighting/battles, bombs/explosions, bomb shelters and damage, & the concern of loved ones being hurt or killed; Mentions of deaths & grief (including for a younger brother, a father, and a mother); Mentions of being held hostage, kidnappings, injuries, pain, blood/bleeding, & passing out; Mentions of a con-man; Mentions of art frauds; Mentions of bullies & name calling; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of homesickness; Mentions of a missing/lost cat (that is found safe); Mentions of ill and injured animals that Harriet takes care of; A few mentions of a dog being hit by a car and paralyzed (Harriet’s grandfather’s dog who she now has); A couple mentions of a death in a car accident; A mention of jealousy;
*Note: Some comments about ATA women pilots and other women during World War II “prevailing gender stereotypes” and “dismantling gender barriers”, and receiving equal pay (both in the bonus content at the end of the book and a character facing a couple comments from her father about it as well); A man comments negatively about a soon-to-be father having plenty of time to do something else while his wife is in labor as it could take hours (Harriet holds back her defense of the father being present at labor and birth); A woman tries to make her new pet ferret a vegan like she is, but Harriet tells her that while she respects her personal beliefs, ferrets are carnivores and need to eat meat for their health; Mentions of someone being “unstable” and wanting revenge; Mentions of a woman’s cats that are named after former prime ministers (Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, & Tony Blair); A handful of mentions of books, authors, & fictional characters (Charles Dickens, Beatrix Potter, Byron, Yeats, John Grisham, & Sherlock Holmes); A few mentions of TV shows & fictional characters (Midsomer Murders); A few mentions of Harriet vaccinating animals; A couple mentions of car brands (Mini Cooper & Land Rover).
Sexual Content- A bit of hand holding, noticing, attraction, emotions, & blushes; A bit of noticing, smelling, flutters, & attraction in the flashbacks; Mentions of dates & dating; A couple mentions of blushes.
-Harriet Bailey
P.O.V. of Harriet (with journal entries of her great-grandmother)
270 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I always have tried to read Guidepost mysteries in publication date order—even if they are all stand-alone books by various authors can be read out of order. This is only the second or third time I’ve purposely read them out of order and with this book, it’s because I wanted to read and review the Christmas themed book in the month of December.
I do think you could read this as a stand-alone as some of Harriet’s backstory and why she’s living and working in England in explained. I’ll always suggest to start at the beginning of a series, but I think it would fine if you just wanted to jump in with this book.
I was a little disappointed that I guessed the culprit as soon as that person showed up. With how many times that’s happened. I feel like that means I ought to be a detective—but it probably means I read too much. 😉 I didn’t have the motive so that part was a mystery still at least, but I felt a little letdown by the reveal.
There’s a bit more romance—or really potential romance—in this book than any others in this series or most of the other Guidepost mysteries I’ve read. I’ve been waiting for a little more, to be honest, because of Harriet and the young pastor’s friendship! This book is also different from the rest of the series as we have flashbacks/journal entries from Harriet’s great-grandmother during her life in 1920s to World War II.
I was excited to hear recently that this series has been extended to eighteen books and look forward to reading them all!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Harriet Bailey is delighted with the way White Church Bay comes alive during the Christmas season, with decorations everywhere and an air of joyous festivity among the inhabitants of the Yorkshire village. She’s attending veterinarian for the annual live Nativity, though she’s a bit nervous caring for some unfamiliar animals at such a meaningful time. But when Calvin the camel somehow escapes his enclosure and ends up in a neighbor’s garden, his nose deep in a basket of figgy pudding, there’s more than a ruined dessert to contend with. During his escape, the church’s priceless Christmas star, made of silver and sapphires, has gone missing!
As Harriet and Pastor Will Knight begin their search for the historic treasure, they uncover clues dating back to Harriet’s great-grandparents. Perhaps the secrets of the past will guide them to the present-day thief. Can Harriet and Will restore the town’s beloved star before the midnight service on Christmas Eve?”
Series: Book #7 in the “Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm” series. Review of Book #1 Here! Book #2 Here!, and Book #3 Here! (Reviewing out of order due to the Christmas-centered plot of this book, but they can be read as stand-alone novels as well.)
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are read at church in sermons (including the first Christmas) quoted, & mentioned; Set during Christmas time; A couple Prayers; Talks about God; 'H's are capital when referring to God; All about & many mentions of the Christmas star, churches, church events and groups, & pastors; Mentions of God, prayers, praying, & being lead by God’s life; Mentions of Bibles & hymnals; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of church going, services, sermons, & hymns; Mentions of a live nativity; A few mentions of confessions and Catholic priests; A couple mentions of stained glass as a church; A mention of a painting of Jesus; A mention of Godspeed; A mention of whispering a prayer for a deceased family member;
*Note: The author of this book is written by a female reverend; A free-spirited character talks about never having a pet before because of her unpredictable life feels wrong to tether “another soul to”, but had found a ferret and it being like their “inner beings had fused”; An artist shows Harriet her painting titled “Moonbeam Meditation” of cats doing yoga; A man talks about knitting almost being “meditative” and has been shown to “improve mental health”; A mention of a pastor being in “prayer and meditation” to prepare for a service.
Negative Content- A tiny bit of sarcasm (rude, not teasing); Being attacked, Being tied-up, Passing out, Pain, Receiving threatening notes, Fear, & a Nightmare of almost drowning (up to semi-detailed); In a flashback/journal entry of Harriet’s great-grandmother, there are scenes of her young brother being sick (influenza), her concern about him dying, and then grief from her and her parents after his passing; Also in the journal, there are scenes during World War II and being in a bomb shelter, being concerned for loved ones, & a woman enlisting as an ATA pilot; Harriet is homesick at times; Harriet helps injured and dying animals (including a hedgehog near death); All about & many mentions of break-ins, stolen items, stealing, thieves/criminals, & crimes; Mentions of World War II, fighting/battles, bombs/explosions, bomb shelters and damage, & the concern of loved ones being hurt or killed; Mentions of deaths & grief (including for a younger brother, a father, and a mother); Mentions of being held hostage, kidnappings, injuries, pain, blood/bleeding, & passing out; Mentions of a con-man; Mentions of art frauds; Mentions of bullies & name calling; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of homesickness; Mentions of a missing/lost cat (that is found safe); Mentions of ill and injured animals that Harriet takes care of; A few mentions of a dog being hit by a car and paralyzed (Harriet’s grandfather’s dog who she now has); A couple mentions of a death in a car accident; A mention of jealousy;
*Note: Some comments about ATA women pilots and other women during World War II “prevailing gender stereotypes” and “dismantling gender barriers”, and receiving equal pay (both in the bonus content at the end of the book and a character facing a couple comments from her father about it as well); A man comments negatively about a soon-to-be father having plenty of time to do something else while his wife is in labor as it could take hours (Harriet holds back her defense of the father being present at labor and birth); A woman tries to make her new pet ferret a vegan like she is, but Harriet tells her that while she respects her personal beliefs, ferrets are carnivores and need to eat meat for their health; Mentions of someone being “unstable” and wanting revenge; Mentions of a woman’s cats that are named after former prime ministers (Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, & Tony Blair); A handful of mentions of books, authors, & fictional characters (Charles Dickens, Beatrix Potter, Byron, Yeats, John Grisham, & Sherlock Holmes); A few mentions of TV shows & fictional characters (Midsomer Murders); A few mentions of Harriet vaccinating animals; A couple mentions of car brands (Mini Cooper & Land Rover).
Sexual Content- A bit of hand holding, noticing, attraction, emotions, & blushes; A bit of noticing, smelling, flutters, & attraction in the flashbacks; Mentions of dates & dating; A couple mentions of blushes.
-Harriet Bailey
P.O.V. of Harriet (with journal entries of her great-grandmother)
270 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I always have tried to read Guidepost mysteries in publication date order—even if they are all stand-alone books by various authors can be read out of order. This is only the second or third time I’ve purposely read them out of order and with this book, it’s because I wanted to read and review the Christmas themed book in the month of December.
I do think you could read this as a stand-alone as some of Harriet’s backstory and why she’s living and working in England in explained. I’ll always suggest to start at the beginning of a series, but I think it would fine if you just wanted to jump in with this book.
I was a little disappointed that I guessed the culprit as soon as that person showed up. With how many times that’s happened. I feel like that means I ought to be a detective—but it probably means I read too much. 😉 I didn’t have the motive so that part was a mystery still at least, but I felt a little letdown by the reveal.
There’s a bit more romance—or really potential romance—in this book than any others in this series or most of the other Guidepost mysteries I’ve read. I’ve been waiting for a little more, to be honest, because of Harriet and the young pastor’s friendship! This book is also different from the rest of the series as we have flashbacks/journal entries from Harriet’s great-grandmother during her life in 1920s to World War II.
I was excited to hear recently that this series has been extended to eighteen books and look forward to reading them all!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
December 12, 2024
I really liked this Christmas time mystery as well as the deeping relationship of Harriet and Will. Good read.
September 10, 2025
Too much suspense
I love this series, and I enjoy Guideposts fiction in general. I like Guideposts mysteries because they are a good story with a light mystery woven in. That’s how this series has been so far, and I’ve really enjoyed it.
But this particular book had too many suspense elements of peril and dark, twisted antagonism. That’s not what I’ve come to expect from this series. I don’t like those strong suspense elements. I’m too sensitive to read that kind of story. And when it pops up unexpectedly, 7 books into the series, it’s disappointing. I took away one star because it did not stay in line with what was expected of this series.
I hope the remaining books in the series will not pick up these darker elements of suspense.
The story is well written and contains interesting tidbits, as this whole series does. But too much peril for me in this one. If you like that kind of thing, then you’ll probably like this book. It just wasn’t what I expected, and it was more than I could handle. Not enjoyable for me.
The books in this series are all written by different authors, so I have hope that later books in this series will return to the lighter mystery elements.
I love this series, and I enjoy Guideposts fiction in general. I like Guideposts mysteries because they are a good story with a light mystery woven in. That’s how this series has been so far, and I’ve really enjoyed it.
But this particular book had too many suspense elements of peril and dark, twisted antagonism. That’s not what I’ve come to expect from this series. I don’t like those strong suspense elements. I’m too sensitive to read that kind of story. And when it pops up unexpectedly, 7 books into the series, it’s disappointing. I took away one star because it did not stay in line with what was expected of this series.
I hope the remaining books in the series will not pick up these darker elements of suspense.
The story is well written and contains interesting tidbits, as this whole series does. But too much peril for me in this one. If you like that kind of thing, then you’ll probably like this book. It just wasn’t what I expected, and it was more than I could handle. Not enjoyable for me.
The books in this series are all written by different authors, so I have hope that later books in this series will return to the lighter mystery elements.
March 31, 2025
Harriet Bailey is the vet for the live Nativity. This year a live camel is included. When the camel takes off Harriet the villagers go looking for him. They find him munching on a Christmas desert. The Christmas star that tops the church's Christmas tree goes missing. It is special to White Church Bay and to Harriet's family. The search begins. Other misdeeds occur and are causing problems. Jane Willan writes this mystery. Will the precious and valuable star finds it's way home in time for Christmas Eve. The Christmas Camel Caper not only follows the trail but also gives you the story of how the star was found and how and why it came to the church.
September 18, 2025
This mystery definitely was more interesting and did not drag out as much as the last. And just a sweet tale set around Christmas made it special. The motive was a little out there, and the suspect was not too hard to figure out, but... finally, the vet and the pastor make their feelings known and that set my stepdaughter's mood aflutter. :) Looking forward to the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2024
Enjoyed. Everything kicks off in the first chapter. I love how we get to read great-grandmothers diary to fill in the story and learn about female fliers back in wartime. I had somehow thought the thief was going to be whoever hid the star, but, that's not what happens. Still a good book.
November 26, 2024
I always enjoy Jane Willan's books and the Christmas Camel Caper is no exception! This charming, cozy mystery has a dual timeline, both of which are outstanding. Everything about this book is delightful. Willan's writing just gets better with every book. Highly recommended!
December 22, 2024
Love this series. This was just the book I needed to read this Christmas. There's always hope.
June 7, 2025
A cute and cozy Christmas mystery!
September 20, 2025
Excellent story from beginning to end!
December 24, 2024
Great book!
This book is so sweet. It has a great story. It is a cost mystery until the end where it gets a little stressful. So happy I read it!
This book is so sweet. It has a great story. It is a cost mystery until the end where it gets a little stressful. So happy I read it!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews