Mele Mistletoe: Cat Christmas Humor Mystery

Paradise Crime Cozy Mysteries #story

by Toby Neal

I'm Kat Smith, former Secret Service, current postmaster, and awkward private eye in Ohia, Maui. I'm currently searching for a valuable, historical Hawaiian Christmas ornament gone missing, and I’m the six-foot-something center of controversy as our cozy small-town island mystery swirls with gossip, accusations, old feuds, and new friendships. I have my hot pilot boyfriend Mr. K, the Red Hat Society, and my beloved one-eared cat Tiki on the case—but I’m going to need all the help I can get to find the Queen's Ornament, or the fundraiser organized by my very own Aunt Fae will be a bust.
“The Paradise Crime Cozy Mysteries are my favorite new reading escape!”~Jules R., Goodreads

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2024

About the author

Toby Neal was raised on Kauai in Hawaii. She wrote and illustrated her first story at age 5. After initially majoring in journalism, she eventually settled on mental health as a career and loves her work, saying, “I’m endlessly fascinated with people’s stories.”

Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.

Get TWO FREE full length Toby Neal books by signing up for her newsletter here! http://www.subscribepage.com/TobyNeal...

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lay and Keone are back in a Christmas mystery. No murder this time but growth on Kay’s part continues and it was great to see her initiated hugs as her touch phobia improves. Another short but fantastic read

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of Ms Neal's ARC team I am asked to leave an honest review and am always elated to do so. Mele Mistletoe as well as all the Kat and Mr. T stories make me smile. This one gives us incite of Christmas in Hawaii. The way Toby Neal describes everything I can actually see it in my mind and have never had the pleasure of visiting the Hawaiian islands. Therefore I can live vicariously thru these stories. I recommend you also read her other series as well.
Ok so here we have Aunt Fei organizing an event to raise money to fix up the gym into a recreation area for the town residents. Of course one of the big item donations go missing and Kat and Mr. T are asked to investigate. I really enjoyed it and was left wanting more....

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thrilled that Toby released another holiday story as part of the Paradise Crime Cozy Mysteries with Kat Smith. Mele Mistletoe doesn’t disappoint! I love the characters in this series and enjoy Tiki. This book was so much fun to read as Kat and Mr. K try to find the missing historical ornament! Toby knows how to capture the reader and engage them until the very end.

This is a must read holiday story filled with friendship and love! Give yourself a break and take a few hours to enjoy Mele Mistletoe.

[bibiana Perdomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely love this series. This is book 5 in the series and I love each and every one as each one brings a case Kat has to solve. In this one Kat is tasked with finding a missing family heirloom that goes back many years and we learn more about Hawaiin culture. We also get to see Kat coming out of her comfort zone with her relationship with Mr. K where once she couldn't bear to be touched she's know in a committed relationship with Mr. K

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great catching up with my favorite Hawaiians

The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there as Kat and Keole have a historical mystery to resolve. I could hear the ukuleles and the ti leaves swishing on the hula dancers and smell the roasting pig. Tiki was back in all her feline majesty and her kittens were helping decorate for the holiday in their new homes. I enjoyed the intertwining of the different cultures traditions and decorations. I certainly made my Christmas merrier.

[David Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute as it gets!

What can I say but that i am hooked on this series. Love the characters and the way they are portrayed.
A missing ornament. A surprise agreement. And of course, Aloha is always in the air.

[Mary Theresa Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mele Mistletoe

I love the rhythm of Ms. Neal's books. The story is enjoyable with a touch of mystery. The Paradise Crime Cozy Mystery are very entertaining!

[Lynn Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice story

Interesting characters that are so endearing! I really like reading about Hawaiian history. Once again Toby has written a winner!

[Diane Tosney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Christmas story with Kat and the gang from Ohia, Maui. As they are getting ready for Christmas and planning a fund raiser to expand the community center, one of the Silent Auction items goes missing. Not to worry, K&K investigations are on the job. Can they find it in time for the auction on Christmas Eve?

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Ms Neal whisked us away to the beauty of Ohia, on the island of Maui, to visit our ohana. Kat, the handsome Mr. K, and all the rest of the fantastic characters that inhabit this wonderful series.
It's Christmas time on Ohia, and the whole town is gearing up for an auction to raise funds for a bigger community center. Donations are rolling in, including the very special Queens Ornament. But when it turns up missing, it's time to call in K&K Investigations.
It's one of my favorite series!

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful Christmas story Ms. Neal has written for our pleasure. I finished it in one sitting because I really couldn't leave one page unread. The charming characters are set in a story that is fresh, entertaining, and rewarding. A Christmas Treasure. Place this on your absolutely must read list. Highly Recommended.

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The back story was intriguing and so interesting. As always, this author writes a good story and I have read everything she's written. Good stuff!!!

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little Christmas story. Happy Reading :)

[Suzannah V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are so fun and this holiday short doesn’t disappoint! I can feel the setting and the beauty.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good story

If you’re looking for an uplifting Christmas book, then you found it! Although reading the coconut wireless books 1st, might help, you’ll get the gist of this book anyway. Join Kat and Keone in Hawaii and enjoy a warm Christmas with family.
Absolutely adored this book.

[Laura-Jean Slykhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good trd. Enough twist and surprises to keep one involved

I love the characters in Toby Neal's books. It is lovely to meet them again in each new mystery.
The Christmas theme was especially right for December. But would be good all year

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cozy and atmospheric. Enjoyed getting to know these characters and will likely find more in the series.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat Smith is once again in the midst of a case, this time involving a priceless historical Christmas ornament starring in an auction, before it was snatched by an unknown thief.

Working with very few clues, and the help of her hunky boyfriend, Mr. K, Kat learns more of Ohia's residents stories and disagreements while searching for the missing ornament.

Toby Neal knows how to pull readers in with her insight into human nature, the humor and complexity of personalities, sprinkling her stories with Hawaiian culture and language, all done in a very engaging way. Mele Mistletoe was a lovely way to spend a few hours immersed in a little (fictional) town on Maui.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toby Neal has written another very entertaining Paradise Cozy Mystery. I really loved this Christmas story including all the Ohia Maui characters like Kat Smith the postmaster, and her boyfriend pilot Mr. K. Kat along with her aunt Fae planned a Christmas fund raiser to expand the community center. One of the donations given was the Queens Ornament, a sacred heirloom. That is the Christmas mystery, who took it and why? You will all really enjoy reading this, and the prior books in this fun series. I love the entire series with all of the interesting characters and Toby Neal's First-rate writing. I am an ARC reader and have posted this review on my own accord.

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a cozy mystery set at Christmas time, look no further. Toby Neal has taken this series to heart and each new book not only delivers a complete mini mystery, but an insight into both Hawaiian culture and lifestyle.
This books is set around a fund raiser, where the main auction item mysteriously disappears. There are the usual suspects, but finally a solution is found and the object returned safely.
As a member of Toby's ARC team I am asked to leave an honest review, which is what I always try to do. Read this series, it will make you laugh and want to move to the Islands!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mele Mistletoe - review by Rosemary Kenny.

A Seasonal delight from talented author Toby Neal, Mele Mistletoe is a Paradise Crime Cozy Mysteries Christmas Story that you're sure to enjoy.

Ohia postmistress-cum-ex secret-agent Kat, has a PI sideline with her pilot boyfriend Keone, that comes in very useful this time.
How do the loving couple solve a historic missing item's whereabouts?
It's a Christmas cozy mystery that will bring you joy on every page!

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than the fact that Toby Neal is an ultimate story-teller, the thing I like best about her books is that I learn something from each one. She weaves the Hawaiian culture into her pages with utmost respect. Even in this latest ‘Cozy’ mystery, you’ll read about the Royal Guard. She emphasizes the Aloha spirit in her characters. She takes us to secret and sacred places, all while solving some deplorable crime. If you’ve ever been to or dreamed about Hawaii, you need to read her books.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It is another in a great series. The characters in the book are some of my favorites and they make it so easy to get engrossed quickly. I love the cats and their antics. The storyline grabs you and keeps you engrossed and will keep you guessing till the end. If you love a good mystery with some laughs and also love cats this is the book for you.

[Marie Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this latest Kat story. Toby Neal gives us a wonderful Christmas story. Throughout the story I enjoyed how the Hawaiian heritage is included. It was so nice to spend time with Kat, her aunt, and all her “ohana” especially Keone. The only drawback to the book is that “Mele Kalikimaka” keeps running through my brain.

[Richard E. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine loving mystery

I don’t usually take the time to write reviews. This book joins a long list of TropicalAuthor books I have been enjoying for the past few years. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. The only complaint I have, the cat pictured in the covers shouldn’t have two perfect ears. 😁

[Robert Ericksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

I enjoyed this Cozy Mystery. It was captivating and an easy read. As I said before, I like the fact that there are not too many characters to pull this story together. The Aloha Spirit is alive during this Holiday Mystery. I found the pot of gold at thr end of the rainbow when I Kinda recommended yout books.
Mahalo,
Robert Ericksen

[Gann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Paradise Cozy mystery collection.

Toby Neal is one of my favorite authors. I feel as if I am in story with all her characters. I am always sad when the story ends. Time to start the next series, Wired In. I recommend Toby Neal books to my friends. Hope you enjoy these stories as much as I do. Aloha.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to her books, they catch me from the first pages.
As they build to the end, they have great characters,(tiki the cat in this series)
and good flowing plot. I recommend this book as well as the series.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in the series, delving into the history of the area while retaining the wit, angst, drama, and mystery of the previous books. And of course, we have Tiki along to keep us company on the journey.

[Joyce Giltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story


This was a story about love, family and history. I enjoyed the relationships of the different persons in this book. It was obvious that they cared about each other. They also showed their affection for each other.