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Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries #8
Ho-Ho-Homicide
Business is booming at the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin couldn't be happier--or busier. A romantic getaway at a rustic Christmas tree farm is just what she needs. But the property's mysterious past has her feeling less than merry. . .
Liss is surprised when an old friend from high school asks her to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she recently inherited from a great-uncle. Realizing it would be the perfect chance for her and her husband Dan to get away from work, Liss happily accepts the offer and packs her bags for the tiny town of New Boston.
Upon their arrival, Liss and Dan are greeted by a ramshackle farmhouse and unfriendly townsfolk. It's hardly the idyllic vacation locale they'd hoped for, especially when needling neighbors start raising questions about the farm's dark history. Who was the man whose body was found neatly netted in a shipment of Scotch pine? Why did the owner vanish into thin air? And why are the trees growing so close together, forming a maze more twisted than a Celtic knot?
The rumors pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, and as Liss starts un-wrapping the truth, she discovers something even more scandalous than murder hiding beneath the town's humdrum façade. When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, she'll have to spring into action faster than a Highland Fling to find the killer who's been lurking among the pines--before she ends up in a pine box herself. . .
Liss is surprised when an old friend from high school asks her to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she recently inherited from a great-uncle. Realizing it would be the perfect chance for her and her husband Dan to get away from work, Liss happily accepts the offer and packs her bags for the tiny town of New Boston.
Upon their arrival, Liss and Dan are greeted by a ramshackle farmhouse and unfriendly townsfolk. It's hardly the idyllic vacation locale they'd hoped for, especially when needling neighbors start raising questions about the farm's dark history. Who was the man whose body was found neatly netted in a shipment of Scotch pine? Why did the owner vanish into thin air? And why are the trees growing so close together, forming a maze more twisted than a Celtic knot?
The rumors pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, and as Liss starts un-wrapping the truth, she discovers something even more scandalous than murder hiding beneath the town's humdrum façade. When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, she'll have to spring into action faster than a Highland Fling to find the killer who's been lurking among the pines--before she ends up in a pine box herself. . .
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2014
151 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlyn Dunnett
20 books357 followersKaitlyn Dunnett is a pseudonym used by Kathy Lynn Emerson, author of the Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries, the Face Down Mysteries featuring Susanna Appleton, 16th century gentlewoman, herbalist, and sleuth, the Diana Spaulding 1888 Quartet, and the award-winning How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, plus an assortment of other books.
As Kaitlyn she writes the Liss MacCrimmon series set in Moosetookalook, Maine and the Deadly Edits series set in rural Sullivan County, New York.
She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and other professional organizations and blogs regularly with Maine Crime Writers.
As Kaitlyn she writes the Liss MacCrimmon series set in Moosetookalook, Maine and the Deadly Edits series set in rural Sullivan County, New York.
She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and other professional organizations and blogs regularly with Maine Crime Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
December 17, 2021
This Book contains a good amount of twists and turns and it was very enjoyable for the dire topic area. In fact, I could see it happening in most cities today.
The characters are simply superb. Be prepared to experience a roller coaster of feelings, most were very relatable. Lies, deceit, love, kindness and lots of prayers ncertainty.
The pace of the book is quick and enjoyable.
I recommend
I received an advance copy of this book. The opinions expressed in the review are my own
The characters are simply superb. Be prepared to experience a roller coaster of feelings, most were very relatable. Lies, deceit, love, kindness and lots of prayers ncertainty.
The pace of the book is quick and enjoyable.
I recommend
I received an advance copy of this book. The opinions expressed in the review are my own
December 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I had started reading A Wee Christmas Homicide a few weeks ago. I couldn’t get into it and was afraid to read this book for book club. I’m glad I gave it a shot. I enjoyed the mystery. It certainly kept me guessing. After reading Ho-Ho Homicide, I plan to give Kaitlyn Dunnett another try.
October 17, 2014
When an old high school friend asks Liss MacCrimmon to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she inherited from a great uncle, Liss Happily accepts.
The ramshackle farmhouse isn't the idyllic vacation locale she hoped for, especially when noisy neighbors raise questions about the farm's dark history. Whose body was found netted in a shipment of Scotch pines? Whey did the owner vanish into thin air? When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, Liss will have to find the killer.
Great book for cozy mystery readers.
The ramshackle farmhouse isn't the idyllic vacation locale she hoped for, especially when noisy neighbors raise questions about the farm's dark history. Whose body was found netted in a shipment of Scotch pines? Whey did the owner vanish into thin air? When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, Liss will have to find the killer.
Great book for cozy mystery readers.
December 15, 2020
Really had a lovely time reading this mystery ! I am looking forward to reading more of Liss 's Adventures!!😊
December 21, 2020
so much fun!
April 5, 2020
Hard to believe the killer could do what they did, but still a good read.
December 8, 2020
4.5 Stars
•🎄🎄🎄•
Liss and Dan, a busy married couple, are overworked and in need of a vacation. Lucky for them, Liss' high school friend, Gina, calls on Liss for a favor. Gina inherited a Christmas tree farm from her uncle, and is unable to visit the property due to her prior obligations in Chicago. The busy couple decides to seize this opportunity for a nice, romantic getaway. The more time they spend on the quaint farm, the more secrets begin to unfold about it's sinister past.
•🎄🎄🎄•
This book was an entertaining read, especially around the holidays. Ho-Ho-Homicide was a great mix of storytelling, intrigue, and suspense. The chapters were a little long, and could've been broken up a bit more in my opinion. I have not read the other books in the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series. There were a few nods to the previous novels, but not so much that you'd have to stop reading and go back to read the others. I will definitely be reading the companion books in this series in the future.
•🎄🎄🎄•
Liss and Dan, a busy married couple, are overworked and in need of a vacation. Lucky for them, Liss' high school friend, Gina, calls on Liss for a favor. Gina inherited a Christmas tree farm from her uncle, and is unable to visit the property due to her prior obligations in Chicago. The busy couple decides to seize this opportunity for a nice, romantic getaway. The more time they spend on the quaint farm, the more secrets begin to unfold about it's sinister past.
•🎄🎄🎄•
This book was an entertaining read, especially around the holidays. Ho-Ho-Homicide was a great mix of storytelling, intrigue, and suspense. The chapters were a little long, and could've been broken up a bit more in my opinion. I have not read the other books in the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series. There were a few nods to the previous novels, but not so much that you'd have to stop reading and go back to read the others. I will definitely be reading the companion books in this series in the future.
January 7, 2017
Not my favorite book in the series. There is an old saying amongst comedians, "If they don't buy the premise, they won't buy the bit." That was the major problem here. I did not buy the premise of the book. The main character, Liss, seemed to have no personality. Others in the book fared better in character development. The girlfriend, Gina, was thoroughly unlikable. In this book, Gina and Liss seemed like a good match for girlfriends, neither one of them being particularly pleasant. It took me a long time to work my way through the book.
All that being said, I have enjoyed other books in the series so I'm not sure what when wrong with this one. And I do not intend to discourage anyone else from giving Ho-Ho-Homicide a try. But believe me, there wasn't one single, "Ho-Ho" in the entire book. I do plan to give future books in the series a try.
All that being said, I have enjoyed other books in the series so I'm not sure what when wrong with this one. And I do not intend to discourage anyone else from giving Ho-Ho-Homicide a try. But believe me, there wasn't one single, "Ho-Ho" in the entire book. I do plan to give future books in the series a try.
November 26, 2014
Liss doesn't really want to help her bossy friend Gina, but going to the Christmas tree farm that Gina inherited would create a much-needed break for the storekeeper and her furniture-building husband Dan. They haven't stopped working since their honeymoon, more than five years ago. But the little village of New Boston, near the farm, is largely unfriendly, and some of the accidents that keep happening seem suspicious to Liss--not to mention that Gina's great uncle disappeared seven years ago after an unidentified body was discovered in a shipment of Christmas trees!
July 7, 2019
Liss is asked by an old school acquaintance to spend a week at a Christmas tree farm she has inherited. Liss accepts since it would be a chance for her and Dan to get away from work for a bit. However, things quickly become quite complicated and it is obvious that her friend is hiding something significant about this farm. The people in this area are for the most part extremely secretive and unfriendly, but bits of information are revealed including the death of a man who was found netted in a shipment of Christmas trees. And what happened to the great-uncle who used to own this place?
August 13, 2018
The read-a-thon to note details for continuity continues, and even though this one is set (mostly) outside of Moosetookalook, I did pick up on a few things I'd forgotten I set up. Sherri's newfound appreciation of Moxie, for example. I'll definitely have to bring that up again in the one I'm writing now. For those who don't know, Moxie is a Maine manufactured soft drink that, shall we say, is an acquired taste.
December 27, 2021
This book kept dragging on. The last couple chapters were good. The mystery with the lawyer friend who owned the Christmas tree farm but wanted the friend to deal with it didn't make sense even when it was explained.
February 20, 2015
Just ok.
February 12, 2016
It's not a bad story. It is simply told with simple dialog. And, a bit predictable. Small town secrets, corrupt police, body in a stack of Christmas trees...
October 6, 2017
I liked other books in this series but found this one to be lacking in everything especially suspense and action. Very little happens and the story just plods along.
November 24, 2017
Great mystery!
This is a series that I will be digging into more thoroughly! I loved the characters and the plot was excellent!
This is a series that I will be digging into more thoroughly! I loved the characters and the plot was excellent!
January 7, 2018
Slow to start- it’s really heavy on descriptions so I did skip it every now and then but all in all i couldnt put it down towards the end! Great book!
August 5, 2019
enjoyable, but I never appreciate fisticuffs with the killer at the end of novels.
December 28, 2024
How did these idiots not talk about having kids before they got married? Or in the 5 years since? 🙄
February 8, 2017
Hi!! Spoilers below, beware!!
So during the first few pages of this book I happened to realize that I had accidentally picked up a book from the middle of the series. However reading the first few books in the series is not necessary to understand this story. I enjoy mystery novels where they have the same protagonist and life story/some characters that surround him/her, but don't make you rely on reading the previous books to understand everything. I have undoubtedly spoiled myself, as I believe Liss and her husband Dan were not married at the beginning of the series. Nor was Liss the owner of Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium. Her friend Sharri may or may not have been the chief of police and married to Pete (another police officer), but well I guess I'll have to read the rest of the books in the series to see how badly I've spoiled myself haha.
Liss' old high school "friend" comes into town, and asks for a favor in the disguise of a vacation for Liss and Dan. Gina Snowe has become the new owner of a Christmas tree farm after her uncle disappeared 7 years ago, although she just tells Liss he has died and needs someone to assess if the farm is a money maker or not. Liss doesn't really want to, but is strong armed into it by this so called friend. I have an idea this chick was one of those mean girls in high school and Liss was probably a lacky. There might even be a previous book about her, but well I haven't read it so this is all I've got to go on from her character. Liss tells Dan and they head off to New Boston, Maine to the Christmas Tree Farm.
Once in town everyone starts giving them suspicious looks and whispers. They quickly find out Gina was not entirely truthful about what happened to make her the heiress of the estate. Apparently Gina's uncle Simeon Snowe disappeared 7 years ago after a body was found amongst his recent shipment of Christmas trees to New York. He is now presumed dead and the estate can now be passed onto the heir.
During this trip Liss and Dan meet the caretaker, Andy. They find out this young woman has worked for Snowe since she was 16 years old, putting her at 23 when the story begins. She has been looking after the estate for all 7 years, and no one can figure out why. Since she was not getting paid it seems a very strange thing to do. They also meet a woman named Rowena, who happens to be Snowe's girlfriend. She is the proprietress of an occult shop in town, and seems to be a bit out there. Liss and Dan learn that Rowena has had 5 husbands, all deceased, except the 5th...Is she a black widow? And then there's Juliet, Rowena's estranged daughter who owns a dance studio. She's extremely aggressive and rude, and Sharri suspects there might be more to the operation than meets the eye.
Liss has a bum knee due to an injury as a Scottish dancer, and likes to exercise regularly. She goes into a dance studio and asks to take a week's worth of lessons there. Juliet, the owner, is rude to Liss the whole time. She finds it odd that someone whose entire revenue lays in the hands of return customers would be that rude, but she brushes off her weird encounter with thinking that New Boston is like other small towns: not keen to outsiders. Liss and Dan then go to the store to stock up on more food, since the food Andy put in the cabinets at Snowe's house are not exactly to their liking. Liss encounters the chief of police's mother, who believes that Liss is snooping in the wrong areas. She defends her son, and throws Andy under the bus. She has read articles about Liss, and tells her she doesn't like people who think they're better than the police. Once everything is paid for Liss and Dan head to the truck, only for Dan to slip and hit his head on the door.
He's rushed to the hospital. They diagnose him with a concussion, and tell him he cannot go home. He is on strict bed rest for what seems will be the rest of their vacation. Dan tries to get Liss to return, but she reminds him of what the doctor says and is now more intrigued than ever about the mystery. She has spotted on her clothes, where she kneeled to help Dan up, a stain of olive oil. Someone wanted him to fall! Liss compiles a list of people she talked to during the past two days and sends it to her friend Sharri.
We switch over to Sharri searching databases and Pete suggesting they go up to New Boston, since the both of them had a few days off coming up to help Liss out.
They show up, and Liss tells Sharri that she has not told Dan about her suspicions. She's worried he will demand they go home, which would be detrimental to his health, but also her ego. Because she's totally caught up in this mystery. Liss and Dan had also found on their first night out a maze made out of Christmas trees that they presume to be a present for Rowena. The maze is frightening. Liss and Sharri decide to check it out, but get nowhere with it.
Liss also goes to the aerobics class a couple times. She finds the girls nice, but strangely a couple of them only talk about sex. Sharri has a suspicion that this place is a front for a prostitution ring. The sketchy flier in the front window about private dance lessons, that only men seem to be taking up has sparked this train of thought. So Sharri goes around town and asks people if they both recognize the photo of John Doe and if they know anything about the dance studio. Only a cashier seems to remember him as a customer of Juliet's. Some townspeople make comments that they know what has been going on, but don't really care since it seems to be a harmless crime. Sharri tells Liss this, and Liss feels bad for Rowena. Especially since she knows that Simeon took private lessons with Juliet, presuming that he actually had relations with both mother and daughter.
That night the Christmas trees from the maze are set on fire.....The chief of police comes by and accuses the vacationers of arson like the scumbag he is. He demands they don't leave town, since they are now persons of interest. Liss has a suspicion that Simeon might actually be at the middle of the maze, and low and behold he was. But why would someone burn the maze to reveal his body??
Liss tells Rowena about what happened. She is distraught, and talks about a storage unit for some reason. They go there, and find a dead body in a freezer. He is Rowena's runaway 5th husband. She is accused of murder and taken in by the police. Now, I don't know about you but something seems pretty fishy here. By this point in the book I've pretty much solved the crime but am waiting just to make sure.
The house is then set on fire in the middle of the night, and everyone must get out quick!! Liss sees a figures running in the woods and chases after it. She finds out it was Juliet, and pins her to the ground. The police come and all is revealed. Juliet killed the 5th husband, because he was a loser that just wanted Rowena's inheritance. Then Simeon was killed, because he knew about her prostitution business and wanted her to come clean, and she thought he would be a great scape goat for the murder of John Doe. John Doe was killed, because he was a member of the mob, who wanted in on the prostitution activity. The chief of police was in on it by receiving payoff money and being in love with Juliet. He didn't want to kill Liss and Dan so he just set the maze on fire. Unfortunately that backfired and led them to Simeon's body.
Now this book for me was a 7/10. I love the amateur sleuth angle. I love small town settings, but there was just something lacking in this book. There was a great mystery, just not a great way to solve it. I pretty much pegged Juliet from the start due to lack of characters and motive. I didn't know the chief of police had done some sabotaging, but he was really stupid about it. You would think someone smart enough to cover up criminal activities would be able to figure out that making someone get a concussion would not get them out of town. Also strange that after the fire he forced them to stay, when he just wanted them gone. Reverse psychology doesn't really work when you're under threat of arrest. What also didn't tie in was the mob angle. Wouldn't they be worried one of their guys disappeared?? Also how did they hear of prostitution in such a little town? How did Juliet's mom never know? I don't see why Juliet would keep dead husband number 5 around. It seems like a bad move, unless you're going to frame your mom for murder. But barring her death, she wouldn't get any inheritance if her mom went to jail. So basically minus 2 for plot. And minus 1 for character involvement. There are some great amateur sleuth in small towns books. I recommend the Mrs. Murphy series. Harry is a wonderful detective. So while this book may not be at the top of its game mystery wise, it's still an enjoyable read. Especially around the Christmas season :)
So during the first few pages of this book I happened to realize that I had accidentally picked up a book from the middle of the series. However reading the first few books in the series is not necessary to understand this story. I enjoy mystery novels where they have the same protagonist and life story/some characters that surround him/her, but don't make you rely on reading the previous books to understand everything. I have undoubtedly spoiled myself, as I believe Liss and her husband Dan were not married at the beginning of the series. Nor was Liss the owner of Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium. Her friend Sharri may or may not have been the chief of police and married to Pete (another police officer), but well I guess I'll have to read the rest of the books in the series to see how badly I've spoiled myself haha.
Liss' old high school "friend" comes into town, and asks for a favor in the disguise of a vacation for Liss and Dan. Gina Snowe has become the new owner of a Christmas tree farm after her uncle disappeared 7 years ago, although she just tells Liss he has died and needs someone to assess if the farm is a money maker or not. Liss doesn't really want to, but is strong armed into it by this so called friend. I have an idea this chick was one of those mean girls in high school and Liss was probably a lacky. There might even be a previous book about her, but well I haven't read it so this is all I've got to go on from her character. Liss tells Dan and they head off to New Boston, Maine to the Christmas Tree Farm.
Once in town everyone starts giving them suspicious looks and whispers. They quickly find out Gina was not entirely truthful about what happened to make her the heiress of the estate. Apparently Gina's uncle Simeon Snowe disappeared 7 years ago after a body was found amongst his recent shipment of Christmas trees to New York. He is now presumed dead and the estate can now be passed onto the heir.
During this trip Liss and Dan meet the caretaker, Andy. They find out this young woman has worked for Snowe since she was 16 years old, putting her at 23 when the story begins. She has been looking after the estate for all 7 years, and no one can figure out why. Since she was not getting paid it seems a very strange thing to do. They also meet a woman named Rowena, who happens to be Snowe's girlfriend. She is the proprietress of an occult shop in town, and seems to be a bit out there. Liss and Dan learn that Rowena has had 5 husbands, all deceased, except the 5th...Is she a black widow? And then there's Juliet, Rowena's estranged daughter who owns a dance studio. She's extremely aggressive and rude, and Sharri suspects there might be more to the operation than meets the eye.
Liss has a bum knee due to an injury as a Scottish dancer, and likes to exercise regularly. She goes into a dance studio and asks to take a week's worth of lessons there. Juliet, the owner, is rude to Liss the whole time. She finds it odd that someone whose entire revenue lays in the hands of return customers would be that rude, but she brushes off her weird encounter with thinking that New Boston is like other small towns: not keen to outsiders. Liss and Dan then go to the store to stock up on more food, since the food Andy put in the cabinets at Snowe's house are not exactly to their liking. Liss encounters the chief of police's mother, who believes that Liss is snooping in the wrong areas. She defends her son, and throws Andy under the bus. She has read articles about Liss, and tells her she doesn't like people who think they're better than the police. Once everything is paid for Liss and Dan head to the truck, only for Dan to slip and hit his head on the door.
He's rushed to the hospital. They diagnose him with a concussion, and tell him he cannot go home. He is on strict bed rest for what seems will be the rest of their vacation. Dan tries to get Liss to return, but she reminds him of what the doctor says and is now more intrigued than ever about the mystery. She has spotted on her clothes, where she kneeled to help Dan up, a stain of olive oil. Someone wanted him to fall! Liss compiles a list of people she talked to during the past two days and sends it to her friend Sharri.
We switch over to Sharri searching databases and Pete suggesting they go up to New Boston, since the both of them had a few days off coming up to help Liss out.
They show up, and Liss tells Sharri that she has not told Dan about her suspicions. She's worried he will demand they go home, which would be detrimental to his health, but also her ego. Because she's totally caught up in this mystery. Liss and Dan had also found on their first night out a maze made out of Christmas trees that they presume to be a present for Rowena. The maze is frightening. Liss and Sharri decide to check it out, but get nowhere with it.
Liss also goes to the aerobics class a couple times. She finds the girls nice, but strangely a couple of them only talk about sex. Sharri has a suspicion that this place is a front for a prostitution ring. The sketchy flier in the front window about private dance lessons, that only men seem to be taking up has sparked this train of thought. So Sharri goes around town and asks people if they both recognize the photo of John Doe and if they know anything about the dance studio. Only a cashier seems to remember him as a customer of Juliet's. Some townspeople make comments that they know what has been going on, but don't really care since it seems to be a harmless crime. Sharri tells Liss this, and Liss feels bad for Rowena. Especially since she knows that Simeon took private lessons with Juliet, presuming that he actually had relations with both mother and daughter.
That night the Christmas trees from the maze are set on fire.....The chief of police comes by and accuses the vacationers of arson like the scumbag he is. He demands they don't leave town, since they are now persons of interest. Liss has a suspicion that Simeon might actually be at the middle of the maze, and low and behold he was. But why would someone burn the maze to reveal his body??
Liss tells Rowena about what happened. She is distraught, and talks about a storage unit for some reason. They go there, and find a dead body in a freezer. He is Rowena's runaway 5th husband. She is accused of murder and taken in by the police. Now, I don't know about you but something seems pretty fishy here. By this point in the book I've pretty much solved the crime but am waiting just to make sure.
The house is then set on fire in the middle of the night, and everyone must get out quick!! Liss sees a figures running in the woods and chases after it. She finds out it was Juliet, and pins her to the ground. The police come and all is revealed. Juliet killed the 5th husband, because he was a loser that just wanted Rowena's inheritance. Then Simeon was killed, because he knew about her prostitution business and wanted her to come clean, and she thought he would be a great scape goat for the murder of John Doe. John Doe was killed, because he was a member of the mob, who wanted in on the prostitution activity. The chief of police was in on it by receiving payoff money and being in love with Juliet. He didn't want to kill Liss and Dan so he just set the maze on fire. Unfortunately that backfired and led them to Simeon's body.
Now this book for me was a 7/10. I love the amateur sleuth angle. I love small town settings, but there was just something lacking in this book. There was a great mystery, just not a great way to solve it. I pretty much pegged Juliet from the start due to lack of characters and motive. I didn't know the chief of police had done some sabotaging, but he was really stupid about it. You would think someone smart enough to cover up criminal activities would be able to figure out that making someone get a concussion would not get them out of town. Also strange that after the fire he forced them to stay, when he just wanted them gone. Reverse psychology doesn't really work when you're under threat of arrest. What also didn't tie in was the mob angle. Wouldn't they be worried one of their guys disappeared?? Also how did they hear of prostitution in such a little town? How did Juliet's mom never know? I don't see why Juliet would keep dead husband number 5 around. It seems like a bad move, unless you're going to frame your mom for murder. But barring her death, she wouldn't get any inheritance if her mom went to jail. So basically minus 2 for plot. And minus 1 for character involvement. There are some great amateur sleuth in small towns books. I recommend the Mrs. Murphy series. Harry is a wonderful detective. So while this book may not be at the top of its game mystery wise, it's still an enjoyable read. Especially around the Christmas season :)
July 26, 2023
Good story. And the murder does not occur in Liss's town..... On to the next....
Business is booming at the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin couldn't be happier--or busier. A romantic getaway at a rustic Christmas tree farm is just what she needs. But the property's mysterious past has her feeling less than merry. . .
Liss is surprised when an old friend from high school asks her to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she recently inherited from a great-uncle. Realizing it would be the perfect chance for her and her husband Dan to get away from work, Liss happily accepts the offer and packs her bags for the tiny town of New Boston.
Upon their arrival, Liss and Dan are greeted by a ramshackle farmhouse and unfriendly townsfolk. It's hardly the idyllic vacation locale they'd hoped for, especially when needling neighbors start raising questions about the farm's dark history. Who was the man whose body was found neatly netted in a shipment of Scotch pine? Why did the owner vanish into thin air? And why are the trees growing so close together, forming a maze more twisted than a Celtic knot?
The rumors pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, and as Liss starts un-wrapping the truth, she discovers something even more scandalous than murder hiding beneath the town's humdrum facade. When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, she'll have to spring into action faster than a Highland Fling to find the killer who's been lurking among the pines--before she ends up in a pine box herself. . .
Business is booming at the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin couldn't be happier--or busier. A romantic getaway at a rustic Christmas tree farm is just what she needs. But the property's mysterious past has her feeling less than merry. . .
Liss is surprised when an old friend from high school asks her to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she recently inherited from a great-uncle. Realizing it would be the perfect chance for her and her husband Dan to get away from work, Liss happily accepts the offer and packs her bags for the tiny town of New Boston.
Upon their arrival, Liss and Dan are greeted by a ramshackle farmhouse and unfriendly townsfolk. It's hardly the idyllic vacation locale they'd hoped for, especially when needling neighbors start raising questions about the farm's dark history. Who was the man whose body was found neatly netted in a shipment of Scotch pine? Why did the owner vanish into thin air? And why are the trees growing so close together, forming a maze more twisted than a Celtic knot?
The rumors pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, and as Liss starts un-wrapping the truth, she discovers something even more scandalous than murder hiding beneath the town's humdrum facade. When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, she'll have to spring into action faster than a Highland Fling to find the killer who's been lurking among the pines--before she ends up in a pine box herself. . .
December 6, 2020
This is a fun little holiday mystery, but I think a better motive for the killer would be the fact that her mother supposedly had money and her mother's husband/love interests could have robbed her of an inheritance. The first guy killed could have been for the motive stated in the book, and then Snowe could have been killed to cover up that murder, but why husband #5? That one is never given a credible motive. Once I guessed that the dance instructor had done it (close to the end, so it wasn't too obvious), I assumed she was trying to "off" men who might lay claim to her mother's finances. Then a rather weak motive was suggested instead - so her mother wouldn't find out about her side business turning tricks? Since Juliette was happy to throw her mother under the bus and have her arrested for crimes she didn't commit, it doesn't make sense that Mom finding out about her side business was a motive to kill. Juliette isn't the type to protect Mom's feelings, and Rowena isn't stupid enough not to have figured it out anyway. The cops finding out may have been a reasonable motive, but then it's not really explained why husband #5 would have endangered her secret. Even then, since at least one cop was in on her operation, it's unlikely that the threat of alerting the police would have been a strong motive. Other than that, this book delivered pretty much as expected- a diverting holiday-theme read- a nice break from the news.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2016
I may be the minority here, but I did not enjoy this book at all. The mystery was so-so, and honestly, I guessed the culprit about a third of the way through. That wasn't my problem with the book, however.
I found the characters to be incredibly boring and annoying, not to mention one-sided. For example, if a dance instructor is rude and not interested in your business, why would you cut a check for a hundred and fifty dollars like Liss did? After reading the book, it's still unclear what Liss looks like or what she likes besides Scottish dancing, kilt pins, and thistle jewelry. Her husband was equally boring and oddly devoid of any real opinions, and the only thing we learn about him is that he looks good and has ripped muscles.
Perhaps the most irritating bit in the book for me was the fact that Liss kept attempting to solve a mystery no one cared about. It happened years before, and if no one found it important enough to care, why did she? The only smart thing her husband said was that they should've left and gone back to Moosetookalook days ago.
I did try to finish this book, but as far as cozy mysteries go, it was slow, boring, and the characters so unlikeable I couldn't even feel sorry for the husband when he slipped and fractured his ankle. It wasn't my cup of tea, but someone else may like it.
I found the characters to be incredibly boring and annoying, not to mention one-sided. For example, if a dance instructor is rude and not interested in your business, why would you cut a check for a hundred and fifty dollars like Liss did? After reading the book, it's still unclear what Liss looks like or what she likes besides Scottish dancing, kilt pins, and thistle jewelry. Her husband was equally boring and oddly devoid of any real opinions, and the only thing we learn about him is that he looks good and has ripped muscles.
Perhaps the most irritating bit in the book for me was the fact that Liss kept attempting to solve a mystery no one cared about. It happened years before, and if no one found it important enough to care, why did she? The only smart thing her husband said was that they should've left and gone back to Moosetookalook days ago.
I did try to finish this book, but as far as cozy mysteries go, it was slow, boring, and the characters so unlikeable I couldn't even feel sorry for the husband when he slipped and fractured his ankle. It wasn't my cup of tea, but someone else may like it.
December 8, 2018
I got this book randomly at a library book sale. Now I want to read more of them.
A favor for an old friend. A tree farm that needs checked out to be figured out what to do with it. An old man that one day disappeared. A John Doe that turned up in a Christmas tree in New York. What on earth do they have to do with each other? Who is the John Doe? What started out as a simple vacation is anything but simple.
The longer they stay the more strange things that happen. But who could be the master mind behind all this? After Liss' husband takes a fall, two of her friends come for a visit to help her out. Liss really needed them there to help her untangle the messy knot from seven years of cold case come to light. An accident that caused a broken bone, fires and a body being discovered, can they come out of this mystery alive?
I couldn't seem to put this book done. Every time I thought of it, I had to pick it up again and then it was a struggle to put it down for whatever I needed to do. I love books that can keep me hooked from almost page one until the very end.
A favor for an old friend. A tree farm that needs checked out to be figured out what to do with it. An old man that one day disappeared. A John Doe that turned up in a Christmas tree in New York. What on earth do they have to do with each other? Who is the John Doe? What started out as a simple vacation is anything but simple.
The longer they stay the more strange things that happen. But who could be the master mind behind all this? After Liss' husband takes a fall, two of her friends come for a visit to help her out. Liss really needed them there to help her untangle the messy knot from seven years of cold case come to light. An accident that caused a broken bone, fires and a body being discovered, can they come out of this mystery alive?
I couldn't seem to put this book done. Every time I thought of it, I had to pick it up again and then it was a struggle to put it down for whatever I needed to do. I love books that can keep me hooked from almost page one until the very end.
January 22, 2020
Book read as part of yearly Readathon #ReadwithMaja coordinated by @maich in Litsy prompt was to read a book with snow on the cover.
I didn't know this was book number 8 in a series but with the details the author gave from previous books I didn't feel lost to understand the characters. Liss was requested by a "friend" to take care of a property she inherited in a small town near where Liss lives. Liss and her husband took this request as a good excuse to have some vacation. While she was there, she discovered a disappearance and a murder. Liss does not work for the police department but she has helped to clarify some cases in the past (from previous books).
This is a simple cozy mystery as expected but I really enjoyed and liked the characters and the story. I will like to read book number 1. Rating: 3.3⭐️👍
I didn't know this was book number 8 in a series but with the details the author gave from previous books I didn't feel lost to understand the characters. Liss was requested by a "friend" to take care of a property she inherited in a small town near where Liss lives. Liss and her husband took this request as a good excuse to have some vacation. While she was there, she discovered a disappearance and a murder. Liss does not work for the police department but she has helped to clarify some cases in the past (from previous books).
This is a simple cozy mystery as expected but I really enjoyed and liked the characters and the story. I will like to read book number 1. Rating: 3.3⭐️👍
December 11, 2024
decent cozy but the mid-30s MC definitely had moments of acting far older (I mean, who would hand-draw a map of the aerial view of a maze from their window instead of just taking a picture? the story very specifically mentioned that she has an iPad)
the wrap-up came a little out of nowhere for me (like, it made enough sense but we were on fast-forward or something) and there were multiple points where the age of side characters seemed unclear, to the point where I had assumed what turned out to be a mother and daughter were about the same age. I could have missed something, to be fair, but I'm not sure this one is on me.
picked this one just for the cover (reading challenge for Dec option was a book with a Christmas tree on the cover) but it was enjoyable enough. I don't see myself reading more of the series but I wouldn't tell people to avoid it.
the wrap-up came a little out of nowhere for me (like, it made enough sense but we were on fast-forward or something) and there were multiple points where the age of side characters seemed unclear, to the point where I had assumed what turned out to be a mother and daughter were about the same age. I could have missed something, to be fair, but I'm not sure this one is on me.
picked this one just for the cover (reading challenge for Dec option was a book with a Christmas tree on the cover) but it was enjoyable enough. I don't see myself reading more of the series but I wouldn't tell people to avoid it.
December 1, 2017
Liss and her husband, Dan, go to a Christmas tree farm to access it's condition for her friend Gina. Gina's great uncle owned it but disappeared years ago and has been declared dead and Gina wants to do something with the property.
Liss stumbles upon some small town secrets and reluctantly tries to figure out what happened years ago and what is going on now. She is aided in this by her friends who are cops. She befriends the neighbor girl who is helping out on the farm. They find the body of the dead great uncle and are almost killed along with Dan breaking his ankle.
Dan and Liss had been hoping for a short relaxing vacation and to decide if they wanted children instead of getting involved in solving some crimes.
A fun holiday cozier involving small towns and secrets.
Liss stumbles upon some small town secrets and reluctantly tries to figure out what happened years ago and what is going on now. She is aided in this by her friends who are cops. She befriends the neighbor girl who is helping out on the farm. They find the body of the dead great uncle and are almost killed along with Dan breaking his ankle.
Dan and Liss had been hoping for a short relaxing vacation and to decide if they wanted children instead of getting involved in solving some crimes.
A fun holiday cozier involving small towns and secrets.
December 15, 2018
An old friend of Liss asks her to spend a week at a Christmas tree farm she has inherited to assess its viability as a business. It soon becomes clear that not everyone is happy to have Liss staying at the farm and soon accidents begin to happen. In this close knit community nobody is talking.
This was a fun mystery in an interesting setting. It had an adequate number of clues, suspects and red herrings.
Liss’ almost compulsive list writing was annoying by the end, but not in a way that made the book less enjoyable. I found her best friend, Sherri, to be the most likable character.
Although this takes place on a Christmas tree farm, it isn’t really a Christmas mystery since it takes place in November. It was snowy and a few trees were sold at the end.
This was a fun mystery in an interesting setting. It had an adequate number of clues, suspects and red herrings.
Liss’ almost compulsive list writing was annoying by the end, but not in a way that made the book less enjoyable. I found her best friend, Sherri, to be the most likable character.
Although this takes place on a Christmas tree farm, it isn’t really a Christmas mystery since it takes place in November. It was snowy and a few trees were sold at the end.
December 19, 2019
I rated this five stars, not because it’s an eternally deep, rich, life-changing novel, but because it succeeds in being exactly what it’s meant to be: an entertaining whodunnit that provides a relaxing escape, for a day or two, to a small place tucked away from the world-at-large, with lots of little twists and turns that keeps you turning pages. After a morning of shoveling, I cozied into my favorite chair and footrest, warmed by a pretty blanket and a pot of rose tea with cinnamon, lemon and honey, and read through the book until bedtime. When I closed the book, I realized I was completely happy. What’s not five stars about that?
December 27, 2019
Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is approached by a former classmate Gina with an offer for Liss and her husband Dan to spend a week evaluating a Christmas tree Gina just inherited from her uncle. Liss and Dan have been working nonstop and need a vacation so they agree to go. Once there they find that 7 years ago a body was found netted in a supply of Christmas trees from the farm and that right after that Gina's uncle disappeared. Of course Liss ends up investigating the old murder. I haven't read any others in this series but I liked Liss and Dan and their friends. Not the most complicated to solve but a nice cozy mystery.
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