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The Bad Girls Detective Agency #4
The Mistletoe Murder Club
Roll up, roll up… this year’s Christmas show has a twist you won’t see coming… murder! 🩸🔪
When Clio – a former actress and current struggling private detective – manages to score a key role in the town’s Christmas pantomime, she’s secretly delighted. At last, perhaps, her talents will be recognized?
It’s all going dramatically well, until their esteemed director is found murdered on the opening night. And Clio knows it’s up to her to find out who the mistletoe murderer is.
She knows her best chance of capturing the culprit is to bring her best friends Amber and Jeanie into the cast. Even if the best way to sneak them in is to carefully conceal them both in a pantomime cow costume.
But before she can cry ‘he’s behind you’, all of them will be in danger for their lives, as there’s a murderer with only one thing on their mind… to bring the curtain down on the Mistletoe Murder Club. Forever.
When Clio – a former actress and current struggling private detective – manages to score a key role in the town’s Christmas pantomime, she’s secretly delighted. At last, perhaps, her talents will be recognized?
It’s all going dramatically well, until their esteemed director is found murdered on the opening night. And Clio knows it’s up to her to find out who the mistletoe murderer is.
She knows her best chance of capturing the culprit is to bring her best friends Amber and Jeanie into the cast. Even if the best way to sneak them in is to carefully conceal them both in a pantomime cow costume.
But before she can cry ‘he’s behind you’, all of them will be in danger for their lives, as there’s a murderer with only one thing on their mind… to bring the curtain down on the Mistletoe Murder Club. Forever.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2025
594 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Katie Marsh
17 books238 followersHello and welcome to my GoodReads page. Thank you for visiting!
I wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime in my forties. My debut novel was a World Book Night pick and my books are published in ten languages.
I live in the countryside and love strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of my children. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor'’, the second in my Bad Girls Detective Agency crime series, will be published by Boldwood Books in March 2024.
Do come and chat on instagram - I'm @katiemarshauthor.
Katie x
I wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime in my forties. My debut novel was a World Book Night pick and my books are published in ten languages.
I live in the countryside and love strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of my children. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor'’, the second in my Bad Girls Detective Agency crime series, will be published by Boldwood Books in March 2024.
Do come and chat on instagram - I'm @katiemarshauthor.
Katie x
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 6, 2025
I didn’t realise this was part of series when I picked it up, a series that I haven’t previously read. There were parts where ai wished that I had read them first but for the most part it was easy to pick it all up.
This was a fun, cozy murder mystery set around a pantomime at Christmas in the UK. I come from an English family and have spent Christmas in the UK so panto is something that I am familiar with. It is an integral part of Christmas and always a fun time. I loved all the fun and quirky lines.
This was a quick read, perfect for the holidays
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the early access to this book. Published on September 5th.
This was a fun, cozy murder mystery set around a pantomime at Christmas in the UK. I come from an English family and have spent Christmas in the UK so panto is something that I am familiar with. It is an integral part of Christmas and always a fun time. I loved all the fun and quirky lines.
This was a quick read, perfect for the holidays
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the early access to this book. Published on September 5th.
December 20, 2025
Christmas murder mystery fun! A group of friends, a very important play, a big star in attendance. Until she's suddenly found dead and murder is suspected!
I find holiday murder mysteries such a fun thing to read during the stressful holiday time. This one has a great set of friends and a silly play production. It had great investigation moments and funny cow-costume moments. I loved that the person murdered wasn't an angel and many people said they were investigating despite what a horrible person she was.
Even though this is Book 4 in this series, I like that it didn't feel as if I was walking into a book mid-season. The mysteries was condensed into one book and I did the audio and the narrator was great! You could tell the friendship was established and there were a few inside jokes I didn't know but that didn't hold me back from enjoying the story at all!
Cute, light, fun mystery. Highly recommend this as a holiday read!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I find holiday murder mysteries such a fun thing to read during the stressful holiday time. This one has a great set of friends and a silly play production. It had great investigation moments and funny cow-costume moments. I loved that the person murdered wasn't an angel and many people said they were investigating despite what a horrible person she was.
Even though this is Book 4 in this series, I like that it didn't feel as if I was walking into a book mid-season. The mysteries was condensed into one book and I did the audio and the narrator was great! You could tell the friendship was established and there were a few inside jokes I didn't know but that didn't hold me back from enjoying the story at all!
Cute, light, fun mystery. Highly recommend this as a holiday read!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
September 24, 2025
The Mistletoe Murder Club, is the fourth book in the bad girls Detective agency by Katie Marsh, cleo couldn’t be happier to get a part in the Christmas pantamime, if only the cast would get along. The lead actor Dexter, can’t remember his lines , the star of the show is in love with the lead actor, even two people playing the cow can’t get along due to their recent break up. the director is a famed actress Beatrice Butler. Unfortunately instead of having those in the cast excited by this her attitude makes everyone dislike her but when she is found dead the girls must find out who took it from dislike to murder. I haven’t even mentioned the attempted murders poisons a hit-and-run but who finally did it? of course detective Marco Santini will be on the case but once again not be the one who solves it. To make matters worse amber’s sister finds him attractive but that’s just one of many things Amber is finding irritating about her new half American sister. Can the girls solve the case or will this one be too big for the bad girls detective agency to solve? I love these books I love Cleo, genie, Amber an even sister Melissa, my only issue is they make it like Cleo is elderly and yet Jeannie who is the same age has three year-old twins I just don’t get that but despite those nagging questions I still love these books so much they’re so funny the cow alone and those who play her are worth the price of admission by itself. I always look so forward to the next book and that is definitely the case this time as well. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestreview, #KatieMarsh, #TheMistletoeMurderClub, #TheBadGirlsDetectiveAgency,
September 7, 2025
⭐ 3.5 stars
As usual, I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I picked it up. However, I wasn’t too lost when they mentioned events from the previous books, since they were easy enough to follow.
This was a very nice read (even though I was in a bit of a reading slump), and the main characters were likable and well-developed. I even caught myself feeling bad for Beatrice for a moment—just a few seconds, but still.
The writing was engaging and easy to follow, which helped me get through the book quickly. Still, I wish the pacing had been a bit more balanced in certain parts.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy murder mysteries with a humorous twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
As usual, I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I picked it up. However, I wasn’t too lost when they mentioned events from the previous books, since they were easy enough to follow.
This was a very nice read (even though I was in a bit of a reading slump), and the main characters were likable and well-developed. I even caught myself feeling bad for Beatrice for a moment—just a few seconds, but still.
The writing was engaging and easy to follow, which helped me get through the book quickly. Still, I wish the pacing had been a bit more balanced in certain parts.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy murder mysteries with a humorous twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
December 13, 2025
This was a pretty good murder mystery. At least it kept me guessing-mainly because there were so many potential suspects. The ladies of the Mistletoe Murder Club are about as unlikely a bunch of crime solvers one can imagine, but they did keep me entertained. And I’ve read lots of British books yet still came across some vocabulary I had to google. I enjoyed the pop culture references (Stanley Tucci!) and the dry humor.
July 12, 2025
Book Review: The Mistletoe Murder Club by Katie Marsh
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
This cozy mystery was an absolute delight from start to finish. Katie Marsh has created a world that’s equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and murderously entertaining in The Mistletoe Murder Club. The moment I started reading, I knew I was in good hands. Marsh’s voice is sharp, witty, and full of affection for her quirky characters and their gloriously chaotic small-town lives. If you’re looking for a book that balances laugh-out-loud moments with a genuinely clever mystery, this one delivers with style.
Our heroine, Clio, is a former actress whose career has taken a hard left turn into private detective work. She’s talented, determined, and just disorganized enough to make you love her more. When she unexpectedly lands a part in the town’s Christmas pantomime—thanks to her dramatic flair and some creative résumé tweaking—she’s thrilled. It’s her chance to shine again, even if the role is a bit more low-budget than Broadway. But things take a sharp turn when the show’s director is murdered on opening night, and Clio finds herself juggling her onstage lines with offstage sleuthing.
Clio enlists her two best friends, Amber and Jeanie, to help her crack the case. Their bond is the real heart of the book. These three women are hilarious, loyal, and completely ride-or-die for each other, even if it means sneaking into the production dressed as a pantomime cow. Yes, that actually happens—and yes, it’s as ridiculous and perfect as it sounds. Their friendship reminded me of the very best parts of The Thursday Murder Club or Only Murders in the Building: a crew of amateurs with a lot of heart and more guts than experience.
What really makes this story shine is Marsh’s tone. She keeps the mystery tight and the pacing brisk, but never sacrifices warmth or humor. There’s something incredibly comforting about being immersed in a world where the characters are flawed but kind, where the setting sparkles with Christmas charm, and where even a murder investigation can be cozy. That balance is not easy to pull off, but Marsh nails it. You’re laughing one minute, suspicious the next, and totally invested the whole way through.
The mystery itself is layered and smart. Marsh scatters just enough clues to keep you guessing, but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. I thought I had figured it out more than once—spoiler alert: I hadn’t. The final reveal was satisfying and made complete sense, which is always the mark of a well-plotted whodunit. And through it all, Clio’s narration keeps things grounded, funny, and unexpectedly insightful. “Sometimes, the only way to see the truth is through the biggest lie,” she says at one point, and that perfectly captures the heart of the story—both the case and Clio’s own journey.
This book is more than just a seasonal treat. Yes, it’s got all the festive trappings—twinkling lights, backstage drama, cozy pubs, and a cow costume—but it’s also a story about rediscovering your confidence, trusting your instincts, and leaning on the people who know you best. I found myself smiling even when the stakes were high, and that’s the magic of a well-written cozy: it makes you feel safe, even while someone’s hiding a bloody dagger behind the curtain.
If you’re a fan of Richard Osman, Agatha Christie, or any mystery where the sleuths are loveable and the crime is clever, you’ll want The Mistletoe Murder Club on your holiday reading list. It’s the perfect blend of camp and crime, humor and heart. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of Clio’s adventures—because I’ll be first in line to read the next one.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
This cozy mystery was an absolute delight from start to finish. Katie Marsh has created a world that’s equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and murderously entertaining in The Mistletoe Murder Club. The moment I started reading, I knew I was in good hands. Marsh’s voice is sharp, witty, and full of affection for her quirky characters and their gloriously chaotic small-town lives. If you’re looking for a book that balances laugh-out-loud moments with a genuinely clever mystery, this one delivers with style.
Our heroine, Clio, is a former actress whose career has taken a hard left turn into private detective work. She’s talented, determined, and just disorganized enough to make you love her more. When she unexpectedly lands a part in the town’s Christmas pantomime—thanks to her dramatic flair and some creative résumé tweaking—she’s thrilled. It’s her chance to shine again, even if the role is a bit more low-budget than Broadway. But things take a sharp turn when the show’s director is murdered on opening night, and Clio finds herself juggling her onstage lines with offstage sleuthing.
Clio enlists her two best friends, Amber and Jeanie, to help her crack the case. Their bond is the real heart of the book. These three women are hilarious, loyal, and completely ride-or-die for each other, even if it means sneaking into the production dressed as a pantomime cow. Yes, that actually happens—and yes, it’s as ridiculous and perfect as it sounds. Their friendship reminded me of the very best parts of The Thursday Murder Club or Only Murders in the Building: a crew of amateurs with a lot of heart and more guts than experience.
What really makes this story shine is Marsh’s tone. She keeps the mystery tight and the pacing brisk, but never sacrifices warmth or humor. There’s something incredibly comforting about being immersed in a world where the characters are flawed but kind, where the setting sparkles with Christmas charm, and where even a murder investigation can be cozy. That balance is not easy to pull off, but Marsh nails it. You’re laughing one minute, suspicious the next, and totally invested the whole way through.
The mystery itself is layered and smart. Marsh scatters just enough clues to keep you guessing, but not so many that you feel overwhelmed. I thought I had figured it out more than once—spoiler alert: I hadn’t. The final reveal was satisfying and made complete sense, which is always the mark of a well-plotted whodunit. And through it all, Clio’s narration keeps things grounded, funny, and unexpectedly insightful. “Sometimes, the only way to see the truth is through the biggest lie,” she says at one point, and that perfectly captures the heart of the story—both the case and Clio’s own journey.
This book is more than just a seasonal treat. Yes, it’s got all the festive trappings—twinkling lights, backstage drama, cozy pubs, and a cow costume—but it’s also a story about rediscovering your confidence, trusting your instincts, and leaning on the people who know you best. I found myself smiling even when the stakes were high, and that’s the magic of a well-written cozy: it makes you feel safe, even while someone’s hiding a bloody dagger behind the curtain.
If you’re a fan of Richard Osman, Agatha Christie, or any mystery where the sleuths are loveable and the crime is clever, you’ll want The Mistletoe Murder Club on your holiday reading list. It’s the perfect blend of camp and crime, humor and heart. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of Clio’s adventures—because I’ll be first in line to read the next one.
August 29, 2025
The writing was light, entertaining and kept me guessing until the end. There were a lot of different possibilities that I enjoyed being taken through. As soon as I thought it was solved, something else popped up and threw a spanner in the works.
The book was split into a Prologue and 3 Acts. Each act was then further split into fairly long chapters. Each chapter was titled with the name of the character that we were reading from the perspective of. When it got to the murder victim's point of view, there was the amount of time before the death as a sub heading.
As the chapters were fairly long, you got a good chunk of the story from that specific point of view before moving on. I enjoyed that we got to see the story from multiple points of view. It added an extra layer to the story. This technique very cleverly moved the story forward and gave it a good pace.
Despite the chapters all being from different points of view, there was a good flow between the chapters and the acts. The story came together seamlessly.
There was a lot of information given to us, with a lot of different leads to follow, but I never felt lost and enjoyed what was happening from the beginning right through to the end.
The characters were excellent. I loved the friendship that the main characters had. It was lovely to read about and added an extra something to the story. What was interesting was that each of the characters had a different personality so it was nice to see how they all worked together to get the case solved. There were nice little details and random thoughts that helped to build up a picture of what they were like. I would quite happily read more about them.
Lastly the settings. As it was a character based story there wasn't a lot of time spent on the settings. I didn't mind that as there were a lot of other bits of information that were integral to the solving of the mystery, so I didn't want to be bogged down with things that didn't matter.
Overall an excellent Christmas Murder Mystery, full of twists and turns.
The book was split into a Prologue and 3 Acts. Each act was then further split into fairly long chapters. Each chapter was titled with the name of the character that we were reading from the perspective of. When it got to the murder victim's point of view, there was the amount of time before the death as a sub heading.
As the chapters were fairly long, you got a good chunk of the story from that specific point of view before moving on. I enjoyed that we got to see the story from multiple points of view. It added an extra layer to the story. This technique very cleverly moved the story forward and gave it a good pace.
Despite the chapters all being from different points of view, there was a good flow between the chapters and the acts. The story came together seamlessly.
There was a lot of information given to us, with a lot of different leads to follow, but I never felt lost and enjoyed what was happening from the beginning right through to the end.
The characters were excellent. I loved the friendship that the main characters had. It was lovely to read about and added an extra something to the story. What was interesting was that each of the characters had a different personality so it was nice to see how they all worked together to get the case solved. There were nice little details and random thoughts that helped to build up a picture of what they were like. I would quite happily read more about them.
Lastly the settings. As it was a character based story there wasn't a lot of time spent on the settings. I didn't mind that as there were a lot of other bits of information that were integral to the solving of the mystery, so I didn't want to be bogged down with things that didn't matter.
Overall an excellent Christmas Murder Mystery, full of twists and turns.
September 1, 2025
The Mistletoe Murder Club by Katie Marsh
Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Clio, Amber, and Jeanie are best friends and together they own a private investigation business. Clio, who is a former actress, has landed a role in a Christmas pantomime show in their local town. However, as the show is about to premier on its first night, the famous Beatrice Butler, who is directing the show and also for whom the theatre is names, is found murdered in her dressing room!!! With a handful of suspects – that would be everyone in the production and those working backstage – Clio, Amber, and Jeanie have their hands full to try and solve this case. They’ll come to discover that every single suspect had a reason to kill Beatrice Butler. And before her death, Beatrice had a few things up her sleeves! This novel is a cozy, who-dun-it mystery, full of humorous banter. Although it started out a bit slow at first, it very quickly picked up. If you’re looking for a quick festive holiday mystery read, this novel totally hits the spot!
AVAILABLE September 5, 2025!
Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Clio, Amber, and Jeanie are best friends and together they own a private investigation business. Clio, who is a former actress, has landed a role in a Christmas pantomime show in their local town. However, as the show is about to premier on its first night, the famous Beatrice Butler, who is directing the show and also for whom the theatre is names, is found murdered in her dressing room!!! With a handful of suspects – that would be everyone in the production and those working backstage – Clio, Amber, and Jeanie have their hands full to try and solve this case. They’ll come to discover that every single suspect had a reason to kill Beatrice Butler. And before her death, Beatrice had a few things up her sleeves! This novel is a cozy, who-dun-it mystery, full of humorous banter. Although it started out a bit slow at first, it very quickly picked up. If you’re looking for a quick festive holiday mystery read, this novel totally hits the spot!
AVAILABLE September 5, 2025!
September 10, 2025
This was another fun read in this series. I really like the main characters - they are a fun group - Jeanie (the mother of 2 small children), Clio (the actress), Amber (the ex police officer) & Melissa (Amber’s half sister)”& owner of a luxury hotel), out solving murders before the police can.
December 4, 2025
I’m in the deepest book slump of my life
September 1, 2025
Let me say, first of all, that this review will NOT be entirely spoiler free. I'll try to spoil as little as possible. I won't reveal the killer or any pertinent mystery information. Only the actions of certain characters at certain points in the book. But, you’ve been warned.
I have some big criticisms.
1) To begin, I had no idea this book was part of a series. I make it a point not to read an advanced copy, or request one, of a book in a series unless I’ve been reading in that series already. Or it’s the first book in the series. The cover, summary, etc, in no way shape or form indicates this book is in a series. That’s one small point against it for me. And it’s not easy to tell until you start reading it. The cover does not match the covers of the previous 3 books in the series in any way. Usually when you write a book series, you want the covers to kind of have the same vibe. This one doesn’t at all. It looks worlds apart from the others
2) There is no description of the main cast of characters’ looks that I could really find or saw any note of. The author describes side characters; their hair, their skin, their eye color, etc. But I cannot tell you what Melissa, Amber, Jeanie, or Clio look like at all. And maybe the author didn’t think she needed to because this is the 4th book in the series. To me, that makes it worse. You can’t always depend on all of your readers to have read the previous books, or to even remember depending on how long ago the last release was, etc. New readers will want to know what the characters look like. And to be honest, I really assumed this was A Me Thing; maybe I missed the descriptions. So when I started reading, and got 3 chapters in with no character-looks descriptions of the main cast, I went back and restarted. Nope. Nada. And I didn’t see if there were any at all further. I SHOULD be able to tell someone what the main cast looks like.
3) Melissa is a stereotype of an American character. I say this as someone who finds stereotypes of my country and follow citizens effing hilarious depending on the context. Like, if there is a huge language barrier (I.E. an American in a Japanese anime). Or, if it’s meant to be satire of a problematic American type of person (like a zealot Christian). But the reader is meant to take Melissa as a serious real character; she’s not meant to be a joke or a satire. So the author means for her stereotypes to be taken seriously, insofar as I can tell. Melissa first bothered me when her half-sister Amber, who is British, tells her to “stop” with all the Christmas stuff. And Melissa replies, “I’m an American. I don’t know how to stop.” This could be taken as a joke, so I initially let it go. But then later in the book, Melissa tells Amber she made a copy of the key to her house without asking her, like it’s fine. (This never gets addressed, by the way.) Like it’s something Americans with no understanding of personal boundaries would do. Kay. When Amber tries to explain pantomime theater to Melissa, I was interested, until Melissa says this must be one of those things she won’t get, like a bunch of other British things, listing “baked beans” as one of those “British” things. Now... if she’d said beans on toast, I’d be fine. Americans do not eat beans on toast. It’s not the norm for most of us. I’m sure there are Americans, like my husband, who love beans on toast and would eat it several mornings in a row if they could. But, yeah, that’d be fine. But, ya’ll, AMERICANS KNOW WHAT BAKED BEANS ARE.
In my opinion, this author needs American beta readers before she publishes anything with American characters. At the very least, for the basics of our culture. One can easily look up about baked beans being a Southern staple. You don’t even need a beta for that. And no character should be stereotype if they’re meant to be taken as more than satire. I don’t care what culture they’re from, or what country.
3) Dues Ex Machina Mystery issues. So much of what I enjoy about a mysteries novel is the characters working to solve the case. But that doesn’t happen here. Everything is handed to them by another character, with little to no work on their part, or it just happens to drop in their lap. Or, they make a wild guess that happens to be right. My main example of this is a big pregnancy reveal. One character mentions finding a piece of evidence that only lists a hospital, that hospital’s telephone number, and the address from a certain year. No indication outside of that that pregnancy was the cause at all. But surely that must mean the person had a baby! No one calls the hospital; no tracks down anyone who might have worked there at the time who knew the person they guessed got preggers and got rid of the baby. Nope. Just an assumption that turns out to be right. Which, is so WILD, since the character Amber, the main detective, accuses her ex-boss of making wild accusations and running with them with zero evidence at all. This is the same thing.
Then we have things like Jeanie’s twins who are constantly getting into trouble. They’re toddlers and little terrors who can’t sit still. Which is most toddlers, to be honest. (Speaking as a parent with two grown boys.) These two kids are at the show when the murder happens and the police lock the place down and question everyone. Well, they get loose of mom; not an issue there. But they get on the stage. Jeanie follows them. And these two toddlers somehow manage to have the strength to open a trap door built into the stage in the late 1800s open. Look. I’m not a theater expert. My husband did some stage craft in his day. But two toddlers are not opening a heavy trap door with their bare hands.
Jeanie and the kids find the production manager under the stage. Jeanie has to tell her that her boss is dead. Nevermind the fact that one of the actors announced it on the stage she was stuck under. She would have heard it. Now, the character could have been lying, but the way she reacts to the news when Jeanie tells her really doesn’t indicate that. It seems like she didn’t know and was probably happy about it, maybe, given Jeanie’s view of her at the time of the reveal.
Then we have Amber, who the ex-cop, who runs the detective agency. She manages to get hidden in a cow costume because Clio thinks it’s a good idea and helps her. No one notices. So she can listen in on the interviews the ex-cop boss Marco is doing with the actors, etc. Well, the first one is the bimbo girl actor. And near the end of her interview she flirts with Marco, which is too much for Amber, and she gives herself away by groaning out loud. Like. WHAT? You’re supposed to be a competent badass detective. That’s what we’ve been told about you this whole time. And you blow listening in on the interviews by voluntarily groaning out loud? If the author had wanted this character found out, that’s fine. There’s other ways to do it that don’t make her out to be incompetent. Like, unable to stop from sneezing. Or Marco moves around the room and kicks the costume on accident and THEN she makes a noise she can’t help.
There’s also the HUGE fact that the murder was done with an old gun. A gunshot was fired WHILE a full audience was packing into the theater and WHILE actors were all backstage in various places. Someone shot a gun. Someone died from it. And no one heard the gun???? Jeanie was in that area chasing after her kids and heard the person murdered (Beatrice, btw) arguing with someone. But no one heard the gun shot? WHAT?
Overall, honestly, this book needs an overhaul in terms of development, characterization, and general inconsistencies like I listed above. I’m not mentioning everything I didn’t like; that might take a bit. Though, there were things I did like. I like the idea of a detective agency run by women. I like that some of them are mothers of small kids and not full adult kids. I like most of the dialogue. I like the relationship between the women. I like that Melissa likes Marco. I’d just enjoy more her as not-a-stereotype.
If I were a paying reader, and this was my first book in the series, I would not read the 3 that came before it.
I think it’s a good book if you like a fun mystery with women solving murder and you don’t want to think too hard about it. But, if you do think hard, it needs work and might not be your cuppa.
I have some big criticisms.
1) To begin, I had no idea this book was part of a series. I make it a point not to read an advanced copy, or request one, of a book in a series unless I’ve been reading in that series already. Or it’s the first book in the series. The cover, summary, etc, in no way shape or form indicates this book is in a series. That’s one small point against it for me. And it’s not easy to tell until you start reading it. The cover does not match the covers of the previous 3 books in the series in any way. Usually when you write a book series, you want the covers to kind of have the same vibe. This one doesn’t at all. It looks worlds apart from the others
2) There is no description of the main cast of characters’ looks that I could really find or saw any note of. The author describes side characters; their hair, their skin, their eye color, etc. But I cannot tell you what Melissa, Amber, Jeanie, or Clio look like at all. And maybe the author didn’t think she needed to because this is the 4th book in the series. To me, that makes it worse. You can’t always depend on all of your readers to have read the previous books, or to even remember depending on how long ago the last release was, etc. New readers will want to know what the characters look like. And to be honest, I really assumed this was A Me Thing; maybe I missed the descriptions. So when I started reading, and got 3 chapters in with no character-looks descriptions of the main cast, I went back and restarted. Nope. Nada. And I didn’t see if there were any at all further. I SHOULD be able to tell someone what the main cast looks like.
3) Melissa is a stereotype of an American character. I say this as someone who finds stereotypes of my country and follow citizens effing hilarious depending on the context. Like, if there is a huge language barrier (I.E. an American in a Japanese anime). Or, if it’s meant to be satire of a problematic American type of person (like a zealot Christian). But the reader is meant to take Melissa as a serious real character; she’s not meant to be a joke or a satire. So the author means for her stereotypes to be taken seriously, insofar as I can tell. Melissa first bothered me when her half-sister Amber, who is British, tells her to “stop” with all the Christmas stuff. And Melissa replies, “I’m an American. I don’t know how to stop.” This could be taken as a joke, so I initially let it go. But then later in the book, Melissa tells Amber she made a copy of the key to her house without asking her, like it’s fine. (This never gets addressed, by the way.) Like it’s something Americans with no understanding of personal boundaries would do. Kay. When Amber tries to explain pantomime theater to Melissa, I was interested, until Melissa says this must be one of those things she won’t get, like a bunch of other British things, listing “baked beans” as one of those “British” things. Now... if she’d said beans on toast, I’d be fine. Americans do not eat beans on toast. It’s not the norm for most of us. I’m sure there are Americans, like my husband, who love beans on toast and would eat it several mornings in a row if they could. But, yeah, that’d be fine. But, ya’ll, AMERICANS KNOW WHAT BAKED BEANS ARE.
In my opinion, this author needs American beta readers before she publishes anything with American characters. At the very least, for the basics of our culture. One can easily look up about baked beans being a Southern staple. You don’t even need a beta for that. And no character should be stereotype if they’re meant to be taken as more than satire. I don’t care what culture they’re from, or what country.
3) Dues Ex Machina Mystery issues. So much of what I enjoy about a mysteries novel is the characters working to solve the case. But that doesn’t happen here. Everything is handed to them by another character, with little to no work on their part, or it just happens to drop in their lap. Or, they make a wild guess that happens to be right. My main example of this is a big pregnancy reveal. One character mentions finding a piece of evidence that only lists a hospital, that hospital’s telephone number, and the address from a certain year. No indication outside of that that pregnancy was the cause at all. But surely that must mean the person had a baby! No one calls the hospital; no tracks down anyone who might have worked there at the time who knew the person they guessed got preggers and got rid of the baby. Nope. Just an assumption that turns out to be right. Which, is so WILD, since the character Amber, the main detective, accuses her ex-boss of making wild accusations and running with them with zero evidence at all. This is the same thing.
Then we have things like Jeanie’s twins who are constantly getting into trouble. They’re toddlers and little terrors who can’t sit still. Which is most toddlers, to be honest. (Speaking as a parent with two grown boys.) These two kids are at the show when the murder happens and the police lock the place down and question everyone. Well, they get loose of mom; not an issue there. But they get on the stage. Jeanie follows them. And these two toddlers somehow manage to have the strength to open a trap door built into the stage in the late 1800s open. Look. I’m not a theater expert. My husband did some stage craft in his day. But two toddlers are not opening a heavy trap door with their bare hands.
Jeanie and the kids find the production manager under the stage. Jeanie has to tell her that her boss is dead. Nevermind the fact that one of the actors announced it on the stage she was stuck under. She would have heard it. Now, the character could have been lying, but the way she reacts to the news when Jeanie tells her really doesn’t indicate that. It seems like she didn’t know and was probably happy about it, maybe, given Jeanie’s view of her at the time of the reveal.
Then we have Amber, who the ex-cop, who runs the detective agency. She manages to get hidden in a cow costume because Clio thinks it’s a good idea and helps her. No one notices. So she can listen in on the interviews the ex-cop boss Marco is doing with the actors, etc. Well, the first one is the bimbo girl actor. And near the end of her interview she flirts with Marco, which is too much for Amber, and she gives herself away by groaning out loud. Like. WHAT? You’re supposed to be a competent badass detective. That’s what we’ve been told about you this whole time. And you blow listening in on the interviews by voluntarily groaning out loud? If the author had wanted this character found out, that’s fine. There’s other ways to do it that don’t make her out to be incompetent. Like, unable to stop from sneezing. Or Marco moves around the room and kicks the costume on accident and THEN she makes a noise she can’t help.
There’s also the HUGE fact that the murder was done with an old gun. A gunshot was fired WHILE a full audience was packing into the theater and WHILE actors were all backstage in various places. Someone shot a gun. Someone died from it. And no one heard the gun???? Jeanie was in that area chasing after her kids and heard the person murdered (Beatrice, btw) arguing with someone. But no one heard the gun shot? WHAT?
Overall, honestly, this book needs an overhaul in terms of development, characterization, and general inconsistencies like I listed above. I’m not mentioning everything I didn’t like; that might take a bit. Though, there were things I did like. I like the idea of a detective agency run by women. I like that some of them are mothers of small kids and not full adult kids. I like most of the dialogue. I like the relationship between the women. I like that Melissa likes Marco. I’d just enjoy more her as not-a-stereotype.
If I were a paying reader, and this was my first book in the series, I would not read the 3 that came before it.
I think it’s a good book if you like a fun mystery with women solving murder and you don’t want to think too hard about it. But, if you do think hard, it needs work and might not be your cuppa.
September 28, 2025
I love the Bad Girls Detective books and this one was a great addition! The idea of murder at a pantomime is wonderful and the panto and Christmas references throughout were fantastic! With so many suspects, I was left guessing until the end who was the murderer. Definitely a great addition to the series and if you love the genre, you will love this!
July 22, 2025
In The Mistletoe Murder Club, the cozy mystery genre receives a spirited infusion of theatrical flair and festive mischief. With a well-calibrated blend of humor, suspense, and holiday charm, this novel introduces readers to Clio, a former actress turned fledgling private investigator, whose stagecraft is put to the test when a Christmas pantomime turns fatally real.
Set against the quaint backdrop of a community theatre in the throes of holiday preparation, the novel capitalizes on one of the genre’s most enduring tropes: the amateur sleuth with a flair for the dramatic. Clio is a protagonist in the classic cozy mold—resourceful, underestimated, and driven by an insatiable curiosity. Her transition from private eye to pantomime performer is not merely a plot device but a clever narrative stratagem that allows the author to explore the permeability between performance and truth—a recurring theme in detective fiction.
The novel’s central conceit—a murder occurring on the opening night of a local Christmas production—borrows from the locked-room theatrical mysteries of the Golden Age while updating the scenario with a knowing wink. The world of amateur dramatics is painted in broad, affectionate strokes, populated by a cast of eccentric players and thinly veiled secrets. The victim, a celebrated director with no shortage of enemies, provides ample motive for a diverse range of suspects, and the narrative deftly maintains a brisk pace while juggling red herrings, clues, and comic interludes.
One of the most delightful elements of the novel is the deployment of Clio’s friends, Amber and Jeanie, as undercover investigators—literally hidden in a pantomime cow costume. This whimsical turn exemplifies the genre’s embrace of absurdity and character-driven plotting, while also serving a functional purpose in Clio’s pursuit of the killer. Far from undermining the tension, such moments of levity reinforce the book’s tonal equilibrium: light-hearted but never unserious.
Stylistically, the prose is crisp and well-tempered, favoring economy over flourish and permitting the dialogue to carry much of the characterization. The pacing is measured, with a strong structural integrity built around the three-act arc of the pantomime itself—auditions, rehearsal, and performance—mirroring Clio’s own investigative journey.
Thematically, the novel touches on performance both literal and metaphorical: the facades people wear, the roles they play in society, and the interplay between truth and illusion. Clio’s own struggle to be recognized—both onstage and off—resonates with the genre’s larger preoccupation with identity, justice, and social perception.
In sum, The Mistletoe Murder Club is a charming and well-executed addition to the cozy mystery tradition, demonstrating a shrewd awareness of genre conventions while imbuing them with fresh theatrical vitality. With its festive setting, theatrical intrigue, and cast of memorably idiosyncratic characters, it is sure to appeal to readers seeking both merriment and murder in equal measure.
Verdict: A witty and well-plotted holiday mystery that deftly balances camp, character, and cleverness. A standing ovation for this sleuthing adventure.
August 27, 2025
Listen, nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like someone getting offed in a pantomime while your friends are stuffed into a cow costume. The Mistletoe Murder Club really leaned into the absurdity of festive crime, and for that, I was entertained. But oof, it did drag in places, like waiting for your drunk uncle to finish telling the same story about his glory days in community theatre.
This was my first time hanging with Clio, Amber, and Jeanie (apparently, they’ve been sleuthing for a while now), but I didn’t feel totally lost. Clio’s the ex-actress who still itches for the spotlight, Amber’s the grumpy ex-cop who probably carries sarcasm like other people carry pepper spray, and Jeanie’s juggling twins, murder investigations, and zero sleep. Honestly, the most relatable detail in the whole book might be Jeanie running after toddlers like they’re feral raccoons with juice boxes.
The setup is camp perfection: Clio lands a role in the Christmas panto, directed by Dame Beatrice, a woman so insufferably mean she could start beef with a nativity angel. Surprise, surprise, she turns up murdered, and suddenly everyone who’s ever heard her speak has a motive. The suspects are plentiful, the theatre’s creaking with secrets, and the curtain is basically daring you to shout, “He’s behind you!”
And then we get the pantomime cow. Let me be very clear: this is not a metaphor. Amber and Jeanie literally get disguised in a two-person cow suit to snoop around. I cannot emphasize enough how much joy I felt knowing someone wrote that down, got it past an editor, and served it to me in a cozy Christmas mystery.
The pacing dipped in and out, like someone forgot to wind up the stage lights. For a murder at curtain call, the urgency sometimes melted into long stretches that felt like trudging through snow with wet socks. I kept wanting the sleuthing to tighten up and the banter to sparkle more consistently. The bones of the story are strong, but the flesh is occasionally saggy tinsel.
That said, I adored the messy friendships. These women bicker, cover for each other, and throw themselves into murder investigations with more gusto than their actual day jobs. It’s chaotic, loyal, and honestly the heart of the book. You don’t read this for cold, clinical detective work, you read it for women who are tired, middle-aged, and still willing to get into increasingly ludicrous situations for each other.
By the end, the mystery wrapped itself up with enough logic to satisfy me, though I did feel like the final act got shoved through a bit too quickly, like Katie Marsh was racing to make the Christmas post. Still, it landed better than I expected, and I even got misty over the friendship beats tucked between red herrings.
So yeah, 3.5 stars from me. Festive, funny, and ridiculous in all the right ways, just a little too long-winded in places. Perfect for anyone who thinks murder pairs best with mulled wine and bad theatre jokes.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Weaponizing a Pantomime Cow Suit in the Name of Justice
Big thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC… though I’m not sure if I should thank you or send you my therapy bill for making me picture a murder mystery solved by livestock cosplay.
This was my first time hanging with Clio, Amber, and Jeanie (apparently, they’ve been sleuthing for a while now), but I didn’t feel totally lost. Clio’s the ex-actress who still itches for the spotlight, Amber’s the grumpy ex-cop who probably carries sarcasm like other people carry pepper spray, and Jeanie’s juggling twins, murder investigations, and zero sleep. Honestly, the most relatable detail in the whole book might be Jeanie running after toddlers like they’re feral raccoons with juice boxes.
The setup is camp perfection: Clio lands a role in the Christmas panto, directed by Dame Beatrice, a woman so insufferably mean she could start beef with a nativity angel. Surprise, surprise, she turns up murdered, and suddenly everyone who’s ever heard her speak has a motive. The suspects are plentiful, the theatre’s creaking with secrets, and the curtain is basically daring you to shout, “He’s behind you!”
And then we get the pantomime cow. Let me be very clear: this is not a metaphor. Amber and Jeanie literally get disguised in a two-person cow suit to snoop around. I cannot emphasize enough how much joy I felt knowing someone wrote that down, got it past an editor, and served it to me in a cozy Christmas mystery.
The pacing dipped in and out, like someone forgot to wind up the stage lights. For a murder at curtain call, the urgency sometimes melted into long stretches that felt like trudging through snow with wet socks. I kept wanting the sleuthing to tighten up and the banter to sparkle more consistently. The bones of the story are strong, but the flesh is occasionally saggy tinsel.
That said, I adored the messy friendships. These women bicker, cover for each other, and throw themselves into murder investigations with more gusto than their actual day jobs. It’s chaotic, loyal, and honestly the heart of the book. You don’t read this for cold, clinical detective work, you read it for women who are tired, middle-aged, and still willing to get into increasingly ludicrous situations for each other.
By the end, the mystery wrapped itself up with enough logic to satisfy me, though I did feel like the final act got shoved through a bit too quickly, like Katie Marsh was racing to make the Christmas post. Still, it landed better than I expected, and I even got misty over the friendship beats tucked between red herrings.
So yeah, 3.5 stars from me. Festive, funny, and ridiculous in all the right ways, just a little too long-winded in places. Perfect for anyone who thinks murder pairs best with mulled wine and bad theatre jokes.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Weaponizing a Pantomime Cow Suit in the Name of Justice
Big thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC… though I’m not sure if I should thank you or send you my therapy bill for making me picture a murder mystery solved by livestock cosplay.
July 15, 2025
I think I chuckled my sleuthing cap loose a few times reading. This one was a roller coaster ride with a few wild loopity-loops tossed in for good measure. This was my intro to the series and what an intro it was. Just plain fun. Beyond quirky actors, a rickety old theatre that seems to be held together as much by grime as anything, complete with a malfunctioning trapdoor and, yikes, stage lights falling from the ceiling. To top it all off, the cast members, who weirdly seem to be both hopeful and reluctant to be there, all seem to hate the director, Dame Beatrice Butler, for whom the theatre is named. Clio Lawrence is one of them. A former actress, she's now a struggling detective with her two besties, Amber and Jeanie, in the Bad Girls Detective Agency. It's her latter title that comes in handy as, not really a surprise, Beatrice is found in her dressing room murdered on opening night.
What follows isn't exactly your typical murder investigation. It somehow manages to mix murder, chaos, and humor, not to mention the endearing friendship of the three friends. I'll leave it to you to discover why Amber winds up in a cow outfit. Yes. Cow. In the meantime, Jeanie is somehow short a few pieces of clothing while pursuing her twins, twins that could easily be nicknamed Mayhem and Chaos, through the theatre and falling through a trapdoor while pursuing clues. And, that just the beginning. I'm not going to detail the plot further, but there's rarely a slow, let alone dull moment. Through it all, we get to know the characters well, even the ones that, quite frankly, aren't particularly likable. You'll even learn what a very British pantomime is, not to mention why the cast seems to so hate Beatrice, who you'll follow along on her last day. What was she up to? Nope, not telling. And....so much more. Seriously, I've barely ventured beyond the opening act here (the books chapters are set up in acts, so to speak).
Bottom line, thoroughly enjoyed this oh, so clever murder mystery. The characters come across as real people, the sort you might run into at the grocery, or more likely be run into by the twins if the twins are involved. There's even an unlikely romance, not to mention the usual twist and turns as you come to enjoy being with them all, even those wild child twins. You'll learn why they're so very, very special to Jeanie, too. Bottom line, the three Bad Girl Detectives have each other's back and are willing to take chances to protect each other, and ultimately find whodunit. Lots of Christmas-y references, too, including the reason for the title. In other words, you've got a layered plot that will keep you chuckling and guessing until the end. No, I didn't quite figure it out although it made all the sense in the end. So, kick back, be prepared for a wild ride with a visit to a lovely pub or two, some goofy friends you'll like, and lots of backstage drama, both past and present. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to this fun team of women with this early peek at this book. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next in this series. There are surely many, many more secrets to be discovered in this quaint village.
What follows isn't exactly your typical murder investigation. It somehow manages to mix murder, chaos, and humor, not to mention the endearing friendship of the three friends. I'll leave it to you to discover why Amber winds up in a cow outfit. Yes. Cow. In the meantime, Jeanie is somehow short a few pieces of clothing while pursuing her twins, twins that could easily be nicknamed Mayhem and Chaos, through the theatre and falling through a trapdoor while pursuing clues. And, that just the beginning. I'm not going to detail the plot further, but there's rarely a slow, let alone dull moment. Through it all, we get to know the characters well, even the ones that, quite frankly, aren't particularly likable. You'll even learn what a very British pantomime is, not to mention why the cast seems to so hate Beatrice, who you'll follow along on her last day. What was she up to? Nope, not telling. And....so much more. Seriously, I've barely ventured beyond the opening act here (the books chapters are set up in acts, so to speak).
Bottom line, thoroughly enjoyed this oh, so clever murder mystery. The characters come across as real people, the sort you might run into at the grocery, or more likely be run into by the twins if the twins are involved. There's even an unlikely romance, not to mention the usual twist and turns as you come to enjoy being with them all, even those wild child twins. You'll learn why they're so very, very special to Jeanie, too. Bottom line, the three Bad Girl Detectives have each other's back and are willing to take chances to protect each other, and ultimately find whodunit. Lots of Christmas-y references, too, including the reason for the title. In other words, you've got a layered plot that will keep you chuckling and guessing until the end. No, I didn't quite figure it out although it made all the sense in the end. So, kick back, be prepared for a wild ride with a visit to a lovely pub or two, some goofy friends you'll like, and lots of backstage drama, both past and present. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to this fun team of women with this early peek at this book. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next in this series. There are surely many, many more secrets to be discovered in this quaint village.
December 10, 2025
**Thank you to the author, Boldwood books and Netgalley for this advanced copy ebook in return for my honest review. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide feedback. The thoughts and opinions in this review are solely mine.
Brief Overview:
Clio is a struggling actress turned true crime detective and is hoping for her big break in the town’s Christmas pantomime. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen because the director of the show is murdered just minutes before the show. Clio and the other two members of the Bad Girl Detectives group must solve the mystery so the show can go on.
I am sad to say that this just wasn’t for me. If this had not been an ARC, I probably would have DNF’d it. I am floored by how many 4 and 5 star ratings this got. In my opinion, there is nothing about this book that screams 5, or even 4, stars. The plot, the storyline, the character development and character dynamic all need work. I had no idea this was part of a series until after I was approved for the ARC and started reading it. Maybe my rating and review would be different if I had read the first three but honestly, if they are all written like this one, I probably wouldn’t have continued past the first book. It felt very amateurish and juvenile. I felt no connection to the characters and often felt second hand embarrassment for some of the things they did. I couldn’t visualize them as people because of the lack of descriptors. Again…maybe that is something that came in the previous books. But not being able to picture them in my mind, significantly impacted my ability to connect to the characters. This is supposed to be a holiday mystery but other than the fact that a murder happened and they don’t know who the murderer is, there was nothing mysterious about it. There was nothing thought-provoking about solving the mystery. The only thing that made it holiday-ish is that it occurs around Christmas time and that the production is a pantomime which I believe is common around the holidays for the English.
Brief Overview:
Clio is a struggling actress turned true crime detective and is hoping for her big break in the town’s Christmas pantomime. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen because the director of the show is murdered just minutes before the show. Clio and the other two members of the Bad Girl Detectives group must solve the mystery so the show can go on.
I am sad to say that this just wasn’t for me. If this had not been an ARC, I probably would have DNF’d it. I am floored by how many 4 and 5 star ratings this got. In my opinion, there is nothing about this book that screams 5, or even 4, stars. The plot, the storyline, the character development and character dynamic all need work. I had no idea this was part of a series until after I was approved for the ARC and started reading it. Maybe my rating and review would be different if I had read the first three but honestly, if they are all written like this one, I probably wouldn’t have continued past the first book. It felt very amateurish and juvenile. I felt no connection to the characters and often felt second hand embarrassment for some of the things they did. I couldn’t visualize them as people because of the lack of descriptors. Again…maybe that is something that came in the previous books. But not being able to picture them in my mind, significantly impacted my ability to connect to the characters. This is supposed to be a holiday mystery but other than the fact that a murder happened and they don’t know who the murderer is, there was nothing mysterious about it. There was nothing thought-provoking about solving the mystery. The only thing that made it holiday-ish is that it occurs around Christmas time and that the production is a pantomime which I believe is common around the holidays for the English.
August 4, 2025
Really enjoyed this book, the 4th in the Bad Girls Detective Agency series by Katie Marsh. The story goes like this...
Clio is involved with the local panto, being held in a theatre owned by Dame Beatrice Butler, who also happens to be directing the show.
Beatrice, as it turns out, is not a very likable person, so when she is murdered, almost every member of the cast comes under suspicion.
That's when Clio decides to get Amber and Jeanie involved in solving the crime, and if they can do it before DI Marco Santini (Amber's old colleague from her Police days), all the better.
The problem is that there were at least five attempts on Beatrice's life, so it could be one person or multiple people, each with their own reason for wanting her dead.
It's time for The Mistletoe Murder Club to get to work...
----------------------------------------------------------
This is another great addition to an already fun series. It moves along at a great pace; there are plenty of secrets and lies to uncover, and great chemistry between the three main characters.
I liked that Beatrice's back story also played out in specific chapters of the book that basically counted down the time until she was killed, adding clues and a few red herrings, so that you can guess along.
If you’re looking for something fun and easy to relax with, I’d definitely recommend this book. It’s a really enjoyable cozy mystery and just a pleasant read all around.
Anyone who enjoys this genre will have a good time with it.
With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.
Clio is involved with the local panto, being held in a theatre owned by Dame Beatrice Butler, who also happens to be directing the show.
Beatrice, as it turns out, is not a very likable person, so when she is murdered, almost every member of the cast comes under suspicion.
That's when Clio decides to get Amber and Jeanie involved in solving the crime, and if they can do it before DI Marco Santini (Amber's old colleague from her Police days), all the better.
The problem is that there were at least five attempts on Beatrice's life, so it could be one person or multiple people, each with their own reason for wanting her dead.
It's time for The Mistletoe Murder Club to get to work...
----------------------------------------------------------
This is another great addition to an already fun series. It moves along at a great pace; there are plenty of secrets and lies to uncover, and great chemistry between the three main characters.
I liked that Beatrice's back story also played out in specific chapters of the book that basically counted down the time until she was killed, adding clues and a few red herrings, so that you can guess along.
If you’re looking for something fun and easy to relax with, I’d definitely recommend this book. It’s a really enjoyable cozy mystery and just a pleasant read all around.
Anyone who enjoys this genre will have a good time with it.
With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.
August 31, 2025
A fresh outing for the Bad Girls’ Detective Agency, temporarily renamed the Mistletoe Murder Club, after legend Dame Beatrice Butler is killed on the opening night of the Sunshine Sands panto.
This was yet another fun mystery as I’ve come to expect from Katie Marsh’s Bad Girls Detective Agency books. This is the fourth in a series – it’s not necessary to have read the previous books but I do think you miss out on a lot of the character development as our three main characters are very established at this point.
The book is told across several points of view – primarily Amber, Clio and Jeanie, our three best friends and members of the BGDA. Each character brings different strengths to the group and combined, their POVs offer a well-rounded picture of the investigation. These are interspersed with chapters from Dame Beatrice’s last 24-hours, giving small hints as to motive and leaving me stumped as to who the killer would turn out to be.
There’s a large cast of would-be killers, all seemingly with motive and opportunity. In typical panto fashion, the author offered a lot of misdirection and every time I thought I’d worked it out, someone else was bumped right to the top of the suspect list.
While the book was largely contained to the specific mystery in this case, there were some throwbacks to past cases, and hints of what may be to come for our main characters and I am already looking forward to the next instalment. I would highly recommend this for anyone who likes a fun, cosy mystery with a Christmas twist.
With thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC ahead of publication.
This was yet another fun mystery as I’ve come to expect from Katie Marsh’s Bad Girls Detective Agency books. This is the fourth in a series – it’s not necessary to have read the previous books but I do think you miss out on a lot of the character development as our three main characters are very established at this point.
The book is told across several points of view – primarily Amber, Clio and Jeanie, our three best friends and members of the BGDA. Each character brings different strengths to the group and combined, their POVs offer a well-rounded picture of the investigation. These are interspersed with chapters from Dame Beatrice’s last 24-hours, giving small hints as to motive and leaving me stumped as to who the killer would turn out to be.
There’s a large cast of would-be killers, all seemingly with motive and opportunity. In typical panto fashion, the author offered a lot of misdirection and every time I thought I’d worked it out, someone else was bumped right to the top of the suspect list.
While the book was largely contained to the specific mystery in this case, there were some throwbacks to past cases, and hints of what may be to come for our main characters and I am already looking forward to the next instalment. I would highly recommend this for anyone who likes a fun, cosy mystery with a Christmas twist.
With thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC ahead of publication.
September 2, 2025
Clio, a former actress turned struggling private investigator, thinks she’s finally getting her moment to shine when she lands a part in the town’s Christmas pantomime. But the festive cheer doesn’t last long—opening night ends in murder, and Clio quickly realizes that solving this case might require more than just stage presence. With her best friends Amber and Jeanie (yes, disguised as a pantomime cow!) by her side, she sets out to unmask the killer before the curtain falls on them for good.
This one was a tough read for me. Honestly, I almost DNF’d within the first 50 pages because I never connected with the characters or felt invested in what happened to them. I later discovered this is the fourth in a series, which wasn’t obvious. Normally, I can jump into a cozy mystery series without issue, but here I felt lost—the relationships and dynamics between characters weren’t explained enough for new readers to catch up.
Another frustration: while marketed as a Christmas mystery, it really just happens to take place around the holiday season—it didn’t carry that festive magic I was hoping for. The use of chapter narrators also felt out of place; with the story written in third person, I struggled to connect with each character’s voice and nuance. Finally, the descriptive detail was thin. I often couldn’t picture the setting or scenes clearly, which pulled me out of the mystery.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me, but cozy mystery fans who are already familiar with the series may have a better experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
This one was a tough read for me. Honestly, I almost DNF’d within the first 50 pages because I never connected with the characters or felt invested in what happened to them. I later discovered this is the fourth in a series, which wasn’t obvious. Normally, I can jump into a cozy mystery series without issue, but here I felt lost—the relationships and dynamics between characters weren’t explained enough for new readers to catch up.
Another frustration: while marketed as a Christmas mystery, it really just happens to take place around the holiday season—it didn’t carry that festive magic I was hoping for. The use of chapter narrators also felt out of place; with the story written in third person, I struggled to connect with each character’s voice and nuance. Finally, the descriptive detail was thin. I often couldn’t picture the setting or scenes clearly, which pulled me out of the mystery.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me, but cozy mystery fans who are already familiar with the series may have a better experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
September 5, 2025
I received an ARC of this book.
This is the first first book that I've read by Katie Marsh, but what an easy, humourous, enjoyable page-turning cosy crime mystery getting me in the festive mood for Christmas even though its only September! The Mistletoe Murder Club is the fourth book in Katies "The Bad Girls Detective Agency" series, but that didn't detract from the plot as the characters' back stories were neatly inserted, when needed.
Right at the start, we have murder doyen of the theatre world Beatrice Butler out of retirement for one last appearance at the Theatre of her name, which she wants to save from being knocked down for town redevelopment.
The book is brilliantly told using a dual timeline of current action and the time and attempts on her life leading up to Beatrice's murder from her POV. We are presented with various culprits, some more likeable and sympathy inducing than others
I loved the banter between the various characters. Luckily, there were not too many of them, and their roles in the production of the pantomime and connections with each other were fairly easy to remember.
Ambers' explanations to her American half-sister Melissa and her reaction to what a pantomime is, the characters, who they are played by, and what they wear were hilarious.
Melissa was one of my favourite characters as was Jeannie who I had lots of sympathy with as the mum of now adult twins and I loved the antics (cringingly reminiscent of similar ones I'd endured long ago) of her twins Yumi and Jack which were hilarious and provided light relief from the tension of the plot.
Loved the name change of The Bad Girls Detective Agency to The Mistletoe Murder Club.
This is the first first book that I've read by Katie Marsh, but what an easy, humourous, enjoyable page-turning cosy crime mystery getting me in the festive mood for Christmas even though its only September! The Mistletoe Murder Club is the fourth book in Katies "The Bad Girls Detective Agency" series, but that didn't detract from the plot as the characters' back stories were neatly inserted, when needed.
Right at the start, we have murder doyen of the theatre world Beatrice Butler out of retirement for one last appearance at the Theatre of her name, which she wants to save from being knocked down for town redevelopment.
The book is brilliantly told using a dual timeline of current action and the time and attempts on her life leading up to Beatrice's murder from her POV. We are presented with various culprits, some more likeable and sympathy inducing than others
I loved the banter between the various characters. Luckily, there were not too many of them, and their roles in the production of the pantomime and connections with each other were fairly easy to remember.
Ambers' explanations to her American half-sister Melissa and her reaction to what a pantomime is, the characters, who they are played by, and what they wear were hilarious.
Melissa was one of my favourite characters as was Jeannie who I had lots of sympathy with as the mum of now adult twins and I loved the antics (cringingly reminiscent of similar ones I'd endured long ago) of her twins Yumi and Jack which were hilarious and provided light relief from the tension of the plot.
Loved the name change of The Bad Girls Detective Agency to The Mistletoe Murder Club.
August 13, 2025
The Mistletoe Murder Club is a sparkling gem of festive crime fiction—equal parts cozy, clever, and delightfully theatrical. With a setting as charming as a snow-dusted village and a plot as twisty as a pantomime script, Marsh delivers a murder mystery that dances between hilarity and suspense with effortless grace.
At the heart of the story is Clio, a former actress turned struggling private detective, whose chance to shine in the town’s Christmas pantomime quickly turns dark when the director is found dead on opening night. What follows is a riotous investigation, complete with disguises, secrets, and a pantomime cow costume that deserves its own standing ovation.
Marsh’s writing is brisk and witty, her characters vividly drawn and irresistibly quirky. Clio, Amber, and Jeanie form a trio that’s as endearing as they are resourceful, and their sleuthing is laced with laugh-out-loud moments and genuine heart. The mystery itself is satisfyingly layered, with red herrings and revelations that keep the reader guessing until the final curtain call.
Fans of Richard Osman and Agatha Christie will find much to adore here, but Marsh’s voice is distinctly her own—warm, mischievous, and brimming with festive flair. The Mistletoe Murder Club is a joyful whodunit that proves murder can be merry, and sleuthing is best done with friends by your side.
A perfect stocking stuffer for lovers of cozy crime and Christmas cheer!
With thanks to Katie Marsh, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
At the heart of the story is Clio, a former actress turned struggling private detective, whose chance to shine in the town’s Christmas pantomime quickly turns dark when the director is found dead on opening night. What follows is a riotous investigation, complete with disguises, secrets, and a pantomime cow costume that deserves its own standing ovation.
Marsh’s writing is brisk and witty, her characters vividly drawn and irresistibly quirky. Clio, Amber, and Jeanie form a trio that’s as endearing as they are resourceful, and their sleuthing is laced with laugh-out-loud moments and genuine heart. The mystery itself is satisfyingly layered, with red herrings and revelations that keep the reader guessing until the final curtain call.
Fans of Richard Osman and Agatha Christie will find much to adore here, but Marsh’s voice is distinctly her own—warm, mischievous, and brimming with festive flair. The Mistletoe Murder Club is a joyful whodunit that proves murder can be merry, and sleuthing is best done with friends by your side.
A perfect stocking stuffer for lovers of cozy crime and Christmas cheer!
With thanks to Katie Marsh, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 1, 2025
The Mistletoe Murder Club is book 4 in Katie Marsh's The Bad Girls Detective Agency mystery series. I haven't previously read any of this series, but this book is easily read as a standalone.
Clio and her friends from the Bad Girls Detective Agency are drawn into investigating a murder when the director and leading actress of a play Clio is appearing in, is found dead in her dressing room just before the play begins on opening night. Making things more complicated is the fact that the victim, Beatrice Butler, is famous and not well liked among the cast and crew of the play.
It's soon clear to the reader that things are not as straightforward as they seem. I found the author's use of chapters written from Beatrice's point of view in the hours leading up to the murder a refreshing approach. Although I came to feel like Beatrice got what she deserved, her chapters revealed some unexpected aspects of the mystery and I thought they were an interesting way to convey some of the information behind her death.
I liked the relationships between Amber, Clio, Jeannie, and Melissa, you could tell that they were good friends and really cared for each other, despite at least one of them trying to hide the fact that she cared.
I found The Mistletoe Murder Club quite entertaining. The story was a mix of drama and comedy, and contained blackmail, deception, manipulation, and cruelty. It made for an interesting read and I would recommend it to cozy mystery readers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Clio and her friends from the Bad Girls Detective Agency are drawn into investigating a murder when the director and leading actress of a play Clio is appearing in, is found dead in her dressing room just before the play begins on opening night. Making things more complicated is the fact that the victim, Beatrice Butler, is famous and not well liked among the cast and crew of the play.
It's soon clear to the reader that things are not as straightforward as they seem. I found the author's use of chapters written from Beatrice's point of view in the hours leading up to the murder a refreshing approach. Although I came to feel like Beatrice got what she deserved, her chapters revealed some unexpected aspects of the mystery and I thought they were an interesting way to convey some of the information behind her death.
I liked the relationships between Amber, Clio, Jeannie, and Melissa, you could tell that they were good friends and really cared for each other, despite at least one of them trying to hide the fact that she cared.
I found The Mistletoe Murder Club quite entertaining. The story was a mix of drama and comedy, and contained blackmail, deception, manipulation, and cruelty. It made for an interesting read and I would recommend it to cozy mystery readers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2025
Early editorial reviews compared this book to Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club, and it does have a slightly similar vibe. But this one also stands on it its own. If you are a fan of TMC, I do think you'll enjoy this.
Our clever trio - Clio, Jeanie, and Amber - is middle-aged, so younger than the TMC gang. They call themselves the Bad Girls Detective Agency - a delightful name for a delightful trio of amateur detectives. They make it clear they've formed an actual detective agency after some vague incidents (probably the plots of one or more of the other books in the series). And one of them insists on (jokingly) calling them "The Mistletoe Murder Club" based on events and the yuletide season in this book. So they're a fun group of ladies!
I loved all three, but as a current mom to a young child, I could relate to Jeanie the best. She was trying to do it all and often losing the plot because of her tiny humans! All the characters were beautifully crafted, including the requisite zany support crew. Sometimes, I felt I had walked into the conversation late and suffered for it. So, my recommendation is to read this one, but also start at the beginning. I'll admit that is what I almost always say with series. But I want to go back and read the others!
The crime is definitely cozy, rather than thriller level, which is exactly what you want! Plenty of red herrings, surprises, and hairy moments, but lots of family love, Christmas, and friendship. A cozy, holiday read filled with mystery. What more could you ask for?
Our clever trio - Clio, Jeanie, and Amber - is middle-aged, so younger than the TMC gang. They call themselves the Bad Girls Detective Agency - a delightful name for a delightful trio of amateur detectives. They make it clear they've formed an actual detective agency after some vague incidents (probably the plots of one or more of the other books in the series). And one of them insists on (jokingly) calling them "The Mistletoe Murder Club" based on events and the yuletide season in this book. So they're a fun group of ladies!
I loved all three, but as a current mom to a young child, I could relate to Jeanie the best. She was trying to do it all and often losing the plot because of her tiny humans! All the characters were beautifully crafted, including the requisite zany support crew. Sometimes, I felt I had walked into the conversation late and suffered for it. So, my recommendation is to read this one, but also start at the beginning. I'll admit that is what I almost always say with series. But I want to go back and read the others!
The crime is definitely cozy, rather than thriller level, which is exactly what you want! Plenty of red herrings, surprises, and hairy moments, but lots of family love, Christmas, and friendship. A cozy, holiday read filled with mystery. What more could you ask for?
October 5, 2025
Everyone knows that two of my most favourite things are Christmas....and murder!
As soon as I spotted the front cover and title of this book, I was instantly hooked and I couldn't wait to get hold of a copy and get started.
So, apparently, this book is the fourth book in The Bad Girls Detective Agency.
I couldn't see any indication on the book itself, but when I've checked, there are 3 books in this series with the same characters.
Having not read the other books, I worried a little that I'd feel like I'd missed out, but this was such an easy read that had me hooked and making my own theories throughout.
We follow Clio, former actress and now, struggling private detective.
Taking a part in the local pantomime, she hopes to show off her talents on the stage, but when a body is discovered on opening night, the girls put their heads together to work out just what happened.
I loved the whole setting of this story.
The pantomime backdrop really gave me festive vibes and - I know it's not quite acceptable yet - but was totally all there for it.
As expected in the theatre business, the dynamics between the characters was brilliant and we were offered more than a few suspects and many different personalities to contend with.
There was banter galore.
This was a great read and has tempted me to go back to the start and catch up on this cosy mystery series.
As soon as I spotted the front cover and title of this book, I was instantly hooked and I couldn't wait to get hold of a copy and get started.
So, apparently, this book is the fourth book in The Bad Girls Detective Agency.
I couldn't see any indication on the book itself, but when I've checked, there are 3 books in this series with the same characters.
Having not read the other books, I worried a little that I'd feel like I'd missed out, but this was such an easy read that had me hooked and making my own theories throughout.
We follow Clio, former actress and now, struggling private detective.
Taking a part in the local pantomime, she hopes to show off her talents on the stage, but when a body is discovered on opening night, the girls put their heads together to work out just what happened.
I loved the whole setting of this story.
The pantomime backdrop really gave me festive vibes and - I know it's not quite acceptable yet - but was totally all there for it.
As expected in the theatre business, the dynamics between the characters was brilliant and we were offered more than a few suspects and many different personalities to contend with.
There was banter galore.
This was a great read and has tempted me to go back to the start and catch up on this cosy mystery series.
September 5, 2025
A festive murder… with a Christmas cow?
The trio of friends from the Bad Girls Detective Agency return for a fun, festive frolic in The Mistletoe Murder Club. Clio has a role in the local production of a Christmas pantomime set in the Beatrice Butler theatre. The music and slapstick stop dead when someone murders the theatre's namesake on opening night. Since Beatrice was universally hated by the cast and crew, there is no end of suspects. Amber’s sister Melissa joins Clio, Jeanie and Amber in the hunt for the killer. Who knows what danger lies in the old theatre, and I don’t just mean Jeanie’s twins!
I hadn’t read any of the series before, but it was easy to pick up the background from the story. I loved the humorous tone and found myself chuckling frequently. I especially enjoyed Jeanie and her children and feel that most parents could relate to their hijinks. I am glad that Amber explained what a panto show was, as I had never heard of it before. Have a read if you enjoy your cozy mysteries with a side of humour. And watch out for the Christmas cow!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for access to a digital ARC!
The trio of friends from the Bad Girls Detective Agency return for a fun, festive frolic in The Mistletoe Murder Club. Clio has a role in the local production of a Christmas pantomime set in the Beatrice Butler theatre. The music and slapstick stop dead when someone murders the theatre's namesake on opening night. Since Beatrice was universally hated by the cast and crew, there is no end of suspects. Amber’s sister Melissa joins Clio, Jeanie and Amber in the hunt for the killer. Who knows what danger lies in the old theatre, and I don’t just mean Jeanie’s twins!
I hadn’t read any of the series before, but it was easy to pick up the background from the story. I loved the humorous tone and found myself chuckling frequently. I especially enjoyed Jeanie and her children and feel that most parents could relate to their hijinks. I am glad that Amber explained what a panto show was, as I had never heard of it before. Have a read if you enjoy your cozy mysteries with a side of humour. And watch out for the Christmas cow!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for access to a digital ARC!
September 29, 2025
The Mistletoe Murder Club was a quick and festive cozy mystery book that reminded me of Janice Hallett's Christmas Appeal in regard to a crime committed during the Christmas season amongst the cast of actors in a theater. In this book, tragedy strikes during a Christmas pantomime production when the director is found murdered. Clio, a private detective, was cast as the lead role and now must investigate the case, along with her friends Amber and Jeanie. I had no idea this was the fourth book in the series, but it read well as a standalone book. I will now be adding the previous books in The bad Girls Detective Agency to my TBR.
This book had so many elements of a perfect Christmas cozy mystery. The town is setting up when tragedy strikes on opening day. The director had many enemies, so the list of suspects is long. The best part is when Clio brings in her friends to help. There was a bit of dark humor, paired with the absurdity of a festive crime novel. I enjoyed this book!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.
This book had so many elements of a perfect Christmas cozy mystery. The town is setting up when tragedy strikes on opening day. The director had many enemies, so the list of suspects is long. The best part is when Clio brings in her friends to help. There was a bit of dark humor, paired with the absurdity of a festive crime novel. I enjoyed this book!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.
July 20, 2025
The detectives are the most fun characters! The forty-something team is comprised of former actress Clio, friend and mother of diabolical 3 year-old twins Jeanie, ex-cop Amber, and Melissa (Amber’s newly found American relative). The place is a decrepit former theatre, the victim is the despicable elder former actress now directing the Christmas pantomime as her swan song. Good sleuthing, lots of situational humor, intricate background material on the Bad Girls, victim, complete with sneaky red herrings and a plot twist or three. Laughed my sox off!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected reader's proof from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Avail Sep 05, 2025 ***** #review @bookbub @goodreads @librarythingofficial @the.storygraph #TheMistletoeMurderClub by @katiemarshauthor #BadGirlsDetectiveAgencyBk4 #NetGalley @theboldbookclub #Cozycrime #MurderMystery #Humour #friendship #privateinvestigators #twins #cozycrime #suspense #theatre #Christmaspantomime #actors #unputdownable #drama #ex-cop #secrets #localcops #investigation #suspense #hilarious #extortion
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected reader's proof from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Avail Sep 05, 2025 ***** #review @bookbub @goodreads @librarythingofficial @the.storygraph #TheMistletoeMurderClub by @katiemarshauthor #BadGirlsDetectiveAgencyBk4 #NetGalley @theboldbookclub #Cozycrime #MurderMystery #Humour #friendship #privateinvestigators #twins #cozycrime #suspense #theatre #Christmaspantomime #actors #unputdownable #drama #ex-cop #secrets #localcops #investigation #suspense #hilarious #extortion
August 1, 2025
3.5⭐️
I have not read the previous books in the series so I was a bit concerned I’d be coming in at a big disadvantage in understanding everything and all the dynamics. But, fear not, I don’t think having read the other 3 books would have made a huge difference.
So to the book itself, we have our 3 friends of The Bad Girl’s Detective Agency and it’s Christmas! And what beer way to celebrate than a Christmas play. Clio is the theater lover of the trio and part of the cast. Amber, an ex cop, the “grinch” of the three, and then there’s Jeanie, mom of some hellion twins. Each chapter is told from one of their POVs as well as our murder victim.
I love that these are not 20-something’s but grown women on HRT. Thank you for the representation. The best friends not only solve crime but have fun and are reminiscent of your own friendships. A super cute, not overly holiday heavy read.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an opportunity to review in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read the previous books in the series so I was a bit concerned I’d be coming in at a big disadvantage in understanding everything and all the dynamics. But, fear not, I don’t think having read the other 3 books would have made a huge difference.
So to the book itself, we have our 3 friends of The Bad Girl’s Detective Agency and it’s Christmas! And what beer way to celebrate than a Christmas play. Clio is the theater lover of the trio and part of the cast. Amber, an ex cop, the “grinch” of the three, and then there’s Jeanie, mom of some hellion twins. Each chapter is told from one of their POVs as well as our murder victim.
I love that these are not 20-something’s but grown women on HRT. Thank you for the representation. The best friends not only solve crime but have fun and are reminiscent of your own friendships. A super cute, not overly holiday heavy read.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an opportunity to review in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2025
I didn't realise that this book is part of a series, I hadn't read the previous books, so missed some of the main character's back stories, but it does work as a standalone. Beatrice, a Dame famous for appearing in many films and plays, is directing and starring in a Christmas panto, when she is found murdered. It is down to Clio and her fellow members of the Mistletoe Murder Club, who are private detectives, to solve her murder.
There are plenty of suspects, each with a reason for disliking Beatrice but are these enough for them to have carried out the act? Each of the three members of Mistletoe Murder Club bring their individual talents into unravelling the mystery. In the meantime flashbacks show Beatrice as she approaches the time of her death and this adds to the puzzle. A cosy mystery, rather than a gritty murder mystery, but this is more to my taste anyway.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
There are plenty of suspects, each with a reason for disliking Beatrice but are these enough for them to have carried out the act? Each of the three members of Mistletoe Murder Club bring their individual talents into unravelling the mystery. In the meantime flashbacks show Beatrice as she approaches the time of her death and this adds to the puzzle. A cosy mystery, rather than a gritty murder mystery, but this is more to my taste anyway.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
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November 24, 2025Check out my ratings of all the New 2025 Cozy Christmas mysteries here on Jen Ryland Reviews
If chilling Christmas mysteries are more your speed, I have also reviewed the new 2025 picks here on Jen Ryland Reviews
With a lot of humor and strong themes of female friendship, The Mistletoe Murder Club is perfect for those who want some ho-ho-ho in their holidays. Set in Sunshine Sands, a seaside town in England, the book also takes place during a "panto," a British Christmas pantomime play
This is technically book four in the Bad Girls Detective Agency. The "Bad Girls" are Clio, an ex-actress, Amber, an ex-police officer, and Jeanie, a harried mom. I have not read the prior books in the series, and was able to follow, though it would be better to have read the prior books!
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the advance copy
If chilling Christmas mysteries are more your speed, I have also reviewed the new 2025 picks here on Jen Ryland Reviews
With a lot of humor and strong themes of female friendship, The Mistletoe Murder Club is perfect for those who want some ho-ho-ho in their holidays. Set in Sunshine Sands, a seaside town in England, the book also takes place during a "panto," a British Christmas pantomime play
This is technically book four in the Bad Girls Detective Agency. The "Bad Girls" are Clio, an ex-actress, Amber, an ex-police officer, and Jeanie, a harried mom. I have not read the prior books in the series, and was able to follow, though it would be better to have read the prior books!
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the advance copy
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