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Succulent Sleuth #2.5

Twinkling Tree Trouble

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A truckload of Christmas trees. Mysterious string lights. A most festive secret.

It’s the holiday season, and Molly Green, the manager of Patty’s Plant Place, is busy selling fragrant firs, teaching holiday crafting workshops, and eating all the holiday desserts. But when mysterious string lights appear on Christmas trees for sale at the garden center, she can’t help but wonder who snuck through the fence to create such festive mischief.

With the help of her twin sister May and their quirky crew of employees, Molly sets out to solve this cheerful mystery. Will she untangle the mystery of the twinkling lights before snow blankets the ground—or will the secret remain hidden among the Christmas trees?

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

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Iris March

11 books472 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Delphia  Von Heeder .
1,703 reviews51 followers
September 5, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble is Book 4 in the Succulent Sleuths Series by Irish March. This novella is a sweet Christmas story of family and love. Someone is putting lights on Christmas trees overnight at Molly's plant shop. I think that this story is a warm cup of cocoa and escape into a holiday read. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kathy Gold.
63 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2025
A wonderfully written feel good Holiday Story set around actual Twinkling Trees in a charming Christmassy setting

Molly and May are twin sisters busy setting up Patty's Plant Place Garden shop for delivery of Christmas trees to be in the parking lot for the season.


Scott Green is married to Molly, she feels fortunate he's handy with nail gun and able to help building the framework for big shipment of evergreen tree's arriving in a few hours. Molly has just finished the 6 ft long wreath structure with the last of hooks now to bring out arm loads of fabulously scented seasonal pine wreaths Her happy place. May tells her the delivery truck will arriving early. The driver probably will be Meth the grumpy one, so Molly says they should go over to 'Creative Crust' bakery get him some Christmas cookies to create happiness plus some for the crew.
Before you knew it the truck was unloaded, the driver had a surprise, the crew had cookies and hot cocoa tlate lunch. Folks lined up to buy trees and May was checking out folks inside it was the busiest day yet.

Saturday morning opening at 8am was unusual for Molly tho joined by co worker Sherlock garden center cat helped put together more wreaths. Then Theo came in who said they needed to open the 8 ft front gates with Molly. She noticed the many funny little gaps as Sherlock went under, tho you couldn't squeeze through with a tree. May joined them and notion a string of lights on the 1st tree fingering with her hand and finding the end positioned with a solar cell to absorb light? Ha! She continued.. Finding more ....this is part of the Mystery? The next part is who put them ALL up ??
The Girl's mission is to find out because it's Not them?

This is a marvelous story, with a really fun Mystery I will read at the Holidays to the family. We chose short stories to read out loud- this is one. Enjoy

Profile Image for Lola.
1,970 reviews274 followers
August 9, 2025
I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.


I like this fun cozy mystery series with the plant theme and I was excited to read this Christmas themed story set in the series. This is a shorter read and I easily flew through it. It was such a cozy and festive read and it fit my reading mood. It was fun to spend time in the garden center with these characters again as they solve another mystery.

In this story they are preparing for Christmas and they are selling Christmas trees at the garden center. This time the mystery isn't a dead body, but instead there is someone who hang Christmas light in the Christmas trees overnight. Molly and her friends try to figure out who hung the lights and why. I thought it was fun to have a different type of mystery not related to murder and it was fun to find out who had hang them and the reason for this. The reveal was well done and I liked the conclusion.

To summarize: This was a fun short Christmas themed story set in this series. I had a great time reading this one. It's a short read, but it felt the right length for the story. I liked spending some time with the characters again and the mystery was a fun one. This mystery isn't a murder, but instead there's a mystery about who hung Christmas lights in the trees they're selling. I liked seeing it all play out and the reveal about who hung the lights and why was fun.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,072 reviews45 followers
July 12, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble: A Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery by Iris March – It’s some billion degrees here in St. Louis, with the humidity off the charts, so I was so happy to have a short break under a ceiling fan, reading Twinkling Tree Trouble by Iris March, available on November 4, 2025. Go head and preorder this now so you have something festive to look forward to! . Clocking in at only 41 pages, this was the perfect, festive break from the heat and dog days of Summer.

The holidays have arrived, and Molly Green, the manager of Patty’s Plant Place, is busy selling fragrant Christmas trees and teaching holiday crafting workshops. But one evening as the sky begins to darken, she notices string lights on the Christmas trees for sale at the graden center. Is this a festive prank? And if so, who is the mischievous elf?

With the help of her twin sister May and the crew of employees at the garden center, Molly sets out to solve this cheerful mystery.

Full of festive details, a happy mystery, and wonderful characters, this novella is the perfect addition to your upcoming holiday TBR. The holiday season can be so much fun and so busy at the same time. We must find time to take care of ourselves, and reading is, of course, the best way to relax.

I smiled throughout this mystery, especially at the end. It’s a sweet treat.
Profile Image for Katreader.
948 reviews49 followers
November 9, 2025
TWINKLING TREE TROUBLE by Iris March
A Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery

It's the holiday season and for Molly Green one of the best parts is the arrival of the fresh Christmas trees she'll be selling at Patty’s Plant Place. With the help of her sister May, husband, and dedicated staff the trees are set up, various other plants are potted and selling fast, and holiday workshops being held getting everyone into the holiday spirit. The nest day Molly is surprised to see the front row of Christmas trees have Christmas trees lights! While the trees are behind fencing, the barrier is made so that trees can't be taken out, but a person could get in. The trees look lovely, but her staff deny putting any lights up. So who decked out the trees?

If you're looking for a charming light-hearted mystery without a murder TWINKLING TREE TROUBLE is just the ticket. I can picture the magical scene of those pine trees with sparkling lights and am immediately put in a better mood. This is a purely positive puzzle. No thefts, no murder, nothing nefarious. And the reveal will have you grinning with pleasure.

This Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery is a short story; a very short story. You could easily read it in one sitting. That being said, the story is really fleshed out and the characters dimensional. It helps if you've read other books in the series to get a feel for the characters and setting, especially in such a short story, but it's not at all necessary. I wish I could go to Patty's Plant Place, immerse myself in those particular plant nursery scents, perhaps take a wreath making class.

TWINKLING TREE TROUBLE is a charming short story sure to get you into the holiday spirit.
Profile Image for Steph Mann.
94 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2025
My thanks go to @booksirens for my free advanced copy of this book. My opinions are honest and i chose to leave them voluntarily.

Firstly, how amazingly stunning is the cover! Just gorgeous and really reflects the sweet, Christmasy vibe of the book.

The story centres around a garden Centre called 'Patty's Plant Place'.

Thanks giving is over and Christmas is on the horizen. Twin sisters, Molly & May, are preparing for their busy season at the garden centre. Their excellent is peaked when the truck arrives to deliver the Christmas trees they are going to sell in their temporary Christmas Tree Shop (in the carpark).
It is worth picking up this quick read as it is bound to get you in the mood for the holidays!
Candy canes
Cinimon sticks
Silver bells
Oranges
Wreaths
Hot chocolate
Holly
Sugar cookies
Pinecones
Christmas trees

There is even Sherlock the garden centre's black and white cat!
This book is perfect for a quick, festive pick me up and there are NO murders just a sweet mystery regards some fairy lights suddenly appearing around some of their trees.
Profile Image for Kira K.
552 reviews5 followers
August 7, 2025
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is actually such a cute Christmassy mystery, it’s so sweet someone decorating the trees and definitely more warm and fuzzy than the usual murders I see for Christmas mysteries. The characters gelled so well with each other and it was cool to see the whole family getting involved in unloading the Christmas trees in the first chapter which instantly left me with a warm and fuzzy feel which continued when I discovered what our mystery in the story was. There is also a slight romantic element with Molly and her husband and 2 of the teenage workers which added to the feel good factor. Overall, a sweet cozy read that won’t fill your holiday season with death and horror.

Favourite Quote:
“I don't know. If it wasn't one of us, it's almost like a prank, but a nice prank. A reverse prank? And if they didn't leave a note, I wonder if they want it to be an anonymous nice gesture?”
Profile Image for Kristina Anderson.
4,038 reviews83 followers
October 31, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble by Iris March is a sweet short story. I like the author’s friendly writing style which made the story easy to read. It is a festive novella with Patty’s Plant Place getting ready to sell wreaths, ornaments, and Christmas trees. I like how the whole family got involved in unloading the Christmas trees and setting them up. I liked the twinkle light mystery (it was cute). Twinkling Tree Trouble is A Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery (It is book 2.5) which can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the other books in this charming series. Twinkling Tree Trouble is a fun and festive tale with Christmas trees, a crowd of customers, a foster family, tree trimming, twinkling lights, and a magical moment.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,871 reviews7 followers
July 31, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble is a novella in the Succulent Sleuth series by Iris March.

This was an entertaining, quick holiday read. Molly Green, the manager of Patty's Plant Place! Is busy getting the forest on the parking lot set up for selling trees and wreaths. She also teaches holiday crafting workshops. Someone sneaks in and hangs lights on some of the trees. Molly can’t help but wonder who did it. She manages to sneak a little investigating into her busy schedule. This is the first book I’ve read in the series and it definitely makes me want to read the earlier books too.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Marion.
1,761 reviews
November 4, 2025
This is the fourth book in the Succulent Sleuth series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone read. This is a fun cozy mystery with a Christmas theme. This novella is a story about family and love. Once again Molly and her twin sister May are selling Christmas trees at the Garden Center. And for a change, the mystery isn't a murder. They are trying to figure out who strung Christmas lights in the trees overnight. It is a lighthearted and fun mystery to solve. Though it is a short read, the story comes to a successful conclusion. I enjoyed this book. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cris Richardson.
14 reviews
August 1, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble: a Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery by Iris March is a delightful short story set during the Christmas season at Pat's Plant Place.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Once the trees are in and everything's ready for the Christmas rush, Molly finds a mystery to solve. Who lit up the Christmas trees? Join Molly as she tries to discover who did it and meet the cast of characters at Pat's Plant Place.

If you enjoy this mini mystery by Iris Marsh, look for more of her Succulent Sleuth mysteries.
61 reviews
August 22, 2025
Who put the lights on the trees? This is a fun story. The stores are getting ready for Christmas. Patty’s Plant Place was the place to get your Christmas tree. The tree display resembled a forest. Overnight someone put lights on some of the trees. Why? This was pretty and called attention to the forest, but who was responsible for doing it? For some reason, doing this had never occurred to Molly Green or her crew. The lights really added to the display. Why hadn’t someone thought of it sooner? Who added the lights and why?
293 reviews6 followers
August 24, 2025
All the Holiday feels. This is a bit of hot cocoa with marshmallows, warm pumpkin pie, and spiced apple candles book; it's sweet, indulgent, satisfying, and nostalgic. It's all that you want in a Holiday novella on a winter evening. The solution to the mystery of who's putting lights on the outdoor trees reminded me of my children when they were in high school. All our favorite people and no jeopardy, how great is that for a Christmas cosy?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
133 reviews4 followers
August 27, 2025
Short and sweet!

This is a VERY quick Christmas story.

There is a nice mystery that happens when someone strings some lights on the Christmas trees for sale at Patty's Plant Place, and Molly wants to know who the nice person or people were that put them up in the night.

It's a cute book, with Molly and May and the staff of the shop, Molly's husband and the twins' mother show up briefly, too.

A nice fast read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,305 reviews18 followers
October 27, 2025
This is a great, short little mystery. I enjoyedvthe harmless nature of the "tree lighting", and hoe everyone was willing to lend a hand in figuring out the puzzle. As usual, Molly took up the charge without compunction. Getting to see the solution play itself out was heartwarming as well. Great little Christmas themed mystery.

I was gifted a copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. I encourage you to check out the rest of this charming, cosy mystery series. Happy Reading Y'all📚
Profile Image for Wendy.
214 reviews5 followers
November 4, 2025
Garden center owner Molly Green is preparing the shop for Christmas tree sales. One night, someone sneaks into the tree area and decorates some of the trees with lights. Molly wants to find out who was behind this sweet gesture, so she begins to question her “suspects”, hoping to solve the mystery. This is a short and sweet Christmas story that has a festive ending. I like that the focus is on family, celebrating and goodwill. Definitely a great read to start the holiday season. I was gifted a copy of this book and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Kara Marks.
447 reviews79 followers
November 5, 2025
This is the fourth book in this cozy mystery series; I’ve read and enjoyed all of the previous ones, but this one could stand alone easily. This was different from the others because it’s shorter and also—no murder. Just a curious mini-mystery to solve at Molly’s and May’s flower shop and gardening center. They’re selling Christmas trees in the lot, so this book definitely got me into the Christmas spirit! I can definitely recommend this sweet book; I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,563 reviews28 followers
November 12, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble: A Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery (Succulent Sleuth Series Book 4), my first enjoyable One-Hour Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Short Read from author Iris March . What a great way to discover new authors with their short contributions. “I received a complementery Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading The Broken Bridge: A Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery (Succulent Sleuth Series Book 1) & Secrets, Songbirds, & Succulents (Succulent Sleuth #2) both high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.
120 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2025
A short and sweet Christmas mystery, no murder involved.

Molly is working the first morning in their family temporary Christmas tree lot when her sister May discovers someone has put lights on the trees. While they think the trees look beautiful, they have no idea who put them up. What follows is Molly putting on her sleuth hat to figure this mystery out. Its a happy little read that will bring a smile to your day, even if you read it in the middle of the summer.
2,558 reviews44 followers
July 20, 2025
This was truly a sweet heartwarming story for the holidays or any day really!! Molly learned a valuable lesson "not to look a gift horse in the mouth". Someone put lights on some of the trees she was selling ,at her shop. Her friends convinced her to just enjoy them. Molly unknowingly supported a very romantic gesture. No murders, just romance, fun, and comraderie. Lots of warm and fuzzies. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
2,456 reviews24 followers
November 2, 2025
4.5/5
“Twinkling Tree Trouble” by Iris March

-A heartwarming holiday mystery filled with charm and cheer. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Twin sisters Molly and May run a garden shop bursting with Christmas spirit and wreaths galore. When mysterious lights appear on the trees, their festive fun turns into a cozy whodunit.

Sweet, short, and brimming with twinkle—a fun Christmas mystery.
Profile Image for Robin Smith.
308 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2025
The family and employees at Polly’s Plant Place are gearing up for the Christmas season. Someone is sneaking in and decorating the Christmas trees that are for sale. Can Molly and May solve the mystery before Christmas? This is a cute Christmas short that is fun and entertaining, with a sweet ending. Good addition to the series.
I received a free copy from the author, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for BeBop19.
476 reviews4 followers
July 4, 2025
I enjoyed this holiday fun read. It had a wonderful twisty treat in this mini celebration. It was entertaining and had me smiling at times. It will have you traveling along with them to try to solve this mystery. you will not want to miss this one especially in the upcoming month of a mini-Christmas in July.
Profile Image for Pip Smith.
10 reviews
July 8, 2025
Lovely little book about Christmas and friends. A truck load of Christmas Trees arrive and they are put out ready to sell. Next morning they are covered with twinkling lights and a mystery as to who did them. Christmas cookies and wreath making with a good old hot chocolate. Through in a Christmas surprise makes this book a little gem. Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader xx
935 reviews9 followers
July 9, 2025
Patty’s Plant Place has had their annual delivery of Christmas trees which are securely in their place. The next day they find that one tree in each row has been decorated with twinkling lights. Such a sweet thing to do. Will they solve the mystery of who did it. Read this charming short story to find out.
227 reviews3 followers
July 30, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble is a beautiful short story of a Garden Centre and the Owners Twin Sisters Molly and May . Christmas tree lights appear on the trees they are selling and the mystery starts. I love how Molly starts investigating and how all the characters in the story try to give suggestions on where they come from. Excellent story.
Profile Image for Emily Gawlak.
113 reviews7 followers
August 9, 2025
Incredibly enjoyable! I haven’t read the other books in this series, yet, but fell into this short story and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is well written, encompassing the holiday season, while solving a lighthearted mystery.

I highly recommend!

Happy reading! 📖

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kate.
688 reviews18 followers
August 27, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble by Iris March is a holiday mystery short story that will keep you entertained and get you ready for Christmas. It is a different kind of cozy mystery because there are no dead bodies! Just a puzzling mystery. I received an advance review copy and I always review every book that I read. This one is cute and it gives you a taste of Iris March's books. Enjoy
4,483 reviews38 followers
November 5, 2025
Twinkling Tree Trouble is a short, charming, Christmas puzzle. Someone decorated the trees for sale in Patty's Plant Place lot. Store manager Molly and her twin May want to know who added the decorative touch. Will they solve this conundrum before the season ends. This delightful book is the perfect thing to read when you need a break!
893 reviews28 followers
July 11, 2025
This is a short Christmas mystery. Great for Christmas in summer! Some twinkly Christmas lights have suddenly appeared on the Garden Centre trees. They were not there yesterday. How did they get there? Molly goes into sleuthing mode to find out who put them on the trees! A fun read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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