What do you think?
Rate this book
Yule Regret It
From author Annie McEwen comes a holiday ho-ho-homicide!
It’s Christmastime in the Northwoods, and Emmy Cooper is ready to deck the halls, frost the cookies, and enjoy Covington’s biggest event of the year—the annual Christmas Celebration. Visitors flock to the festive lakeside town, where Emmy's family runs the Cooper's Cove Resort, for holiday treats, handmade crafts, and the beloved tree-lighting ceremony, led by none other than Santa Claus himself.
But when Emmy stumbles across a very dead Santa, the season takes a chilling turn.
With Emmy's boyfriend, Officer Dean Erickson, trying to keep the investigation under wraps, Emmy and her best friend Whitney find themselves more tangled in this mystery than in last year’s Christmas lights. Between town gossip, a Scrooge of a new health inspector, and long-buried secrets rising to the surface, Emmy’s holiday cheer is draining faster than Ol’ Robert’s eggnog. Unraveling the killer’s identity might take a Christmas miracle—and Emmy’s running out of time. If she’s not careful, she just might be the next one sleighed.
"An excellent cozy. I look forward to my next visit to Cooper’s Cove."
~ Kings River Life Magazine
"This was a fun and delightfully engaging whodunit that I could not put down until all was said and done."
~ Dru's Book Musings
It’s Christmastime in the Northwoods, and Emmy Cooper is ready to deck the halls, frost the cookies, and enjoy Covington’s biggest event of the year—the annual Christmas Celebration. Visitors flock to the festive lakeside town, where Emmy's family runs the Cooper's Cove Resort, for holiday treats, handmade crafts, and the beloved tree-lighting ceremony, led by none other than Santa Claus himself.
But when Emmy stumbles across a very dead Santa, the season takes a chilling turn.
With Emmy's boyfriend, Officer Dean Erickson, trying to keep the investigation under wraps, Emmy and her best friend Whitney find themselves more tangled in this mystery than in last year’s Christmas lights. Between town gossip, a Scrooge of a new health inspector, and long-buried secrets rising to the surface, Emmy’s holiday cheer is draining faster than Ol’ Robert’s eggnog. Unraveling the killer’s identity might take a Christmas miracle—and Emmy’s running out of time. If she’s not careful, she just might be the next one sleighed.
"An excellent cozy. I look forward to my next visit to Cooper’s Cove."
~ Kings River Life Magazine
"This was a fun and delightfully engaging whodunit that I could not put down until all was said and done."
~ Dru's Book Musings
- GenresCozy Mystery
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2025
10 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Annie McEwen
5 books98 followersAnnie McEwen is the author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, set amongst the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin where she spent vacations as a kid. Because of a sweet love story between her youngest sister and a local Wisconsin boy (storyline idea!), she’s still been able to keep on visiting the beautiful place that means so much to her.
Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high-school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies.
When Annie isn’t writing or playing with her grandsons, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones...you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.
Annie and her husband are empty nesters—their son is married to his high-school sweetheart, and their daughter is married with two adorable toddler boys. Being grandparents is definitely the best gig ever! They also have four fur babies.
When Annie isn’t writing or playing with her grandsons, she works as a radiological technologist, aka, she takes pictures of bones...you can’t hide much from her! Writing, though, is her first love.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 9, 2025
I have enjoyed all the books in this series with Emmy, her family, Whitney, Dean, and other friends. She always manages to be in the wrong place at the right time to find a body. This time she has a friend with her when they find one that appears to be a close friend. Is it? It's Christmas in the Northwoods of Covington, Wisconsin, with the snow and Christmas festival about to happen and lots of guests staying at Cooper Cove, the lake resort Emmy's family owns. Murder and mystery during the holiday season make for a great read in a lovely setting, and likable characters and several suspects.
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
December 10, 2025
Loved it! The Northwoods Mysteries bring the me feeling that I had when I first discovered mysteries with the Trixie Belden series. Emmy and Whitney are grown-up version of Trixie and Honey with a strong friendship and lots of people who love them Yule Regret it, the 4th book in the Northwoods Mysteries pulls all the elements that make this series special from the depiction of Christmas time to the emotions wrought by death and learning more friends' tough times. The community cares! I love it. While the holiday celebration is a key to the great times shared, the non-investigation of a murder that pulls in friends old and new.
boy does this need work, but I need sleep.
boy does this need work, but I need sleep.
December 21, 2025
Love the characters and setting. Well written. Can't wait for the next book!
December 22, 2025
This is a great book!! I want to live in Covington, the small town in the Northwoods where Emmy Cooper and her friends and family live. The mystery in this book had me guessing, and once it was solved, the Christmas joy was unmatched. If you are looking for a book to help you get into the Christmas spirit, pick up this one!
November 21, 2025
Christmas time, complete with a frozen lake and chilly weather has come to the Coopers Cove Resort located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Unfortunately, some tempers are running hot, and a cold-hearted killer has “iced” Santa. This is the quintessential Christmas cozy, complete with snowflakes, a Santa, tasty sounding cookies, family togetherness, sweet bits of the slow burn romance, and a dead body. This is book 4 of the Northwoods Mystery series and can be read as a standalone. Our amateur sleuth, Emmylou Cooper, has found a body or two or three since she moved back to work at her family’s rustic resort, but this time there really isn’t a good reason for her to get involved. She is way too busy between Covington’s Christmas Celebration, work at the resort and the usual holiday hustle. She tells Detective Tom that she isn’t getting involved. She tells her family and close friends that she isn’t getting involved. I really think she meant it this time, until her friend Pam is taken in for questioning and asks Emmy to keep an ear out. Can Emmy help it if people open up to her during conversations and tell her things? Not to mention that she has an uncanny ability to be in the right place at both the right and wrong times. Emmy has a bad case of curiosity and Whitney, her bff, does her best to keep Emmy out of trouble, only to be swept up in the thrill of the chase and takes on the role of Watson to Emmy’s Sherlock.
I adore Emmy and her crew. I like that Emmy has a quirky personality and a tendency to be a tad klutzy which makes her very relatable. She has just enough sass to keep things interesting and a propensity to look at all the possible scenarios when making a list of possible suspects. As with mysteries past, there are plenty to choose from. The victim, Grady, was an ex-con who may or may not have been mistaken for Ray Pickett, the town’s Santa. The town’s gossip gurus know that something is amiss, but Emmy is keeping her “word hole” shut, just like Detective Tom instructed. The colloquialisms are classic! My favorite Emmy-phrase was when she referred to an El Dorado as a mullet car, no offense to the galls’ lifelong friend Marcus with the Mullet.
If you like a sleuth who could be a part of the Scooby gang, a character who has learned to stand up to bullies, a character who gets the hot cop for a boyfriend, a character who would do anything for a friend, a character who is always quick to share info with the authorities, and has an appreciation for sweet tea, then Emmy is you gal and this series is your jam. Oh, and if you don’t mind cliff hangers, there is one and/or two of those as well.
I adore Emmy and her crew. I like that Emmy has a quirky personality and a tendency to be a tad klutzy which makes her very relatable. She has just enough sass to keep things interesting and a propensity to look at all the possible scenarios when making a list of possible suspects. As with mysteries past, there are plenty to choose from. The victim, Grady, was an ex-con who may or may not have been mistaken for Ray Pickett, the town’s Santa. The town’s gossip gurus know that something is amiss, but Emmy is keeping her “word hole” shut, just like Detective Tom instructed. The colloquialisms are classic! My favorite Emmy-phrase was when she referred to an El Dorado as a mullet car, no offense to the galls’ lifelong friend Marcus with the Mullet.
If you like a sleuth who could be a part of the Scooby gang, a character who has learned to stand up to bullies, a character who gets the hot cop for a boyfriend, a character who would do anything for a friend, a character who is always quick to share info with the authorities, and has an appreciation for sweet tea, then Emmy is you gal and this series is your jam. Oh, and if you don’t mind cliff hangers, there is one and/or two of those as well.
November 9, 2025
It is Christmastime in Covington. Emmy is scrambling to get Santa’s Cottage ready for the festival. Not only do they have to deal with the new, less than stellar, health inspectors, they have a murder to contend with. Was the murder a case of mistaken identity?? Or something else entirely. This book was so incredibly good. Filled with mystery, family secrets and more. New developments prove to be intriguing and that swoon worthy ending was sublime. So looking forward to book 5. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher.
December 26, 2025
"Yule Regret It" is book #4 in the "Northwoods Mysteries" by Annie McEwen.
The Christmas season in the Northwoods is usually a festive time, but this year Covington residents are dealing with a few issues. There is a new health inspector in town and he's got a giant chip on his shoulder. Ray Pickett is having issues with his (supposedly silent) business partner and a line cook at the restaurant is on his last warning. Then a body is discovered in Ray's office. The mayor wants it kept quiet so the town Christmas Celebration won't suffer. Police Assistant Chief Foley wants an all out investigation but is overruled by the Chief and Detective Tom.
So who wanted the victim dead? The suspect pool gets quite deep before Emmy, Whitney and friends start doing some sleuthing. Yes, they share the info with Tom but things still happen that get the pair in very serious danger. Longtime fractured family relations of a couple of characters also came to light which added to the drama.
Solving the murder (and keeping things quiet) wasn't easy for the police or Emmy and friends. I did suspect why the victim was killed but for me, it was down to two suspects before I zeroed in on the actual killer just pages before Emmy figured it out!
With so much going on, the story could have gotten heavy at times but Ms. McEwan kept it flowing with vivid descriptions of the wintery scenes, holiday décor, the food and the day to day happenings of the festive season.
The closing couple of chapters were partly a debrief after the capture but also a celebration of the season - with all the feels! (Have a tissue or two ready!)
I love the core characters of this series! The relationships, dialogue and witty banter feel realistic. I literally laughed out loud several times. I also shed a few tears at some of the more emotional scenes as various characters shared their fears, heartbreaks and allowed their emotions to be fully exposed.
This was a wonderful holiday cozy mystery and I can't wait to see what happens next with Emmy and the rest of the gang!
The Christmas season in the Northwoods is usually a festive time, but this year Covington residents are dealing with a few issues. There is a new health inspector in town and he's got a giant chip on his shoulder. Ray Pickett is having issues with his (supposedly silent) business partner and a line cook at the restaurant is on his last warning. Then a body is discovered in Ray's office. The mayor wants it kept quiet so the town Christmas Celebration won't suffer. Police Assistant Chief Foley wants an all out investigation but is overruled by the Chief and Detective Tom.
So who wanted the victim dead? The suspect pool gets quite deep before Emmy, Whitney and friends start doing some sleuthing. Yes, they share the info with Tom but things still happen that get the pair in very serious danger. Longtime fractured family relations of a couple of characters also came to light which added to the drama.
Solving the murder (and keeping things quiet) wasn't easy for the police or Emmy and friends. I did suspect why the victim was killed but for me, it was down to two suspects before I zeroed in on the actual killer just pages before Emmy figured it out!
With so much going on, the story could have gotten heavy at times but Ms. McEwan kept it flowing with vivid descriptions of the wintery scenes, holiday décor, the food and the day to day happenings of the festive season.
The closing couple of chapters were partly a debrief after the capture but also a celebration of the season - with all the feels! (Have a tissue or two ready!)
I love the core characters of this series! The relationships, dialogue and witty banter feel realistic. I literally laughed out loud several times. I also shed a few tears at some of the more emotional scenes as various characters shared their fears, heartbreaks and allowed their emotions to be fully exposed.
This was a wonderful holiday cozy mystery and I can't wait to see what happens next with Emmy and the rest of the gang!
December 6, 2025
Annie McEwen's, A Northwoods Mystery series is quickly becoming a favorite series of mine, but this holiday addition just brought things to a new level. If you are looking for a cozy mystery to put you in the Christmas spirit, I really don't think you could do better than this one. We start with Emmy and family decorating everything at Cooper's Cove Resort, making the cabins cozy and bright and the lodge a winter wonderland. They don't stop there, the whole group is volunteering for the town's annual Christmas Celebrations. With help from friends and fellow business owners, everything is starting to look magical until a man who looks like everyone's favorite town, Santa, is found dead in Ray Pickett's office. Of course, Emmy is one of the people making the discovery and try as she might, can she stay away from the inquiry? What was looking like a wonderful holiday season is now in jeopardy because there is a killer running round, a new health inspector making everyone's life miserable and friends' family members with questionable pasts trying to insert themselves back into the picture. Can Emmy and Whitney help Detective Tom and Emmy 's boyfriend Officer Dean without compromising their safety, can they find answers without scaring away the tourists coming to the Celebration and can a Merry Christmas for all be save? Come all for a truly wonderful holiday story! #YuleRegretIt #ANorthwoodsMystery #AnnieMcEwen #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
December 27, 2025
Yule Regret It is the fourth book in the Northwoods Mysteries by Annie McEwen. The amateur sleuth is Emmy Cooper, an interior designer who helps her family run Cooper's Cove, a cozy resort in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
This installment of the series is Christmas themed. The story features a mystery involving an annual community Christmas celebration and a dead Santa.
I love the Northwoods Mysteries! I was super excited to see an installment with a Christmas theme. It was everything I hoped it would be and more!
Yule Regret It is a warm, funny, entertaining cozy mystery full of holiday spirit. Annie McEwen has created a wonderful resort community with a cast of characters who feel like family. And her cleverly crafted mystery plots keep me guessing until the end!
I loved sleuthing with Emmy and her best friend. And I really enjoyed the holiday elements sprinkled throughout the story
If you like cozy mysteries and Christmas tales, you'll love this story. Yule Regret It is you don't read it!
This installment of the series is Christmas themed. The story features a mystery involving an annual community Christmas celebration and a dead Santa.
I love the Northwoods Mysteries! I was super excited to see an installment with a Christmas theme. It was everything I hoped it would be and more!
Yule Regret It is a warm, funny, entertaining cozy mystery full of holiday spirit. Annie McEwen has created a wonderful resort community with a cast of characters who feel like family. And her cleverly crafted mystery plots keep me guessing until the end!
I loved sleuthing with Emmy and her best friend. And I really enjoyed the holiday elements sprinkled throughout the story
If you like cozy mysteries and Christmas tales, you'll love this story. Yule Regret It is you don't read it!
December 24, 2025
Family, Friends and a Christmas cozy mystery
You'll Regret It is the 4th book in Annie McEwen's Northwoods Mysteries and it is one of the coziest Christmas cozy mysteries you'll ever read! Emmy Cooper and her family are getting ready for Christmas at the family's Coopers Cove Resort. Emmy and her best friend Whitney are helping with the annual Christmas Celebration in town. Everything is going great until Emmy and her friend Pam find a dead body. There is some confusion about who it is which makes the mystery interesting. Emmy is dating Dean who is on the police force. They are such a cute couple! This story has lots of family and friends that make it so warm and cozy. Emmy is smart and caring and there aren't any perilous moments until the mystery finale. The end finds the Cooper family and friends celebrating Christmas together which is wonderful! This is a very enjoyable Christmas cozy mystery! #YuleRegretIt #NorthwoodsMysteries
#GemmaHallidayPublishing
You'll Regret It is the 4th book in Annie McEwen's Northwoods Mysteries and it is one of the coziest Christmas cozy mysteries you'll ever read! Emmy Cooper and her family are getting ready for Christmas at the family's Coopers Cove Resort. Emmy and her best friend Whitney are helping with the annual Christmas Celebration in town. Everything is going great until Emmy and her friend Pam find a dead body. There is some confusion about who it is which makes the mystery interesting. Emmy is dating Dean who is on the police force. They are such a cute couple! This story has lots of family and friends that make it so warm and cozy. Emmy is smart and caring and there aren't any perilous moments until the mystery finale. The end finds the Cooper family and friends celebrating Christmas together which is wonderful! This is a very enjoyable Christmas cozy mystery! #YuleRegretIt #NorthwoodsMysteries
#GemmaHallidayPublishing
December 9, 2025
Emmy is busy getting ready for her town’s Christmas celebrations, including her family’s resort. Lots of people will be coming to town and she’s very busy. There are some mysterious decorations popping up in town, and the residents are testing their theories about who is placing the funny decorations. Not all is well as there are some people who are not as cheerful as most during the holidays. There is a new health inspector who seems to be pickier than any previous inspectors. It seems that things he’s finding are sort of strange. Despite the town grinches, everything goes well until Emily discovers the town’s Santa has been murdered. Being that the town is expecting tons of tourists for the holidays, the mayor wants everyone to keep the murder secret. Will it be possible to solve the murder in secret?
September 21, 2025
I love this series. I love the characters, the lodge and campground, and the town. I want to live there!
Okay, enough about that. We are back in the Northwoods at the Cooper Campground with Emmy Cooper and her family. It’s Christmas and everyone is amped up to get the town decorated for the annual Covington Christmas Celebration. Unfortunately, a dead body wearing a Santa suit in the restaurant owner’s office could put a definite damper on things. Even though Emmy promises her boyfriend, cop Dean, that she won’t investigate, how can she not? I love Emmy and her family and friends. The town is definitely a Hallmark setting. You feel like you’re really there in the town with them. And the ending leaves you with a smile and a good feeling.
Definitely recommended.
Okay, enough about that. We are back in the Northwoods at the Cooper Campground with Emmy Cooper and her family. It’s Christmas and everyone is amped up to get the town decorated for the annual Covington Christmas Celebration. Unfortunately, a dead body wearing a Santa suit in the restaurant owner’s office could put a definite damper on things. Even though Emmy promises her boyfriend, cop Dean, that she won’t investigate, how can she not? I love Emmy and her family and friends. The town is definitely a Hallmark setting. You feel like you’re really there in the town with them. And the ending leaves you with a smile and a good feeling.
Definitely recommended.
October 6, 2025
Yule Regret It transports the reader right into a Northwoods Christmas, resplendent with twinkling lights, the scent of pine, and cozy mugs of hot cocoa…not to mention—murder! Emmy Cooper has volunteered her paint brush and design skills to help make this year’s Covington Christmas celebration the best ever, but when a man dressed in a Santa suit is killed at a beloved local restaurant, her keen eye for detail turns from art to solving a murder. With a mystery that will keep you guessing to the merry end, this book will make your heart race, but leave you feeling as warm and toasty as if you were sitting in the lodge at Cooper’s Cove next to the crackling fireplace.
October 26, 2025
This cozy mystery totally delivers. The discovery of a dead Santa leaves the reader with a bunch of solid suspects, but the real twist is wondering if the victim was even the target. You will be guessing right up to the end. Along the way, there are sweet moments with friends showing up for each other and families coming back together. Toss in a little romance, some adorable pets, and a couple of characters you’ll love to hate, and it’s a fun ride all the way through.
I always enjoy the Northwoods Mysteries series. The colorful descriptions help to bring the story to life.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I always enjoy the Northwoods Mysteries series. The colorful descriptions help to bring the story to life.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 10, 2025
Yule Regret It is a riveting, twisted, cozy mystery and a great addition to the Northwoods Mystery series. As the town is preparing for the annual Christmas Celebration, Emmy stumbles across another dead body. Not everything is what it seems - including who died! Detective Tom, officer Dean, Emmy and Whitney are kept busy following some clues, and a red herring of two. This recurring cast of characters has become like family to me and I am ready to drink hot chocolate in front of a fire at Cooper's Cove. This one kept me awake too late and guessing right to the very end! Highly recommend - even if you have not read the previous books.
November 14, 2025
My favorite book in this series to date! The last chapter made me tear up and feel so many emotions. An excellent mystery, superb cast of characters, and glorious setting - plus a story packed with Christmas magic!
Thank you to the author for an ARC. All opinions are my own. I SO recommend this series.
Thank you to the author for an ARC. All opinions are my own. I SO recommend this series.
December 20, 2025
Yule Regret It is a delightful cozy mystery filled with decorations, garland, and one dead Santa. Emmy Cooper and her buddies want to know what happened. As they prepare for the Covington Christmas celebration, they snoop and search until...well you'll have to read the book. If you can squeeze this one in during the holidays, you won't regret it. I purchased an e-copy and opinions are my own.
December 20, 2025
I have read all 4 books in this series and enjoyed them all but this is my favorite one. That last chapter so good. I can't wait for the next book.
December 21, 2025
Another fabulous North Woods Mystery! This series really warms the heart and makes you feel like part of the Cooper extended family. The amazing writing really makes you feel there and in the story, can't wait for the next!
December 9, 2025
An exciting Christmas mystery set in the cozy Covington Cove in northern Wisconsin. This naturally beautiful area is a true winter wonderland as the community gears up for an all town celebration. Unfortunately murder rears it's ugly head and once again Emmy Cooper and her best friend Whitney are immersed in trying to solve this crime. Precise and carefully crafted clues as well as so many things going on in town makes this book a delight to read and a great addition to this series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews