Cocoa, Peppermint, and Murder: A Willow Creek Cozy Mystery - Book Five

by Jenni Marie

A mug of cocoa. A sprinkle of peppermint. A murder that chills the season.

The Winter Festival in Willow Creek is all twinkling lights, snow-dusted garlands, and steaming mugs of cheer—until the mayor takes a final sip of cocoa and collapses at center stage. Cynthia Harper, still adjusting to her role as the town’s accidental investigator, had only planned to hang wreaths, not hunt for poisoners.

With her golden retriever Duke by her side and a trail of suspicious clues—including forged donations, a missing ledger, and one suspiciously festive peppermint wrapper—Cynthia is pulled into a mystery wrapped in tinsel and tangled in secrets.

Everyone has something to hide, and between tearful goodbyes, cozy café gossip, and a barn full of burning evidence, Cynthia must sort the naughty from the nice before the killer strikes again.

This Christmas, it’ll take more than cookies and carols to bring peace to Willow Creek… because some secrets aren’t buried in snow—they’re buried with motive.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

B&B owner Cynthia Harper is happily preparing for the Winter Festival in Willow Creek when tragedy strikes. During his opening speech, Mayor Grigsby collapses and it is determined he was poisoned. From this point on, Cynthia, along with her dog Duke and friend Evan, look for clues to find the killer.

I was gifted an ARC copy of this book and felt the book started out in a positive direction. As I read, however, there were inconsistencies in the plot that made it difficult to follow the storyline at times. Since it was an ARC copy, I am assuming that these issues were resolved prior to the release. Unlike other mysteries I’ve read, it was pretty apparent who the culprit was early on. The story had more of a focus of discovering the motive and bringing the killer to justice. I did not feel that this was a negative, it was just a different way to approach the story. This book has mystery, suspense, and a slowly developing relationship between Cynthia and Evan that I found sweet. If I could, I would give this story a solid 3 1/2 stars. It has a lot going for it, just needed tidied up a bit.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia just wants to run a friendly B&B, but it seems her inquisitive mind, desire for justice, and her golden retriever Duke have her getting involved in the hot cocoa related death of the town major. As her 'snooping' all starts leading her in one direction, the weather traps her and some townes in her B&B. Thank heavens Evan's there too. Things go from bad to worse with the group and the weather. Will she and Evan (and Duke of course) be able to get to the bottom of everything despite Mother Nature?

This fast paced cozy mystery is full of great characters and a compelling storyline that will keep you riveted to the page. I greatful for the gift copy I received and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent written book about a small-town Winter Festival in Willow Creek. I love all the main character and how they pull together during a murder investigation. Cynthia Harper and her golden retriever Duke just can’t not look into who would want to murder the mayor at the festival. There are lots of twists and turns and just about as many suspects to Cynthia & Duke busy with looking into everything until she has finally figured it out. Cynthia finally understands that she is not alone and part of the family that she had made sense coming to Willow Creek. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cocoa, Peppermint, and Murder is a story about who is a B & B owner and her handsome, clever, sleuthing dog Duke and Evan. They go to the Winter Festival but the Mayor Collapses and Cynthia and support from Evan start to investigate. There are a trail of clues to follow for this puzzle . But can they solve the puzzle and find the truth?
Excellent story and series that I enjoyed reading and highly recommend that you read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Cynthia gets pulled into solving a murder.

This time around, it’s the mayor who ends up murdered, poisoned. With peppermint. Right in the middle of a speech during the Winter Festival in Willow Creek. I truly enjoy reading along as Cynthia and Duke ferret out clues and end solving the mystery. The plot flows along smoothly, there’s danger and I really like all the recurring characters. I love watching all the developing relationships between them as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia Harper is just starting to settle into the Willow Creek B&B when the Winter Festival is getting ready to happen. The mayor is giving his speech and drinking hot chocolate and falls down dead. Poisoned! Cynthia goes sleuth mode with her trusty canine Duke to solve the secrets that are hidden behind the smug looks that she gets. Good story keeps you entertained. Ready for Cynthia to actuallt date Evan! Waiting for the next episode.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cocoa, Peppermint, and Murder Book 5 of Willow Creek Cozy Mystery series by Jenni Marie is an excellent and enjoyable holiday cozy mystery. Cynthia, B & B owner and amateur sleuth along with Duke, her golden retriever who solve the towns mysteries. I love the quirky townspeople, the twists and turns and the humor throughout the story. Loving this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roselady · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is enough suspense from beginning to end to keep you reading longer than you meant to read! Cynthia finds clues wherever she goes and at the B&B when she stays inside. Even the snow cannot keep Duke from uncovering clues for Cynthia. Now, can she, Evan, and Granger put the clues together to catch the killer? You will want to read this book!! I read an ARC of Cocoa, Peppermint, and Murder.

[Cherie Waggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would highly recommend reading this book as opposed to listening to the audiobook read by AI voice. The audiobook is, as are all AI books I've listened to, monotone, no inflection, no emotion, mis pronounced words, and no separation of voices. At times telling who is speaking is impossible. So stay with print and let your own reader's voice tell the story.

[Soscha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a disappointment for me as the story concluded 75% through. From there it’s all congratulary stuff.

I had to give up after another 2-3 chapters as you, author only really needed those three.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia and Duke are pulled into another Willow Creek Murder Mystery. This time it gets more personal and more dangerous. Not only do they have to connect the dots, they have to deal with threats and a blizzard that is coming in fast. Can they find the proof they need before it's too late?