Pineapple Partridge: A Folklore and Holiday Cozy Mystery

by Amy Vansant

NEW RELEASE FOR THE HOLIDAY! Every book can be read as a standalone mystery - hop in anywhere in the series. By USA Today, Wall Street Journal & Amazon All-Star bestselling author Amy Vansant.

Someone is leaving clementines and rotten potatoes on the doorsteps of Pineapple Port residents. After the recipient of a potato is publically humiliated on the bowling alley monitors for not fessing up to a neighborhood crime, Charlotte and Declan realize the community is being terrorized by real-life Yule Lads—thirteen troll-like brothers from Icelandic folklore who judge children "naughty or nice" at Christmas. They've thrown in aspects of The Twelve Days of Christmas too, just for good measure.

Who will get the next stinky potato and why?

When the death of someone close to the Pineapple Port crew suggests the Yule Lad might be tied to the sale of the community, Charlotte and Declan struggle to solve the crime before someone else suffers the Yule Lad's wrath.

Genres: Mystery

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

Amy Vansant is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author who writes with an unique blend of thrills, romance and humor (occasionally with a touch of time travel or fantasy). Check out the Pineapple Port Mystery series or her Urban Fantasy Thriller, the Kilty Series!
Website: http://www.amyvansant.com/
She loves interacting with fans when the dog isn't laying on top of her, so stop by her blog or Twitter and say hi!

Reviews

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started to read this book, I wondered what I was letting myself in for with all the talk about the Icelandic Yule Lads but I actually LOVED IT. All the research the author obviously did made it delightful and only in Pineapple Port could Christmas traditions turn out so entertaining and chaotic. The story is told by multiple characters, with each chapter following one character as the mischief unfolds and you get swept up in the fun. Of course its not all fun and games or a cozy mystery without a murder and this author is no stranger to shaking things up for the characters. So if like me, you have read every book in the series (and to be honest why wouldn't you read them all) be prepared for a surprise. I can't wait for the next book.

Charlotte and Declan find a gift wrapped box on there doorstep, that has them running head first into another mystery. It seems like an Icelandic tradition has trolls running around Pineapple Port causing chaos for the residents or somebody wants them to think that's the case. Charlotte and Declan have a hard time getting ahead of the potatoes leaving pranksters and when they finally catch a break it leads to a dead body. Have the fun and games turned deadly? And will they be able to stop it before the culprits run out of trolls to blame.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone unleashes the Icelandic 13 Yule tide Lads (trolls) into Pineapple Port. At first delivering rotten potatoes to the naughty people and clementines to the good people! As the harmlessprants turn more serious Duncan and Charlotte r on the case for free until Pinepple Port owner Penny hires them to put a stop to it. Its quicker to discover who is doing it then it is to stopping it!
I love Pineapple Port! What a fun exciting place to live. Especially with all the amazing characters! U will certainly never be bored! This book was hard to put down. It was funny, exciting and sad! I highly recommend this book and this author for an exciting read that makes u forget your troubles for awhile!

[Carol Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I have read every one of the 26 books. and I have enjoyed every single 1 of them. I tell you Marissa and Darla make the books. Charlotte And Declan are awesome characters. but Darla and Marissa steal the show. I would like to see Charlotte get pregnant. It would make a great plot for the next book or books. so I don't know whether you're going to do more books but I am certainly hoping so. thank you for the wonderful amount of joy that I've gotten from these books. and this last one with the Icelandic theme. I don't know how you came up with it but it was a really a good read. I think that you could also do a series with Darla and turbo. I love turbo. I had a doxy and your doggie character just brings me joy.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the twenty-sixth book in the Pineapple Port Mystery series. The author incorporated the Icelandic Yule Lads folktale with a few twists to make this an interesting read. The author has a good sense of humor which she imparts on the Pineapple Port regulars.

This is a lighthearted romp through the holiday season with members of the community being publicly humiliated. Charlotte, Declan, and the gang need to get ahead of the next stinky potato drop in order to ferret out the culprit(s).
I enjoyed my time in Pineapple Port and am confident you will too. This can be read as a standalone.

I was given an Advanced Readers Copy and these are my opinions.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series. The storyline was engaging and the book well written. These characters are so well developed I feel like I can step into the book and have an in-depth conversation with any of them. Heather and Steve join forces in this story to help a former schoolmate in a case that’s a bit outside their standard comfort zone of murder. Toss in the holiday season and you have the perfect reason to sit down and enjoy a few hours of reading.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Katherine Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loosely based on The Twelve Days of Christmas and the Icelandic tales of the Yule Boys, Pineapple Partridge is a fun romp in Amy Van Sant’s Pineapple Port world. While the initial rotten potatoes go to residents who are guilty of minor offences, the murder that ensues rocks the world of Charlotte and Declan.

Figuring out this holiday mystery is a fun read that enhances the Pineapple Port mystery series set in Florida. All the books can be read as stand-alones, so if you haven't discovered them yet, Pineapple Partridge will be a great, seasonal entry point!

[Dee Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun quick holiday read. Set in the senior neighborhood of Pineapple Port, there is mischeif afoot. A mysterious person is tormenting the residents basked on the Icelandic folklore of the Yule Boys with a Twelve Days of Christmas twist. While Charlotte and Declan are trying to figure out who is behind these pranks, the person behind it all is just getting started and escalating.

This was the perfect introduction to the Pineapple Port mystery series and I look forward to giving the rest of the series a read.

Thank you Goodreads abd Amy Vansant for the e-copy!

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still going strong
Twenty-six books into the series and they are all great and leave the reader wanting more. Strong characters, twisty plots, lovely settings, a little romance, a little murder, several canines, a few cats, and guest starring other animals on occasion leave the reader smiling and enjoying the ride. Highly recommend - my first completed title of the New Year.
I must confess, I love the artwork on the cover. Makes me smile with every cover!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a Kindle copy as a GoodReads giveaway. It's the first I've read in this series, and I was able to follow the plot easily enough although I didn't have the "character history" that regular readers probably have. A fun read, and I learned a little about Icelandic folklore. I'm interested in reading more in the series.

[Richard Cowart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery

Darla and Declan are hired by Penny to investigate some strange things happening around Pineapple Port while she is in negotiations to sell. They are disrupting activities around the park using the Icelandic Lads like the twelve days of Christmas. Another great mystery thanks

[D'Ann Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pineapple Fun

Love these main characters. Quite a twist on Christmas lore. Learned something totally new. This book stands alone, but please read them all, in order, for a real treat. Thank you Amy Vansant for another beloved edition.

[Mark Moxley-Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, quick read in this series. Set in a senior village in Florida, this one is relevant at Christmas and just came out. All the usual characters, and they are characters in both senses. Twists, humor, wordplay, and more.

[Kerrie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun book!

This is a fun series! I've read every book as soon as it comes out. This one is Christmas themed with Icelandic trolls. It's fun to read about them. Good mystery and always good humor!

[Ruth Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely & Fun Mystery

Charlotte and Declan have their hands full with this strangely deadly mystery. The villains used folklore for their dastardly purposes, keeping Pineapple Port weird.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading.

Wasn't sure at first but turned out to be a good read. Give it a shot...it's almost hard to put down for a meal!

[Melanie Bynoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great plot

I love the Pineapple Port Mysteries. They are funny and keep you guessing about what will happen next. Its a good read for anyone.

[Candy gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a mess

People who are so stuck on themselves think they know it all can really make a mess. I can’t wait for you to this Folklore. I couldn’t put it down.