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Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #7
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26Mistletoe and murder go hand in hand in the seventh installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.
New parents Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are sleep deprived, but incandescently happy to be celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. Their family, friends, and neighbors are spoiling the newest addition. Adding to the perfect holiday season is the recent completion of their newly built home. All that’s left to do is move in and send off those change of address cards. But their cup full of cheer turns sour when Holly discovers a dead body.
It all started with a sweet trip down memory lane–Candy Cane Lane and Toyland were two of Holly’s favorites as a child, and she had been looking forward to sharing them with her baby. Then she stumbled upon the body of Greysen, the animal keeper, left among the reindeer at the petting zoo.
Earlier in the day, Holly witnessed a fight between Greysen and a stranger. Stranger still, the reindeer petting zoo had originally been empty that day–no reindeer in sight until they reappeared along with a corpse.
As Holly fights to keep the Christmas spirit alive, she is Graysen’s only chance at justice–and her baby’s only chance at a happy first Christmas.
New parents Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are sleep deprived, but incandescently happy to be celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. Their family, friends, and neighbors are spoiling the newest addition. Adding to the perfect holiday season is the recent completion of their newly built home. All that’s left to do is move in and send off those change of address cards. But their cup full of cheer turns sour when Holly discovers a dead body.
It all started with a sweet trip down memory lane–Candy Cane Lane and Toyland were two of Holly’s favorites as a child, and she had been looking forward to sharing them with her baby. Then she stumbled upon the body of Greysen, the animal keeper, left among the reindeer at the petting zoo.
Earlier in the day, Holly witnessed a fight between Greysen and a stranger. Stranger still, the reindeer petting zoo had originally been empty that day–no reindeer in sight until they reappeared along with a corpse.
As Holly fights to keep the Christmas spirit alive, she is Graysen’s only chance at justice–and her baby’s only chance at a happy first Christmas.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Jacqueline Frost
8 books654 followersJacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 14, 2026
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder is exactly the kind of festive cosy mystery that wraps you in twinkling lights and cinnamon warmth before slipping in a wonderfully sharp little chill. By the seventh visit to Mistletoe, Maine, Jacqueline Frost knows precisely how to balance charm and suspense, and this instalment feels like a warm reunion with just enough danger to keep the pages turning.
Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are navigating new parenthood — sleep‑deprived, blissful, and surrounded by a community that’s more than ready to spoil their baby’s first Christmas. Their newly built home is waiting, the season is sparkling, and everything feels beautifully settled… until Holly’s nostalgic trip to Candy Cane Lane takes a dark turn. The discovery of Greysen’s body among the reindeer at the petting zoo is a jolt that cuts straight through the holiday cheer.
What follows is classic Frost: a mystery that’s cosy in atmosphere but never complacent. The reindeer that mysteriously vanish and reappear, the stranger Holly saw arguing with Greysen, the sense that something is just slightly off beneath the town’s festive perfection — it all builds with a gentle but insistent tension. Holly’s determination to protect both her community and her baby’s first Christmas gives the story its emotional anchor, and her sleuthing feels more personal than ever.
The charm of the series remains intact: the small‑town warmth, the lovingly detailed holiday traditions, the sense of a place where everyone knows everyone — for better or worse. But Frost threads through it a reminder that even the merriest settings can harbour shadows, and that justice sometimes depends on the people who care enough to look closely.
Heartfelt, wintry, and quietly suspenseful, Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder is a delightful addition to the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries — a story that celebrates the season while giving you just the right amount of shiver.
With thanks to Jacqueline Frost, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are navigating new parenthood — sleep‑deprived, blissful, and surrounded by a community that’s more than ready to spoil their baby’s first Christmas. Their newly built home is waiting, the season is sparkling, and everything feels beautifully settled… until Holly’s nostalgic trip to Candy Cane Lane takes a dark turn. The discovery of Greysen’s body among the reindeer at the petting zoo is a jolt that cuts straight through the holiday cheer.
What follows is classic Frost: a mystery that’s cosy in atmosphere but never complacent. The reindeer that mysteriously vanish and reappear, the stranger Holly saw arguing with Greysen, the sense that something is just slightly off beneath the town’s festive perfection — it all builds with a gentle but insistent tension. Holly’s determination to protect both her community and her baby’s first Christmas gives the story its emotional anchor, and her sleuthing feels more personal than ever.
The charm of the series remains intact: the small‑town warmth, the lovingly detailed holiday traditions, the sense of a place where everyone knows everyone — for better or worse. But Frost threads through it a reminder that even the merriest settings can harbour shadows, and that justice sometimes depends on the people who care enough to look closely.
Heartfelt, wintry, and quietly suspenseful, Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder is a delightful addition to the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries — a story that celebrates the season while giving you just the right amount of shiver.
With thanks to Jacqueline Frost, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Holly White-Gray and her husband Sheriff Evan Gray have a lot happening this holiday season. Their new home is finished and it’s just in time for them to move in, and celebrate their daughter, Joy’s first Christmas. Their friend’s, Caroline and Cookie, are working with Holly’s mom on a new community cookbook. Evan’s sister Libby and her husband Ray’s investigative business is doing well and their son, RJ, keeps them busy. Life is going well for Holly and the crew. Holly has to do that one requisite appearance on the crime podcast and then she’s free to finally enjoy her Christmas season without a murder in sight!
Until the threats to Holly and her family are posted during the live podcast and Holly, curse her luck, stumbles upon another dead body…
Frost delivers another solid entry to the Christmas Tree Farm series! So much was happening in this entry to all the characters, but I most enjoyed Holly’s character growth. Having a baby, juggling careers, moving homes, being in the public eye…all of it has culminated in to a crystal moment that has made Holly more aware of things going on in her life, and how it not only impacts herself, but also her family and friends. I found it interesting to see how she dealt with it all.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley/Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Until the threats to Holly and her family are posted during the live podcast and Holly, curse her luck, stumbles upon another dead body…
Frost delivers another solid entry to the Christmas Tree Farm series! So much was happening in this entry to all the characters, but I most enjoyed Holly’s character growth. Having a baby, juggling careers, moving homes, being in the public eye…all of it has culminated in to a crystal moment that has made Holly more aware of things going on in her life, and how it not only impacts herself, but also her family and friends. I found it interesting to see how she dealt with it all.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley/Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited to get to read the next installment of The Christmas Tree Farm series! How exciting that Holly and Libby get to be new moms at the same time. Other than some grammatical issues and a few sentences not making sense, this book was great! I love that each book the characters grow and change. Holly trying her best to not investigate like always. I really felt she tried in this book even though there were times I wanted to yell, 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING??" She wasn't even doing like she normally does and the killer still went after her. Libby putting a tracker on her truck is hilarious. Holly getting mad is funny. All the times she's in danger. I really couldn't fault Libby. It came in handy. I think the only thing in this book that annoyed, was Holly refusing to take any form of protection. If you are going to ask questions knowing the killer always comes for you, might as well have mace or taser. She always ends up close enough to use them even if she doesn't want to admit it. I also loved that Caroline got her proposal and wedding! She deserves to be happy and have the wedding SHE wanted and NOT what her family insist she have because of who they are. The holiday calendars sound like a fun idea and hilarious. It's so cool how the town always comes together to support each other. I hope there are more books in the series. Thanks so much for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh, how I love my annual visit to Mistletoe, Maine and all the wonderful people there via Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder, the 7th book in the delightful Jacqueline Frost series has Holly insisting that as the mother of a 6th month old baby girl she will NOT be investigating anything anymore. Even discovering a body when she returns to a local Christmas park to recover gloves that her grandmother knitted doesn't change her mind. Of course, it couldn't hurt to ask a question or two, or could it? As disturbing incidences pile up, her need to investigates grows, and a life-threatening danger solidifies her need to get things resolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for allowing me to read and review this excellent cozy mystery and Christmas delight. It should become the star of the season for those who love cozy mysteries and those who enjoy outstanding Christmas reads.
#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #JacquelineFrost #ChristmasTreeFarmMystery #DecktheHallswith BoughsofMurder
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for allowing me to read and review this excellent cozy mystery and Christmas delight. It should become the star of the season for those who love cozy mysteries and those who enjoy outstanding Christmas reads.
#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #JacquelineFrost #ChristmasTreeFarmMystery #DecktheHallswith BoughsofMurder
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jacqueline Frost has done it again! Deck the Boughs with Boughs of Murder gave me the perfect dose of Christmas in July.
One of my favorite things about this series is the cast of characters. Holly, her family, and the entire town are so warm, charming, and fun to spend time with. And honestly… who wouldn’t want to own a Christmas tree farm in a town that celebrates Christmas year-round?
The mystery kept me guessing, but it’s the cozy atmosphere and lovable characters that make this series such a joy to read. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery full of holiday spirit, heart, and a wonderful sense of community, I can’t recommend this series enough. I’m already looking forward to Holly’s next adventure!
One of my favorite things about this series is the cast of characters. Holly, her family, and the entire town are so warm, charming, and fun to spend time with. And honestly… who wouldn’t want to own a Christmas tree farm in a town that celebrates Christmas year-round?
The mystery kept me guessing, but it’s the cozy atmosphere and lovable characters that make this series such a joy to read. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery full of holiday spirit, heart, and a wonderful sense of community, I can’t recommend this series enough. I’m already looking forward to Holly’s next adventure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
New mom Holly finds herself reluctantly in the middle of a murder investigation once again after she and sister-in-law Libby find the body. Holly and Evan are also in the middle of moving from their house in town to their newly built house on the farm and Caroline has a big surprise for everyone.
This one felt like it could be the final book in the series. Holly has Joy now and is more mindful of putting herself in danger but that still doesn't stop her from asking questions. You could feel how torn she was in protecting her family and wanting justice. I loved Caroline's storyline and the surprise that Cookie received.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
This one felt like it could be the final book in the series. Holly has Joy now and is more mindful of putting herself in danger but that still doesn't stop her from asking questions. You could feel how torn she was in protecting her family and wanting justice. I loved Caroline's storyline and the surprise that Cookie received.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Christmas Tree Farm series by Jacqueline Frost has taken over the #1 slot on my favorite cozy mystery series list! Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder is # 7 in the series and does not disappoint. So much is taking place and all the characters play big parts in this one and have big things going on in their lives.. It's great! The end stressed me somewhat because it felt just a bit final and that just cannot be. This series cannot end yet! Mistletoe and the Reindeer Games still have so much to offer. Please keep them coming!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Holly, the amateur sleuth along with her sister in law are trying to find who murdered the guy at Toyland where Joy went back to find the glove that she lost that day and found the victim. She is not suppose to be getting into any trouble because she has a 6 month old daughter JOy. Follow them as the poke around to see what they can find out. Holly, Evan and Joy are moving to their home on her family's property. The Christmas farm where everything is Christmas. See who buys their house. A VERY GOOD COZY SERIES,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to @NetGalley for the arc of Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder. I loved it. It was a cozy Christmas mystery/thriller set in the small town of Mistletoe Maine. I signed up for this arc not realizing it was the 7th book in a series but it was fine reading it as a standalone. You get all the cozy holiday feels plus a murder mystery. What else could a girl ask for? Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Excellent installment in the Jacqueline Frost Christmas tree farm series! I particularly liked Holly, a new mother, struggling with protecting her little family and her innate curiosity in solving a mystery.
As always, the Christmas town setting was enchanting. Storylines included many of Holly’s family and friends, which is always fun.
I’ve read the whole series and hope it continues. Frost has done a fabulous job of keeping true to her characters while moving things forward. Great read!
As always, the Christmas town setting was enchanting. Storylines included many of Holly’s family and friends, which is always fun.
I’ve read the whole series and hope it continues. Frost has done a fabulous job of keeping true to her characters while moving things forward. Great read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book I've read in this series, and it was a very enjoyable read. It was sweet - like, make-your-teeth-hurt sweet - but with the setting, it worked. I'd definitely read more books in this series. The plot was interesting, and there were plenty of possible suspects to keep me guessing.
This was the first book I've read in this series, and it was a very enjoyable read. It was sweet - like, make-your-teeth-hurt sweet - but with the setting, it worked. I'd definitely read more books in this series. The plot was interesting, and there were plenty of possible suspects to keep me guessing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
gosh this book was amazing! this book was quite a ride, for being such a quick read too so much happened. i felt all the emotions to the point where two scenes made me cry. i never want to part ways with this series and the found family they’ve put together.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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