Murder Under the Mistletoe

Bite-sized Bakery #5

by Rosie A. Point

It's going to be a killer Christmas...

Ruby Holmes is delighted to be celebrating Christmas with her close friends in Carmel Springs, Maine. The tree in the center of town is about to be lit, the mistletoe is up, and the town is decorated in reds, greens and whites. Everything is perfect.
Until the lights come on and reveal the dead body of the mayor himself. It’s murder, and with very few leads for the local detectives to follow, it’s time to shut the town down until further notice—no celebrations, no parties in the street and certainly no caroling.
Can Ruby and Bee solve the mystery? Or is Christmas in Carmel Springs ruined for good?

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Christmas, Audiobook, Cozy, Fiction, Ebooks

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2019

About the author

Rosie A. Point is a USA Today Bestselling cozy mystery author who loves writing about food, small towns, and cats. Her favorite books are ones you can snuggle up with under a cozy blanket on a winter's day. Born and raised in South Africa, her books are all set in small towns in the United States. She dreams of visiting the places she writes about in her books.

Rosie wants to hear from you. Whether it’s about a recipe or one of her books, you can contact her on her website. Join her reader club today!

https://www.rosiepointbooks.com/

Reviews

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad to see the last book set in Carmel Springs, but cannot wait to see what Ruby and Dee get caught up in when they get to Muffin.

The whole town shows up for the tree lighting ceremony, but once Clayton Babcock flips on the lights they find Mayor Jacobsen dead beneath the tree. Detective Martin warns Ruby and Dee to stay out of his investigation, but they cannot hold their holiday/going away party until the killer is found. The police arrest a suspect but Ruby and Dee think she is the wrong person and keep investigating. At their party, the real killer makes a move on Ruby but she uses her karate to disable him until Detective Martin can attest him.

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

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Dee are excited to be celebrating Christmas in Carmel Springs, the people, the lights, everything to look forward to...until a dead body stops everything! With very few clues, the detective is threatening to stop Christmas altogether! Can Ruby and Dee find out who the killer is to save Christmas? You will need to read this wonderful story about this small town and the sleuths who are trying to save the holiday. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! Who would have thought that these two completely different women would become best friends and business partners! And even though they are temporarily in this Maine town, they still manage to get involved in a murder case. If you like easy-to-read cozy mysteries, then this is a great series for you.

[Meegy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the last one that is placed in Carmel Springs. I am going to miss all the characters from the first part of this Cozy Mystery Series. Looking forward to more Bee and Ruby though!

The Mayor is murder, there are hardly any clues to find the killer, but this doesn't deter Ruby and Bee. They are ruthless and get into trouble (as usual).

A really enjoyable read, looking forward to their next adventure!

[TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up on KU for its Christmas theme. This was a pretty good short cozy mystery. The characters were engaging and suitably numerous with plenty of suspects and a decent little twist. The plot wasn't overly complex but kept me interested.

This is the first book I've read in the series (or by the author for that matter) and it did make me want to go and check out the rest. There were two things though that I didn't like so much. For one, the editing could have been better. And two (and this one's the biggie for me), the author gave away the "whodunnit" of one of her previous books. I don't mind books referencing previous events, but it should never be your killer, just in case a reader is picking up the books out of order.

For that reason, I'm going to say that while this is technically a standalone story, you should probably read the others first if you don't want any spoilers. Available on KU at time of review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, quick read with holiday flair! Ruby and her business partner and friend Bee are still in Carmel Springs, Maine, with their roving dessert food truck and are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with their new local friends when another person is found murdered. Ruby feels compelled to help solve the murder before they leave Carmel Springs behind. Her investigation leads to some twists and turns which kept me on my toes guessing who the culprit was (it may surprise you!).

Murder Under the Mistletoe is an easy, entertaining, festive story that can be read as a stand alone for anyone who hasn't read any other books in the Bite-sized mystery series. I really like this and the Burger Bar Mysteries written by Rosie A Point!

I received an advance copy of this book. This honest review contains my own thoughts and opinions.

[Agne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clayton Babcock's name killed me every time. Yes, I am a child.
This was really really cozy because of the cold winter setting and Christmas time. The murder was just for the genre I guess. I miss winter so much, the good winter, the snow, friends, family gathering, just overall winter feels, so much. Dammit you global warming, dammit you who ignore climate warming.
This also deals with the mystery the same way Agatha Christie did, but I'm not mad about it, unlike like Christie's novels, that make me annoyed and angry. You'll know in the end what I mean. It's the person you heard least about, and you barely suspected, if they're even mentioned in the book at all. I see you Agatha, it's not okay to make the murderer someone who your readers never met in your books, that's unfair, cheating even.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday horror!

Ruby Holmes and her friend Bee have enjoyed their stay in Carmel Springs, Maine but cold weather means it is time to close up their food truck and travel to a new adventure in warmer climes. A farewell Christmas Party is the perfect way to say goodbye but all holiday gatherings are put on hold when the mayors body is one of the decorations at the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Ruby and Bee will have to solve this case quickly if they want the Christmas Farewell Party to go off as planned and know that their friends in Carmel Springs no longer have a murderer in their midst.

The Bite-sized Bakery books are such fun cozy mysteries. Ruby and Bee make a great team and the supporting characters add plenty of local flavor to the story.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet little Christmas celebration in Carmel Springs, although it was interrupted with murder first. It'll come as no surprise if a person has followed the books that Bee and Ruby's time in Carmel Springs was coming to an end, and they planned an awesome Christmas party to thank their new friends. Ruby hadn't counted on nearly being killed there though. But it all ended great, and Det. Martin being very unlike his predecessor was happy when the bakers solved this murder.

I had my thoughts about who the killer was but not the reasoning. The ending was a little sad when our baker friends had to leave their temporary town, but they knew they'd have some fun new adventures coming up.

[Sandi Berumen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edit, please edit.

I gave a review that applies to this entire series after reading the next book. I stand by that review. I was not reading the books in order. However.....

Edit, edit, edit! Words are dropped, or double added; the wrong word is used such as "baked" instead of "baker" etc. The author seems to not know the meaning of some of the words she uses. These issues make for a not so smooth read as one has to pause to figure out what is trying to be said.

Still all in all, a fun read, great for when you have a shortage of time or just want to disengage from your life for a short time.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee have found themselves one more dead body and cannot stop themselves from solving one more murder as a gift to Carmel Springs before leaving. Will they be able to tie up the murder with a neat bow on top or will it be messier than they would like? Although sad to see their time here end with a cast of characters who have grown on us, it would be exciting to see what new adventures await them in Muffin.

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

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exit but not without a final murder

Another good read. They are still heading out of town but want to leave after Christmas and the party they are planning. However the Christmas tree lighting ceremony is overshadowed by the discovery of the mayor's body.
Who wanted him dead? Was it the rival who starts campaigning start after? Was it the new person in town that seems to be trying to run the town the way she wants? Brick dust, an arrest, a cancelled party and a note. Will she unmask the killer? Will Christmas be a joyful time or a period of mourning?

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee are nearly ready to bid Carmel Springs farewell.

Ugly surprises wait under the tree, and darkness in the hearts of some of the townspeople

As their world changes, the ladies want to leave Carmel Springs with one more good memory.

Tears and twisted plots.

A bittersweet farewell to friends.

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

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee decide to spend Christmas in Carmel Springs because of the warm atmosphere and friends they have made during their stay. They plan a party, however, a murder threatens to cancel all celebrations. They must weed through suspects and clues to save the town’s Christmas. Although I will miss Carmel Springs, I will continue to follow this enjoyable series.

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

[Sammie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were all short, cozy mysteries but a fun read between other more intense reads. Ruby and Bee have a bakery truck at the beach in a small town. They get involved in all the small town life. Each book has a murder and they can't help trying to solve them. In this book, they are getting ready to move on to another town but want to host a Christmas Party to say goodbye to all their friends. Vey appropriate time of year for this read.

[رواية · Rating 3 out of 5]

يسعد روبي هولمز أن تحتفل بعيد الميلاد مع أصدقائها المقربين في كارمل سبرينغز بولاية مين. الشجرة في وسط المدينة على وشك أن تضاء ، والمدينة مزينة باللون الأحمر والأخضر والأبيض. كل شئ على ما يرام. حتى تضاء الأنوار وتكشف جثة العمدة نفسه.

إنها جريمة قتل ، ومع وجود عدد قليل جدًا من الخيوط التي يتبعها المحققون المحليون ، فقد حان الوقت لإغلاق المدينة حتى إشعار آخر - لا احتفالات ولا حفلات في الشارع وبالتأكيد لا ترانيم. هل تستطيع روبي وبي حل اللغز؟ أم أن عيد الميلاد في كرمل سبرينغز خرب إلى الأبد؟

[Amary Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Bea are set to move on after Christmas and want to host a blowout farewell party. When the mayor turns up under the town tree and his wife is arrested, the pair snoop to find out who the real kiler is. Ruby needs to save herself with Beas help. I received an ARC to peruse and offer my opinion freely.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author continues to share the lives of the characters with us. Ruby and Bee are planning to head to another town after Christmas, however, when the mayor is killed they feel the need to solve the crime before leaving.

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

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable cozy mystery from Rosie! No spoiler here regarding the story line. Her characters are fun, enjoyable and you'll fall in love with them. The story is entertaining and has the right elements for a great cozy mystery read. Plus this one is perfect for the holiday season.

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

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby and Bee have another murder to solve or Christmas will be canceled. Another great cozy in the wonderful town of Carmel Springs. This one is sure to keep you guessing and turning the pages. This is a great series and this is a great book.

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

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

With freezing temperature people still came out for the Christmas tree lighting except for the.mayor. Babcock took charge when time had passed and did the ceremony. With lights on the mayor was found. Once again Ruby and Dee get involved, even though Detective Martin says stay out.
I enjoy the two women and the nice flowing plot.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th in the series. The main characters are Bee and Ruby. They are getting ready for Christmas in Carmel Springs and a going away party they want to throw before they leave. They go the the tree lighting and they find the body of the town mayor. Now they can't have their party or leave town, so they decide they have to solve this murder. Can they figure this one out?

[Margaret Lipscomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different series with an interesting twist !

I'm not sure how many books are in this series, but I think you will enjoy them. The stories are not bitesized,but huge. The characters are well developed and very personable. It will be fun to see where they go to next. Have you ever heard of a bakery food truck ? Then you are in for a surprise ! Enjoy

[Angela Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light quick read

The clock is ticking on Ruby's and Bee's stay in Carmel Springs, and homicide shows up for the holidays! The murderer and motive are believable, although the climactic takedown is a bit much in light of how angsty and diffident Ruby is this time. Now that the duo's time in Maine has come to an end it should be interesting to see what Muffin has to offer!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Under the Mistletoe

Ruby and Bee are going to spend Christmas in Carmel Springs and then head on to their next adventure. Ruby and Bee attend the town Christmas tree lighting, however when the lights are finally turned on joy turns to horror when a dead body is discovered under the tree. Another great read.

[Shanna Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Christmas, murder, and mystery. Such a fun quick read. The ending was happy but sad at the same time. Plenty of twists and turns, lots of surprises that will keep you turning pages. I was definitely ready for the ending but also wasn't at the same time. It was a fun read, I just couldn't get into this one much, it felt rushed and not quite together, but still fun!

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice send off story until the ladies hit their next staycation/work destination. It drove me nuts that Bee suddenly started calling her Rubes all the time but that's my personal issue...just like I hate to be called Deb.
I look forward to what comes next.....

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The narrative trapped me into this story. The characters were fun and felt very real. I liked the mystery and the chemistry between the friends.

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

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the Christmas tree is lit up, panic breaks out.
Under the tree lies the body of the mayor, strangled to death!
Of course our food truck duo want to get to the bottom of it!
Good story line

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

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It’s well written with well developed characters. The story keeps your interest throughout. I recommend reading.

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