What do you think?
Rate this book
Marshmallow Hollow Mysteries #1
Jingle all the Slay
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine, a holiday mystery, where it's all Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care...
I'm Halliday Valentine (yep; funny name is funny), a psychic witch who's recently moved from New York City back to my very human hometown of Marshmallow Hollow, where I run the family factory that caters to all things Christmas. I inherited the factory from Mom, who inherited from Nana Karen, but now it's just me (kinda...long story), my curmudgeonly British familiar hummingbird, Atticus; one ungrateful rescue cat; my talking reindeer, Karen; and my BFF Stiles (the only human aware of my witchy side).
Oh, and Digby Dainty (known as Hobbs), the tall drink of water who rents my guest cottage. And who I wouldn't mind getting to know better. We have a lot in common, including a love of true crime. So as macabre as it sounds, when a shady real estate tycoon shows up dead in the middle of the annual ice festival, I'm thrilled to spend time with Hobbs, flexing our amateur sleuthing skills.
Well...not thrilled. I mean, a guy's dead after all. But he did try to con some businesses right out from under the hard-working locals. In fact, the only thing more surprising than a murder in our charming Christmas town is how many of my friendly, beloved neighbors seemed to want the man dead...
I'm Halliday Valentine (yep; funny name is funny), a psychic witch who's recently moved from New York City back to my very human hometown of Marshmallow Hollow, where I run the family factory that caters to all things Christmas. I inherited the factory from Mom, who inherited from Nana Karen, but now it's just me (kinda...long story), my curmudgeonly British familiar hummingbird, Atticus; one ungrateful rescue cat; my talking reindeer, Karen; and my BFF Stiles (the only human aware of my witchy side).
Oh, and Digby Dainty (known as Hobbs), the tall drink of water who rents my guest cottage. And who I wouldn't mind getting to know better. We have a lot in common, including a love of true crime. So as macabre as it sounds, when a shady real estate tycoon shows up dead in the middle of the annual ice festival, I'm thrilled to spend time with Hobbs, flexing our amateur sleuthing skills.
Well...not thrilled. I mean, a guy's dead after all. But he did try to con some businesses right out from under the hard-working locals. In fact, the only thing more surprising than a murder in our charming Christmas town is how many of my friendly, beloved neighbors seemed to want the man dead...
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2020
416 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Dakota Cassidy
168 books1,945 followersDakota Cassidy is a national bestselling author with over thirty books. She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, grab-some-ice erotic romance, hot and sexy alpha males, paranormal shifters, contemporary kick-ass women, and more.
Invited by Bravo TV, Dakota was the Bravoholic for a week, wherein she snarked the hell out of all the Bravo shows. She received a starred review from Publisher Weekly for Talk Dirty to Me, won an RT Reviewers Choice Award for Kiss and Hell, along with many review site recommended reads and reviewer top pick awards.
Dakota lives in the gorgeous state of Oregon with her real life hero and her dogs, and she loves hearing from readers!
Connect with Dakota online: https://twitter.com/DakotaCassidy https://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassid...
Join Dakota Cassidy’s Newsletter The Tiara Diaries! Join here: http://mad.ly/signups/100255/join
Invited by Bravo TV, Dakota was the Bravoholic for a week, wherein she snarked the hell out of all the Bravo shows. She received a starred review from Publisher Weekly for Talk Dirty to Me, won an RT Reviewers Choice Award for Kiss and Hell, along with many review site recommended reads and reviewer top pick awards.
Dakota lives in the gorgeous state of Oregon with her real life hero and her dogs, and she loves hearing from readers!
Connect with Dakota online: https://twitter.com/DakotaCassidy https://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassid...
Join Dakota Cassidy’s Newsletter The Tiara Diaries! Join here: http://mad.ly/signups/100255/join
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
December 8, 2023
Jingle All the Slay by Dakota Cassidy
1st in the Marshmallow Hollow Mysteries. Paranormal holiday cozy mystery.
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine. Where it’s Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care.
Halliday Valentine is a psychic witch. She has recently moved to Marshmallow Hollow, a very human town, to run the family factory. Her familiar is a curmudgeonly British hummingbird. She’s also brought her ungrateful rescue cat, and Karen, her taking reindeer.
When a shady real estate tycoon shows up dead in the middle of an annual festival, Halliday teams up with the handsome Digby “Hobbs” Dainty to find the killer. Surprisingly, there aren’t too many people in town that seem to be sad.
Humorous and entertaining, this book was a fast read that had me chuckling throughout. In particular, the names of the pets and multiple women fawning over Hobbs. Don’t try to figure out the killer. It will either be super easy or someone out of left field because that’s how these mysteries run. Enjoy it for the lark it is.
Always looking forward to more crazy by this author.
1st in the Marshmallow Hollow Mysteries. Paranormal holiday cozy mystery.
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine. Where it’s Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care.
Halliday Valentine is a psychic witch. She has recently moved to Marshmallow Hollow, a very human town, to run the family factory. Her familiar is a curmudgeonly British hummingbird. She’s also brought her ungrateful rescue cat, and Karen, her taking reindeer.
When a shady real estate tycoon shows up dead in the middle of an annual festival, Halliday teams up with the handsome Digby “Hobbs” Dainty to find the killer. Surprisingly, there aren’t too many people in town that seem to be sad.
Humorous and entertaining, this book was a fast read that had me chuckling throughout. In particular, the names of the pets and multiple women fawning over Hobbs. Don’t try to figure out the killer. It will either be super easy or someone out of left field because that’s how these mysteries run. Enjoy it for the lark it is.
Always looking forward to more crazy by this author.
February 11, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This was the reader’s/listener’s first experience with the author. The title and cover had an immense influence in the decision to listen to this book. There were no regrets.
Jingle All The Slay turned out to be a fun read. From the storyline, to the charming town and to the delightful characters. A splendid start to the series. Readers of the Witchless in Seattle series will be happy to know that this is a spinoff. Those who never read the series would be happy to know Jingle All the Slay is self contained so they can read it on its own.
The story took the listener/reader through the town of Marshmallow Hollow, where every day is Christmas. Someone wants to destroy the beauty of the town by buying up all the shops and land, intending to develop a theme park. However, the person was found dead, was it an accident or murder? Halliday Valentine (a witch and a psychic) with the help of her new neighbour Hobbs jumped at the chance to put their amateur sleuthing skills to the test in unveiling the identity of the killer.
As stated earlier, the characters were such a delight, with the listener’s/reader’s favourite being Atticus, a hummingbird and Halliday’s familiar. The reader found it funny when he scolded her about using her magic for inappropriate reasons.
Fun, cute, humorous, well paced, captivating story, with a well-developed mystery, which kept the reader entertained from start to finish.
Hollie Jackson narrated, and what an exceptional narration. She captured all the facets of the characters. Her melodious voice added an extra flavour to the story.
Fans of cozy mysteries would have fun with this new series by Dakota Cassidy. Whichever medium chosen to dive into this delightful story, prepare yourself for a fun experience. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Jingle All The Slay turned out to be a fun read. From the storyline, to the charming town and to the delightful characters. A splendid start to the series. Readers of the Witchless in Seattle series will be happy to know that this is a spinoff. Those who never read the series would be happy to know Jingle All the Slay is self contained so they can read it on its own.
The story took the listener/reader through the town of Marshmallow Hollow, where every day is Christmas. Someone wants to destroy the beauty of the town by buying up all the shops and land, intending to develop a theme park. However, the person was found dead, was it an accident or murder? Halliday Valentine (a witch and a psychic) with the help of her new neighbour Hobbs jumped at the chance to put their amateur sleuthing skills to the test in unveiling the identity of the killer.
As stated earlier, the characters were such a delight, with the listener’s/reader’s favourite being Atticus, a hummingbird and Halliday’s familiar. The reader found it funny when he scolded her about using her magic for inappropriate reasons.
Fun, cute, humorous, well paced, captivating story, with a well-developed mystery, which kept the reader entertained from start to finish.
Hollie Jackson narrated, and what an exceptional narration. She captured all the facets of the characters. Her melodious voice added an extra flavour to the story.
Fans of cozy mysteries would have fun with this new series by Dakota Cassidy. Whichever medium chosen to dive into this delightful story, prepare yourself for a fun experience. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
December 19, 2024
I found this by coincidence when looking for funny and cute Christmas stories (yep, it's been THAT kind of season so far *sighs*). It's urban fantasy with a witch and some murder mysteries.
Marshmallow Hollow is a town in Maine right out of a Christmas storybook. And it is almost Christmas. Here, Halliday (don't ask, her mom was "creative" when naming her kid) lives and runs the family factory while keeping her witchy inheritance as secret as she can while being perpetually berated by her hummingbird familiar, her reincarnated reindeer-grandma and a rescue cat. Oh and then there is a newbie from Texas in town who's really charming and really into Christmas (and Hal).
There are a few other characters, all pretty quirky but also kinda endearing in a small-town-sticking-together kinda way.
While this is a murder mytery (at least of sorts), the true star that took center stage was the banter between various characters. Putting the puzzle pieces together was just a bonus, like I said in my status update. Plus, funny moments were funny. ;D
The writing was fast-paced, the overall book pretty short in the first place, so everything was snappy. While nothing was too drawn-out, nothing was left out / forgotten either. And I very much appreciated how this felt like some of the good / better Christmas movies that have you snuggle comfortably under a blanket with a nice cup of hot tea and a few yummy cookies.
So yeah, I'll likely inhale the others of the series right now. *lol*
Marshmallow Hollow is a town in Maine right out of a Christmas storybook. And it is almost Christmas. Here, Halliday (don't ask, her mom was "creative" when naming her kid) lives and runs the family factory while keeping her witchy inheritance as secret as she can while being perpetually berated by her hummingbird familiar, her reincarnated reindeer-grandma and a rescue cat. Oh and then there is a newbie from Texas in town who's really charming and really into Christmas (and Hal).
There are a few other characters, all pretty quirky but also kinda endearing in a small-town-sticking-together kinda way.
While this is a murder mytery (at least of sorts), the true star that took center stage was the banter between various characters. Putting the puzzle pieces together was just a bonus, like I said in my status update. Plus, funny moments were funny. ;D
The writing was fast-paced, the overall book pretty short in the first place, so everything was snappy. While nothing was too drawn-out, nothing was left out / forgotten either. And I very much appreciated how this felt like some of the good / better Christmas movies that have you snuggle comfortably under a blanket with a nice cup of hot tea and a few yummy cookies.
So yeah, I'll likely inhale the others of the series right now. *lol*
dnf
October 18, 2024DNFed after 28%. Enough said.
December 30, 2022
A corny festive paranormal cozy mystery set in a Maine village that celebrates Christmas. The extravagant Christmas theme with a touch of enchantment was wonderful. It blends different genres together and doesn't favor one over the other. It just seems to fit.
The opening chapter gave me a warm vibe right away, which most cozy mysteries don't. The magic is fascinating, and the mystery was enjoyable. The storyline was also intriguing. It didn't take long to get started, but neither was it hurried.
The relationships are engaging, the characters are likable, and Dakota makes the reader feel things all through the narrative. Even still, their courtship is a little awkward as they get to know one another while looking into a local murder, and there are undoubtedly some serious secrets there. The writing was only fair.
This book is undoubtedly for those who prefer clean mysteries without any profanity while always being reminded of Christmas. Given the horrific crime, there is not much to worry readers. It makes sense to me why it might be appealing to others. It contains talking animals and is cutesy.
In all, it was a delightful holiday read, and if you are unfamiliar with Dakota, this is a perfect place to start!
The opening chapter gave me a warm vibe right away, which most cozy mysteries don't. The magic is fascinating, and the mystery was enjoyable. The storyline was also intriguing. It didn't take long to get started, but neither was it hurried.
The relationships are engaging, the characters are likable, and Dakota makes the reader feel things all through the narrative. Even still, their courtship is a little awkward as they get to know one another while looking into a local murder, and there are undoubtedly some serious secrets there. The writing was only fair.
This book is undoubtedly for those who prefer clean mysteries without any profanity while always being reminded of Christmas. Given the horrific crime, there is not much to worry readers. It makes sense to me why it might be appealing to others. It contains talking animals and is cutesy.
In all, it was a delightful holiday read, and if you are unfamiliar with Dakota, this is a perfect place to start!
December 23, 2021
Dakota Cassidy's books are always just zany, quirky fun and I enjoy them! :)
January 9, 2024
This book was fine.... That's really all I have to say about this story. It wasn't bad by any means but it wasn't great either. I could have done without the reincarnated talking reindeer grandma. That was definitely a choice to say the least.
But I did have a good time with the mystery as a whole and I also enjoyed the small little amount of romance that was present in the story.
It was a bit unbelievable at times and what felt to be a bit rushed but I would still recommend it if you are looking for a light easy cozy mystery around the holidays.
But I did have a good time with the mystery as a whole and I also enjoyed the small little amount of romance that was present in the story.
It was a bit unbelievable at times and what felt to be a bit rushed but I would still recommend it if you are looking for a light easy cozy mystery around the holidays.
December 4, 2022
3.5 rounded to 4 because it is what you think it is.
And, that is just the kicker - this book is no more and no less than you are expecting when you pick it up to read. It is a lighthearted, silly, quite predictable Christmas Paranormal Cozy Mystery Romance. (I mean, seriously, how many categories for one book?) It fits all these genres together and doesn't weigh more heavily in one than another. It just . . . works. It was what I was looking for.
And, that is just the kicker - this book is no more and no less than you are expecting when you pick it up to read. It is a lighthearted, silly, quite predictable Christmas Paranormal Cozy Mystery Romance. (I mean, seriously, how many categories for one book?) It fits all these genres together and doesn't weigh more heavily in one than another. It just . . . works. It was what I was looking for.
October 16, 2020
This is such a great start to a new series. The author has crafted a story filled with endearing characters, and an enchanting town I wouldn’t mind visiting. There is plenty of humor, suspense that kept me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to reading to reading what happens next.
December 25, 2022
Cheesy holiday paranormal cozy mystery set in a Christmas town in Maine. I loved the over the top Christmas theme with a dash of magic. The MC's grandmother is now a reindeer which was fantastic. The romance is a bit awkward as they get to know each other while investigating a murder in town and there are definitely some big secrets lurking there. The writing was only okay but I would consider trying another in the series.
December 1, 2020
My favorite line in the book is:
“Do you read romance novels?” “I would rather be tied to a spike with my eyes glued wide open in a sandstorm.”
If asked this question, my answer would be this. I am not the intended audience for this book. Reading a cozy mystery is like having a tooth abscess drained with no Novocaine. It doesn't mean I don't try, I do, I just don't like them very much. I find the characters too cute and annoying, the plots thin and unbelievable, and boring. I need more substance in my reading, more action, characters who are complete fuck ups, and definitely a little more blood.
On that note, if you are really into cute cozy mysteries especially with a holiday/Christmas theme/feel to it, this is the book for you. It's a safe clean read for those that are into that type of thing and I thought the writing was well done. I can understand why it would appeal to others. It's cutesy, has talking animals (I really thought Karen the Reindeer would be cooler and the hummingbird to not have a stick up his ass) and the characters seem likable (just not the type of people I would want to get stuck with in a zombie apocalypse).
On the spur of the moment, I have decided to give the 2nd book a go so I added that one to my tbr list.
“Do you read romance novels?” “I would rather be tied to a spike with my eyes glued wide open in a sandstorm.”
If asked this question, my answer would be this. I am not the intended audience for this book. Reading a cozy mystery is like having a tooth abscess drained with no Novocaine. It doesn't mean I don't try, I do, I just don't like them very much. I find the characters too cute and annoying, the plots thin and unbelievable, and boring. I need more substance in my reading, more action, characters who are complete fuck ups, and definitely a little more blood.
On that note, if you are really into cute cozy mysteries especially with a holiday/Christmas theme/feel to it, this is the book for you. It's a safe clean read for those that are into that type of thing and I thought the writing was well done. I can understand why it would appeal to others. It's cutesy, has talking animals (I really thought Karen the Reindeer would be cooler and the hummingbird to not have a stick up his ass) and the characters seem likable (just not the type of people I would want to get stuck with in a zombie apocalypse).
On the spur of the moment, I have decided to give the 2nd book a go so I added that one to my tbr list.
November 5, 2022
This is perhaps my 3rd or 4th time of reading an offering by this author - and I have come to the conclusion that we are never going to gel. The blurbs always sound excellent. The titles are generally beyond quirky. Everything should work... except for me it doesn't.
I found too many irksome points that quickly began to add up to the point of smothering me. Why must every character have 3 or 4 names/nicknames? Halliday/Hal/Hallie-oop/. Dainty/Digby/Hobbes. It was tiresome.
If there was humour here - I missed it.
And lots of weird repetition - how many times did the author refer to the woman who runs the animal shelter???? It didn't feel like a red herring, it added no value and yet probably 8 times we were reminded about the shelter, animal adoption and raising funds for the shelter - word count?
The hummingbird who is against swearing and Hal using her magic was annoying and had little value to add to the story though did help get the word count up. Grandma is reincarnated as a reindeer, why? And her character makes no sense, she's forgetful, a sugar freak, careless with her own safety and that of her grand daughter.
And then we have the murder mystery - which act least gives an excuse for the romance to get off the ground - but set to a very low simmer - and going to see all the suspects made sense. But the resolution felt rushed, forced and too messy.
I just didn't feel any love for these characters or the town - could care less what happens to them though I assume their little Christmas town is about to see a whole lot of murders occur so our couple can solve them in future books.
I found too many irksome points that quickly began to add up to the point of smothering me. Why must every character have 3 or 4 names/nicknames? Halliday/Hal/Hallie-oop/. Dainty/Digby/Hobbes. It was tiresome.
If there was humour here - I missed it.
And lots of weird repetition - how many times did the author refer to the woman who runs the animal shelter???? It didn't feel like a red herring, it added no value and yet probably 8 times we were reminded about the shelter, animal adoption and raising funds for the shelter - word count?
The hummingbird who is against swearing and Hal using her magic was annoying and had little value to add to the story though did help get the word count up. Grandma is reincarnated as a reindeer, why? And her character makes no sense, she's forgetful, a sugar freak, careless with her own safety and that of her grand daughter.
And then we have the murder mystery - which act least gives an excuse for the romance to get off the ground - but set to a very low simmer - and going to see all the suspects made sense. But the resolution felt rushed, forced and too messy.
I just didn't feel any love for these characters or the town - could care less what happens to them though I assume their little Christmas town is about to see a whole lot of murders occur so our couple can solve them in future books.
December 5, 2024
This cozy paranormal holiday mystery delivers a light, charming read with a touch of romance. Set in a small Maine town during winter, the story follows Halliday “Hal” Valentine, a witch who hides her psychic abilities behind the guise of severe migraines. Hal runs her family’s Christmas-themed factory while navigating her quirky life, complete with a British-accented, hummingbird familiar and a Nana reincarnated as a candy cane-thieving, flirtatious reindeer.
When a shady real estate developer planning a Christmas theme park is found dead, Hal teams up with Hobbs, a mysterious and handsome newcomer from Texas, to investigate. As they dig deeper, they uncover surprising truths about their neighbors—and themselves—while discovering the town’s relentless gossip mill. The budding chemistry between Hal and Hobbs adds a sprinkle of romance.
The book is packed with unique and whimsical details, from Hal’s magical antics to her neighbors’ eccentric charm. The ending teases a mystery involving a typewriter glimpsed in Hal’s visions, setting the stage for the next installment.
This story is a cute, cozy, light read, and the quirky characters and festive setting made for an enjoyable read. I’m rating it 3.5 stars—a fun, feel-good holiday mystery perfect for fans of magical small-town tales.
When a shady real estate developer planning a Christmas theme park is found dead, Hal teams up with Hobbs, a mysterious and handsome newcomer from Texas, to investigate. As they dig deeper, they uncover surprising truths about their neighbors—and themselves—while discovering the town’s relentless gossip mill. The budding chemistry between Hal and Hobbs adds a sprinkle of romance.
The book is packed with unique and whimsical details, from Hal’s magical antics to her neighbors’ eccentric charm. The ending teases a mystery involving a typewriter glimpsed in Hal’s visions, setting the stage for the next installment.
This story is a cute, cozy, light read, and the quirky characters and festive setting made for an enjoyable read. I’m rating it 3.5 stars—a fun, feel-good holiday mystery perfect for fans of magical small-town tales.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2023
Creeping around Marshmallow Hollow like the Grinch, a property developer meets his just ends. Now it's up to Halliday "Hal" Valentine and her new friend Hobbs to make sure the right person goes down for his murder. But Hal has a challenge: can she solve the crime without letting others see her use magic?
This story is a Christmas cosy, full of mystery, romance, magic and snow - lots of snow! I seem to recall reading that this is a spin-off from another of the author's series, but it read fresh, and I didn't feel I'd missed something by not reading the other books. The characters quickly became endearingly familiar (ha!), and the plot gave me a warm Christmassy feel.
Perfect for a seasonal read, Jingle All the Slay gives a good story without requiring too much acuity during this busy time. I recommend it for paranormal-cosy readers who like just a touch of romance in their readings.
This story is a Christmas cosy, full of mystery, romance, magic and snow - lots of snow! I seem to recall reading that this is a spin-off from another of the author's series, but it read fresh, and I didn't feel I'd missed something by not reading the other books. The characters quickly became endearingly familiar (ha!), and the plot gave me a warm Christmassy feel.
Perfect for a seasonal read, Jingle All the Slay gives a good story without requiring too much acuity during this busy time. I recommend it for paranormal-cosy readers who like just a touch of romance in their readings.
January 1, 2023
A Christmas mystery and first in a new series. A man, who happens to be a sleazy, underhanded developer trying to buy up the cute little town of Marshmallow Maine to turn it into a Santa themed amusement park. He has apparently threatened the wrong person because he is found dead in the sleigh outside the Christmas fair one evening. He is bleeding from his head and is covered in reindeer prints and Halliday Valentine’s reindeer is found on the scene and taken into custody by the sheriff. Halliday and her friends didn’t like the guy but one is a town cop and they know they have to help figure out what happened. A good mystery and interesting characters. I look forward to seeing more from this series.
October 19, 2020
The story is a murder mystery in a small town, Marshmallow Hollow, just as they are getting ready for Christmas. Halliday Valentine is the MC. She is a paranormal in a town of normals. Add in a hummingbird as a familiar and a variety of other cute animals and it is a fun read. The characters are likeable, the relationships interesting and Dakota evokes emotions throughout the story. I will be reading the next book in this series.
This cute cozy mystery is a spin-off from Dakota's Witchless in Seattle series. The author assures the reader that you need not have read the other series to enjoy this one. I agree that it isn't necessary and that this is a lovely start to a new series but she certainly references Hal's sister Stevie from the other series often in this book. I would have liked it much more if she hadn't.
This cute cozy mystery is a spin-off from Dakota's Witchless in Seattle series. The author assures the reader that you need not have read the other series to enjoy this one. I agree that it isn't necessary and that this is a lovely start to a new series but she certainly references Hal's sister Stevie from the other series often in this book. I would have liked it much more if she hadn't.
December 16, 2022
I've discovered a new paranormal series to love. I mean, who can resist a witch heroine with a hummingbird for a familiar...a talking one at that! And don't get me started on Karen, the reindeer! Snappy dialogue, lots of snark and quirk (like, really heavy on the quirk) and I just whipped through this first Marshmallow Hollow Mysteries series. I listened to the audible edition and was enchanted by Hollie Jackson's snappy delivery. All kinds of goodness, tons of laughs and a the hint of toe-curling romance. Eeeep!!!
October 5, 2020
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine where witch Halliday Valentine owns and runs a factory that caters to all things Christmas. Hal, her familiar Atticus and her friends help (?) solve the mystery of the dead guy in the sleigh. Scooby and the gang have nothing on Hal and company. This is a delightful spin off from the Witchless in Seattle Series and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
October 14, 2020
Marshmallow Hollow is a real Christmas town. Known for the Marshmallows in their hot chocolate and the everything Christmas factory owned by Halliday (Hal) Valentine. Hal is not only a business owner but also a witch. No one knows she’s a witch but her best friend Stiles and her Familiar Atticus the hummingbird. So when a body is found in town Hal feels like she needs to help. Will the murderer be found or will everyone find out Hal’s secret?
November 23, 2025
This was okay. I liked it well enough and thought the murder was well-constructed. I couldn't really connect with MC Halliday for some reason that I can't quite put my finger on, which is not a criticism of the book but just a "me" thing.
I finished this and I did like it, but the "magic" aspect of the book was pretty minimal. I would have liked more about that.
Again, this was fine.
I finished this and I did like it, but the "magic" aspect of the book was pretty minimal. I would have liked more about that.
Again, this was fine.
December 31, 2022
Snow, sleigh and slaughter
A witch who keeps her magic secret, a reindeer who is her reincarnated grandmother, a small town dedicated to Christmas and the death of an unpleasant man.
Warm, funny, romantic, this story Christmas murder mystery is a joy.
A witch who keeps her magic secret, a reindeer who is her reincarnated grandmother, a small town dedicated to Christmas and the death of an unpleasant man.
Warm, funny, romantic, this story Christmas murder mystery is a joy.
October 3, 2022
Fun holiday cozy
Factory owner 'Hal' Valentine snoops into the murder of a crooked business man with her new friend Hobbs and her old friend policeman Stiles. Fun with paranormal elements.
Factory owner 'Hal' Valentine snoops into the murder of a crooked business man with her new friend Hobbs and her old friend policeman Stiles. Fun with paranormal elements.
Read
December 21, 2025This style just isn’t for me. It’s a ‘cozy mystery’ and is sort of cute but the mystery was lacking. The resolution seemed rushed and the person who did it seemed like a really bizarre suspect. Maybe that was the point but it seemed forced and anticlimactic.
Summary/Spoilers
Halliday and her new renter, Hobbs, work together to solve a murder. Halliday is a witch who has a hummingbird familiar and her grandmother reincarnated as a reindeer. The hummingbird constantly reminds her not to use her magic (or swear words). Hobbs and Halliday have started a little romance that I am guessing will develop in future books.
Summary/Spoilers
Halliday and her new renter, Hobbs, work together to solve a murder. Halliday is a witch who has a hummingbird familiar and her grandmother reincarnated as a reindeer. The hummingbird constantly reminds her not to use her magic (or swear words). Hobbs and Halliday have started a little romance that I am guessing will develop in future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
Fun Christmasy murder read :)
March 21, 2023
Independently published cozy mystery... didn't make a lot of sense to me. The FMC was a witch and it would have made no difference to the story if she was a witch or not. Christmas vibes were nice though.
February 11, 2021
Not as duplicative as I anticipated.
Halliday Valentine returned to her hometown of Marshmallow Hollow to run the family's Christmas decoration factory after her mother passed away. The factory is an integral part of Marshmallow Hollow, a tiny town dedicated to Christmas 24/7, 12 months of the year. Halliday is a witch hiding in plain sight of humans and her tiny hummingbird familiar named Atticus makes sure she doesn't abuse her powers, especially were others might see. The only other person in on Hall's secret life is her BFF since middle school, Stiles, who is a local police officer.
After meeting her sister, Stephanie Cartwright a few months ago and her boyfriend, former International Man of Mystery, Alistair "Win" Winterbottom, Hall has become quite the Real Murder Mystery fan, watching all the shows and working out theories with Stevie. When a murder happens in the middle of the main square in Marshmallow Hollow, Hall can't stop herself from being like her sister and investigating along with the police. Since Stiles can't give her any help with an ongoing police investigation, Hall begins her investigation work with her tenant, the very handsome Digby "Hobbs" Dainty and his bulldog, Stephen King.
Hall can't believe that one of her beloved neighbors in Marshmallow Hollow could kill but she will do her best amateurish sleuthing to find the killer.
You all know that I love Dakota Cassidy's Witchless in Seattle series. It is the literary equivalent of a Twinkie but I love it all the same. When Stevie's previously unknown sister arrives in Witch It Real Good and whisks Stevie and Win to Marshmallow Hollow, ME for a brief vacation, and an introduction to the characters in the spinoff, I feared it was the Marshmallow Hollow series would just end up being a cookie cutter copy of Witchless in Seattle but with a little more magic since Halliday still has her magic. Like Stevie, Hall has a tiny familiar and a handsome love interest and they investigate homicides in what should be a quiet, murderless town. After reading Jingle All the Slay, I found there was enough differences in this series (so far) from the Witchless series that I will give the next few stories a chance and see how the series goes and see if we can follow both series without so much overlapping of situations.
Dakota Cassidy has this same character set up in her Lemon Layne series but without magic which I just didn't enjoy as much.
See more at EBookobsessed.com
Halliday Valentine returned to her hometown of Marshmallow Hollow to run the family's Christmas decoration factory after her mother passed away. The factory is an integral part of Marshmallow Hollow, a tiny town dedicated to Christmas 24/7, 12 months of the year. Halliday is a witch hiding in plain sight of humans and her tiny hummingbird familiar named Atticus makes sure she doesn't abuse her powers, especially were others might see. The only other person in on Hall's secret life is her BFF since middle school, Stiles, who is a local police officer.
After meeting her sister, Stephanie Cartwright a few months ago and her boyfriend, former International Man of Mystery, Alistair "Win" Winterbottom, Hall has become quite the Real Murder Mystery fan, watching all the shows and working out theories with Stevie. When a murder happens in the middle of the main square in Marshmallow Hollow, Hall can't stop herself from being like her sister and investigating along with the police. Since Stiles can't give her any help with an ongoing police investigation, Hall begins her investigation work with her tenant, the very handsome Digby "Hobbs" Dainty and his bulldog, Stephen King.
Hall can't believe that one of her beloved neighbors in Marshmallow Hollow could kill but she will do her best amateurish sleuthing to find the killer.
You all know that I love Dakota Cassidy's Witchless in Seattle series. It is the literary equivalent of a Twinkie but I love it all the same. When Stevie's previously unknown sister arrives in Witch It Real Good and whisks Stevie and Win to Marshmallow Hollow, ME for a brief vacation, and an introduction to the characters in the spinoff, I feared it was the Marshmallow Hollow series would just end up being a cookie cutter copy of Witchless in Seattle but with a little more magic since Halliday still has her magic. Like Stevie, Hall has a tiny familiar and a handsome love interest and they investigate homicides in what should be a quiet, murderless town. After reading Jingle All the Slay, I found there was enough differences in this series (so far) from the Witchless series that I will give the next few stories a chance and see how the series goes and see if we can follow both series without so much overlapping of situations.
Dakota Cassidy has this same character set up in her Lemon Layne series but without magic which I just didn't enjoy as much.
See more at EBookobsessed.com
February 12, 2022
Jingle all the Slay by Dakota Cassidy is a fun and hilarious story of Halliday Valentine, her haughty hummingbird familiar, her talking reindeer, her grumpy rescue cat, her policeman BFF and the hunky guy that lives in her guesthouse. I laughed throughout reading this book and had a difficult time putting it down to sleep.
Halliday, (Hal) has returned to her hometown of Marshmallow Hollow, Maine to take over the family factory after 1. she caught her fiancé cheating on her, 2. her mother and then her Grandmother’s deaths very close together. Then, on top of all that a sleazy Real Estate Developer is murdered and then found in the town Santa Sleigh just before the opening of the annual Ice Festival. She and her hunky renter, Hobbs discover they both have a hankering to solve mysteries. So, they join forces to figure out the killer’s identity.
Oh, did I forget to mention that Hal is a witch/psychic and not a great control of her powers? Well, she is and she doesn’t.
There are quite a few surprises along the way. I can’t wait to continue on with this series.
On a side note, I read one of Dakota Cassidy’s other paranormal series and while it was funny with a good story and characters, it was definitely not “cozy”. It was a little too raw for me, but I’m really happy I gave this author a second try with a series that is defined as cozy.
Halliday, (Hal) has returned to her hometown of Marshmallow Hollow, Maine to take over the family factory after 1. she caught her fiancé cheating on her, 2. her mother and then her Grandmother’s deaths very close together. Then, on top of all that a sleazy Real Estate Developer is murdered and then found in the town Santa Sleigh just before the opening of the annual Ice Festival. She and her hunky renter, Hobbs discover they both have a hankering to solve mysteries. So, they join forces to figure out the killer’s identity.
Oh, did I forget to mention that Hal is a witch/psychic and not a great control of her powers? Well, she is and she doesn’t.
There are quite a few surprises along the way. I can’t wait to continue on with this series.
On a side note, I read one of Dakota Cassidy’s other paranormal series and while it was funny with a good story and characters, it was definitely not “cozy”. It was a little too raw for me, but I’m really happy I gave this author a second try with a series that is defined as cozy.
October 12, 2020
Review will be posted at www.books-n-kisses.com .
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow where everything's coming up tinsel! Where the hot chocolate is the best, the candy canes are sweet and the murders are..... Who murders someone in Christmas town? But never fear Halliday ‘Hal’ Valentine, her familiar Atticus, her feisty Reindeer Karen and her hunky cottage guest (*dreamy eyes*) are on the case!
This was a great start of a new series for Dakota Cassidy. If you are a fan of her Witchless in Seattle series then you might remember meeting Halliday Valentine. Hal is Stevie’s long lost sister. Jingle All the Slay is a great quick read filled with lots of humor, suspense, and of course Christmas. I loved every minute of this book and am already looking forward to what is next for Hal, Hobbs and the rest of the crew.
If you are a fan of Dakota Cassidy you will love this new gem. If you are new to Dakota this is a great place to start, then you can go back and meet Stevie and her gang.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dakota Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow where everything's coming up tinsel! Where the hot chocolate is the best, the candy canes are sweet and the murders are..... Who murders someone in Christmas town? But never fear Halliday ‘Hal’ Valentine, her familiar Atticus, her feisty Reindeer Karen and her hunky cottage guest (*dreamy eyes*) are on the case!
This was a great start of a new series for Dakota Cassidy. If you are a fan of her Witchless in Seattle series then you might remember meeting Halliday Valentine. Hal is Stevie’s long lost sister. Jingle All the Slay is a great quick read filled with lots of humor, suspense, and of course Christmas. I loved every minute of this book and am already looking forward to what is next for Hal, Hobbs and the rest of the crew.
If you are a fan of Dakota Cassidy you will love this new gem. If you are new to Dakota this is a great place to start, then you can go back and meet Stevie and her gang.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dakota Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
January 25, 2021
I didn't realize this was a spin off of the Witchless in Seattle series. I'm a couple books behind on that series so I missed out on where they connected. I think I'm going to go back and catch up on that one so that I get the connection. It's certainly not necessary, but Hal (Haliday) frequently mentions her sister from that series and I wish I knew how they found each other.
The mystery was fun and I liked the characters a lot. The magic is interesting and I think I'll enjoy the Christmas town setting as I continue in the series. I enjoyed the many references to different books and series that I enjoy (Darynda Jones, Nalina Singh to name a couple). And, as in the Witchless in Seattle series, there's fun companions - this time we've got her hummingbird familiar, Atticus, and her grandmother who was reincarnated as a reindeer, Molly. The romantic interest I also think will be a fun one to watch develop. All in all, a pretty standard Dakota Cassidy small town cozy mystery with a side of paranormal. It's nice to get what you expect and have a fun time :)
The narration was good, as I would expect form Hollie Jackson who also narrates Witchless in Seattle. I listen at 2x speed and enjoy it with no problem - she does fun voices and really embodies the characters.
The mystery was fun and I liked the characters a lot. The magic is interesting and I think I'll enjoy the Christmas town setting as I continue in the series. I enjoyed the many references to different books and series that I enjoy (Darynda Jones, Nalina Singh to name a couple). And, as in the Witchless in Seattle series, there's fun companions - this time we've got her hummingbird familiar, Atticus, and her grandmother who was reincarnated as a reindeer, Molly. The romantic interest I also think will be a fun one to watch develop. All in all, a pretty standard Dakota Cassidy small town cozy mystery with a side of paranormal. It's nice to get what you expect and have a fun time :)
The narration was good, as I would expect form Hollie Jackson who also narrates Witchless in Seattle. I listen at 2x speed and enjoy it with no problem - she does fun voices and really embodies the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews