What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlotte Dean #5
The Giving Tree
Christmas is a time of giving but one person wants to take it all away...
Christmas is almost here and Charlotte has every intention of making it the best one ever for the residents and shops of Kingfisher Falls. After the success last year of the bookshop's 'Giving Box', she's roped eleven other traders into joining her 'Giving Tree' project.
But somebody wants the project to fail. And they are quick to blame a recently returned, down-on-their-luck local when some of the gift cards go missing.
Meanwhile, Trev has a new constable to train and can't seem to find the right moment to propose to the woman he loves.
As the thefts devastate the town and shoppers avoid Kingfisher Falls, Charlotte faces a big decision when news about her past casts doubt on her future.
With days before Christmas, can Charlotte solve the mystery of the missing cards and exonerate the accused local, or will the person behind all the crime in town finally take their revenge on her?
The Charlotte Dean Mysteries is a new series of mysteries from the author of The Stationmaster's Cottage. Set amongst Victoria's beautiful Macedon Ranges featuring a quirky cast of characters and a dash of danger, it's small town mystery with a unique Australian twist.
Reading order:
The Christmas Tree Thief
Deadly Falls
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Past
The Giving Tree
The Charlotte Dean Mysteries are linked to the River's End series by Charlotte. She first appeared in Jasmine Sea, stayed for The Secrets of Palmerston House, then moved to Kingfisher Falls. It is not necessary to read these first, but will add to her backstory. All of Phillipa's books are on her Amazon page.
Christmas is almost here and Charlotte has every intention of making it the best one ever for the residents and shops of Kingfisher Falls. After the success last year of the bookshop's 'Giving Box', she's roped eleven other traders into joining her 'Giving Tree' project.
But somebody wants the project to fail. And they are quick to blame a recently returned, down-on-their-luck local when some of the gift cards go missing.
Meanwhile, Trev has a new constable to train and can't seem to find the right moment to propose to the woman he loves.
As the thefts devastate the town and shoppers avoid Kingfisher Falls, Charlotte faces a big decision when news about her past casts doubt on her future.
With days before Christmas, can Charlotte solve the mystery of the missing cards and exonerate the accused local, or will the person behind all the crime in town finally take their revenge on her?
The Charlotte Dean Mysteries is a new series of mysteries from the author of The Stationmaster's Cottage. Set amongst Victoria's beautiful Macedon Ranges featuring a quirky cast of characters and a dash of danger, it's small town mystery with a unique Australian twist.
Reading order:
The Christmas Tree Thief
Deadly Falls
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Past
The Giving Tree
The Charlotte Dean Mysteries are linked to the River's End series by Charlotte. She first appeared in Jasmine Sea, stayed for The Secrets of Palmerston House, then moved to Kingfisher Falls. It is not necessary to read these first, but will add to her backstory. All of Phillipa's books are on her Amazon page.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2020
89 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Phillipa Nefri Clark
90 books365 followersPhillipa lives just outside a beautiful town in country Victoria, Australia. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop.
She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.
With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.
She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.
With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 1, 2023
It was almost Christmas in Kingfisher Falls and Charlotte had a plan to help the local businesses. The Giving Tree was her theme, with gift cards which people could "purchase" to put on the tree with a nomination to the person it would fit. Charlotte and Rosie had a nice tree set up in the bookshop, and eleven other traders came on board with the great initiative. But suddenly, those same traders were saying some of their purchased cards had been stolen - one even had the complete tree with the gift cards stolen. Who could do such a despicable thing at Christmas? And when poor Henry was being blamed, Charlette was determined to find the culprit.
Trev, the local cop and Rosie's son, plus Charlotte's beau, was training a new constable, as well as trying to locate the thief. He had his suspicions, but had to find the evidence. Charlotte was doing well in her search, but was she putting herself in danger too? Would they find the thief and locate the stolen cards before Christmas Eve?
The Giving Tree is the 5th and final, in the Charlotte Dean Mysteries by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Fun, entertaining, with plenty of mystery to keep me on my toes; I'm looking forward to more of this author's work. Highly recommended.
Trev, the local cop and Rosie's son, plus Charlotte's beau, was training a new constable, as well as trying to locate the thief. He had his suspicions, but had to find the evidence. Charlotte was doing well in her search, but was she putting herself in danger too? Would they find the thief and locate the stolen cards before Christmas Eve?
The Giving Tree is the 5th and final, in the Charlotte Dean Mysteries by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Fun, entertaining, with plenty of mystery to keep me on my toes; I'm looking forward to more of this author's work. Highly recommended.
November 28, 2020
I am back in one of my favourite small towns, Kingfisher Falls for another Christmas story, it has been one year since Charlotte moved to Kingfisher Falls and she is loving it, there have been a few ups and downs in the past year murder, mayhem and mysteries that Charlotte cannot help getting involved in but her love for the local policeman Trevor is just growing. This year Charlotte is doing her best to bring joy to the locals and increase the people through the town with her giving tree promotion, this is a beauty of a story, and I loved it.
Charlotte is putting a lot into the giving tree promotion and the local traders are hoping to bring the town alive again and Christmas is for giving, all is going well although Jonas is still the mayor until some of the gift cards are stolen in broad daylight as well as one of the trees, and Charlotte is not going to let this go no matter how much Trev wants her to stay out of things, there is a lot of pressure coming from the council and threats are made, so some investigating will need to be done.
Trevor has a new constable, Koby in town hoping this will give him more time to spend with Charlie, Trevor loves Charlie but trying to find the right moment to propose is not easy and when Charlie gets a letter from the medical board, this leaves another blip in Trev’s quest to pop the question and with trouble brewing over the Christmas promotion he has been very busy and of course Charlie is there helping.
This is a beautiful romance, mystery story and Trev and Charlie just really need to be together their love is so strong and wonderful and there were many happy tears from me. Another mystery that had me cheering Charlie on big time she is such a super sleuth, she has big decisions to make and is now finally strong enough to do so and very happily after all she has been through. Being back in this town with all of the characters that I have gotten to know in the first four books was awesome, this town has the best locals loving, caring and always there for each other and when they join together to beat the baddies it is the best.
I can’t highly recommend this story and series enough, they are beautifully written, moving, filled with real life emotions and people, people I would call friends now, the town appears to have been cleaned up of the baddies and the good are left, I hear this is the last in the series and it will be very hard to say goodbye.
Thank you MS Clark for another keeper, I truly loved it and for my copy to read and review.
Charlotte is putting a lot into the giving tree promotion and the local traders are hoping to bring the town alive again and Christmas is for giving, all is going well although Jonas is still the mayor until some of the gift cards are stolen in broad daylight as well as one of the trees, and Charlotte is not going to let this go no matter how much Trev wants her to stay out of things, there is a lot of pressure coming from the council and threats are made, so some investigating will need to be done.
Trevor has a new constable, Koby in town hoping this will give him more time to spend with Charlie, Trevor loves Charlie but trying to find the right moment to propose is not easy and when Charlie gets a letter from the medical board, this leaves another blip in Trev’s quest to pop the question and with trouble brewing over the Christmas promotion he has been very busy and of course Charlie is there helping.
This is a beautiful romance, mystery story and Trev and Charlie just really need to be together their love is so strong and wonderful and there were many happy tears from me. Another mystery that had me cheering Charlie on big time she is such a super sleuth, she has big decisions to make and is now finally strong enough to do so and very happily after all she has been through. Being back in this town with all of the characters that I have gotten to know in the first four books was awesome, this town has the best locals loving, caring and always there for each other and when they join together to beat the baddies it is the best.
I can’t highly recommend this story and series enough, they are beautifully written, moving, filled with real life emotions and people, people I would call friends now, the town appears to have been cleaned up of the baddies and the good are left, I hear this is the last in the series and it will be very hard to say goodbye.
Thank you MS Clark for another keeper, I truly loved it and for my copy to read and review.
April 3, 2022
Charlie finally has a chance for friends, a surprise sister, romance and perhaps a bit of family in the community
there are a few folks determined to tear that apart.
Can Charlie hang onto the heart of who and what she is, and still survive the darkness and the power hungry?
intense action and drama filled community relationships dynamics and romance.
there are a few folks determined to tear that apart.
Can Charlie hang onto the heart of who and what she is, and still survive the darkness and the power hungry?
intense action and drama filled community relationships dynamics and romance.
December 11, 2024
I love this Australian author's books and this is just the same, a cozy mystery based in Australia. This is the fifth book in the Charlotte Dean Mysteries series and I've only read one other in this series but it was easy to understand the characters and their history. Since this is centered around December, Christmas time, in Australia they are nearing summertime so it's warm and sunny! Such a cute and cozy mystery I highly recommend this short book. This book is very special to me because it was gifted by Phillipa.
March 18, 2025
I have found a new series but I started at the end. The Giving Tree definitely made me want to go back and get to know the people better. I hope there will be a new book out soon. There is nothing dramatically Australian about the setting but there are reminders that we are in a different part of the world. Love it.
November 28, 2020
Welcome back to Kingfisher Falls with Phillipa Nefri Clark's newest book in the 'Charlotte Dean Mysteries' series. Book 5 "The Giving Tree: A heartwarming Christmas mystery" is a beautifully written story with romance and mystery that circles around Charlotte (Charlie) and Trev. We get a story of love, and intrigue, between a couple that is very deserving. This book was given to me to read and give an honest review. It has turned into one of my favorite books this year. Please check out all 5 books in this series:
Reading order:
The Christmas Tree Thief
Deadly Falls
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Past
The Giving Tree.
Reading order:
The Christmas Tree Thief
Deadly Falls
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Past
The Giving Tree.
April 1, 2021
More crime in poor Kingfisher Falls, with Charlotte on the job. Everything dovetails neatly, relationships are sorted out, and a bit of Christmas crime also sorted when the intrepid Charlotte goes sleuthing. Looks like the end of this series.
Read
January 3, 2021Well written, Characters sparkled as expected. Story line was well developed and I really enjoyed the book.
December 28, 2020
I just finished The Giving Tree and am sorry to see the end of the series set in Kingfisher Falls. Love the characters Charlie, Trev, Rosie and the good people there. So glad to see Jonas get caught. I hope the citizens have long, happy, crime-free lives!
November 30, 2020
Book 5 in the Charlotte Dean Mystery series. A great addition to the series. The continuation of the story of Charlotte and Trevor and it would not be complete without a mystery that needs to be solved. Christmas is almost here and Charlotte is determined to bring some joy and customers to the town. Someone is determined to undermine her efforts. Can they solve it and return Kingfisher Falls to the happy vibrant town it once was. A very enjoyable read.
April 11, 2021
Wonderful conclusion
Everything is wrapped up nicely with Charlotte and Trev. The real criminal finally gets what is coming to him. And perhaps there will be more between Zoe and Bryce with Charlotte and Trev in the background. I loved this series, but I do recommend starting with the River's End series and then this Charlotte Dean series, but at the least, start with book 1 in Charlotte's series or you will really miss out on the growing story.
Everything is wrapped up nicely with Charlotte and Trev. The real criminal finally gets what is coming to him. And perhaps there will be more between Zoe and Bryce with Charlotte and Trev in the background. I loved this series, but I do recommend starting with the River's End series and then this Charlotte Dean series, but at the least, start with book 1 in Charlotte's series or you will really miss out on the growing story.
November 18, 2023
Festive Felony in Kingfisher Falls.
A fitting end to a wonderful series. The last of the bad guys is put away but not without Charlotte again putting herself in danger. It has been a lovely visit to the town of Kingfisher Falls and after five books in the series. I'm going to miss these characters.
A fitting end to a wonderful series. The last of the bad guys is put away but not without Charlotte again putting herself in danger. It has been a lovely visit to the town of Kingfisher Falls and after five books in the series. I'm going to miss these characters.
August 24, 2024
Kingfisher Falls Books 1-5
I have just finished reading all of these books, one after the other. I couldn’t put them down.
The story, the characters, the mysteries all blended together to make these books easy to read and you get involved in all of it.
Well written, the characters jump off the page. Loved all the books.
I have just finished reading all of these books, one after the other. I couldn’t put them down.
The story, the characters, the mysteries all blended together to make these books easy to read and you get involved in all of it.
Well written, the characters jump off the page. Loved all the books.
March 26, 2025
another wonderful read!
Phillipa, I don’t know how you keep writing these books combining murder mysteries, mysteries, romance, and friendships.
Watching the development of all of the above keeps me entranced right to the very end of the book.
What am I saying? The very end of the book. How could this be so?
Your gift is to leave us wanting more.
Phillipa, I don’t know how you keep writing these books combining murder mysteries, mysteries, romance, and friendships.
Watching the development of all of the above keeps me entranced right to the very end of the book.
What am I saying? The very end of the book. How could this be so?
Your gift is to leave us wanting more.
March 25, 2021
Christmas down under
This book tied a lot of lose ends together and the outcome was wonderful. Will there be a last book of Trev & Charlie’s wedding?
I also enjoyed her books on River’s End.
This book tied a lot of lose ends together and the outcome was wonderful. Will there be a last book of Trev & Charlie’s wedding?
I also enjoyed her books on River’s End.
September 13, 2022
I have enjoyed reading this series as much as Rivers End. I was disappointed when I came to the end of this last one in the Charlotte Dean Mysteries but I see that there is definitely more potential for a follow up down the track. Thank you Phillipa for writing such a wonderful collection.
December 27, 2024
Sweet ending to a series.
Another Christmas and crime is still a problem in Kingfisher Falls. Charlotte continues her drive to cleanse the city of corruption. This finale to the series completes the story for those the town, the bookshop, and Charlotte's new family.
Another Christmas and crime is still a problem in Kingfisher Falls. Charlotte continues her drive to cleanse the city of corruption. This finale to the series completes the story for those the town, the bookshop, and Charlotte's new family.
April 11, 2025
This was a really enjoyable series as a whole. I liked ending on Christmas, just the way it all started :) I'll miss these characters so much now that I've read all the stories. Charlotte Dean made me smile, even when she frustrated me!
November 7, 2025
Fabulous wonderful read.
This book is mysterious and non-stop action with love, troubles, kindness, people getting together solving crimes, sharing the good things and bad times in a small town.
This book is mysterious and non-stop action with love, troubles, kindness, people getting together solving crimes, sharing the good things and bad times in a small town.
February 1, 2021
Another great read
Another great book that was so hard to put down. Lots of excitement and suspense. Would highly recommend to read
Another great book that was so hard to put down. Lots of excitement and suspense. Would highly recommend to read
July 14, 2021
The Giving Tree
Not quite enough substance for me,having read one of her other books, do agree it was a short story though.
Not quite enough substance for me,having read one of her other books, do agree it was a short story though.
June 25, 2024
really enjoyed the series...
November 25, 2024
What a great series!
May 31, 2025
Amazing
I enjoy each and every book from the beginning to the very last one!
You must read them I know you will enjoy them
I enjoy each and every book from the beginning to the very last one!
You must read them I know you will enjoy them
January 5, 2026
I love Charlotte Dean and am so happy that she has finally found her "family".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2021
It's the last book in this wonderful series, and I'm so sad, but so happy to have read them. Perhaps some of the nicest characters will appear in a future book by this great author?
It's been a year since Charlotte arrived in Kingfisher Falls, and started work with Rosie in the bookshop. Now, with Rosie married to Lewis and Trev appointed as the local policeman, Christmas is here again and things look good!
However, this is Kingfisher Falls, so something has to happen to provide some excitement. Charlotte organises the other traders to set up a Giving Tree on their shops, much like the bookshop Giving Box last year where customers bought a book for a person in need, this year, other traders have got in on the plan.
Someone decides this isn't a good idea and steals lots of the gift cards in a few of the shops, and Charlotte has to investigate. This is personal, and she's not about to let someone ruin Christmas for their town.
I can't believe this is the last time we'll meet Charlotte and Trev, Rosie and Lewis Lachie and his lovely Mum, Dad, and little Sister, and the other good people of Kingfisher Falls. I hope we'll meet them again.
It's been a year since Charlotte arrived in Kingfisher Falls, and started work with Rosie in the bookshop. Now, with Rosie married to Lewis and Trev appointed as the local policeman, Christmas is here again and things look good!
However, this is Kingfisher Falls, so something has to happen to provide some excitement. Charlotte organises the other traders to set up a Giving Tree on their shops, much like the bookshop Giving Box last year where customers bought a book for a person in need, this year, other traders have got in on the plan.
Someone decides this isn't a good idea and steals lots of the gift cards in a few of the shops, and Charlotte has to investigate. This is personal, and she's not about to let someone ruin Christmas for their town.
I can't believe this is the last time we'll meet Charlotte and Trev, Rosie and Lewis Lachie and his lovely Mum, Dad, and little Sister, and the other good people of Kingfisher Falls. I hope we'll meet them again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
A beautiful ending to Charlotte's series. It starts with Christmas and ends with Christmas. Charlotte and Trev finally bring down the last frustrating person in town and find their happily ever after. I loved this whole series!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews