Reviews

Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

4.0

Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost has Holly White busy at the family inn, with the Reindeer Games, and the toy donations. Christmas is rapidly approaching, and Holly must get all the toy donations wrapped by Christmas Eve. She is also trying to keep Karen Moody, a critic for New England Magazine, happy so she will write a good article on the inn. Holly arrives at the inn after dinner to wrap gifts to find an unexpected item in the toy donation bin on the front porch. Someone has killed Karen Moody and they used the gift Cookie gave Holly as the murder weapon. Cookie becomes Sheriff Evan Gray’s prime suspects. Holly, despite being discouraged by everyone she knows, dons her sleuthing cap to clear Cookie. The guilty party, though, is not happy with Holly’s snooping and attempts to warn her off. Can Holly prove Cookie is innocent before Christmas and wrap up the killer for her beau? Slashing Through the Snow is the 3rd novel in A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I always enjoy visiting Mistletoe, Maine where the residents are friendly and there is plenty of Christmas cheer. The White’s Christmas Tree Farm is a festive place where you can stay at the inn, eat at the Hearth, play in the twelve days of Reindeer Games, pick out a tree, go for a sleigh ride, and relax in front of the fire with delicious hot cocoa. I find the characters to be varied and developed. Cookie and Theodore add the quirky to the story. Cookie’s antics had me laughing. The mystery was well thought out. I enjoyed following the clues in order to solve it. There is misdirection and various warnings. The reveal was suspenseful. The only thing I did not like was everyone telling Holly to stay out of the investigation. They should have known that she would not. I love the descriptions of Holly’s recycled glass candy jewelry. Slashing Through the Snow will get in you in the holiday spirit with all the Christmas activities. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the latest A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery and I cannot wait for the next one (I hope we do not have as long a wait). Slashing Through the Snow is a jolly tale with gooey gumdrops, a teddy bear bonanza, rousing Reindeer Games, a caustic critic, a surfeit of toys, and a cheery Christmas.

brianne_k's review against another edition

3.0

*3/5*

I still really enjoyed this installment but I wish Holly would be a little more safe when "investigating".. I get why Evan gets so frustrated with her. These books are very formulaic, so reading 3 in a row probably wasn't the greatest idea.

melinda1962's review

5.0

4.5 I really liked this one. The progression of the characters and the farm are great. I didn’t figure out the killer in this one which is good. I only had a problem with the ending. I don’t think Holly is ready for marriage with Evan. She corrected everyone that said the sherif was her boyfriend by saying “I don’t know, we are good friends”. She even disclaimed they were dating. That’s not a relationship. But I’m happy they are engaged. Maybe now they will act like a couple.

mhite11's review

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

debyik's review

4.0

A cozy, heartwarming mystery with a touch of romance that makes this a perfect read for the holiday season. A great end to the trilogy!

chelseaisreading's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

If you’re this far in the series you know what you’re in for. Good cozy holiday mystery to fall asleep to. I will say if Holly is such a sleuth

how the hell does she not know she’s getting engaged

I seem to never guess the murderer but I guessed that right away

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Content Warnings

Minor: Murder and Stalking

teeners444's review

3.0

A solid cozy Christmas murder mystery. It had all of the things I was looking for...Christmas traditions, quaint small town, snowy atmosphere, nosey townspeople, a touch of love, and much, much more. Great winter time read. Would read again.

_ashton_reads_'s review

3.0

I’m sorry, but Holly was INSUFFERABLE in this one and ruined my enjoyment of the mystery. She was incredibly selfish and TSTL; I honestly wouldn’t have cared if the murderer got her and opened the door for another MC to step in. Not quite sure what Evan sees in her, so she better hold tight to him and thank the gods he has patience for her BS.

bnhunt's review

4.0

I listened to the audiobook. This is the 3rd book in the series. I listened to the other two several years ago while decorating our Christmas tree. The 3rd book follows the same flow as the first two. It took me a minute to remember all the things about the characters from the previous books but the author does a good job reminding you of the important details. This series is a fun, cozy, Christmas mystery that is great for any cozy mystery lover around the holidays.

bieneina's review

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0