A review by juliesinstaricelife
Stalking Around The Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

3.0

3.5 stars. This book had everything you want in a cozy Christmas murder mystery, but there was something about it that just didn't vibe for me. I don't know if it was how it was written, or the narrator trying too hard, or the fact that I didn't read the previous three, but I was annoyed constantly while listening to this book. That said, the plot was well laid out, there was the main murder and a side plot that was equally interesting, as well as the main character's wedding. Maybe what annoyed me was the constant laundry list of wedding activities and reindeer games, plus running the inn, plus selling jewelry, plus unnecessary descriptions of what the cat ate? I think it was all just too much. The main character literally would have had to be four people for the amount of stuff she did. And she talked about how she would never be able to get it all done, but THEN SHE NEVER DID ANY OF IT, she went and solved a murder after being told repeatedly not too. That said if you have audible plus books 1 and 2 of this series are included so I might check those out, and I recommend if you aren't familiar with this series to start from the beginning. It's not that I couldn't follow it, as I absolutely was never confused, but it would have helped me connect more to the town and characters and the level of reality suspension required to believe this all happened simultaneously and she was able to solve all the murders. A solid 3.5, stars from me. Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.