‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost Book Review

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost Book Review

The lowdown from Goodreads

Publication Date November 13, 2018

It’s out of the cupcake tin, into the fire for Holly White’s best friend, Caroline. Can Holly clear Caroline’s name in time to go caroling?

When a body turns up in the dumpster behind Caroline’s Cupcakes, Holly White is horrified to learn her best friend Caroline is the main suspect. Everyone in town, including Mistletoe, Maine’s sheriff, saw Caroline fighting with the victim on the night of his death. Worse, Caroline’s fingerprints are all over the murder weapon, a custom-designed marble rolling pin. 

Now, just ten days before Christmas, Holly’s up to her jingle bells in holiday shenanigans and in desperate need of a miracle. Juggling extra shifts at her family’s Christmas tree farm and making enough gingerbread jewelry to satisfy the crowd is already more than she can handle—and now she has to find time to clear her best friend of murder. Add in her budding relationship with the sheriff, and run-ins with an ex-fiancé looking to make amends, and Holly’s ready to fly south until springtime. 

But her Sherpa-lined mittens come off when Caroline is taken into custody. Can Holly wrap up the case in time for Christmas…even after she gains the true killer’s attention? Find out in ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas, Jacqueline Frost’s second pine-scented Christmas Tree Farm mystery.

‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost Book Review

Another murder mystery in the lovely town of Mistletoe, Maine? I’m so here for it!

Book 2 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery

Jacqueline Frost is serious with this one! Unfortunately, the cards are stacked against Holly’s best friend, Caroline. She’s seen arguing with a man, who winds up dead & her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. Immediately, it’s not looking good for her. Good thing Holly White is around to get to the bottom of it.

Back to Mistletoe

I love heading back into a cozy mystery. Luckily, I chose the audio version again & it is so great! The narrator switches her tone & her accents based on the characters & it adds so much to the story for me. I highly recommend the audio!

Thankfully, Frost brings back the wonderful Christmas ambiance I fell in love with in Twelve Slays of Christmas. While this ending was not as satisfying for me, I still love the book. The White family is so special. I love the relationship Holly has with her parents. There are some real tender moments in this book that warmed my old, cynical heart.

Jacqueline Frost seems to add in a bit more about Mistletoe, Maine & the Reindeer Games with each novel. I’m hopeful this means my beloved Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries will be around for a long time.

THE VERDICT

I am Really Into This book! ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas is a great follow-up for Jacqueline Frost. I’ve just finished this book, yet I’m all ready to head back to Mistletoe.

We’ve got you covered for holiday reads. One of my favorite Christmas books is The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan. If you’re looking for something short & introspective, definitely read The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrick Backman. Seven Days of Us is a heavier holiday read. If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas mysteries, check out Murder in Her Stocking by G.A. McKevett.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JACQUELINE FROST

Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).