The Parlor PI's discussion

I'm not sure where you all are in getting and starting the book, but since December is here, I thought I get us going.

We have read Christmas mysteries many times in the past, some of which weren't particularly Christmassy. Not in this case!

This is the first in a series of "Christmas Tree Farm " mysteries. Published in 2017.

Our heroine is Holly White, 26 years old, daughter of a family who own a Christmas Tree farm in Mistletoe, Maine. She was going to be married in a Christmas Eve wedding but was jilted, hence her return home. There is a café on the property called The Hearth. Her cat is named Cindy Lou Who. Is that Christmassy enough for you?

Author Jacqueline Frost (Jack Frost--get it?) does the right first series author thing by presenting an unpleasant person, aggravating all the people, and getting herself killed right off the bat. And suspicion on Holly's family.

Let me know what you think!

I'm still on Kindle sample pages (book is to arrive today) and yeah, tons of Christmas and holiday spirit in just the beginning pages. Setup reminds me of the bake shop in Hallmark adapted TV mystery series with Hannah Swensen by Joanne Fluke. Choclate Chip Cookie Murder and such.

Loving it so far!

No hurry--plenty of time.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "No hurry--plenty of time."

Book was to arrive yesterday, now it's Wed. Who knows, maybe it'll come in Mon???? What the heck?

What the heck indeed. Package delivery is all messed up!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "What the heck indeed. Package delivery is all messed up!"

Blame it on Covid I guess? :-/

OK, I’m caught up on the first nine chapters. This is a reread for me, I read it initially a couple of years ago, but this time I’m reading it via audible, and have completely forgot the storyline! I agree, it’s very Christmasy, and I am enjoying it, I have no idea yet whodunit or why. Lots of characters, lots of suspects!

I didn't realize who was on board yet, but Nicole has already got me beat! I'm nearly out of the first section and will start part two soon. We can wait for Tina to get her book.

Shipping is crazy nowadays. I ordered two things from Kohl's about 10 days ago. One item came in two days and I'm still waiting on the second. Supposed to be yesterday, and now the estimate is Saturday.

Oops, sorry! I thought I was the last to arrive, lol!

Shipping is HORRIBLE this year. Understandable, of course, but it still stinks!

Tina wrote: "Mark Pghfan wrote: "What the heck indeed.

Blame it on Covid I guess? :-/"

Stupid book still hasn't arrived. I got an apology note w/a promise
that it will arrive ASA possible or some such.

But I do love the book's little cafe and want to visit!!

The Hearth is a great name for a cafe!

This book is sure clicking on all the right things. Cozy café among them.

Holly is attracting interest from two guys, so far, including the sheriff. The reporter, though, sounds fishy.

Tina wrote: "Tina wrote: "Mark Pghfan wrote: "What the heck indeed.

Blame it on Covid I guess? :-/"

Stupid book still hasn't arrived. I got an apology note w/a promise
that it will arrive ASA possible or som..."

They returned my money and I'm getting a Kindle copy. Grinch is busy this year.

Good choice, Tina! I'm not terribly fond of the kindle, but it is fast and usually inexpensive!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Good choice, Tina! I'm not terribly fond of the kindle, but it is fast and usually inexpensive!"

Thanks, Pghfan. And yeah, it's either that or not getting to enjoy a Christmas mystery with the PI's.

How's the Christmas baking coming along? do tell. ;-)

Nicole wrote: "The Hearth is a great name for a cafe!"

It is, Nicole. And lace curtains seem to be a requisite (as should be) for any tea shop or similar cafe' setting. Don'cha think?

Doing lots of baking. And giving them away as much as I can. To friends, the garbage men, my fellow volunteers at the two volunteer project I work at.

Today is cranberry nut bread!

I'm baking gingersnaps this week, the house is redolent with the scents of Christmas and I love it! p.s. I love cranberry nut bread - happy baking, Mark! :-)

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Doing lots of baking. And giving them away as much as I can. To friends, the garbage men, my fellow volunteers at the two volunteer project I work at.

Today is cranberry nut bread!"

I take the trash out to the curb, Pghfan. Do I qualify? Okay, I tried! lol

Nicole wrote: "I'm baking gingersnaps this week, the house is redolent with the scents of Christmas and I love it! p.s. I love cranberry nut bread - happy baking, Mark! :-)"

I'm going house to house, Nicole. Mark was first up, now you. lol

Not baking this year, I dunthin, Maybe but I spent more time in line at Office Depot over computer issues then mailing pkgs. and buffering around on net trying to order gifts.

PI's, going through a rough health thingie this year-end. Fighting but winning. Perhaps I'll tell more when I'm totally through it. Mean time, thankful! ;-)

Reading 12 Slays. Will catch up!

Get well, Tina. Cookies will be ready!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Get well, Tina. Cookies will be ready!"

Thanks, Pghfan. And good on you for your Christmas cookie creations!

Wow! Everyone seems to know all about Holly before she even pulls her moving truck into town.

Yes, I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not, Tina! It must feel comfortable for her in a way, though. And I think there is a later book in the series, so I'm betting that she is staying in the little town of Mistletoe.

I don't know if I could live in a town THAT small, lol!

Nicole wrote: "I don't know if I could live in a town THAT small, lol!"

Or that buzz-busy, Nicole. :-/

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Yes, I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not, Tina! It must feel comfortable for her in a way, though. And I think there is a later book in the series, so I'm betting that she is staying in the..."

True that, Pghfan. Holly needs that comfort at this trying time in her life. I also have a feeling she'll stay in Mistletoe and that the ex will be a central character in a future book than just calling and leaving a msg. Perhaps he's going to make a stronger presence in this one.

Though I don't see much forming in a love relationship with reporter (seems he'll be more of a sidekick), it does seem Holly is forming a relationship with the Sheriff.

I'm thinking there might be a tussle, romance wise, either with the sheriff or the reporter. Unless the reporter is the murderer, then between the sheriff and the ex. (Assuming Tina is right about him coming back.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I'm thinking there might be a tussle, romance wise, either with the sheriff or the reporter. Unless the reporter is the murderer, then between the sheriff and the ex. (Assuming Tina is right about ..."

Pghfan, I was wondering re: reporter being perp and his trying to glean info to be one step ahead of law. Then there's the bumbling sidekick type ala Murder She Wrote like nephew, Grady and a few others. Time will tell. Enjoying all the Christmas and holiday spirit in this mystery.

Actually, we don't see a ton of the reported, though I am still thinking the fact he claims to have gone to school with Holly and she doesn't remember him seems a bit odd.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Actually, we don't see a ton of the reported, though I am still thinking the fact he claims to have gone to school with Holly and she doesn't remember him seems a bit odd."

Exactly, Pghfan! ;-)