Book Reviews: Slashing Through the Snow by Jacqueline Frost

 

Jacqueline Frost is one of the many pen names for author Julie Anne Lindsey who writes under the names Frost, Julie Chase, and Bree Baker. Her books can be found here. You can find her books as Frost here on Amazon. Go here for her books as Baker and here for her books as Chase. You can check out her website for more information. 

The first book starts with Holly White recently heartbroken after her Christmas wedding was canceled by her (now ex) fiance which sends her home to Mistletoe, Maine. She was supposed to use her hometown's infinity for Christmas magic as a way to cope with the break-up but the festivities are quickly over when a body is discovered at her family's tree farm. When the weapon turns out to be a wooden stake from the farm, the handsome sheriff questions Holly's family and their staff for a motive. Holly dons a sleuthing hat and sets to work to catch a killer. The newest book in the series Slashing Through the Snow finds Holly taking on a new role at her family farm: innkeeper. Her new role takes a turn when a B&B critic checks in and then turns up dead. 

REVIEW

"I hated that once again something so violent and ugly was happening here, in a town filled with community spirit and love. At an inn on a Christmas tree farm that looked like it had been pulled from a snow globe or storybook, no less." 

-Jacqueline Frost, Chapter 3

Celebrate Christmas all year with Jacqueline Frost's delightful series where the holiday spirit never dies - but murder is abundant. Christmas and cozies are two genres that provide a feeling of warmth and Frost mixes the perfect blend of the two. The setting feels like constant Christmas cheer in this wintery town that goes above and beyond to celebrate every aspect of the holiday. The primary setting is even a Christmas tree farm where you can find reindeer, trees, and sleighs. Holly White not only has a perfectly Christmasy name but has the spirit of the holiday to go along with it. The attitude of the critic - demanding and clashing - creates an immediate juxtaposition with the setting while also setting up the conflicts that will lead to the lists of suspects in her murder. 

Each character is unique and stands apart from the rest but none as much as Cookie (real name Dolores Cutter) has a pet pygmy goat that goes everywhere with her and is named after her late husband Theodore. This character pairing is a perfect example of the humorous and zany personalities that Frost brings out that captures the spirit of Christmas. Every character has a place within this community and each of them helps bring it to life and makes you want to jump right into the world. Frost crafts a world that you want to join into the festivities whether it's taking a sleigh ride, petting reindeer or purchasing a Theodore calendar. This whole town from the stores to the tree farm creates the ideal Christmas town with lovely detailed descriptions that make it feel even more magical. Among these details are the beautiful (and candy-themed) displays at the Gumdrop Shop that showcase elaborate and edible artworks. You'll instantly fall in love with this little Christmas town and with Holly White. Each new installment only adds to the wonder of it and to the holiday themes of each suspenseful mystery. 

The entire series encompasses the joy and spirit of the holiday season and Slashing Through the Snow is no different. Frost strikes the perfect blend of Christmas cheer and murder mystery to create another addicting installment.