I picked this one up for the Inn the Spirit of Christmas square on the Holiday Theme Read and really, I can't think of any other series that would've been so Merry Christmas-y cozy than Wagtail with Twinkletoes and Trixie in their Christmas sweaters and elf hats. That cover is adorable beyond words and I loved the cover's tie-in with the story. In this one, Holly is gearing up for Wagtail's Christmas celebrations when the Thackleberry family checks in and OOP! Surprise! The Thackleberry family are Holly's secret crush Holmes's soon-to-be in-laws, as he is engaged to Norma Jeanne. Determined to be the bigger person, Holly pastes on a stiff upper lip and busies herself with all the Christmas activities but can't help becoming involved when patriarch Dale is found dead, stabbed to death inside a 40 foot inflatable Grinch. As Holly helps Officer Dave investigate, Dale's irascible and sharp-tongued wife, Vivi, is also found dead.

There was a lot going on in this one, which kept the plot humming along and it made for a quick, easy and enjoyable read. It just oozed Merry Christmas from every word, from the secret elves working to make Christmas a happy one for needy families to the pet friendly Christkindl Market to the sledding competition, it was holly jolly from start to finish. The murders, not so jolly. Well, the first murder was not so jolly, the second one...well...you have to be there. I admit I didn't figure out the culprit before the end, so that alone made for a great ending but Holmes's fiancée getting her comeuppance was the icing on the Christmas cake (song plays in the background...you know which one. Read this book and it'll be playing in your head too!) I also have to add, there was one dropped clue and I'm scratching my head over if it was dropped purposely or just got lost in the details.

Overall, a great Christmas read that would put even the Grinch in the holiday spirit.