Mistletoe Murders 3 and 4 by Ken Cuperus, Raymond Ablack (Narrator), Ann Carol Ann, Cobie Smulders (Narrator), Anna Cathcart (Narrator)

Mistletoe Murders 3

It's a year later and we're back in Fletcher's Grove. Emily's past has come back to haunt her. Not only is it possible that the group that almost took her out before is trying again, but her old boss and former flame is now in town trying to keep her safe. That is throwing her current relationship a little bit.... off. They're still finding time for themselves but it has to be a little more hidden. Of course, the murders aren't helping...

The first two sets of stories revolve around the wedding of Emily' frenemy. There have been a series of mishaps leading up to the wedding. The wedding day is the lowest, when the husband-to-be is almost killed and his good friend dies in an accident involving an amp. Lots of characters from past stories in this one. 

The last story has Sam's daughter trying to get into a prestigious forensics school. Unforunately, there's a body found on the first day on campus. In this story, Emiliy isn't featured as prominently but she does almost die.

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #3

This book came out November 7, 2024

Follows Mistletoe Murders #2

Borrowd as audiobook from Audible Plus

Mistletoe Murders 4

These stories are fast, fun, and fluffy. Not a lot of depth but really fun to listen to. 
It's been eleven months since Emily had to leave Fletcher's Grove. We don't know much about what we did while she was gone, but we get the conflicting emotions of her return. While the town doesn't seem to have changed much, it is just enough for Emily to feel off kilter. One of the changes is that Sam seems to have moved on which, fair, Emily had to leave without a word. 
Not everything has changed though, there are still secrets... and murders. So Emily hops right back in with one more person who knows her past and one who seems bent on murdering her. 
The series again ends on a cliffhanger, but this one has more serious implications if it all goes wrong. 

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #4

This book came out November 6, 2025

Borrowd as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Middlebridge Mysteries by Ken Cuperus

This was a fast, fun, and fluffy offshoot of the Mistletoe Murders. Violet Winters was introduced as the daughter of a policeman in that series but now she is starting school at the illusterious Middlebridge University. Her mom's alma mater and Violet's dream school. She is working on graduating with a degree in criminology, but she has to make time to study and not be so distracted by mysteries. Mysteries like a missing cadaver, a professor who may or may not have completed his own work, and football players who are popping positive on drug tests yet claiming they are clean.

Violet was a little annoying and made a lot of bad decisions but it didn't seem outside the scope of a teenager who is just figuring out how to make her way in the world. It just made her a little more annoying than I thought she needed to be. 

Three stars

Middlebridge Mysteries #1

This book came out July 24, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Mistletoe Murders 2 by Ken Cuperus

The first story of this book starts 10 months after the last story in the other book. 

Emily is still sticking her nose into local mysteries even though her habit caused the cooling of her relationship with Detective-Constable Sam Wilner. 

The first story centers around a fire at the diner where Emily usually gets her coffee. The owner's nephew was killed in the blaze. We do see other characters that have been in the series before. 

The second story includes Emily getting on the stage when a local stagehand is killed by a falling bridge in a Christmas adaptation of Twelfth Night. The cast includes the local gossip, the local handyman, and an actor who was famous several decades ago but still thinks he has charm.

The last story takes this book a little out of the realm of cozy/Hallmark movie when one of the people Emily has interacted with in several other stories is killed. While it was set to look like suicide, Emily has her doubts.

The ending of this story introduces a character from Emily's old life.

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #2

This book came out November 30, 2022

Follows Mistletoe Murders

Followed by Mistletoe Murders #3

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Mistletoe Murders 1 by Ken Cuperus

A series of short stories that link together to make a series. This reminds me a lot of old time radio shows. The stories in this audiobook all center around Emily who lives in a small town and runs a Christmas store. She has a light flirtation with the local law enforcement and a mysterious past. 

In this book, we have a story wherein a man is murdered in a Christmas tree farm. It seems he may have been poisoned by a cookie from Emily's store.

The second story revolves around a young heartthrob who was part of the local drama. He left a few months ago but no one thought he was dead. In fact, no one knows he's dead until they find him under the water when the local skating festival starts.

The last story is set in a recently renovated, supposedly haunted mansion. The ghost is thought to be the remnants of an old mayor who may or may not have been murdered by his valet. The murder weapon itself is on display and ends up being used in a modern day murder as well.

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #1

This book came out November 8, 2023

Followed by Mistletoe Murders 2

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own