Twelve Slays of Christmas

About This Audiobook

Jacqueline Frost’s *Twelve Slays of Christmas* isn’t your typical cozy holiday mystery—it’s a sharp, small-town whodunit where Christmas cheer clashes with cold-blooded crime. Holly Peterson, baker and reluctant amateur sleuth, plans to spend December hiding from her ex and drowning her sorrows in sugar. But when the town’s most infamous curmudgeon is bludgeoned with a candy cane and left in a festive sleigh display, Holly’s forced into the fray. Frost’s plotting is clever, with enough red herrings to keep listeners guessing, but the real draw is the setting: a nostalgic, snow-dusted town where everyone’s got secrets under their tinsel and everyone’s a suspect.

Narrator Allyson Ryan delivers a performance that’s equal parts cozy and crackling. She nails Holly’s sarcastic, self-deprecating wit while also capturing the warmth of the town’s quirky residents—from the gossipy librarian to the overly enthusiastic caroler. The audiobook’s pacing is brisk, balancing sharp dialogue with atmospheric descriptions of holiday chaos. Ryan’s voice work makes the cast feel distinct, and her timing in comedic beats lands perfectly, ensuring the holiday spirit isn’t lost in the murder."

"review": "I approached *Twelve Slays of Christmas* expecting a standard holiday mystery, but Frost delivers something more layered and entertaining. Allyson Ryan’s narration is the standout here—she’s got a knack for making even the most mundane lines feel engaging, and her delivery of Holly’s dry humor is pitch-perfect. The audiobook’s production is clean, with no distracting background noise, though at 8 hours and 16 minutes, some of the repetitive sleigh bells and carol snippets started to wear thin by the end.

The mystery itself is solid, with a few twists that genuinely surprised me, though the resolution wraps up a bit too neatly for my taste. Holly’s character arc feels a bit rushed, and a few side characters fade into the background far too quickly. Still, the book’s heart lies in its setting—a charming, chaotic town where murder feels almost like an extension of the holiday stress. If you’re looking for a mystery that blends holiday cheer with some darker humor and a protagonist who’s more snark than sleuth, this is a great pick. Just don’t expect a classic whodunit; Frost’s take is fresher, funnier, and far more messy than that."

"tags": ["holiday mystery audiobook