The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

I received a review copy of this novel from Dutton. This in no way affected my opinions.

A delightful holiday mystery and addition to the Pink Carnation series.

I love Turnip, who is the hero of this story and a Pink Carnation favorite, and was very happy to find out he was getting his own book. He's one of the bumbling, loveable sort that you want to see have a happy ending.

The heroine in this story is a Arabella Dempsey, a young lady who after her aunt's interesting marriage, ventures forth to form her own future as a schoolmistress. On the day she goes in to Miss Climpson’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies to inquire about the job, she runs into Mr. Turnip Fitzhugh – literally – and comes across a Christmas pudding with a mysterious message tucked inside.

This Christmas pudding turns both their world's upside down. Before they know it, there is mysterious goings on at Miss Climpson's: folks sneaking around at night, Arabella's room being ransacked, and someone out there who seems to think Arabella has some sort of list that they are devilish eager to get their hands on.

Everything comes to a head at the Dowager Duchess of Dovedale's 12 day Christmas celebration. For those that have read the series, they will notice a familiar setting, as this part of the book takes place during the same time as the fifth Pink Carnation book: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe was an absolutely charming and hilarious book. Turnip is a hoot and a half and Arabella was a great heroine who seemed to be just fine at taking care of herself, thank you very much.

Highly recommended to Pink Carnation fans.