I never really thought I’d enjoy the Mrs. Claus mysteries by Liz Ireland. But, I’ve read two of the three in the series, and April Claus is a well-meaning amateur sleuth who manages to solve mysteries and save the holidays despite her sometimes disastrous interactions with other members of the Claus family. She might have married, Nick, the current Santa Claus, but she struggles with her day-to-day role as Mrs. Claus. Now, she has problems just the week before Christmas in Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves.

April had hoped for a typical week running up to Christmas; concerts, reindeer games, activities, and lots of good Christmas desserts and food. She had invited her best friend from Oregon, Claire Emerson, to spend the week. Claire is still in shock that she’s actually in Santaland, and that this is April’s life as Mrs. Claus. But, there’s trouble at the North Pole. The reindeer are on strike because of a new mechanical drone-deer. They’re afraid they’re going to lose their jobs pulling Santa’s sleigh to deliver toys if a drone-deer can deliver packages. And, to the horror of everyone in attendance at the ice sculpture competition, a rogue drone-deer takes the antlers and head off the sculpture that would probably win first place, a giant replica of the first Blitzen.

While Santa tries to deal with the angry reindeer, Mrs. Claus tries to track down the person behind the drone-deer. She suspects several people, but her librarian friend Juniper is hysterical because an inventor is missing. Juniper thinks of Blinky Brightlow as her boyfriend, and she worries that he’ll be blamed for the drone-deer. Now, April is juggling Christmas week, entertaining her friend, Claire, and investigating the disappearance of an inventor elf.

April is suspicious, wondering if Blinky is behind several new inventions around town, a Snowmaneuver the snowmen are using, and robots that are even showing up in the Claus castle. But, before she can get too far into the investigation, an elf who works with Blinky is murdered, and Juniper is arrested. It’s a little too much to deal with during Christmas week.

Ireland’s latest is once again filled with holiday activities that turn into disasters, such as a drone attack at a Christmas tea and even a food fight between older matrons. It’s a cozy mystery in which murder is taken seriously, while there’s humor and bizarre activities to alleviate the tension. Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves is a fast-paced, fun mystery for those who enjoy their cozies with a little offbeat humor.

Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves by Liz Ireland. Kensington Books, 2022. ISBN 9781496737816 (paperback), 304p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley to review for a journal.