Merry Merry Merry Murder (Cuddle Farm Mysteries)
by Paty Jager
About Merry Merry Merry Murder
Merry Merry Merry Murder (Cuddle Farm Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Oregon
Publisher: Windtree Press
Publication Date: October 10, 2025
Print length : 194 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1940064093
In the close-knit town of Auburn, Oregon, Andi Clark’s therapy animals bring comfort to the community, especially during the holiday season. As the annual Christmas Craft Bazaar draws near, Andi agrees to set up a Petting Zoo with her beloved animals, bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.
But when a young girl seeks solace from Athena, Andi’s therapy dog, after witnessing an unsettling scene behind the sleigh, it marks the beginning of a much darker holiday. As the town gathers for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, a scream shatters the festive atmosphere. Cocoa, Andi’s loyal Border Collie, pulls her toward a chilling sight: a woman standing over the lifeless body of the girl’s mother, strangled with Christmas lights.
Determined to help the grieving girl and her town recover from the shock, Andi, her therapy animals, and her niece, a county deputy, take it upon themselves to investigate. As they uncover secrets and untangle clues, they stay one step ahead of the new sheriff and worry that the killer lurking in their midst could be someone they know.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Andi Clark uses her therapy animals to offer comfort when needed to the residents of the small town of Auburn, Oregon. Cocoa, a brown and white border collie, Athena, a Golden Retriever/Pyrenees, Lulu, a Chiweenie, Flopsie, a brown and white Holland bunny, Chicklet, a brown and tan checkerboard silky hen, Sparky, a tan paint mini donkey, and Cupcake, a black and white pygmy goat travel with Andi to schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and events like the annual Christmas Craft Bazaar for the petting zoo. Young and old at the bazaar love getting up close and personal with the animals, but one little girl saw something very upsetting and cuddled up with Athena and told her all about it.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony brings most of the town’s residents out to watch. When the tree fails to illuminate as expected, a scream rings out, causing Cocoa to pull Andi behind the tree to find the little girl’s mother dead with a string of Christmas lights tightly around her neck.
A murder turns the town’s merry holiday celebration into a tragic, dismal affair. Andi knows her animals will comfort those in shock, but finding the killer is the number one priority. She, along with niece Deputy Bailey Harper, know the people of the community and will be able to unravel the secrets from the lies, better than the new sheriff, but could the killer really be someone they know? Will the killer come after them?
Andi Clark traveled with her husband, Mick, around the world, meeting interesting new people. Their lives were full of excitement and love until he died in a freak accident. She grieved for two years, and her therapy dog, Cocoa, helped her heal. She then realizes others could benefit from a little animal therapy. Learning all she could about therapy animals, she returned home to Auburn and founded her Cuddle Farm. She is so genuine and relatable; her caring heart glows. It wasn’t easy coming home or reconnecting with old friends after 20 years, but the author does an excellent job of introducing these people naturally as Andi investigates the murder.
The mystery happens early in the story, and we learn the victim lived a life that left a long list of possible enemies/suspects. Andi has a tough job, winnowing down the suspect list, asking the right questions, revealing secrets, chasing down clues, finding witnesses, and trying to keep the sheriff informed on all her discoveries. I enjoyed the well-plotted mystery, with its ebbs and flows blending seamlessly in the necessary subplots. The pace really picked up as clues started to fall into place. I had a great time traveling with Andi as she processed everything regarding the case while also trying to figure out some family tension.
The therapy animals theme is a big winner for me. While my dog has not yet been designated as a therapy animal, I am very familiar with the way our pets tune into our emotions and are there when we need them. Through my cancer treatments and other recent medical maladies, she has been by my side, comforting me as only she could. She is a good listener, too, yes, I talk to my pup.
Merry Merry Merry Murder has set this series off to a fantastic start. A merry holiday mystery! I am now invested in Andi’s life and excited to see what Ms. Jager has planned for her and her lovable therapy animals next. A Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
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About Paty Jager
Paty Jager is an award-winning author of murder mysteries, western romance, and action-adventure. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes in eastern Oregon, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.
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Great Escapes Praise for Merry Merry Merry Murder
(Cuddle Farm Mysteries)
by Paty Jager
This is an expertly set-up mystery, with a novel sleuth and a large cast of characters. Even in a close-knit town, they don’t all know each other, and there are obviously secrets from the past that could provide plenty of mileage for future books. It’s a well-written mystery and very enjoyable. I recommend it.
~Jemima Pett, Author
Carefully constructed characters, sweet animals who help, and a compelling mystery make MERRY MERRY MERRY MURDER a fine start to a new series.
~Cozy Up With Kathy
I think cozy mystery lovers will enjoy Merry Merry Merry Murder. It has solid, well-written main characters, a cozy small town setting, a Christmassy vibe, and a murder mystery that will keep you guessing!
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
This is the first in a new series and I look forward to reading more! I recommend Merry Merry Merry Murder to other cozy mystery fans – and especially to animal lovers.
~View from the Birdhouse
4 stars!
I recommend MERRY MERRY MERRY MURDER to cozy mystery fans, especially those who enjoy a holiday-themed story. Nice holiday-themed start for a new cozy mystery series.
~Boys’ Mom Reads!
Merry Merry Merry Murder is a charming start to Paty Jager’s new cozy mystery series, filled with Christmas vibes, small-town secrets, and the most lovable team of therapy animals you’ll ever meet.
~Reading is my Superpower
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and will be working on a 
short story for an anthology I’m participating in, then book 3, Double Down, in the Spotted Pony Casino Mysteries. As I said, I am never at a loss for something to write!
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