First published 1995
Cat Marsala traded journalism for detective work, but her reporter instincts still serve her well. The DeGraaf Christmas tree farm should be a place of holiday cheer, but Cat discovers something rotten beneath the surface. The family business harbors dark secrets that someone will kill to protect. When Cat starts asking questions about suspicious activities on the property, she uncovers a web of corruption that runs deep through the DeGraaf family history. Then a body appears among the evergreens, confirming her worst suspicions. Cat must navigate family loyalties and long-buried grudges to solve the murder. The Christmas season becomes a race against time as she works to expose the truth before the killer strikes again. In this holiday mystery, Cat learns that even the most festive settings can hide deadly intentions.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, family-drama
Setting: DeGraaf Christmas Tree Farm
Period: Christmas Season
288 pages · Hardcover · Scribner