Part of Meg Langslow, book 40
First published 2026
Christmas preparations fill the air in Caerphilly as Meg's extended family gathers for the holidays. Her mother has thrown herself into seasonal projects, including building a playhouse for two-year-old granddaughter Brynn, who delights in caring for an injured jay alongside Meg. But someone has darker plans. The playhouse gets vandalized, and a trap nearly kills Meg's mother. Anonymous threatening letters reveal that someone wants to hurt her badly. Meg must balance holiday festivities with a dangerous investigation. She tends to the wounded bird, helps rebuild the damaged playhouse, and tries to reunite elderly relatives with lost loves. The threats escalate until one of her suspects turns up dead. The family celebrates, believing the danger has passed. Meg remains uncertain whether they can truly rest easy.
Genres: family-life, mystery, contemporary, holiday
Vibes: atmospheric, cozy, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-detective, found-family
Setting: Caerphilly
Period: Christmas
288 pages · Hardcover · Minotaur Books