Part of Meg Langslow, book 10
First published 2008
Meg Langslow's house buzzes with chaos as the staging ground for Caerphilly's Christmas parade. The elaborate procession follows "The Twelve Days of Christmas" theme, complete with school drummers, bagpipers, costumed lords from the college drama department, festive floats, a nativity scene on wheels, and zoo camels carrying the Three Wise Men. Meg has been roped into organizing this holiday spectacle, which will wind through town to the campus where Santa plans to meet local children. Wrangling camels, pipers, and performers proves as challenging as Meg expected. Then her nephew Eric approaches with disturbing news about Santa. The town's resident grouch, naturally suited for the role thanks to his beard and rotund figure, has been killed. Meg teams up with Chief Burke, who's dressed as one of the wise men, to tackle dual challenges: solving the murder and rescuing Christmas for the community. The investigation unfolds against a backdrop of holiday preparations and parade pandemonium.
Genres: christmas, mystery, cozy-mystery, holiday
Vibes: cozy, suspenseful, whimsical
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Caerphilly
Period: Christmas
279 pages · Hardcover · Minotaur Books