Publication date October 15, 2024

Summary

It’s almost Christmas and this year Meg’s grandmother, Cordelia, has decided to hold a conference in the days leading up to the holiday. Meg’s thankful for something to do because her sister-in-law, Delaney, is home on bed rest expecting her first child, which means that, unlike most holidays when there are relatives and friends filling every available space, this year the house is quiet and serene. At least, until a murdered man is found on the property.

My Thoughts

I always enjoy Donna Andrews’ Christmas mysteries, and this one is no exception.

It has a great holiday atmosphere – over-the-top decorations, Christmas concerts, huge meals, and snow. But this specific book is less about the cultural details of Christmas and more about the meaning and values of Christmas – caring for others. 

This book has everything that I’ve come to expect from a Donna Andrews’ mystery – an interesting plot, a nice pool of suspects, great pacing, just enough clues to help me solve the mystery alongside Meg. Plus, of course, there are the wonderful characters from Meg’s family and community. 

However, this book has a bit less humor than usual, and I think that’s because the topic of Cordelia’s conference is a very serious one. She’s helping to train people who are trying to seek exoneration for those who have been erroneously convicted and imprisoned. As a result, some of the content is pretty heavy. Important, but heavy. It makes me glad I read it slightly before the holiday season and not a couple of days before because it’s a bit less jolly than some of her other Christmas stories. 

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review. 

My Rating 4/5

Content/Trigger Warnings

• Domestic violence

• Online Trolls

• Racism

• Violence towards animals (brief)

• Wrongful imprisonment

About the Author

Donna Andrews was born in Yorktown, Virginia and lives in Reston, Virginia. She has won the Agatha, Anthony, and Barry Awards, an RT Book Reviews Award for best first novel, and four Lefty and two Toby Bromberg Awards for funniest mystery. She is the author of the Meg Langslow and Turing Hopper series.

A member of MWA, Sisters in Crime, and the Private Investigators and Security Association, Andrews spends her free time gardening, conquering the world (but only in Civiliation IV), and watching her twin nephews play baseball, basketball, and track.

She blogs at http://femmesfatales.typepad.com/

For more information check out her website http://donnaandrews.com.

(Photo credit to Joe Henson Photography)