DASHING THROUGH THE SNOWBIRDS

The run-up to Meg Langslow’s latest holiday celebration is complicated by a houseguest who behaves badly, a series of stalkers on her tail, and the fear that Caerphilly, Virginia, won’t have a white Christmas.

While Mutant Wizards, the tech firm founded by Meg’s brother, Rob, is working on the software they’re supplying AcerGen, a genealogy-tracing firm founded by Gordon Meredith, several AcerGeners have taken up residence in the house Meg already shares with her husband, drama professor Michael Waterston, their twin sons, and what seems like every relative imaginable, though some of these may just be passing through. Meredith Senior is reputed to be a lovely man, but Ian Meredith, his son and heir apparent, is rude, high-maintenance, and getting sued by Katherine Anne Koenigslutter, a client who claims that AcerGen shared her DNA profile with a predatory half brother who wants half the value of her farm. Also lurking in the shadows is Cyrus Runk, a convicted killer freed on a technicality in which AcerGen was involved. So even though Meg manages to act surprised when her father reveals the ice rink he’s been building on the grounds, it’s hard to imagine anyone being surprised when Ian, unwittingly one-upping Mutant Wizards’ decision to sever its ties with AcerGen, gets fatally attacked on the newly opened ice rink with a hockey stick containing the fingerprints of Cyrus Runk. The few and obvious suspects have to fight for attention with the regulars who vastly outnumber them. Despite the avian title, the seasonal guest of honor is the very pregnant ginger tabby cat who’s taken up residence in a local church’s creche.

Andrews’ sturdy formula shows distinct signs of wear. Merry Christmas anyway.