GINGERDEAD MAN

Murder mars a Maryland holiday festival.

The townsfolk in Bayport, where caterer Val Deniston lives with her Granddad, are putting on a Victorian holiday festival with the emphasis on Dickens. Granddad is bent out of shape because his usual job as Santa has been given to newcomer Jake Smith, who not only has a nasty cold, but is also a bit drunk. Jake's wife, Jewel, plays Mrs. Claus in a short red dress and thigh-high boots. A tea Val caters for the volunteers at a bookstore has only six takers plus a mysterious black-robed figure who drops off gift bags. Jake opens his to discover a gingerdead cookie that’s usually reserved for Halloween, eats it, keels over, and later dies, apparently poisoned. Both Val and her Granddad have done detective work in the past, and when Jake’s death sparks rumors, Val realizes that her catering business will be in trouble unless she catches the killer. Jake has a history of leaving real estate investors holding the bag while he skips out with the money. He was working on a similar scheme in Bayport and had already made enemies. When an elderly man dies, possibly from poisoned chocolates, the morning after his birthday dinner, which Val catered, the pressure increases to find the motive and means in two seemingly unrelated deaths.

Plenty of red herrings, mixed motives, and recipes for foodies make for a spirited holiday cozy.