HO-HO HOMICIDE

Yet another tedious go-round with the pair of in-house, would-be sleuths at Camdensur-Mer, a retirement home in southern California (Murder Has No Calories, 1994, etc.). Tiny Angela Benbow and massive Caledonia Wingate are intrigued by the death of Beatrice (Birdy) Benton, found dead at the foot of the annual Christmas tree in the home's lobby. It might be murder, and while the medical examiner does his thing, the dogged duo is encouraged by old police friend Lt. Martinez to explore possible motives among the other residents. Birdy's loud TV and her window feeding-station for flocks of birds certainly made her unpopular. Her grasping nephew, Daniel Benton, and some avaricious grandchildren might have wanted her dead. But it's Daniel's mild flirtation with Betty Goodwin, a private nurse for 100-year-old, still ambulatory Elmer Johanson, that provides the crucial element. It all ends in a questionable exercise of the Christmas spirit by Lt. Martinez that leaves his helpers, still chirping, to patiently wait for the next interminable coffee klatch.