The Snow White Christmas Cookie: A Berger and Mitry Mystery

A series of blizzards and a crime wave disturb the blue-blooded residents of Dorset, Conn., in Handler’s winning ninth mystery featuring odd couple state trooper Desiree Mitry and film critic Mitch Berger (after 2011’s The Blood Red Indian Summer). Somebody is stealing mail in Dorset’s picturesque historic district, with prescription drugs being the main target. At the center of the ensuing investigation is Josie Cantro, a life coach who gives new meaning to the term “hands on” therapy and who now has two dead clients, both apparent suicides. State police, postal inspectors, the FBI, and DEA become involved and create a rancorous and inept task force, prompting Mitry and Berger to combine their formidable talents to try to ferret out a truly malevolent killer. The town’s quirky and charming characters as well as Berger’s sage comments on vintage movies more than compensate for the convoluted plot. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary. (Oct.)