In this entertaining sixth Maggie Kelly mystery (after 2006's High Heels and Holidays
), the scatterbrained mystery novelist faces a more dysfunctional family Christmas than usual. Just before leaving New York, Maggie breaks her foot, and then hobbles home to suburban New Jersey only to see her father arrested for murder. Local lothario Walter Bodkin has been found dead, and the weapon of choice was a bowling ball engraved with Maggie's father's initials. Maggie is sure that her father is innocent, but to get to the bottom of this murder, she'll have to learn more than she wants to know about her mother and sister's extracurricular activities, which definitely go beyond bowling. Her siblings aren't giving her much assistance, but droll, charming Alex, the hero of Maggie's books come magically to life, is there to keep her anxieties in check. Fans of romantic cozies will find this light read a welcome escape from their own holiday stress. (Nov.)
