Ho-Ho Homicide

'Tis the season to be sleuthing for Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate (last seen in Murder Has No Calories), the amateur gumshoes of the Southern California luxury retirement home of Camden-sur-Mer, when the body of a resident is discovered under the lobby tree. The pair are thrilled when Lieutenant Martinez asks them to compile short descriptions of the residents on the dead woman's side of the building. While Martinez thinks he's keeping them busy and out of his hair, Angela and Cal decide that they've been deputized and proceed to question their fellow residents, most of whom, they learn, didn't think too highly of Birdy Benton. They also get involved with the dead woman's family and discover that the relatives are squabbling over Birdy's possessions. But, based on preliminary evidence, Martinez thinks the death will be declared accidental. Loath to give up their investigation, however, Angela and Cal pursue leads until they track down the killer. Sawyer's humorous yet sympathetic look at retirement-home life and her lovable sleuths keep the reader's interest, despite the story's very thin plot. (Sept.)