With Halloween still a week away, Tinker’s Cove, Maine, is already gearing up for its Merrie Olde Christmas extravaganza. Undeterred by a nasty doxxing incident, Chamber of Commerce Chair Corney Clark is teeing up costumes, carolers, and contests, capped by a plum pudding bake-off. But visions of sugarplums don’t have sweet associations for all residents. Bank manager Bert Cosgrove remembers his early days working in Cleveland as a buyer for Bag ’o’ Bargains, when he procured a contaminated shipment of plum puddings that caused several deaths. Bert, too, becomes the target of internet harassment and is ultimately found dead of a gunshot wound. The police rule his death a suicide, but Courier reporter Lucy Stone isn’t sure. She worries not only about the harassment that led to Bert’s death, but about social media misuse in general. She also finds herself at a crossroads. All of her children are living on their own, some far away from Maine. As she faces the possibility of spending Christmas alone with her husband, she considers the drawbacks and opportunities of her empty nest. Meier weaves her multiple plot strands skillfully, and in the 63 days leading up to Christmas, she shows that the holiday season can be a multifaceted gift to those who celebrate it. Her references to Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol remind readers that some people struggle financially, and the exploits of a teenage hacker showcase the dangers of modern technology. Lucy’s current Christmas adventure has humor, heart, and just enough sleuthing to satisfy.
