Christmas is coming, a time of family, friendship, gathering .... and death? Well, yes, but mostly because this a mystery. ;-) Death at the Swan Tavern is the sixth Veronica Vale Investigates mystery by Kitty Kildare. When one of the guests, someone invited to join the festivities at the last moment (so as not to be alone over the holiday) is found dead everyone is hoping it was an accident. It wasn't, and as his past is uncovered there are more and more suspects. Can the reason be discovered before Christmas? I love the sub themes of dog rescue and Ruby, who can drive any sort of vehicle (there's a tractor on the cover for a reason). Set in the 1920's.

Next is another Redmond and Haze Mystery by Irina Shapiro: Murder at Ardith Hall. Also set at Christmas and also the sixth in the series. (And yes I did read them back to back and no, did not do this on purpose)! The death happens at a sèance, one where folks have gathered in the hopes of contacting a loved one who has died. One of them is the wife of Daniel Redmond. It is not hard to determine that this person was murdered, but also determined that someone had been trying to kill him for some time now. (I know this is fuzzy, but I promised no spoilers, and the method here was very interesting)! Set just after the American Civil War, in England.

Reading Hermit With Dog