A heat wave grips Cape Cod, but the attendees of the So Noir literary retreat don't allow the hot weather to dampen their enthusiasm. They roam the halls of Castleton Manor in Lighthouse Bay, Massachusetts, wearing trench coats and fedoras, just like their favorite fictional private eyes.
Librarian Faith Newberry gets herself in a jam when she agrees to deliver a lecture about the detective code. It's not exactly duck soup to grab the audience's attention, but Watson, her devoted feline companion, listens attentively. He realizes that he's the quintessential hard-boiled detective because he's smart and tough and always saving hapless humans.
When Oscar North, chef and local restaurant owner, falls from the balcony and dies, Watson gets his first case.
Oscar's death is rumored to be a homicide, and chaos breaks out at Castleton. The joint's lousy with wannabe gumshoes, and they launch their own investigation into who bumped off the chef. Meanwhile, Oscar's widow knocks Faith for a loop by begging her to find her husband's killer.
As Watson sniffs out clues, Faith presses the suspects for information. But they clam up, and it's difficult to discern who's on the square. Then Faith becomes a target, and it's noir or never to solve this case. Will the two sleuths drop a dime on the crook before the murderer can scram?
Christmas is no humbug affair in Lighthouse Bay, Massachusetts. The merry festivities are well underway in the quaint seaside village, and the halls of the posh Castleton Manor literary retreat are decked out in full Victorian décor. This year, the manor is hosting the Charles Dickens Society's annual gala, compete with parlor games and dramatic readings of A Christmas Carol, and culminating in a costume ball. Faith Newberry, Castleton's private librarian and archivist, loves being part of the holiday hustle and bustle while catering to the eccentric guests' bookish whims.
When a thief nicks some valuable antique jewelry from one of the suites, Faith is more than happy to leave the investigating to the Lighthouse Bay police. But then the obnoxious president of the society, Charles Huffam, is found dead as a doornail beneath the village's fifty-foot Christmas tree, and Faith's personal Scrooge, her boss Marlene Russell, is suspected of the crime. Faith has no choice but to make the unkind man's death her business.
Marlene's not the only person who has a bit of undigested beef with Huffam. The murder weapon was a length of chain which had been brandished by the seemingly mild-mannered gentleman playing Marley's ghost during the reading. And what about the overbearing woman whose romantic advances Huffam spurned, and her daughter, for whom Huffam had more than a passing fancy? Even Brooke Milner, Faith's friend and fellow Candle House Book Club member, might have wanted to see a stake of holly driven through Huffam's dark heart.
Faith will need all the help she can get from her friends, and especially from her fearless feline, Watson, to unmask the assailant -- or is that wassailant? -- before Castleton Manor's surplus population is decreased by yet one more.
The quaint Indiana town of Pleasant Creek is bustling with activity as Christmas draws near. Boston native and innkeeper, Liz Eckardt, is learning to embrace her new home's holiday traditions and welcomes the slower-paced life at the heart of Amish country. The little town is brimming with yuletide cheer, and the brisk air is filled with the smell of freshly baked Christmas cookies and the merry sounds of carolers. Liz is certain her godson Steve, coming home for the holidays from his military post overseas, will appreciate the comfort and joy that only a nice, simple country Christmas can bring.
Unfortunately for Liz, 'tis the season for unexpected mysteries and unwelcome surprises. Instead of her beloved godson arriving on the Olde Mansion Inn's doorstep, who should appear but Liz's troublesome ex-fiancé Matt, demanding a room and much of her time and patience. Meanwhile, frightening packages from a sinister "Santa" have been appearing on the doorsteps of several local businesses, each filled with a variety of unsavory items and a card bearing a single chilling word: "Heartless."
Are these cards accusations or confessions? Who could be leaving the ghastly "gifts" all around town? And is it merely a heinous holiday prank, or is Santa planning to bring something more ominous to the people of Pleasant Creek? With each new delivery, the contents of the packages become more and more disturbing, and Liz is determined to find out why the culprit is dead set on ruining Christmas for everyone. Wrapped up in the mystery, she calls on her dear friends in both the English and the Amish communities for help. Join Liz, the lovable ladies of the Material Girls quilting group, and the town's handsome mayor, Jackson Cross, as they try to find a way to bring the grisly gift giver to light, all while keeping the Christmas spirit alive.
Faith Newberry is settling in nicely at her job as librarian at the upscale and pet-friendly Castleton Manor literary retreat. Even her cat, Watson, has taken to his new life in Lighthouse Bay on Cape Cod. With a cozy cottage on the grounds of the Massachusetts estate in which to live, and surrounded by books by day and friends by night, Faith thinks life couldn't get much sweeter.
When celebrity pastry chef Sugar Worthington takes up residence at the manor, trailing a television camera crew and an entourage of adoring fans, Faith rises to the challenge of organizing a book signing for the baking diva. But things turn sour when attempts are made on Sugar's life, and Faith soon finds herself in a sticky situation.
It seems Sugar has a dark side, and she's managed to make some enemies over the years-along with her drop-dead delicious desserts. Just how far will someone go for sweet revenge?
Faith doesn't know what she'd do without her tailless, tuxedoed sidekick, but she does know there's no one she trusts more than Watson to help her solve the mystery. She will also get a little help from her beloved Aunt Eileen, and the other intrepid members of the Candle House Book Club, veterinarian Midge and sous chef Brooke. It will take their combined talents to turn up the heat on a would-be killer.
Can they figure out who's got it in for Sugar without getting mixed up in a recipe for death?
