Bitter Poison

Holiday panto drama is overshadowed when tragedy strikes a Christmas party in this mystery that will "delight fans of the English countryside" (Kirkus Reviews).

Frog End, that most quintessential of English villages, is preparing for its annual Christmas pantomime. This year, it's Hans Christian Andersen's dark fairytale The Snow Queen. Local busybody Marjorie Cuthbertson is on the hunt for her leading lady—and who better to play the icy queen than beautiful new resident, ex-model Joan Dryden. But as interested as they are in their new neighbors, the residents of Frog End remain wary of the Dryden family, considering them aloof Londoners.

The townspeople have bigger things to worry about, however. Mystery engulfs the village when a cast member collapses and dies at a Christmas party, having consumed a rogue mince pie. Was the death an accident . . . or was it a malicious revenge strategy masked as an allergic reaction? The Colonel makes it his business to find out.

Part of the Village Mystery series

"As cozy as a mug of hot chocolate and a roaring fire, this one will hold strong appeal for genre fans." —Booklist