Hamish Macbeth is back in a Christmas holiday based mystery. This book was released a little late for many to find it before Christmas but is still worth a read no matter what time of the year. Two different but yet serious crimes plague Hamish during the Christmas season. Someone has stolen Mrs. Gallagher's cat, Smoky. Mrs. Gallagher is a cranky and difficult old lady who most of the town including Hamish tries to avoid. The other fiendish crime is someone has stolen nearby Cnothan's Christmas tree and lights.

In addition to his professional duties Hamish misses Priscilla Halburton-Smythe who is in New York for the holiday. In his loneliness he invites the new schoolteacher out for dinner. Through her he becomes involved with a perfect little girl who life is without Christmas because of her parent's religion. The author brings all of this together in a wonderful and well conceived ending that is not only fun but also heart warming.

The most important surprise is the Christmas present that Hamish receives which if you have read any of the other fourteen Hamish Macbeth mysteries will bring a lump in your throat.

This book sings with small village Scotland and the differences in their Christmas from the rest of the world and for that I have granted it a four-thistle rating.