December 7th's Book Beginnings and Friday 56

Well, it's been six weeks or so, but I'm back with another Book Beginnings and Friday 56.

This week, I'm featuring Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge by Laura Levine.

                                                   

Yes, it's a Christmas entry in the long running Jaine Austen comedic mystery series.  I saved it for December, and it was worth the wait!  This has long been a favorite series.
Here's how it begins:

I blame Connie Van Hooten for everything.  If she hadn't packed up her staff and gone yachting in the Mediterranean, I would've never spent that cursed Christmas as a murder suspect.

Page 56 features part of an e-mail from Jaine's father:

I've got to look at the bright side.  The clattering false teeth I ordered for Lydia Pinkus's Secret Santa gift are tucked away safe in my suitcase.

As a fan of the series, I was already laughing just imaging this since Jaine's dad has a one sided rivalry going with Lydia.

Honestly, the entire book was great.  I'll have my full review up on Monday, so I hope you'll come back then.