Daisy Thorne, owner of Ooh La La salon in the small town of Edgemead, Surrey, England, is preparing for the holidays along with everyone else. But with her salon booked up completely until they close for Christmas, she's finding it hard to make time for herself. But one day she decides to visit Holly Lodge with her best friend Floria, whose sister, pop star Mimi Fallon, has bought the place and plans to renovate.

While the workers are busy, the three women sit in the kitchen -- or what's left of it, currently -- as the old Georgian has sat empty for several years. But then a body is discovered in the chimney, and the man is dressed like Santa Claus. While the women are stunned, after DCI Paul McGuinness arrives, Daisy perks up and sets her sights on profiling the killer. While McGuinness doesn't seem to want her help, she knows he needs it since she has local contacts and he doesn't; and when it's found out that the man was a local named Tim Pierce, Daisy sets to work questioning her clients. Soon more information comes forth, and there's a real mystery as to what actually happened to him. With a few different stories drifting about, Daisy will have to decide who's telling the truth and who isn't -- even if it puts her in arms' length of a killer...

This is the third book in the series and I have read them all. I must say that this book, like the others, flows easily with crisp writing and lovely descriptions of what is happening around the characters. One can get a feel for actually being in Edgemead, (although I don't know about all the snow!); and we watch as Daisy puts her wits to use in figuring out who the culprit might be. Along with this, we have McGuinness, who at times seems frustrated with Daisy and at others grateful for her help, as he himself has to put the evidence together and cannot go with his gut feeling. It makes for a wonderful pair of characters who, in their own ways, depend upon one another to solve the case.

We also have the secondary story of Daisy wondering where, if anything, her budding relationship with McGuinness is going. She reasons that they both have jobs they love and are important to them, but on the other hand, Daisy is wanting to have a real relationship. She juggles her emotions with her instincts, and we can see that it isn't easy for her to do when it comes to herself.

But then another event occurs and the stakes are suddenly raised to find the killer and fast. When Daisy finally figures it out, it comes as almost a surprise and the reasoning behind it, much like most murderers, lets us know that unhinged minds are capable of anything. Then we have the lovely epilogue of Christmas day, and it makes one long for the holidays so we can celebrate ourselves.

Ms. Innes tells a wonderful tale, and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to read her books, and I await the next in the series eagerly. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. ( )

cosy-mystery, England, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, small-business, small-town, friendship*****

Daisy is a winner but the DCI is still a whiny wiener. Daisy owns a hair salon in a village in Surry and has some really nice employees and is also a caring friend. This time she is with a friend who is renovating an old country house when the workmen discover a body which had been stuffed up a chimney! Daisy has completed her requirements to be a consultant to the police with investigations and profiling. The author really knows how to make the characters real, and the sleuthing is well done. I loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )