The Merchant of Menace (Jane Jeffry Mysteries, No. 10)
Quintessential mom in tennis shoes Jane Jeffrey is once again thrust  into a murder investigation, but this time the murderer is very close to home indeed. InThe Merchant of Menace, the 10th of the series by Jill Churchill, Jane finds herself in the midst of the Christmas rush and hosting two celebrations back-to-back: neighborhood caroling party one evening and a cookie exchange the following day. The two gatherings are meant to bring the community together, but when a TV reporter is found dead during the singing, it becomes obvious that at least one of the neighbors is harboring something besides goodwill towards men. As Jane and her coconspirator Shelly explore just who might have reason to shove someone off a roof, their sleepy suburb (Chicago is the ostensible nearby city, but the  setting could be anywhere there is snow in December) suddenly steams with secrets.Churchill has done well with this cozy series in which each title is a play on words of a more illustrious piece of literature.The Merchant of Menacefits into the mold: a witty and gentle dose of murder and mayhem coupled with a wry appreciation for the terrors of suburban parenting  (teaching teenagers to drive, helping with the homework, meeting the prospective in-laws)  and middle-aged romance. The travails of Shylock are perhaps too oppressive for most Christmas readers, butThe Merchant of Menaceis certainly suitable for passing around with the Christmas cookies and holiday punch.--K. Crouch--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.