Lee Charles Kelley Twas the Bite Before Christmas

Twas the Bite Before Christmas

Lee Charles Kelley

Avon, Nov 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN 0060732288

Ex-NYPD Police Officer Jack Field, now lives in Maine where he owns and operates a kennel, and is a consultant to his fianc state medical examiner Jamie Cutter. They are enjoying themselves one night when a phone call summons them to the Bright mansion, where the corpse of the housemaid Amy Frost is found lying on the steps. Tests show that she suffered blunt force trauma to her head by an unknown object, and the Brights believe her abusive ex-boyfriend Thomas Huckabee did the deed.

They go so far as to plant false evidence so the police will focus their investigation on Huckabee. Karl, the family chauffeur, disappears after telling Jack about a mysterious professor who visits the Brights quite often, and where he is in residence. Strange things happen in the newly contracted third floor of the mansion. Karl is in New York trying to resolve a misunderstanding with a Russian Mafioso, who winds up helping Jack in his quest to find the mysterious professor. Jack wants Huckabee found so he can give a kidney to his son who has weeks left to live, and his father is a good match. Jack also wants to discover what role the professor played in the Bright problems, and develops a brilliant con to bring him out of hiding.

Readers who like Laurien Berenson and Susan Conant, will love 'TWAS THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. The secondary cast makes the tale, including Doberman pinchers, who look fierce but are putty in Jack's hands. The hero's own two dogs will bring a smile to the reader's face, with their actions and antics. Though there are a few too many ornaments, Lee Charles Kelly has written a clever crime caper.