By Joan Hess (Thomas Beeler: 1997)

At the library this looked like a Christmas book, and in a way it was because all the action took place just before Christmas, but Claire Malloy was up to her elbows in

pagans, Druids and satanists in this episode of the series. To sum it up, Claire says in exasperation:
“… A week ago I was minding my own business, and now I’m embroiled with a gang of delusional pagans. The man I care about is snuggled up in front of a fire with his ex-significant other. I’m being sued for a million dollars. My daughter’s off committing a felony. Malthea’s in ICU; Nicholas is in the morgue; Roy’s in battle with a demon, and the best you can do is label me a skeptic?”
Claire is a little too “crusty” for my taste and seems always too ready with a cutting and not kind remark. I kind of see why she gets dumped on. But the book is amusing anyway and in stark contrast to the more recent novels where cell phones are always handy and DNA is an ever-present threat to an evil doer.
Because there is no bad language or raucous sex, this book earns the Good Clean Book seal of approval.

--Reviewed by Carol Boston - © 2011