Oliver Swithin is the author of a series of children's books about a fiendish ferret who torments a small family of railway mice. Although the books are wildly popular Oliver's profits are caught up in a court case so he remains a somewhat impoverished young man who lives simply in a house with a group of housemates who are also friends. The light of his life is a Scotland Yard detective Effy Strongitharm, a quick young woman with wild hair. Effy was his uncle Mallard's subordinate and met Oliver through a previous case.

Oliver is writing a story about his ferret and it's association with a fundamentalist church and becomes involved with the murder of a new deacon who doesn't survive to enjoy his new post. The story is magnificent as Beechey brings to life the group of individuals that belong to the church with such humor and wit that I read the book slowly so I could savor every bit of it. I had read this book before and I have been looking in vain for the next in the series on a regular basis. I am sure I will read it again on future Christmases because it was such a joy. The story takes place during the Christmas holiday time so it is a great read for this time of year. ( )