Santa's Little Thief — Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

A dead elf and stolen gifts put a damper on the Christmas season in this spirited whodunit from the author of the Pooch Party Cozy Mysteries.
 
It's the most magical time of the year, and Bramblett County is swept up in preparations for the annual Christmas parade. Gifts for the children have been wrapped with care, the parade route is set, and Lily joins her friends to bake at Millie's Cafe, churning out cookies like there's no tomorrow.
 
The baking party is all fun, laughter, and flour fights . . . until a dead elf is discovered in the cafe's walk-in freezer. When the gifts for the town children turn up missing, the bakers realize that someone is trying to rain on their Christmas parade!
 
Join Lily and her crew of sassy southern ladies as they strike out to track down the culprit and save Christmas.
 
Praise for the mysteries of Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
“I love the charming Southern small-town dynamic and all the drama it brings. And the supporting characters are a hoot!” -- Caroline Fardig, USA Today bestselling author
 
“If you like southern charm and laughter with deadly mysteries, this is your series.” -- Wulfwyn Reads Excessively
 
“Has all the earmarks I look for in an engrossing whodunnit; a couple of plausible red herrings, a few rescue dogs for interest, and a budding romantic interest that will keep at least this avid reader coming back with each new installment. An excellent read, I am highly recommending!” -- Roxx Is Reading