Fun. This is the second book in the series I've read, out of order, alas, but I found it just as delightful and imaginative as I did the first. Cast aside your preconceived ideas of Christmastown being the perpetually happy land of candy canes and sparkly delights. Well, no, they're there, so strike that. Okay, cast aside your image of Ol' Saint Nick as a fat, jolly, ol' man with the his sweet, slightly chubby wife, her gray hair covered by a lovely knit scarf as she bakes and bakes and bakes and, well, wait a minute. What else does Mrs. Claus do?
Oh, never mind. The Mrs. Claus of this book, make that April Claus, is young, energetic, doesn't seem to much care for baking endless mounds of goodies, has a best friend who is an elf, and loves a good mystery. In fact, you might say she's obsessed with investigating although, quite frankly, she'd like to pretend her curiosity doesn't drive her into danger. Trust me, it does. Of course, Nick isn't a jolly ol' soul, either, and beardless is described as a surfer dude type. Christmas is their business, however, so what is all this hoopla about Halloween?
It seems to have started with an innocent remark by April that she rather missed Halloween. Christmastown is all about Christmas, 24/7, every day of the year. While there's a great deal to be said about living in a perpetual Christmas snow globe, her remark leads to Halloween being introduced to the residents of Christmastown. And, oh, what an assorted bunch they are. We have humans, of course, but elves make the town hum and seemingly run every kind of business. Far from being fun and full of good cheer 24/7, however, they show all the strengths and weaknesses of life outside. One, Tiny Sparkletoe, a shoemaker, think curly-toed elf wear, is egotistical, arrogant, and opposes the idea of Halloween coming to Christmastown. Do I need to give you any other hint who the murder victim is?
Oh, and did I mention the reindeer that not only fly but have attitude? Or the living snowmen? Literally alive, that is. The funicular run amuck? I was just glad I knew what a funicular was without having to look it up. Transport by sleigh? And, oh, yes, gigantic snow monsters. They're described basically as Neanderthals with very little brain but lots of attitude and since they're about 20 feet tall, well, you don't want to start a war with them, that's for sure.
I know I haven't really described the plot but, well, the town itself and it's quirky residents and environment are so much fun that it's easy to forget there is a murder to solve? So, who trampled Tiny Sparkletoe, and I do mean literally trampled him? Why was his wife still doing cleaning services if he was as rich as he tried to say he was? How did the reindeer get drunk? And, oh, go read the book. It's a fun, easy read and will put a smile on your face as you follow April Claus as she tries to save both Christmastown's Halloween and help Nick, the Santa regent, soothe its citizens distress, not to mention find time amidst the distractions to get all those toys made! Love this series.
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