Hard Christmas

Journalist-turned-sleuth Cat Marsala knows there's no such thing as easy money. But a feature story on Christmas tree farming does sound relaxing. And once she arrives at the DeGraaf farm, Cat finds a friendly, colorful family whose hard work spans generations. Then Cat learns about the mysterious death of Henry DeGraaf, Sr., the previous spring, and a palpable tension replaces the cheery air. Could the DeGraaf family closet be rife with skeletons?



When a fresh corpse turns up, she's sure of it.



Praise for the Cat Marsala Mysteries




"D'Amato's novel is her best and most ambitious."
—Chicago Sun-Times (Hard Christmas)



"D'Amato's fine writing, clever plot twists, and quick wit, her nicely understated but telling comments on the vagaries of human nature, and most of all, her appealing heroine make this book a perfect holiday read."
—Booklist (Hard Christmas)



"Fascinating...truly a holiday treat...D'Amato's richly textured characters are enveloped in a gorgeous and unusual setting."
—Mostly Murder (Hard Christmas)



"This effort rides far on the pleasures of Cat's company—and on her appealing, often funny, first-person voice."
—Publishers Weekly (Hard Christmas)