Gloria's Reviews > Edisto Tidings

This was my first read by the author and series and so I was a bit lost at the beginning. There is a plethora of relationships in the series but the author does a great job of giving background information. Edisto Island is a small community where there are many renters that come and go each week. It is Christmastime on the island and gifts are being taken from the renters' places, one each house with an exception or two. The gifts are taken supposedly by the Edisto Santa, a long time tradition where someone plays Santa, giving gifts to the poor who might not get something otherwise. But in the past, were gifts stolen to fulfill the gesture? Or is this a new act?
Police Chief Callie Morgan moved from the Boston PD to the island where she spent holidays with her family. Her surprise birthday party at the new Mexican restaurant is interrupted when someone clearing a lot owned by a prominent citizen finds a body. The body turns out to be Callie's biological mother's estranged husband, Ben. Sarah has just arrived on the island for Christmas and Callie's birthday and so is a suspect along with others who might have it in for Ben.
Callie and her small police force have their hands full with two investigations but her former retired boss from Boston gives her support. She steps on some toes when she recovers the stolen gifts from the poor recipients but she feels an obligation to the people who purchased the gifts. This is a fine line indeed. Locals stick together.
I enjoyed reading and trying to unravel this mystery and also discovering this new to me author. I plan to check out her other books. This is series has a great setting with a cast of interesting recurring characters. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC from Belle Bridge Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.