Murder Under the Mistletoe (Cleopatra Fox Mysteries)

Did a poisoned kiss kill the gambling-house proprietor? Cleo and Harry set out to prove a woman's innocence... but is she guilty after all? The arrival of Cleo's friend just before Christmas should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, her friend's unsettling observation that Cleo has changed since moving into a luxury hotel puts her on edge. And that's not all. She presents Cleo with a troubling new case: a woman's lover has died after a kiss beneath the mistletoe. Did the kiss poison him? Hired to investigate, Cleo and Harry must unravel a web of secrets, lies, and motives. Neighbors, lovers, servants and gamblers all fall under suspicion, but it's one unexpected-and familiar-suspect who truly shocks Cleo. He claims innocence, but can he be trusted? With Christmas fast approaching, Cleo longs to embrace the festive spirit. Yet her friend's unsuitable liaison, the simmering rivalry among the Mayfair Hotel staff, and a complex investigation threaten to ruin the season.