I got this paperback at Barnes and Noble.

I first discovered Andrews' "Meg Langslow" books via the hilarious We'll Always Have Parrots, which is actually the fifth in the series. I've been catching up on the rest of the series since then, and have been enjoying the books very much; they can stand alone, but as the events of each book seem to feed into the next one it adds some fun (and prevents some spoilers) if you read them in order.

This one's another wacky romp set at Christmas time. Meg and Michael and the twins (now 11) and their vast extended family - plus the assorted friends and neighbors - are working on this year's Christmas pageant when they find an extra baby in the manger. And there's a note attached that seems to suggest that Meg's brother Rob is the father, something that causes uproar when Rob's jealous fiancee hears about it. [I admit that her reaction was so violent that I thought it better that they break up, but Rob has had a colorful history with women so perhaps her unwillingness to listen to him - or wait for the DNA tests - is understandable.]

Anyway, as is often the case in these books, the plot involves not only the mysterious baby but a wanted criminal, a neighboring community run by corrupt officials, and an escalating series of hazards (some of which are on the scary side for this kind of story), culminating with a hilarious and massive "Christmas parade as diversion for a group jail-break". No matter how many of these books I read, I keep being astonished at the over-the-top-ness of the plots - and I keep coming back for more!

[There's a short TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits.]

I left this book in the Little Free Library by the Church of the Good Shepherd; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2019 December holiday release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2019 What's In A Name Release Challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2019 D for December release challenge. ***