Several months after his wife's still unsolved homicide in London, Reverend Tom "Father" Christmas accompanied by his nine year old daughter Miranda, fans of the French version of Nancy Drew, visit his sister-in-law Julia Hennis the music teacher and her husband Alastair the physician Thornford Regis. When Vicar Peter Kinsey failed to arrive to lead the services for the late Ned Skynner at St. Nicholas Church, Father Christmas conducts the ceremony. Tom takes over the vacated position of village vicar.
The Christmas pair finds life in the village soothing as they heal from their loss. However, at the fair, someone murders the daughter of the choirmaster; Sybella Parry's body is found inside a large drum. Although most locals assume drugs were involved in the homicide, Tom thinks otherwise. As he makes inquiries and uses the confessional to gather information, Tom finds several suspects who could easily have killed the teenager.
Now Father Christmas aka Tom feels compelled to discover the truth as the unsovled murder of his wife hangs heavy in his heart. This move to a quiet village was supposed to make both he and his daughter more secure and heal.
Interesting dynamics with Tom and the dealings of the small town folks make this a fun yet complex mystery. Reminds me of the Agatha Christy Miss Marple mysteries where there is always more than meets the eye.