The Perils of Wrapped Gifts
Krista Davis writes the Domestic Diva Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime.  Her first book, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme was nominated for an Agatha award. The Diva Cooks a Goose is hitting the stores right now!  Visit Krista at http://divamysteries.com and at Mystery Lover’s Kitchen http://mysteryloverskitchen.com where she blogs with other culinary mystery authors.
My new book, The Diva Cooks a Goose, opens with the discovery that gifts were stolen right out from under Christmas trees while everyone in the neighborhood attended a community pageant.  It’s Christmas Eve and stores have closed.  Naturally, the entire neighborhood is in an uproar because the children will be crushed when they wake on Christmas morning and there are no presents.  Stealing Christmas gifts has to be one of the lowest, Scrooge-iest things a person can do.
When you think about it, stealing wrapped gifts is sort of like paying for a chance at a grab bag.  You don’t know what you might get.  Burglarize a jewelry store and it’s a good bet you’ll find jewelry, well, assuming you know how to open 
the safe. Â Wrapped gifts could be anything — a singing fish, or a candle, or socks.
Imagine my amusement when, just this week, the front page of the local newspaper carried a story about a man and his accomplices arrested for — you guessed it — stealing wrapped gifts.  They broke into a residence but didn’t take collectibles on display or jewelry or cash.  They took a huge risk by breaking and entering, and then they went for door number three!
Now, one hopes that people give thoughtful gifts.  However, just today a friend told me she was instructed to bring a “bad gift” to a holiday party.  I also know people who have gag gift traditions in their families.  One friend told me she’s buying two puzzles and mixing the pieces as a joke.  I guess I’d be a lousy thief, but if I were taking that sort of risk, I’d want some guarantees that I was getting something more than a $9.98 Singamajig.  I’m not advocating crime here, but going to jail for a bottle of drugstore cologne or a T-shirt that says “I’m with stupid” hardly seems worth it.  I should mention  that the residence that was burglarized wasn’t particularly fancy or upscale so it’s not like the thieves expected to find the keys to a new car under the tree.
In The Diva Cooks a Goose, protagonist Sophie Winston and her family put together clues until they uncover the identity of the perpetrator.  Apparently, it wasn’t quite so difficult for the real life police in the local burglary.  Seems when the thief collected the wrapped gifts, he dropped his cell phone.  The cops called him to say they had his phone, and he came right to them to pick it up.  Sophie doesn’t have it quite so easy!
December 7, 2010
Posted in: Guest Blogs
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8 Responses
I really enjoy your books and introduced the books to friends. The mystery is usually a good one and the food sounds fantastic.
Years ago, my dad jokingly asked for a boat for Christmas. I wrapped up some pieces of wood, string, and an old sheet for a make-your-own boat. Dad didn’t find it nearly as amusing as I did — and I’m sure a thief would have been very puzzled
Looking forward to reading “The Diva Cooks a Goose”!
If real-life criminals were as brilliant as the ones we write, the closed cases rate would be a lot lower.
The big problem with Christmas wrapping around here is getting it onto the gift before the cats appropriate it.
Thank you, Pat! That makes my day!
I love that story, Laura. I bet your family still laughs about it!
You’re so right, Sandy. Maybe we give our villains too much credit! Dropping the cell phone? Way too easy!
~ Krista
How funny about the real thief! I’m glad Sophie’s thief isn’t that dumb! I’m looking forward to curling up with the Goose over Christmas. Based on the past books, it’ll be a terrific read.
You made me smile! The premise of THE DIVA COOKS A GOOSE sounds like fun. Love cozies!
Hi Kaye! You’re so sweet, thanks. If Sophie’s thief was as dumb as the real thief, it would be a very short book! LOL!
Jackie, it’s so nice to hear someone else likes cozies. I hope you’ll like THE DIVA COOKS A GOOSE!
~ Krista
Krista, it has been such a pleasure having you here—thank you for visiting
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