Christmas books to charm and delight

During the holiday season, one usually takes a well-earned break from the daily rutt, and there is no better time to catch up on some reading. Patricia McCracken has selected a wide spectrum of titles to tuck into.

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The Black Wolf by Louise Penny (Hodder & Stoughton, R425) Penny's previous detective thriller, The Grey Wolf, was wrapped in ominous overtones as Quebec's Chief Inspector Gamache tried to crack a massive plot apparently aimed at poisoning Montreal's water supply. Nicknamed from the indigenous Cree legend, the police believe the calm Grey Wolf, a monk, had helped them catch the angry Black Wolf, the corrupt deputy prime minister.

But now, in this 20th outing for Gamache, he's been studying documents left behind by a young biologist who was assassinated and believes it's not over, especially after unprecedented Canadian wildfires poison the air - and the thinking - in US cities.

But who's really behind it? A mafia conspiracy, politically corrupt officials or even top cops wanting to grab power? The plot twists and turns and at times skirts close to real-life political demands.

An intricately plotted, gripping read that takes you into small Canadian villages and the wilds, as well as to north American cities and the White House.

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace (Piatkus, R295)

Another seasonal read to curl up with starts with Clara on a mission to the small town of Fraser Falls, trying to solve a nightmare for her family's successful toy firm after a colleague exploited a local small business. Florence, the French bakery owner, Jack, wood crafter and the town's Mr Fixit, and even Tommy who owns the bar are set to roast Clara for what her dad's company did. How Clara disarms them might seem to be a near-perfect solution except that in the process she turns her own thinking upside down and leaves Jack staring into a future that could make or break him. Clever, witty and satisfying in not being too predictable.