Charlotte Pitt's clever grandmother investigates the sudden disappearance of a dear friend in this chilling whodunit, the final holiday novel by the late New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry. Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt's grandmother, accepts an invitation to spend Christmas with her longtime friend Sadie and Sadie's husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation. Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with, she begins investigating Sadie's disappearance. Mariah's uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, her neighbors' questions reveal more about the villagers themselves than about Sadie's whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie's friends, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side and her ability to love. It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas Day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate together—or is that too much to hope for?