The McAfee Twins, Kerry and Terry, have decided to enjoy a Christmas retreat to Catalina Island with their Aunt Reba and cousin Robert. They believe the island will offer up the perfect place to relax and take a break from their private investigating business. When they arrive on the island, they learn that they have been given the honeymoon suite. The newlyweds that occupied it argued, the groom moved to another hotel, and the bride has gone missing. What has happened to the lovely bride? Should they look into the disappearance while they are enjoying a holiday?

Unfortunately, they are not given much time to decide whether or not to investigate the strange happenings on the island. They are assaulted in their hotel room while they are sleeping, and then they find a dead body floating in the bay. They have no choice but to become involved. The circumstances become more bizarre when a crazy ex-wife, some elf outfits, stampeding buffalo, a poodle, a green diamond ring, and some possible terrorists are thrown into the mix. The resulting chaos definitely makes it a Christmas the twins are likely never to forget. Will they survive all the surprises?

Jennifer Colt has written another comical McAfee twins mystery. Kerry and Terry are adorable and their personalities are almost complete opposites. While one is rushing into the action, the other pauses to consider the consequences, but ends up in the middle of the fray anyway. There is never a dull adventure with the two of them around. When you add in wacky Aunt Reba and accident- prone cousin Robert, the story ends up that much more entertaining. THE CON ARTIST OF CATALINA ISLAND is an enjoyable tale and a delightful, fast paced read.