What would Christmas be without a murder to solve? In the series following Meg Langslow, the murders occur with great regularity. So far, her immediate family of drama teacher husband Michael and twin lads Josh and Jamie are safe. But the extended family that makes up most of Caerphilly’s residents just seems to attract trouble.

In FIVE GOLDEN WINGS, two of Meg's female cousins, Emily and Lexy, are each getting married in Caerphilly shortly before Christmas. Not a double wedding, but two separate ceremonies and parties on the same day. The brides appear to be frenemies and much effort goes into keeping the groups apart when guests descend on town. The snow hasn’t started yet, but it’s cold, and even the dogs want to stay indoors a lot of the time.

I don’t know if I’ve read too many stories with demanding brides, but I will admit to skimming much of the arguments, hat fittings, hen parties and gift wrapping, maybe because Meg is doing the same. She has to keep the peace and deal with the wedding photographer. This man, Austin Luckett, comes to town with an assistant, hired by both the brides – oops! He’s quite tacky and rude, unlike most photographers whose jobs depend on getting people smiling. Well, someone he annoyed takes it seriously, and Austin is found shot dead near the church.

Police Chief Burke and the forensic examiner, Horace Hollingsworth, get to work, but I notice nobody feels the need to panic and keep kids indoors. It’s business as usual. The guests, bridesmaids, brides and grooms don’t think for one moment that they might be at risk from an armed maniac. Meg tries to help, along with her nephew Kevin, the computer geek who lives in her basement and runs cameras around the house and streets. The Caerphilly police have had a lot of experience in the homicide department.

The title theme follows birds; we get three rescued eagles, with five wings between them, shoehorned into the occasion. This didn’t feel right. I much prefer when the birds are the actual theme, such as the stories featuring peacocks and puffins. FIVE GOLDEN WINGS is the thirty-eighth adventure for Meg and her cheerful extended family. I can reassure the loyal fans that no core characters appear for the last time, and I think riots would ensue around Caerphilly if anyone harmed Meg’s Grandfather, the zoologist. If you want to get in the Christmas mood, this will be a lively mystery read, with a focus on family and hospitality.