Addie Greyborne is preparing for the holidays at her bookstore in seaside New Englandbut a winter storm is coming, in more ways than one . . . Addies getting into the spirit for the upcoming Charity Auctionespecially since shes got an 1843 copy of Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol to donate. Her former colleagues at the Boston Public Library have confirmed that its worth runs toward the high five figures, which should help with the new pediatric wing. Her mood darkens, though, when a visitor from the past appearsJonathan Hemingway, the father of her late fiancé. His presence stirs up sad memories for Addie, but also has her fuming when Jonathan, true to his womanizing ways, runs off for a lunchtime liaison with Teresa Lang, whos in charge of the auction. Soon after, Addie heads to Teresas office at the hospitaland finds the poor womans dead body. What she doesnt find is her valuable first edition. What sort of Scrooge would steal from sick children and commit murder in the process? As a Noreaster bears down and a mystery emerges about Jonathans past, Addie must find out if she can appraise peoples motives and characters as well as she can appraise rare books . . .