"Cecily Sinclair Baxter could use a Christmas miracle. Mrs. Chubb, the Pennyfoot's housekeeper, must travel up north for a family emergency, and Cecily needs a temporary replacement. The agency doesn't have much to offer on short notice during this busy time of year. But they have someone--Beatrice Tucker--who turns out to be more of a curse. She fights with just about everyone, including Archibald Armitage. Star of the London stage, Armitage is staying at the Pennyfoot this holiday season. His presence turns out to be a blessing after he rescues the stable manager's dog from drowning in the icy duck pond. But not everyone in Badgers End is a fan of the actor... When Armitage drops dead after Beatrice serves him some plum pudding, everyone assumes the huffy housekeeper is the culprit. But as Cecily begins to investigate, the list of suspects grows, and solving this case may not be as easy as pie...or pudding"-- Provided by publisher.