This holiday season, teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman must solve the slaying of Santa Bear . . .

Sasha and her sister Maddie are thrilled that the Silver Bear Shop and Factory has won the Teddy Bear Keepsake Contest, which means they get to produce a holiday specialty toy, a wizard bear named "Beary Potter." Promising to be just as magical is Silver Hollow's annual tree-lighting ceremony and village parade. Only one hitch: the parade's mascot, Santa Bear-played by Mayor Cal Bloom-is missing.

After a frantic search among the floats, Bloom is found dead. When the outfit is removed, it's clear the mayor's been electrocuted. Who zapped hizzoner and then stuffed him into his Santa Bear suit? While the police investigate the grisly crime, Sasha attempts to track down the murderer herself, with some help from the Guilty Pleasures Gossip Club. Can they wrap up this case in time for Christmas-or will Sasha meet her own shocking end?

Praise for BEARLY DEPARTED

"You'll fall in love with this delightful debut mystery."
-Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder in Morningside Heights

"The first in a new series features a complex plot awash in red herrings, a perky heroine . . . and everything you ever wanted to know about teddy bears."
-Kirkus Reviews

"The appealing, impulsive amateur sleuth, dedicated to the family business, will appeal to fans of character-driven cozies."
-Library Journal

"Entertaining . . . inhabited by quirky, fully developed characters and good dogs and cats."
-Publishers Weekly