A Dickens of a Crime by Phyllis H. Moore

Meg Miller is a badass, not that she would actually use that word herself. Meg is retired, widowed, a do-gooder, and unwilling to let things go if she thinks she can solve the problem. Roped into covering for volunteer work that someone else was supposedly unable to do due to an illness, Meg goes to a local history society house to get part of her costume for the winter Dickens event. She finds it, and a body. The deceased was the most recent wife of a high school classmate, so of course Meg goes the next morning with food. From then on she is committed to finding answers. Along the way she just also happens to double the donations for the local police department’s toy drive while she works with the detective actually assigned to the case. What she uncovers is quite edgy for a cozy mystery. Her beloved small-town is involved in human trafficking and child abuse to an extent she never imagined. Is this a cozy? I certainly say yes. Perhaps the subject matter is too edgy for some. There are no sex scenes, but sex is still very much part of the story and of the crimes Meg uncovers. This is a cozy set in the real world, where people can be victims of predators. Meg is still very much the grandmotherly retiree, with her BFF Jean, a cat, and a penchant for food. This is s great book for cozy lovers who may need a break from the too-soft tales of some cozy. I look forward to hearing more of Meg and her friends.