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Katherine Hall Page, creator of the Faith Fairchild series, has another delicious mystery with a poignant Christmas theme in her latest work, "The Body in the Sleigh" (William Morrow, 256 pages).

Caterer Faith Fairchild has had a difficult autumn. Her husband, Tom, suffered an acute attack of pancreatitis triggered by gallstones.

After his release from the hospital, the couple decide to spend Christmas recuperating and, hopefully, relaxing at their cottage on Sanpere Island in Maine.

But their dreams of a Merry Christmas are quickly dashed when Faith discovers the body of a young girl in an old sleigh that is part of the holiday decorations in front of the island's Historical Society.

The girl appears to have overdosed on heroin, but the staged scene suggests foul play.

The mystery is a nice twist on the Nativity Story, complete with a child found in a manger on Christmas Eve.

In the Biblical story, the lowly shepherds are the first to adore the Christ Child.

In this telling, a reclusive spinster who raises goats, Mary Bethany, welcomes the infant Christopher.

Just as Matthew's Gospel tells of the tyrannical King Herod who plotted to kill the Baby Jesus, in this Christmas mystery, there are those who threaten the baby hidden in the manger.

In this Yuletide carol, maternal love triumphs over the evildoers.

For those who mourn the loss of "Gourmet" magazine, have Faith as in Faith Fairchild's scrumptious recipes included at the end of the book. The "Annie Breakfast Sandwich" is a nice change from an omelet and would make a great light dinner. What could be better than "Chocolate Bread Pudding?" (Except, perhaps, the "Norwegian Christmas Cake" which can be made up to two weeks before the holidays a great simple dessert for the stressed-out cook.)

For the true gourmet of mysteries and fine food, "The Body in the Sleigh" is a tasty holiday treat.