Father Tom's medical leave is over, and with the beginning of Advent, he's back at his rightful place back at the altar. Everyone is looking forward to the Living Nativity, complete with animals (including a camel) . . . but not Imperial Storm Troopers, if Miriam can keep her co-director Gladys under control. But other than that, the people of Saint Clare's parish and Myerton can look forward to a joyful holiday season full of peace on earth and good will to men.

But unfortunately for Father Tom and Helen, there's not much peace when Miriam breaks her ankle and Helen has to step in to direct the Living Nativity. And the dead body in the barn at the Saint Francis Center has a few words to say about good will to men.

The Nightmare Nativity is the ninth novel in the Mercy and Justice Mysteries, a contemporary small town mystery series. The series is a sequel to the Father Tom Mysteries that began with The Penitent Priest and includes the same cast of characters. It features Father Tom Greer, a Catholic Priest who is also an amateur sleuth in the tradition of Father Brown, and his wife Helen Greer, female Chief of Police and detective in the tradition of Kinsey Millhone.