Paul Kagan, known as Pyotyr to the Russian mob he has successfully infiltrated, has decided he wants out of this secret mission, no matter the cost to his career. He has been asked to do too many things against what he believes in, the latest of which involves kidnapping a baby who is to be a beacon of world peace from the Middle East. 

Running injured, among the crowds of Canyon Road, Kagan finds a household which may offer safe haven to him and the bundle he is carrying. Unbeknownst to him, the house he has chosen was under its own siege earlier in the evening. Ted Brody is an abusive, alcoholic husband; wife Meredith and son Cole have decided to make a run for safety while they still are physically able. Before they get out, Kagan stumbles upon them and enlists their help in saving the infant, in the process saving their family, as well as turning around life of the man chasing Paul who has become too close to the double agent for his own good.   

As is often the case, the Christmas story is portrayed by a popular author in his or her own style, but just in case you don’t pick up on the clues as to the origins of this story, Kagan retells the story for twelve year old Cole, emphasizing certain points to his own benefit, explaining how the original Magi were spies in their own right. 

Kagan also has many helpful hints on how to rehydrate the infant and offer him enough nourishment until he can get he proper formula, all learned on some of his many missions. Woven throughout the present are the stories of how Paul and Andrei came to be where they are today and why and how the kidnapping of the child occurred. 

The characters in the story seem tired: Kagan is tired of being a double-agent, Andrei is tired of being tied to the Russian Mob, Ted is tired of drinking and Meredith and Cole are tired of their abusive family. In the end, the baby becomes the infant of hope for more people, on a more personal note, than originally intended.  Fans of the normally fast-paced Morrell may be disappointed with this allegory, but for fans wanting to test the waters, this may be just their speed.                                

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry