This is #10 in the Liz Talbot series of murder mysteries by Loretta Rawlings.  Our protagonist, Liz Talbot, is a private investigator who works with the local police from time to time as required. There are prior stories referred to here so I suggest reading the series in order. That said I wasn’t really lost.  

Lowcountry Boughs of Holly
by Susan M. Boyer
Raed by Loretta Rawlings, 7h 29m
Rating: C –  holiday crime 

In this case a really wealthy local man named C.C. Bonefeld is found dressed in a Santa Suit in a row boat on the beach. This takes place during the annual Christmas parade in the very small, imaginary town of Stella Maris on an island off the coast near the border of North and South Carolina.  Bonefeld was not only very rich, but he has a vengeful wife, now widow, and several grown children. His will is … well, a hefty part of the compelling plot line. 

Yes, there’s a good story here but the sweetness and accents get a little thick. The romance is okay until the end. That might have lowered my rating a point or two, but the additional and unnecessary occult business just squishes the fun so it only gets a “C” because it gave the whole thing a distinctly “stupid” feel.