The Christmas Heist

Landis Wade

Jul 2020 · Christmas Courtroom Trilogy Book 1 · Lystra Books & Literary Services, LLC

About this eBook

Small town lawyer Thad Raker must win a case or Santa won’t come to town, but he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or know the stakes when he takes the case for a homeless man who says he works for Santa. 

Henry Edmonds is on trial for stealing a flash drive which holds the key to Christmas coming. Several people claim ownership of the flash drive and want Edmonds in jail, including an elfish looking man who says he works for an international toy company. Witness by witness the facts come out but who is to be believed and are there any True Believers? And what’s so important about the flash drive to the fate of Christmas? 

A local newspaper reporter stirs things up by blogging about what he calls the “Trial of the Century” and tweets that the “Court’s Ruling Could Halt Christmas for Thousands.” Can an irascible judge looking toward retirement find it within himself to save Christmas? 

Landis Wade writes a script somewhere between the screenplays for My Cousin Vinny and Miracle on 34th Street, and that’s a wonderful place to be.

–Suzanne Reynolds, former Dean, Wake Forest University School of Law

The wisdom of Sheriff Andy Taylor, the witty banter of Night Court, and the magic of Miracle on 34th Street are presented as a joyous gift to all generations! 

–Chase Boone Saunders, Superior Court judge, retired

Landis Wade combines his decades of crafty courtroom experience with his innocent appreciation of the magic of Santa to weave a clever, heart-warming legal who-done-it. 

–Jon Buchan, author of Code of the Forest

Ratings and reviews

If you enjoy Miracle on 34th Street, you will probably enjoy this story. It's a fun, sweet story.

a classic style of writing bit what made my day was this feeling of contentment in my heart when i finished the story.

fan Taz tic / JUST what is needed to get you into the spirit of Christmas.

About the author

Landis Wade is a recovering trial lawyer and host of the popular Charlotte Readers Podcast (where he has conducted more than 300 author interviews), whose third book—The Christmas Redemption—won the 2018 Holiday category of the National Indie Excellence Awards, and whose novel–Deadly Declarations–won the Cozy Mystery category of the 2022 American Fiction Awards and received honors in the Thriller categories of the 2022 International Book Awards and Readers’ Favorite Awards. 

He lives in Charlotte, Durham, and Watauga County, North Carolina, where he writes and podcasts, visits his grandchild, and fly-fishes. His love of Christmas and experience as a lawyer led to this story.

Visit his podcast website here: charlottereaderspodcast.com

Visit his author website here: landiswade.com