Defendant Henry Edmonds, a homeless man who believes he works for Santa Claus, is on trial for stealing a flash drive full of secrets, a flash drive which may hold the key to Christmas but which is zipped tight in an evidence bag. Several people want Edmonds in jail, including a 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? As the courtroom clock ticks down on Christmas Eve, it becomes clear that the fates of the defendant and Christmas are inextricably intertwined. 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 is a recovering trial lawyer who writes mysteries and legal thrillers with amateur sleuths and underdog attorneys.
His Christmas Courtroom Trilogy has been called a cross between My Cousin Vinny and Miracle on 34th Street.
His Indie Retirement Mystery series involves humor, good puzzles, and engaging retirees who solve mysteries with a historic component. Deadly Declarations, book 1 in the series, won ten awards, including Winner in the 2022 American Fiction Awards in the Cozy Mystery category, and Winner in the Mystery category in the 17th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards. Next in the series is Deadly Gold Rush. His love of history led to this series.
Landis also founded the popular Charlotte Readers Podcast where he interviewed more than 500 authors, and compiled The Write Quotes series–8 books that feature inspirational and practical quotes from those authors. While podcasting, he co-wrote a novella with podcast co-host Sarah Archer titled Death by Podcasting, a comedic mystery about the danger of podcasting with author guests.
The Charlotte Writers Club awarded Landis their 2025 Adelia Kimball Founders Award for service to the club and the literary community. He lives in North Carolina, where he grew up, went to school, practiced law, and learned to write. He enjoys travel, playing golf, reading, and spending time in the mountains and at the beach.
The Naughty or Nice List is locked up as evidence.
Can Christmas be saved?
A big thank you to my GR friend Thibault for bringing this to my attention in Christmas Past. I took some time to read it today in Christmas Present.
Here is what I liked:
🌟There are some 'Miracle on 34th Street' vibes. The classic version with Natalie Woods is a must see.
🌟Courtroom shenanigans abound. I do enjoy a good courtroom thriller and this had just enough of the legal stuff to give it credibility. However, would a small claims court really be in session on Christmas Eve?
🌟That red flash drive! The information it holds can make or break Christmas. But who is the rightful owner?
🌟The crusty old judge may have to change his mind about not believing in Santa. The last scene is like the cherry on the sundae.
Landis Wade tells quite a tale and gives the Santa operation some tech upgrades. An entertaining read for the afternoon.
A jolly man in a red flannel shirt is on trial for possibly pushing a woman and stealing her USB stick. But is that really what happened?
We learn what happened at the end from the get go, though the events leading up to it are gradually revealed by the witnesses on the stand as they give us their version of the facts. And it’s by knowing all the facts that the man on trial can be judged fairly for his actions.
The story pokes a little bit of fun at some things that can go wrong in a courtroom. Like an unreliable witness or a witness who doesn’t show up on time. It’s a lighthearted, amusing, short, and cozy Christmas-themed courtroom drama. It’s a little bit similar to the Miracle on 34th Street movies, which the story itself admits, though with a bit more focus on the comedy and the mystery plot. The mystery of both the USB stick and what really happened that night are enough to keep you turning the pages, just don’t think too much about the logic of it all.
This review will be short but straight to the point. This was so much fun to read! I was captivated by the writing style and dry humor. This was smartly written, flowed flawlessly and most enjoyable. I liked the courtroom setting and how the trial was presented. The characters were great, and the ending was top-notch!
There wasn't much I didn't like. I wasn't super keen on the Santa stuff but that's just preference. It had a Miracle on 34th Street feel to it. I did have a couple of minor unanswered questions.
If you're looking for a clean Christmas read, make sure you add this to your list. 4.5 rating! I will have to check out the rest of the series for sure.
I love Christmas tales. Landis Wade's The Christmas Heist: A Courtroom Adventure is a delightful holiday novella. Wade paints a vivid picture of a no-nonsense judge hearing the case against a homeless man, who reminds us a lot of Santa Claus. The defendant, Henry Edmonds is adorable. He likes to sit around a place called the Tipsy Tavern and drink milk. For anyone looking for a new Christmas story, this one may become your new favorite.
Did Henry really assault Judy? And is he a thief as she claims? Or is there something more mysterious, more magical at work? With a judge ready for retirement and Christmas just days away, will this court case get the full attention it deserves?
I loved the premise of this story. Perhaps, though, I would have enjoyed it more as a performance than as a written tale.
A great story combining many of the classic movie storylines with a modern day twist! Whether it is Christmas season or not this is a fabulous story to read!!!
A lighthearted silly story and it took me a hot minute to realise what was going on becuz i didn't read the synop, i was expecting something a tad more 'serious' lol But it was well written and unique :)
I LOVED THIS!! Brilliant book! Such an entertaining and funny and clever short Christmas story!!!! My heart was so happy while reading this, seriously!! Don’t be put off by the court setting, it genuinely works so well!
A hot shot district attorney decides to prosecute an old man for theft and assault solely on the word of the woman he wishes he was dating and in doing so threatens all of Christmas. This is a crazy courtroom drama mystery which is consciously reminiscent of A Miracle on 34th Street. Does Henry work for Santa Clause and is the Naughty and Nice List on his flash drive (together with the databases of all the homes in the county, the location of their fire places, and alternate means of entry) his? Or does it really belong to the county, or to the mysterious Mr. Snow and the secretive company he represents?
This one is fun from start to finish, but it really picks up when a local investigative reporter starts blogging about the case with the result that children and their parents from across the country flock to the courtroom to defend Santa Claus. My only real problem with the story is that everyone admits that Henry owned the flash drive in the beginning, but still question if it is really his since they can’t figure out how he got the information on it. I don’t know how a real court would have handled that, but it seems to me that someone should have had to prove he stole the info rather than him having to prove it was really his.
Think Miracle on 34th Street and take that as your premise. It was a nice little page turnover which I could put down as easily as I could pick it up again. One of Santas helpers has been accused of assaulting a county official and stealing a flash drive. The flash drive in question holds all the Naughty and Nice records for the area plus details of home layouts for all the children in case there isn't a chimney.
Who really owns the flash drive, and why is a reporter broadcasting every decision of the court on Twitter? Add Henry Edmonds, a little girl with elfish ears, a tax officer, two attorneys who should be in conducting their business in higher courts than the Peoples Court, an immaculately dressed very short man and the judge who has to decide the case before the end of Christmas Eve, and the stakes are high.
Christmas for all the children in the county depends upon the judge's decision.
~Wonderful little Seasonal Tale ~I love holiday themed stories…especially Christmas stories. This was an enjoyable little story. Really, it was a variation on “Miracle on 34th Street.” I have seen the movie, several versions of it…so the story wasn’t really anything all that new or different, or all that creative…however, that is not the point! This was a nice, enjoyable, feel-good story. ~The author, Landis Wade, has a very nice way with the written work. He definitely knows his way around a courtroom, so the writing is credible. His style is engaging. In a short story, I was able to get to know the characters…which is something that normally there just isn’t time and space for that. ~I’d recommend pouring yourself a cold cup of eggnog, tossing a second log in the fireplace, and curling up in you favorite chair to enter into a bit of holiday reading.
Landis Wade delivers a light-hearted, quick Christmas tale that, despite its predictability, left me smiling and glad I read to the end (something that's becoming harder to do in too many cases). Judge Stark, accustomed to hearing arguments in major cases, is thrust into the position of having to preside over the People's Court, and a few days before Christmas he would be rendering judgment in a most unusual case involving someone who says he works for Santa Claus and a well-respected local woman who claims the man assaulted her.
Throw in some mysteriously appearing and disappearing little people, a magical flash drive and some detailed courtroom proceedings, and you have the ingredients for a delightful holiday story; the only thing better would be a frosted butter cookie in the shape of Kris Kringle himself.
Poor Henry Edmonds is caught between Christmas past (and they were all Nice) and Christmas future (and they could be Naughty). It’s up to Henry with the help of Ms. Robertson, her attorney, and Mr. Ryker (Henry’s lawyer). Well, that’s not exactly true…A little girl by the same of Snowflake, and a Stern Judge also join the mix to make this a most delightful story. It’s perfect for reading between Thanksgiving and Christmas, young or old, as it reminds us of our youth, and what the true meaning of Christmas is….so, if you were ever and/or still are a “True Believer” you should take the time to pick this one up, read it to yourself, or to someone else (perhaps a young child), and enjoy!
Appearing to be a homeless man who says he works for Santa Claus, Henry Edmonds is on trial for stealing a flash drive that supposedly contains the naughty and nice list. Santa has evidently gone high tech, but it appears that the flash drive has been tampered with, corrupting the information it contains. The judge is days away from retirement, and he is sure he doesn’t want to be remembered as the judge who stole Christmas. This delightful rendition has elements of the famous movie, “Miracle on 34th Street,” but is in a class all its own. Filled with both drama and humor, it reminds us that a little elf will lead them, or something like that!
It may seem unusual to think of courtroom drama as hilarious fun, but thankfully you don’t have to sit in the courtroom, so you won’t have to hide your giggles, smiles, and laughter from the honorable Augustus Langhorne Stark. Judge Stark is a law and order man. He likes his courtroom to be serious and orderly. After all, he usually presides over felony criminal cases. But this week is the judge’s turn in the rotation to preside over criminal misdemeanor cases in Courtroom 3150. There will be no jury. If you lose, you can appeal for a jury trial.
It is December 23rd, and Judge Stark wants everything to go smoothly in the last 2 days before Christmas and, more importantly, before his retirement. Henry Edmonds is on trial for assault and stealing a flash drive. Court has been called to order. The testimony will begin.
Cute. Magical. An adorable key witness. Courtroom drama as no other unless you’ve recently watched "Miracle on 34th Street."
So, in these last days before Christmas, don’t get put on the naughty list. Read this charming story, and I’m sure you’ll stay on the nice list.
I normally don't lean towards courtroom stories especially if that is the only setting. This was fully intriguing and entertaining. Although another spin on a Santa type in trouble thus threatening Christmas, this was totally new. Now Santa has technology and those in his service who will hack that tech as well as others set out to protect it. Now a retiring judge has to determine who is telling the truth. His decision will sink or save Christmas. I loved how this all unfolded.
This was an enjoyable and easy holiday read. Like others have said in reviews, this is like a modern day, technological version of Miracle on 34th Street. The majority of the book except for the epilogue takes place in the people's court. Initally, I had trouble trying to remember all the names of the lawyers and other characters. However, I stuck with the book and I was glad that I did. It is a clean fiction book and it can be read as a stand alone. The ending was predictable, but the journey to get to the ending was not.
Landis Wade’s “Christmas Heist” is a heartwarming legal drama--even if that description sounds like an oxymoron. His background in the courtroom makes those scenes feel grounded in realism even when the courtroom is frequented by an elf and other members of Santa’s staff. The perfect read for the Christmas season or any time of year when you’re feeling the need for a little uplifting Christmas magic.
It took me a while to decide what rating to give this book! Part of me got restless with all the legal details! Picture Christmas almost being spoiled by a thumb drive! I guess everyone has moved on in the age of computers and it really does take humans to make the Santa Claus/ Santa Clause work thru the magic and keep the true spirit alive! No spoilers. I would have to be a Scrooge to do that! If you need a reminder- read the book!
Found this purely by accident (thank you Bookbub). Sort of Miracle on 34th street, Law & Order, and other movies joined together. I have always been a TB (true believer) and love courtroom adventures...so, this book has it all for me. Recommend it most definitely. I am buying the next book today. So what if it is a Christmas story and it’s April. Christmas stories are good anytime.
I loved that the story was a wonderful reminder of Miracle on 34th Street, but as a contemporary version. And it was just the right length since it's 3am and not 5am!! Santa's helper was thought to be homeless and crazy. We also got to meet an elf, an unlikable "helper" and a good lawyer. I recommend this read if you need a little boost after the craziness of the Holidays. And God Bless us everyone.
What a lovely story full of Christmas spirit. With very obvious similarities to “Miracle on 34th Street “ the author acknowledges the likeness to the original story and the fact that he recognizes that this is essentially a short , slightly altered retelling of that story, somehow makes it work. I enjoyed it as a light, quick Christmas read. If you don’t take it too seriously I think it can be brief, pleasurable excursion into your imagination.
A man charged with assault and larceny is on trial. But, he claims he is falsely accused and the flashdrive belongs to his boss -- Santa Claus, and the drive contains the Naughty and Nice lists!
Can Christmas be saved? Will the N&N program be fixed? Will the list be given to Santa in time? Will Christmas be saved?
A bit of fun and an easy relaxing read for a cold winter's night.
Wade has woven a wonderful story that brings so many Christmas traditions into the twenty-first century with this whimsical tale sure to become a Christmas classic. When the world is reeling with divisiveness and disparaging contentiousness, A Christmas Heist is set, appropriately, in a courtroom where the world awaits a decision that will have life-changing implication - just like the birth of a Savior. Will Christmas be saved?
I have to say it was a nice little story for the Christmas season. Thankfully it wasn't dragged out. It was nice, simple, and sweet. I can't say it was a book I would have ever chosen if not for the book club I am in, and will probably never re-read. However, it was a good read and I would recommend it for any who would like to read a short story for the holiday season.
Who knew courtroom christmas short book could be this fun! the writing and the story flowed very smoothly, had a nice pace and i thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It is a quick, engaging, straight to the point story and I loved it. As for the christmas vibes; the book doesn’t go overboard with its cheeriness, since it is still a story centered around a courtroom case, but the hopeful christmas touch is still definitely there and it worked very well in the end.
The Christmas Courtroom Trilogy: Book 1 - This is a short, sweet Christmas story. Judge Stark saved Christmas and got his Christmas wish (From when he was 8 years old) Certainly makes you wonder whether Santa is real. I am a TB. 😉
Recommended to anyone who is interested in a short festive read. I’d like to read the other two in the series but for now I have other books to read so may have to come back to them.