When Santa Claus is plotting murder in the Black Forest, Christmas trees are secretly changing hands, and the angels in the Birnau Basilica come to life, it's almost Christmas Eve in southwestern Germany. While duck, goose, or roast pork sizzle in the oven, both big and small crooks are in their prime and are not deterred from their nefarious plans by coconut macaroons, jam-filled cookies, honey cake, or dried fruit bread. And anyone enjoying mulled wine at the Christmas markets in Stuttgart or Tübingen should be prepared to return home to find not only their apartment in disarray but also one or two corpses.