How the DEA stole Christmas.

• Author: Walker, Jesse
• Position: St. Nic, Inc. - Brief article - Book review

If Santa Claus existed, the feds would probably mistake the operation for a drug cartel. So goes the premise of Sf. Nic, Inc. (Southern Yellow Pine), S.R. Staley's comic thriller about a Drug Enforcement Administration operation that nearly takes Christmas down.

Staley, a frequent contributor to reason, teaches economics at Florida State when he isn't writing novels. He draws on both careers when describing NP Enterprises, an Arctic software firm and toy distribution network run by one Nicole Klaas. Nicole, the fourth Klaas to run the family business, relies heavily on the skills...