BeeBee,
I don't remember reading that,although It's been a while since I read the book,and I don't have access to it now.
The DOI book that I had was the hard cover edition,it seems the paperback edition may have been a bit different. For example:
In the hard cover,there is picture's of JAR,in fact there were two,both were group pictures with the family,one with all standing in front of a fireplace,the other with the family standing in front of a boat.So,my mistake,there were picture's of Melinda,but I don't remeber seeing one of Melinda doing holiday shopping.Also,posters said there was a picture of JonBenet on the back cover with her back toward the camera,I didn't see that in the hard cover.
It seems the HC book,was different than the PB,in certain areas.