Debby Grahl

Decorated to Death Debby Grahl

The restored historic town of Nookumsville, with its unique shops, quaint eateries and cozy inn is getting ready for their third annual Christmas tour. As a festive holiday mood engulfs the town's residents, greed, betrayal, blackmail and murder lie beneath the gentle mantel of new-fallen snow.

Police chief Alex Mackenzie finds he has his hands full when his wife, Abigail, out for an early morning jog, discovers a dead body. He has the disagreeable task of interrogating his friends and neighbors in pursuit of the murderer. As the investigation unfolds, it is revealed that during the late hours of the previous night a number of Nookumsville's quirky citizens weren't home sleeping innocently in their beds.

A dead body in a shop window isn't all that's in store for Alex. Carl Edwards, president of the Nookumsville's bank, is missing along with much of the bank's deposits.

Hoping to get details of the murder and the investigation, G. H. Greeley, owner, editor, and star reporter of the Nookumsville News corners Alex. Giving the over-inquisitive reporter as little information as possible, Alex manages to slip away heading for the rambling home of Peggy and Bob O'Neal who own a retro-style service station. Bob had been at the Cork & Bottle the night before, intoxicated and threatening Kathleen. His whereabouts during the time of Kathleen's murder are uncorroborated.

The murder investigation takes Alex to The Cork & Bottle, where the animosity between Kathleen and the owners, Ben and Sam, is well known.

Charles and Agatha Butterfield, who have a fondness for vintage clothing, classic movies and murder mysteries, had also been out and about at the time of the murder, in their horse-drawn sleigh. When Alex questions them, they claim to have seen a shadowy figure outside the inn.

Tom Scraper, owner of Two Bits barbershop and Yesteryears antiques, says his wife Judy had gone home to bed leaving him alone in the shop decorating the display window. He saw a dark snowy figure run past his window but could provide no more detailed description.

While having a cup of coffee in Flap Jacks cafÉ at the 'fifties-style counter, a persistent Alex finally convinces a reluctant Granny Jo, the owner, to admit that she saw a person who looked like Samantha Edwards rushing by Flap Jacks' front door during the night of Kathleen's murder.

Alex's investigation takes him from the Cork & Bottle Inn, to Indulgence Salon, Flap Jacks CafÉ, Yesteryears Antiques, and Two Bits Barbershop before Santa in his big red sleigh arrives just in time to help Alex discover the murderer as the next victim is about to meet their fate.

As a clear winter night settles upon Nookumsville, a record crowd of festive holiday tourists gather in anticipation as Alex, in his top hat and cloak, begins the tour of his once again idyllic peaceful little town.