Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.

Overview

The portly gent who dresses in red won’t be going down any chimneys this year. He is dead – possibly murdered – yes, it’s scandalous but true. It happened just before the company Christmas party being held at Chatties Restaurant. Did someone not want him to be there? Was it revenge for an unwanted present from Santa last year? Or was it just old age catching up with him?

We’re here to find out the real juicy truth. The media are also here. But this time they aren’t just reporting what happened. They are suspects too.

The suspects

The people present at the party are:

Martina Finn

My husband and I are directors of the company. I work very hard but I enjoy my job as long as everyone behaves themselves. I am careful about the way I look and work in a very professional manner. I can hold my head high in the business community. In my spare time, I like to do sign language. Dress suggestions: Wear a modern stylish suit and carry a mobile phone and an organizer. Add long colored nails.

Nick Finn

I’m also involved in the business. Martina really runs it. She has most of the control. I spend a lot of my time just making sure everyone is pulling their weight and everything is under control. I’m a bit edgy because I’ve just given up smoking. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and a jazzy tie. Add some pillows to make you look plump, wear a gray beard and act a little agitated.

Winnie Bailey

I’m the office manager at the company. I’m also a mother and a softball player. I’ve worked here ever since I left school. I’m very good at shorthand and can type 100 words a minute. I expect everyone else to be as efficient as me, but they never are. Dress suggestions: Wear a softball player’s outfit. Carry a softball bat.

Glenda Drake

I’m a graphic artist. I’m one of the most creative people alive today. I’m also a mother. Dress suggestions: Wear a modern t-shirt and jeans. Carry a laptop computer (or a cut-out of one in cardboard) and a pen with which to doodle on your paper napkins.

Ebony Sutherland

I’m the production manager. I have an eye for detail. I love animals. Dress suggestions: Wear a t-shirt with an animal on the front and jeans.

Josh Fraser

I am an account executive and I’m a cool dude that the ladies love. I take care of the client liaison for the organization. My good looks and charm have won many hearts and attracted clients to the business. I am a great asset but they don’t seem to realize that. Dress suggestions: Wear black clothes. Carry some weights. Add some extra padding to create fake muscles. And make sure you wear your sunglasses all the time.

Barret Norcott

I’m the “fix it” man who repairs the company’s computers and backs up all the data. I spend most of my time indoors and could do with a bit more exercise. I’m in love with Mrs Claus. Dress suggestions: Wear a t-shirt and add some pillows to make you look plump. Carry tools or a screwdriver.

Regina Wells

I’m the President of Gas Plus More convenience stores and gas stations. I’m a great pilot and I love flying planes. I’ve been a friend of Martina and Nick for years and their company gets their gas from us. Dress suggestions: Wear some overalls as if you have dashed in from the gas station. Carry a mobile phone.

Freya Walker

I’m a sales rep for SDX TV station and a new mother. The company advertises on our TV station. As sales rep I try to dress well to give the image that out TV station is very successful, but I often find I have baby food somewhere on my clothes. Dress suggestions: Wear a modern suit. Carry some diapers.

Rosemary Piper

I’m Freya’s boss at SDX TV. I’m into natural remedies but that doesn’t mean I’ve got my head in the clouds. I’m a very effective and firm boss. I just believe everybody should eat healthy natural foods and drink lots of herbal teas. My children are teenagers now. Dress suggestions: Wear a stylish modern suit and carry a mobile phone. Carry a small portable TV (or a TV guide) and some herbal tablets.

Grant Lowe

I am a disc-jockey with Radio ZZZ. The company advertises on our radio station. I’m fit and healthy and mad about music and all sports. Dress suggestions: Wear a t-shirt for a new band. Wear headphones and carry a football.

Jack Fielder

I’m a sales manager for Radio ZZZ. I like going fishing when I have time off. I always carry a radio with me wherever I go because I need to know who is advertising on the other radio stations. Dress suggestions: Expensive jeans & a shirt. Carry a radio &/or a fishing line.

Gibson Downs

I am a journalist with the local newspaper. The company advertises with us and sometimes I write their advertorials. I love to play golf but more than that I love my wife. I just want all you women to know that I’m happily married to my beautiful wife. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and carry a mobile phone and a golf club and/or golf balls.

Lorenzo Giueni

I am the owner of Chatties Restaurant and I am one of the world’s finest chefs. Dress suggestions: Wear chefs check pants, a white shirt and a chef’s hat.

Optional authorities

Ian Madden – I am a police officer. I’m a tough no-nonsense cop. I love the power that comes with my position. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock police uniform. Carry some crime scene tape (make some out of paper with masking tape attached at the ends). Carry a notepad and pencil.

Portia Schultz – I am a police officer. I love solving puzzles. That’s why I became a police officer. I’m also great at cryptic crosswords. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock police uniform. Carry some crime scene tape (make some out of paper with masking tape attached at the ends). Carry a notepad and pencil.

Dr Michael Miller – I am a police forensic specialist. I love the thrill of finding needles in haystacks. I won’t give up till I find what I want. I am a scientific whiz-kid. I know all the tricks of my trade. Dress suggestions: Wear a lab coat and wear white gloves. Carry some clear plastic bags to collect evidence in.

Dr Rebecca Reynolds – I am a medical doctor. I have been the doctor for the Claus family for many years. I believe you can never have too many tests. I am a bit of a hypochondriac I suppose. Dress suggestions: Carry a black bag and any medical items you can obtain (eg thermometer).

Tania Trimble – I am Santa’s lawyer. I am very conservative and very well respected in my profession. I have been Santa’s lawyer for many years. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and look very serious.

Walter Wiggins – I am an ambulance officer. I like swimming and I have very big arm muscles which also come in handy in my job. Dress suggestions: Wear a uniform. Carry a stretcher or another medical item.

Tom Toogood – I am a newspaper journalist. I am very ruthless and pushy. I’m also always hassling the police for tip-offs. Dress suggestions: White shirt and tie. Carry a notepad and pen.

Nancy Norcott – I am a radio journalist. I’m an extrovert and very friendly. I like to play the game fairly and I get my info through my many friends. Dress suggestions: Business clothes. Carry a notepad and pen.

Optional witnesses

Ingrid Evans – I am Regina Well’s secretary at Gas Plus More convenience stores and gas stations. Sometimes I know more about her life than she does. Dress suggestions: Wear a business suit and carry pen and paper ready to take notes.

Bert McGill – I am a partner and the manager of a store selling new motorcycles. We sell the latest motorcycles. Our shop is near Martina and Nick’s office so I’ve become friends with them over the years. Dress suggestions: Wear motorcycle gear (ie leathers and padded elbows, helmet etc).

Kirk Stevens – I am the co-owner of Big Motors – a car and truck dealership. Martina and Nick buy their company cars from us. Dress suggestions: Wear overalls as if you just came out of the pit. Wear a cap.

Phoebe Watkins – I am the general manager of SDX TV. Rosemary Piper and Freya Walker work for me. I like golf. Dress suggestions: Wear very stylish clothes and carry a golf club and/or some golf balls.

Reece McTavish – I am a computer hacker. I am friends with Glenda Drake. Dress suggestions: Wear casual clothes and carry a laptop (or a cut-out of one in cardboard).

Gareth Sutherland – I am Ebony’s husband. I am a police officer. Dress suggestions: Wear a police uniform (a fake one of course).

Carmen Carello – I am politician. I am friends with Rosemary Piper. Dress suggestions: Wear a business suit. Talk about your policies, your connections with top leaders etc.

Peppi Downs – I am Gibson’s wife. I am a hairdresser. Dress suggestions: Wear bright colored clothes and go mad with your hair (eg add hair mascara – bright colors in your hair, lots of gel etc).

Samantha Sinnott – I am a private detective and I’ve been doing work for Gibson Downs. Dress suggestions: Wear a coat and hide things under your coat like your notebook, camera, tape recorder etc.

Shirley Murray – I am Martina’s nail artist. The nails I create are the essence of material perfection. Dress suggestions: Wear tacky clothes and wear long fake nails. Carry spare nail polish with you.

Pete Pretto – I am a kitchen hand. Lorenzo is my boss. Dress suggestions: Wear check pants and a white shirt. Maybe add some food cooking splatters (eg hot dog sauce marks).

Don Dwyer – I am a cookie seller. I sold Martina some chocolate chip cookies. Dress suggestions: Wear working clothes and carry some chocolate chip cookies.

Optional Christmas roles

Dasher – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. I am a very fast reindeer – watch me go! Dress suggestions: Wear some antlers on your head.

Dancer – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. I am a dancing reindeer. Dress suggestions: Wear some antlers on your head.

Prancer – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. I prance around, thinking I’m great. Dress suggestions: Wear some antlers on your head.

Vixen – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. I am a bit of a vixen by nature. Dress suggestions: Wear some antlers on your head.

Comet – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. I am a bit of a space case. I am always up there in the clouds with the comets and so on. Dress suggestions: Wear antlers.

Cupid – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. I am a romantic reindeer. Dress suggestions: Wear some antlers. You may also like to carry a cupid’s bow and arrow.

Donner – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. “Donner” means “thunder” in German. My voice is thunderous at times and I scare people a little. Dress suggestions: Wear antlers. Speak with a loud, deep voice.

Blitzen – I am one of Santa’s reindeer team. “Blitz” means a “lightning flash” in German. I am very fast hoofed like lightning. Dress suggestions: Wear antlers.

Rudolph – I am Santa’s main reindeer and I’m the famous red-nosed reindeer. The other reindeers used to be mean to me. They never let me join in any of their games. But then Santa gave me a job pulling his sleigh and after that they all thought I was special. Dress suggestions: Wear some antlers on your head and a shiny red nose.

Mrs Claus – I am Santa’s wife. I am the real boss behind Christmas. Dress suggestions: Wear a conservative red dress with your white hair tied back in a bun. You may like to add a red bonnet or a red ribbon tied around your head.

Elfie (a male or female) – I am one of Santa’s elves. I wrap up presents all day long. Dress suggestions: Wear a pointy cap.

Christmas Tree – Sometimes I’m a living thing. Sometimes I’m just a representation of a living thing. Dress suggestions: Wear green pine needles coming out from your clothing and hair, or drape a fake Christmas tree around yourself. Add some decorations and tinsel.

Tyler Tinsel – I am the sparkling joy that makes Christmas come alive. Dress suggestions: Wear lots of colorful tinsel draped around your black or white clothes.

Peter Pudding – I am something hot and sweet you eat at Christmas. Dress suggestions: You are on the large side, so stuff your clothes and make yourself look like a pudding.

Frosty The Snowman – I’m the most famous snowman. I’m here, there and everywhere at Christmas time. Dress suggestions: Dress as a snowman. Wear white with colored buttons down the front and wear a hat and have a pipe.

Roger Rumball – I must admit I am a bit of a ladies man and I do like to do the rumba. Dress suggestions: Wear dark coat flecked with white to resemble coconut. Carry some rum balls.