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

Jim Lawrence – I am a partner in the company and I also own some other businesses. But I can assure you that I’m not part of the Santa slave market or anything like that. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and carry a mobile phone.

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).

Trudi Trenton – I am a waitress at the restaurant. Lorenzo is my boss. Dress suggestions: Wear a black skirt and a white shirt.

Bryan Beazley – I work as an office hand at Radio ZZZ. Grant and Jack are always teasing me because I lisp badly, but I can’t help it. I try not to say S’s. Dress suggestions: Wear a T shirt promoting a band.

Wendy Webb – I am a sales assistant at Gas Plus More. Regina is my boss. Dress suggestions: Wear a work uniform. Maybe create a tag that says “Wendy – Gas Plus More”.

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.

Harvey Hughes – I am a technician at SDX TV. Freya and Rosemary are always avoiding me because I like to chat while I work. I chat about motor racing, but they don’t seem interested in it, which is a real shame. Dress suggestions: Wear a T-shirt with a car printed on it (or stick a picture of a car on a T-shirt). Talk endlessly about car racing.

Ted Mailman – I deliver the mail to the company and to lots of the other people around town. Sometimes they get some pretty strange mail if you ask me. Dress suggestions: Wear a mailman’s clothes and carry some unopened mail.

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. “Donne” means “thunde” 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.

Present – I am a Christmas present, but I am not allowed to be opened. Dress suggestions: Wear a box shape and wrap it like a Christmas present.

Star – I am the star that most sensible people put at the top of their Christmas tree. Dress suggestions: Wear a star shape made out of gold cardboard or another material.

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.

Toni Tinsel – I like wearing Christmas lights. Dress suggestions: Wear lots of tinsel and/or flashing lights.

Barbara Cracker – I am French and full of surprises. Dress suggestions: Hang party favors or Christmas crackers/bon-bons/poppers off your body.

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.

Figgy Pudding – I am hot and sweet and full of figs and taste yummy. Dress suggestions: You are on the large side, so stuff your clothes and make yourself look like a pudding. Carry some dried figs.

Betty Bauble – I am the interesting decorations on any Christmas tree. Look at my Baubles! Dress suggestions: Baubles in your hair, and off your belt.

Catrina Candle – I am the spirit of Christmas burning bright in any window. Dress suggestions: Dress as a tall candle or carry some candles.

Cathy Candle – I am a scented candle. don’t I smell wonderful? Dress suggestions: Dress as a tall candle or carry some scented candles. Wear some scent.

Darren Drummer – I play the drum in our local marching band. I’m only small but I make a big sound. Dress suggestions: Hang a toy drum around your neck and carry two drum sticks.

Joy Bell – I’m always a happy person and when you ring me, I make a beautiful sound. Dress suggestions: Dress as a Christmas tree bell and/or carry a bell.

Larry Lighting – I’m the flashing fun at any party. I really add a shine to the place. Dress suggestions: Wear battery operated flashing Christmas lights.

Dan Scrooge – I am a wealthy man. Some people call me a miser. Maybe I am. Dress suggestions: Wear loud green and red clothes and carry your money in a box close to your chest.

Sally Shepherd – I tend my herd of sheep. I love each of my flock. Dress suggestions: Wear farm clothes. Dress as a shepherd with a tall stick with a hook at the top. Carry a toy sheep.

Sam Shepherd – I’ve looked after animals all my life. Sheep and goats – they’re what I know. Dress suggestions: Wear farm clothes. Dress as a shepherd with a tall stick with hook at the top. Carry a toy sheep.

Jack Frost – I live in Iceland because I love the cold. Dress suggestions: Wear ice blue colored clothes. Carry an ice tray with some ice cubes in it.

Sid Snowman – I like being decorated. I think I look really good with an orange carrot nose. Dress suggestions: Dress as a snowman. Wear white with colored buttons down the front and carry a corncob pipe.

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.

Christmas Cake – I’m very rich and fruity and little bit nutty. Dress suggestions: Dress as a Christmas Cake with a white icing hat and some berries on top or carry some Christmas Cake.

White Christmas – I’m a bit sickly sweet but some people love eating me at Christmas. Dress suggestions: Dress as White Christmas or carry some White Christmas.

Sharlene Shortbread – I’m all crumbly inside. I’m sweet but not sickly. Dress suggestions: Wear a beige outfit tied with Christmas ribbon. Carry some shortbread.

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.

Tabetha Turkey – My thighs are big and people like them the best when they serve me up at Christmas. Dress suggestions: Wear beige trousers and pad out your thighs and carry a slice of turkey or dress as a turkey.

Holly Rouge – I am a make-up artist. I do home visits during Christmas as people always want to look their best. Dress suggestions: Wear lots of red rouge and pink lipstick and a holly brooch.

Ivy Green – I’m a green plant and I grow very well and people like to use my leaves as decoration on their Christmas table. Dress suggestions: Wear a green outfit with sprigs of ivy.

Martin Mistletoe – I’m a hopeless romantic – I admit it. Nothing sweeter than a kiss on Christmas Day. Or any day! Dress suggestions: Wear a green outfit with sprigs of mistletoe attached.

Freddy Fruitmince – I’m very sweet and tasty. I like being shared amongst friends. Dress suggestions: Dress in dark clothes and attach some sultanas and raisons and carry some fruit mince tarts.

Candy Cane – I’m red in color and I taste sweet. Dress suggestions: Wear a red close-fitting outfit and carry some red candy canes.

Randy Cane – I’m white in color and I taste sweet. Dress suggestions: Wear a white close-fitting outfit and carry some white candy canes.

French Christmas Log Cake – I’m like a large log but I’m chocolate and taste great. Dress suggestions: Dress as a French Christmas Log Cake and/or carry some for people to taste.

Wendel Wiseman – I have traveled from afar to see the newborn baby Jesus. Dress suggestion: Wear a long sweeping caftan – a desert outfit. Carry a gift of gold.

Warwick Wiseman – I have traveled a long way to see the newborn baby Jesus. Dress suggestion: Wear a long sweeping caftan – a desert outfit. Carry a gift of frankincense.

Waldorf Wiseman – I have followed the star which guided me to see the new born baby Jesus. Dress suggestion: Wear a long sweeping caftan – a desert outfit. Carry a gift of myrrh.

Angel Light – I am an angel. I barely touch the ground when I walk and I fly through the air with grace and precision. Dress suggestions: Wear a white flowing angel outfit with wings and a tiara or halo.

Saint Nicholas – I am a “˜Saint’, but please call me “Nic”. I visit on 6 December – mainly Europe. Dress suggestions: Dress as an old-fashioned Santa Claus and carry some sweets.

Mother Mary – I am the mother of baby Jesus. I am a bit exhausted as I have just given birth. Dress suggestion: Wear maternity clothes and carry a baby doll wrapped in a shawl.

Joseph – I feel honored to be present to welcome the baby Jesus. Dress suggestion: Wear Arabic clothes such as a fez hat.

Daniel Donkey – I have always been sturdy and reliable, but lately I am feeling older and grayer. Dress suggestions: Have gray hair and wear a furry coat. Add donkey ears.

Carmel Camel – I have big brown eyes and long, black eyelashes. Dress suggestions: Wear lots of eye make-up and brown clothes. If possible put on a camel’s head and/or have a hump.

Charlie Camel – I have a big hump. Dress suggestions: Wear slippers that look like animal’s feet and brown clothes. If possible put on a camel’s head and/or have a hump.

Lucy Lamb – I am a baby sheep. Dress suggestions: Dress in white furry clothes.

Roger Lamb – I am a baby sheep. Dress suggestions: Dress in white furry clothes.

Mr Cyril Sweep – I am a chimney cleaner. Dress suggestions: Wear overalls and have a dirty face. Carry a chimney sweeper’s brush.

Mr Charlie Coal – I am a chimney cleaner. My nickname is “Charcoal”. I am very busy at Christmas time cleaning chimneys before Santa comes down them. Dress suggestions: Wear overalls and have a dirty face. Carry a chimney sweeper’s brush.

Isabelle Icicle – I hang from the trees in winter as their frozen decoration. Dress suggestions: Wear “all white” with red and green decorations.

Sarah Snowflake – I make patterns on the windows in the cold of winter. Dress suggestions: Wear snow flake shapes.

Snow Angel – I’m the angel of winter. Dress suggestions: Wear angel wings and dress in white.