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:

Nick Finn

I run the business. I spend a lot of my time just making sure everyone is pulling their weight and everything is under control. In my spare time, I like to do sign language and play classical guitar. That’s why my nails are long. 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. Add some long nails (optional).

Winnie Bailey

I run the company’s office by day and at night I run my husband. I’m the mother of two non-toilet trained individuals. I’m also 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.

Josh Fraser

I’m 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’m a great asset but they don’t seem to realize that. Dress suggestions: Wear black clothes and carry some weights. Add some padding to create fake muscles. Make sure you always wear your sunglasses.

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.

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.

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.

Reg Wells

I’m the President of Gas Plus More convenience stores and gas stations. I like flying planes. I’ve been friends with Nick for years and his 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.

Rosemary Piper

I’m the boss of SDX TV. The company advertises on our TV station. 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. 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.

Optional authorities and witnesses

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.

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.

Riley Schultz (a male or female)

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. Parker Miller (a male or female)

I am a police forensic specialist. I look for needles in haystacks. I don’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.

Jordan Trimble (a male or female)

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.

Elfie (a male or female)

I am one of Santa’s hard-working elves. I wrap up presents all day long. Dress suggestions: Wear a pointy cap.

Bert McGill

I am a partner and the manager of a store selling new motorcycles. We sell the latest motorcycles. Our shop is near Nick’s office so I’ve become friends with him over the years. Dress suggestions: Wear motorcycle gear (i.e., leathers and padded elbows, helmet etc). Add a fake tattoo on your arm.

Petunia Pretto

I am a kitchen hand at Chatties Restaurant. Lorenzo is my boss. Dress suggestions: Wear check pants and a white shirt. Maybe add some food cooking splatters (e.g., hot dog sauce marks).

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 and a shirt. Carry a radio and/or a fishing line.

Freya Walker

I’m a sales rep for SDX TV station and a new mother. Rosemary Piper is my boss. 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.

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.

Donna Dwyer

I am a cheap cookie seller. I sold Nick some chocolate chip cookies.  Dress suggestions: Wear working clothes and carry some chocolate chip cookies.

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.

Ingrid Evans

I am Reg Well’s secretary at Gas – Plus More convenience stores and gas stations. Sometimes I feel I know more about the business than my boss does. Dress suggestions: Wear a business suit and carry pen and paper ready to take notes.

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.

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.

Jim Lawrence

I on the board of 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.

Peppi Downs

I am a hairdresser. A lot of the people at the party come to me to get their hair styled. They all now consider me a friend and invite me to all the parties. Dress suggestions: Wear bright colored clothes and go mad with your hair (e.g., add hair mascara – bright colors in your hair, lots of gel etc). Carry scissors and offer to do last minute touch ups of your client’s hair.

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.

Samantha Sinnott

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

Gareth Sutherland

I am Ebony’s husband. I am a police officer. She’s always trying to get me to help with her animal rights causes. Dress suggestions: Wear a police uniform (a fake one of course).