Hysteria at the Historical Society

Celebrating spookiness is a year-round affair in the Halloween-themed town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon, but Christmas is a close second, and for Bailey Briggs’ Lazy Bones Bookshop, it’s extra hectic—especially when holiday festivities turn fatal . . .

When it comes to adding a touch of Halloween to Christmas, Elyan Hollow is in peak form. Downtown sports Nightmare Before Christmas decorations, and activities include a “Santa Claws” sasquatch game. And this year, there’s something else to celebrate: The Elyan Hollow Historical Society has just received a Historical Preservation grant to map out the town’s tunnel systems. Jude, their director, is thrilled. But Graham, the leader of the competing historical society, not so much . . .

At the Society’s winter holiday reception, Jude argues loudly with Graham and Graham’s second in command, Walter, a local attorney. As the pair is “escorted” out, Walter threatens ruinous revenge. Their arguing continues a few days later at a party in an escape room. But this time, there’s no escape for Walter, who collapses . . . dead.

Jude is the obvious suspect, but Bailey soon realizes that despite his lawyerly good deeds, there were others on the outs with Walter—and there are other targets as well. Fortunately, Bailey can use several upcoming Christmas parties as fact-finding missions. Because she’ll have to map a trail to a killer—before she’s history . . .