It’s December 1952, and a dead stranger has been found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered town of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer? Either way, he wasn’t on anyone’s Christmas wish-list. Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. But as is often the way for him, things don’t go according to plan. When the local doctor’s husband is murdered, Grasby begins to realize that everyone in Elderby is hiding something and if he can’t uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price.