Asheville, North Carolina, Christmas 1988. The annual Jingle Bell Rock Star contests are the season's biggest draw. But when a local winner turns up dead, the holiday season takes a darker turn-and the merriest time is suddenly the deadliest.

Detective Grace Morgan is sharp, practical, and all business. Her partner, Mike Jenkins, is a wisecracker who can turn even a crime scene into a bad joke. Together, they follow the trail of jingle bells through Asheville's holiday frenzy, where every smile hides a secret and winning the contest may be the fastest way to end up six feet under.