CRIME DETAILS

Background

Christmas Land lies at the North Pole. A very small land, its only building is Father Christmas’s Factory. Here, throughout the year, toys and sweets are produced, all to be delivered on Christmas Eve to the entire world.

Father Christmas is Head of Christmas Land. He is assisted (some would say ruled) by his wife, Mrs Christmas. Three other species make up the inhabitants of Christmas Land. The elves, who work in the factory. The reindeer, who do miscellaneous chores throughout the year, and assist with the delivery on Christmas Eve. And a small group of polar bear brothers who are in charge of security.

On the very edge of Christmas Land is “The Ice Hole”. This is the only point of access to the Arctic ocean which lies beneath the frozen mass of Christmas Land.  A map of Christmas Land can be seen here.

The Ice Railings

Recently security has become an issue in Christmas Land. This is due to three factors:

1. Scientists from a nearby Arctic Research Station have started wandering into Christmas Land. They say accidentally.

2. An environmental protester, known as Eskimo Nelly, has built an igloo just outside Christmas Land. She is protesting about the pollution caused by Father Christmas’s factory.

3. A mysterious magical snowman, armed with a laser carrot nose and hand grenade buttons, has been seen slithering about Christmas Land. He has even broken into the factory. Known as “Frosty the Killer Snowman”, all attempts to apprehend him have been unsuccessful.

Because of these threats, a continuous set of ice railings has recently been erected around Christmas Land. Overseen by the elf Long Beard (Father Christmas’s Chief Engineer) and polar bear Bluddengutz (Head of Christmas Land Security), the polar bear brothers have been drawing water from the Ice Hole, pouring it into railing shaped moulds to freeze, then using these to create a sturdy barricade encircling Christmas Land.

To ensure that the entrances to Christmas Land are appropriately impressive, Father and Mrs Christmas have hired an Ice Sculptor to sculpt some magnificent and imposing ice gates. Using water from the Ice Hole, the Russian Sculptor has been making these in his workshop within the Ice Caves, just outside Christmas Land.

The Party

Father and Mrs Christmas traditionally throw a large party on the evening of December 25th for all their staff. This is to thank them for their hard work in the months building up to Christmas. This year was to be extra special. The Ice Sculptor had been commissioned to carve a wonderful ice sleigh. This was to be the centrepiece of the party and was to be filled with presents for everyone. And, to mark the fact that he has now been guiding Father Christmas’s sleigh for five years running, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was to be the party’s guest of honour.

Murder

After lunch on Christmas Day it is the custom for everyone to go for an afternoon sleep to ensure that they are fresh for the night’s celebrations ahead. This year was no different. With a few exceptions, everyone retired to bed. But towards the end of the afternoon a vast commotion was heard. Bluddengutz polar bear had finally managed to apprehend Frosty the Killer Snowman in Mrs Christmas’s kitchen. But, just as Frosty was being led away for interrogation, a second upheaval occurred. Blitzen and Tubby Reindeer, who had gone to the Ice Sculptor’s cave to collect the ice sleigh, came hurtling back to the factory screaming. And announced they had found the Ice Sculptor dead!

The Crime Scene

The Ice Sculptor had been killed by a ferocious blow to the back of the head, crushing his skull. His clothes were ripped to shreds and there were claw marks on his body. Imprinted on the snowy floor of the cave were numerous polar bear footprints. As well as the ice sleigh there was also a large radio and a box of confectionery in the cave.

However at lunchtime that day a fresh fall of snow had occurred. And at the entrance to the cave various prints were visible. Namely:

l A man’s large snowboot footprints.
l A woman’s small snowboot footprints.
l A child’s very small snowboot footprints - definitely not that of an elf.
l A polar bear’s huge pad imprints with claws.
l Reindeer hoofmarks.
l Strange, slithering tracks – known to be the tracks of Frosty the Killer Snowman.

Investigation

Long Beard, Father Christmas’s Chief Elf Engineer, has a reputation as an amateur detective. Although the evidence suggests that the Ice Sculptor was killed in a polar bear attack, Long Beard is adamant that this is not the case. And has insisted on holding a court of enquiry. Father Christmas, who has relied upon Long Beard for many years, has agreed to his demands.

The Ice Sculptor was last seen alive returning to his cave after lunch.  Long Beard is therefore particularly suspicious of nine people who did not partake in the general afternoon snooze.

l Father Christmas says he spent the afternoon in his toy museum.
l Mrs Christmas says she spent the afternoon in her kitchen.
l Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer refuses to say where he was or what he was up to.
l Blitzen the Brown Nosing Reindeer says he was preparing the ballroom for the night’s party.
l Tubby the Trainee Reindeer says he was helping Blitzen.
l Bluddengutz Polar Bear says he was patrolling the factory.
l Postman Knox, a guest of Father and Mrs Christmas, says he spent the afternoon pottering about the factory.
l Eskimo Nelly denies even being in Christmas Land and says that she was in her igloo.
l Frosty the Killer Snowman, admits that he had broken into the factory, but denies killing the Ice Sculptor.

Apart from Blitzen and Tubby, who admit to visiting the Ice Sculptor’s cave together when they found the body, all suspects deny visiting the cave.

Long Beard has been given permission to hold a court of enquiry to try and unravel how the Ice Sculptor met his death. Assisted by an Investigation Panel of elves, reindeer and polar bear, he hopes to discover the truth so that the party can still go ahead tonight. And already a posse of Investigators have been sent out to scour Christmas Land looking for clues...