Stuffed with Secrets
(2025)(The fourth book in the Kayla Brodie Holiday Murder Mystery series)
A Story by Vivian Vale
When the parade's beloved Santa is murdered, a travel photographer discovers the holiday season holds more secrets than just the stuffing recipe.
Kayla Brodie arrives in New York City with her black Labrador, Nox, ready to photograph the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for Celebration Magazine. Giant balloons, elaborate floats, and the beloved Santa Claus who's played the role for fifteen years—it should be the perfect assignment.
But when Santa is found dead on Thanksgiving morning just hours before the parade, Kayla's simple photography job becomes a race to catch a killer before millions of spectators arrive.
Frank Morrison wasn't just any Santa. He was a retired insurance fraud investigator who'd discovered something deeply wrong with the parade's charity auction—a scheme stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from programs meant to help children. Someone wanted to silence him permanently.
As the parade marches on and the investigation unfolds behind the scenes, Kayla's photographs become crucial evidence in exposing not one but two sophisticated fraud operations. With Detective Samantha Torres navigating the chaos of a murder investigation during a live televised event, Kayla must use her photographer's eye to piece together the truth.
The understudy who's been waiting years for his chance. The niece who manages the costume department. The fired employee with a grudge. The development coordinator with access to everything. Everyone had opportunity, but only one had motive strong enough to kill.
From the balloon inflation spectacle to the parade's grand finale at Herald Square, Kayla races to identify the killer before they can escape in the post-parade chaos. With Nox at her side and her camera capturing details others miss, she'll need to prove that the show can go on—but justice must be served.
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, holiday-themed fiction, and amateur detective stories with heart. A completely standalone mystery that can be enjoyed in any order.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's beloved Santa is murdered hours before the big show. Travel photographer Kayla Brodie's holiday assignment turns deadly as she uncovers fraud, betrayal, and a killer hiding behind the festivities. The show must go on—but so must justice.
When Santa falls, a photographer's lens captures the truth behind the holiday's darkest secrets.
Genre: Mystery
Kayla Brodie arrives in New York City with her black Labrador, Nox, ready to photograph the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for Celebration Magazine. Giant balloons, elaborate floats, and the beloved Santa Claus who's played the role for fifteen years—it should be the perfect assignment.
But when Santa is found dead on Thanksgiving morning just hours before the parade, Kayla's simple photography job becomes a race to catch a killer before millions of spectators arrive.
Frank Morrison wasn't just any Santa. He was a retired insurance fraud investigator who'd discovered something deeply wrong with the parade's charity auction—a scheme stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from programs meant to help children. Someone wanted to silence him permanently.
As the parade marches on and the investigation unfolds behind the scenes, Kayla's photographs become crucial evidence in exposing not one but two sophisticated fraud operations. With Detective Samantha Torres navigating the chaos of a murder investigation during a live televised event, Kayla must use her photographer's eye to piece together the truth.
The understudy who's been waiting years for his chance. The niece who manages the costume department. The fired employee with a grudge. The development coordinator with access to everything. Everyone had opportunity, but only one had motive strong enough to kill.
From the balloon inflation spectacle to the parade's grand finale at Herald Square, Kayla races to identify the killer before they can escape in the post-parade chaos. With Nox at her side and her camera capturing details others miss, she'll need to prove that the show can go on—but justice must be served.
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, holiday-themed fiction, and amateur detective stories with heart. A completely standalone mystery that can be enjoyed in any order.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's beloved Santa is murdered hours before the big show. Travel photographer Kayla Brodie's holiday assignment turns deadly as she uncovers fraud, betrayal, and a killer hiding behind the festivities. The show must go on—but so must justice.
When Santa falls, a photographer's lens captures the truth behind the holiday's darkest secrets.
Genre: Mystery
Used availability for Vivian Vale's Stuffed with Secrets