There's nothing quite like Christmas in Raven Creek, Washington. The locals take their holidays seriously, and there are no trees left un-trimmed in the quaint town, including those at The Earl's Study tea and book shop. Proprietor Phoebe Winchester has thought of everything. But no matter how carefully she plans for the festivities, she feels woefully unprepared for her family to come visit her. Her brother's wife could give birth at any moment, and Phoebe is already feeling the pressure to please her mother even weeks before Santa comes.

While trying to keep up with the busy holiday shopping season—including hiring new help for her store—Phoebe overhears the Friday night Knit and Sip crew talking about a long-forgotten cold case from Raven Creek's past. It turns out those crafty old ladies were never talking about books at all, they had their own armchair sleuthing club going on right under Phoebe's nose. The story they tell about a young woman's murder catches Phoebe's attention and won't let go.

Soon, she learns that the victim was best friends with Phoebe's beloved Aunt Eudora, and solving the crime takes on a personal motivation for her. But with decades gone by since the murder, will there be any clues left to follow? And will her aunt be able to rest once the killer has been found? If there's magic to be used to get the job done, surely a family full of witches can figure it out.

Phoebe and her beloved cat Bob will do their best to dig through time, unravel an unsolved murder, and host the perfect holiday dinner. Even if it kills them.

And it just might.