Eve Caulton is looking forward to her first Christmas on Bramble Lane. Adding to the excitement are the new neighbours, the Merrinans, moving into Holly Cottage. Everyone is ready to welcome the family, but all is not as it seems. They've returned from the USA with big plans - plans that threaten to ruin the neighbourhood. Why are they determined to repeat the mistakes that ruined Chicago for them, and why has the arrogant, unpleasant Dolores McIntyre followed them to Ireland? Young Boyd Merrinan finds himself torn between loyalty to his parents, and fitting it with his new, Irish friends. Especially the strange but gentle Ashleigh, a girl with secrets of her own. With protests, ill-feeling and a strange creature roaming the area, there's very little holiday cheer. As the holidays approach, murder strikes with all fingers pointing at Boyd. Eve joins forces once again with the "Old Bat" next door, and the rest of the very special senior ladies. With their own unique skills, they set out to save their young neighbour, and restore peace to their little community. But with strange things happening all around them, can they solve The Holly Homicide?