Katharina Thalbach Reads

“There’s a dead Santa Claus in our fireplace” is one of those things you’d rather not hear during the holiday season. Unless, of course, you’re Angela Merkel and you’re delighted by unexplained deaths in your hometown in the Uckermark region.

After a disastrous vacation with the Obamas, the Merkels return home on Christmas Eve to find the aforementioned dead Santa Claus in their half-timbered cottage. The man turns out to be a professional Santa Claus available for hire. The suspects include four rival Santas—both men and women—who also delight the residents of this tranquil town with gifts. And one of them even believes he’s the real Santa Claus.