The Case of the Tangled Tinsel

By Nana Ferrell

Oh no! The tinsel is tangled!

The Merry and Bright Detective Agency is on the case again. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phase Publishing
• Release date: Jun 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781952103582

Book preview

Chapter 1

Merry came into the office and saw Bright kneeling on the floor. Curious, she walked around him, then stopped and stared.

What are you doing with that mitten? Merry asked her brother.

Bright looked up at her and grinned. I had a wonderful idea for a picture. What do you think?

Merry cocked her head and eyed the little scene Bright had created. A dark blue towel was spread across the floor with glitter sprinkled all over it. In the middle, a white ice skate was laying on its side with a red mitten hanging just so, mostly covering the opening of the skate. A tiny toy elf was peeking out from under the mitten and looking rather mischievous.

It’s… interesting, Merry hedged. But why go to all this trouble? You usually just find stuff to take pictures of.

It’s for a special project Mrs. Oma asked me to do for the elflings, he replied. She wants to make a picture book for them. A story about a little elfling who likes to play hide and seek.

Merry laughed. That sounds like fun.

It has been fun! Bright exclaimed. I didn’t know how much I’d enjoy creating scenes like this. Want to see the ones I’ve made so far?

Just then, the office door slammed open, and a breathless elf burst in. Her hat was askew, and her hair stuck out at all angles, obviously blown by the wind as she ran. Her coat was unbuttoned, as if she hadn’t taken time to fasten it.

Merry! she cried. You have to help us!

Holly, slow down and breathe, Merry instructed. What’s wrong?

Holly bent over, put her hands on her knees and lowered her head, breathing hard. After a moment, she stood up again. Her eyes had filled with tears, but she tried to control her breathing.

We were getting ready to put the tinsel on Santa’s tree, she started, but when we opened the boxes of tinsel… it’s a disaster, Merry! What are we going to do?

Merry frowned. What’s a disaster, Holly? What did you find?

The tinsel is… Holly stopped as the tears flowed down her cheeks.

What about the tinsel? Merry asked, trying to be patient.

It’s… tangled! With that, Holly