It's a crisp, cool autumn in Shady Hollow, and preparations are underway for the annual Harvest Festival. Creatures have flocked from far and wide to partake in the seasonal festivities, from pumpkin carving to pie tasting to soup throwing. With all these new faces around town, it's the perfect time for someone to slip in unnoticed...

Unless that someone is Bradley Marvel - famous author and huge personality. Back in the city, a body was found in his penthouse apartment, and Marvel skipped town before the questioning could commence.

Marvel claims to be innocent, and it's up to Vera and her friends to piece together what might have happened - but things get even more complicated when Vera recognises the victim's name... and might even be implicated herself.