It might be the victim's neighbor. They were always in competition for the best - decorated house during Christmas. The neighbor got so fed up that they killed the victim. They used the Christmas lights to electrocute the victim when they were helping to set them up outside the house. This way, it could seem like an accident.
The killer could be the local shopkeeper. He had a grudge against the victim because the victim was spreading rumors about his store not having good Christmas deals. So, he planned the murder during the Christmas shopping season.
Well, in a Wall Street murder mystery novel, it could be a disgruntled employee. Maybe someone who got fired and held a grudge. They might have had access to the victim's office or knew their routine.
It could be a fellow camper who has a dark secret. Maybe they're running from the law and killed someone at the camp to keep their identity hidden.
Perhaps it was a jealous rival. If there was a love triangle, the person who felt they were losing out might have planned the murder. They could have seen Valentine's Day as the perfect time to get rid of the competition when everyone's emotions are high.
One common plot in a Christmas murder mystery story could be related to a family inheritance. The murderer might be a relative who wants to get their hands on the family fortune. They plan the murder during the Christmas gathering when the family is all together. They could use a Christmas ornament as a weapon and make it look like an accident.
Well, in a murder mystery Christmas story, there could be a lot of elements. Maybe it's set in a grand old mansion during a Christmas party. The victim could be a wealthy relative who has a lot of secrets. The suspects might include the jealous cousin, the butler who has a mysterious past, and the business partner who stands to gain a lot from the victim's death. The detective, perhaps a local police officer or a private investigator passing through town, has to figure out who did it by looking at the clues like a strange note found near the body, a broken Christmas ornament that might be a sign of a struggle, and the fact that the lights went out at the exact time of the murder.
It's hard to say for sure. The case might be complex and the true identity of the killer could be hidden behind multiple layers of clues and misdirection.
The gardener could be a suspect. He was always around the mansion, knew all the secret paths and hiding places. He might have found out some dark secret of the victim and decided to take revenge during the storm.
The murders often seem to be related to the holiday in some way. It could be that the victim was killed because of a Christmas - related secret or a valuable Christmas gift that was the motive. Also, the characters' relationships are often complex, with family members coming together for Christmas and old grudges or new tensions arising that could be linked to the murder.
Well, perhaps the twist is that the murder was an accident that got covered up as a pre - meditated act. Maybe during a drunken Christmas brawl, someone pushed the victim and they hit their head on a fireplace mantel. But then, the people at the party, fearing they would be blamed, decided to make it look like a murder by staging the scene with a fake weapon and some planted evidence. So the real 'crime' was the cover - up, not the initial accident.
The contrast between the joyous Christmas season and the dark act of murder is also a typical theme. The bright lights, presents, and celebration provide a sharp contrast to the grim nature of the crime. For example, in many such novels, the murderer may strike during a Christmas party or while the family is opening presents. It adds an element of shock and irony to the story.