The book follows the misadventures of Maddie McWilliams, Halloweentown's beloved Skeleton Queen, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the "real world." When Maddie accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, she gets a new lease on life -- she plots to bring Christmas under her control by kidnapping Elsa and taking over the role. But Maddie soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men and women can go seriously awry.