Frank Linn’s descriptions of Harrisburg and its environs are even more captivating than the memories contained in "fifty years of heart-warming stories from the jolly old elf himself." Largely anecdotal in tone, Naughty or Nice transports the reader to the downtown Christmas parades, Santa’s school days in Oberlin, and the simpler life of America in the ’50s and ’60s. Enriched by pictures, mostly well-reproduced color, articles from the Patriot, letters from children — including his own — and lists of requests, the text, written by Troy Miller, is enlivened by conversational dialogue. Linn informs readers that Santa must wear a well-maintained and realistic suit and convincing beard. Although his own Santa outfit originated as a skimpy, hole-prone suit in 9^th grade, he has always looked like and, according to his testimony, felt like Santa Claus. Born to the part, he takes evident pride in his realistic portrayal.

The more enticing sections of this brief book take us inside Santa’s hut, on a helicopter ride — which was not particularly pleasing to Santa — and to the home of a destitute family who was surprised by Santa and his church youth group. Linn begins the book abruptly and effectively with recounting his near-fatal heart attack. The writing is gripping as he details his fight to recover "just in time for Christmas." This same survival spirit is evident in his supporting his mother and siblings after his father’s early death, his prevailing over a potentially-damaging lawsuit, which caused him to reconsider his often-reprised role of the jolly old elf, and his resulting decision to serve as Santa for 10 more years. An endearing modesty emerges as he considers whether he should appear at the wedding reception of Kelly, one of his Colonial Park elves. On the day of her wedding, Kelly appeared in curlers and tears, begging him to participate in her day. Modestly, not wanting to steal her spotlight, Linn deliberated, but Kelly’s tears convinced him, and he made a brief, hugely-successful visit to the reception. He writes, "At the entrance, I took a deep breath and worried one last time if I was doing the right thing. ‘Oh, well,’ I thought. ‘Nothing I can do about it now. She insisted, and she was crying.’ When I stepped through the door, I saw a tremendous party. Music was playing, people were laughing, and the entire dance floor was filled … One person saw me, and then the entire party stopped. Everyone looked at me and everything went silent. I felt awful." He continues that once Kelly and her husband spotted him and thanked him for coming, he knew he "did the right thing." The accompanying pictures reveal even more of the delightful story.

The photos, interspersed with the text, color and deepen the story. Santa has numerous "celebrity shots" with various governmental officers; Dick Thornburgh, Pennsylvania Governor from 1979–1987, wrote the Foreword. A slew of governors from Governor Scranton through Ridge and his family are pictured with Santa, along with Speaker Matthew J. Ryan and staff. The parades, Hershey’s Candy Cane Lane, and particularly shots of Santa with children also enhance this book. The black and white illustrations and graphics are equally captivating.

In sharing Linn’s dark and deliberative thoughts in response to being sued — along with the Lower Swartara Lions Club whom he was representing when a small child fell, trapping her fingers beneath a fence on the property — the reader is able to witness his sensitivity. Finally recalled by the love of all the people waiting to see Santa as opposed to "one stupid incident," he determined to continue to serve. The only other negative experience detailed was the time he was stiffed by a well-heeled automobile dealership. Paid only $5 for an appearance that included drunken women sloshing drinks on his suit and smearing lipstick on his beard in attempts to kiss him, he returned the embarrassingly-skimpy payment, with the comment that "You need this money more than I do." Santa does not reveal the name of the insensitive cheapskates, but their business would definitely dwindle if he had.