Description
A festive mystery perfect for fans of Murder on the Christmas Express and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
A village of secrets.
Yorkshire, 1952. Christmas is fast approaching when a dead stranger is found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered village of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer?
A mystery that can’t be solved.
Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. But as is often the way for him, things don’t go according to plan.
A Christmas to remember.
When the local doctor’s husband is murdered, Grasby begins to realize that everyone in Elderby is hiding something.
And if he can’t uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price…
My Thoughts
I started this expecting the usual clever country house murder mystery and instead got a rough and tumble few days that could have shook the world. The writing reminded me of old Golden Age dialect-driven mysteries, with the lovable screw-up main character who turns out to be much more than you initially think.
Meyrick does a wonderful job of describing the Yorkshire moors – snow, sleepy policemen, irritating peers, and more snow – but it’s the story that shines here.
I expected the country house thing and instead got a bit of The Secret Adversary and The Thirty Nine Steps crossed with Albert Campion (if Campion were a vicar’s son). The relationship between Frank and Deedee was written with a nice blend of comedy and drama.
On the whole, this will appeal to readers who appreciate a good, old-fashioned, save-the-world whodunit told with a bit of whimsy.
Recommended.
Publication Date: October 7, 2025
Published By: Poisoned Pen Press
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy
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