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D.M. Austin's A Christmas Murder of Crows - Review
A midwinter murder mystery.
Sir Henry de Trouville of Crowthwaite Castle hosts the annual Christmas reunion of his nearest family.
Beneath the bright lights and merriment, turmoil brews within this clan, rife with secrets, betrayals and personal agendas.
Then murder tears a tragic wound through the festivities, a curse centuries past ready to be fulfilled anew.
'A Christmas Murder of Crows' is the debut novel by D.M. Austin, an historical crime mystery, set in 1923. Featuring Detective Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale, summoned from Manchester City Police to investigate two deaths at Crowthwaite Castle, nestled in rural Cumbria, this is a classic detective story in the style and time period of Golden Age crime, infused with Gothic undertones, the setting brought vividly to life – the secluded castle manor house in the midst of the snow-drenched wilderness.
Austin weaves an intricate mystery, commencing with the gathering of the de Trouville family and introduction to each character, these the last in line of this dynasty of English aristocracy, with servants and locals from the village in tow, and the retelling of a tale of family history and local folklore, infused with dark symbolism, pagan ritual and blood sacrifice. Tensions already froth beneath the surface, boiling over as we come into the early hours of Christmas morning. The first death is that of an unexpected victim, but then a second brutal murder rocks an already stricken household shortly before the police arrive.
DI Dunderdale is called up from Manchester to investigate by the Chief Constable, the local team inexperienced with conducting murder investigations. With the assistance of local Sergeant Collins, Dunderdale interviews each witness, piecing together the clues and the evidence in the hunt for a killer. Each adult member of the family and their guests is a suspect, motivated by greed, passions, and family politics; Dunderdale’s investigation uncovering deceit and malice, satisfyingly concluding with the classic mystery’s motif of the detective’s summing up of the crime and exposing the murderer; all the while, the crows hovering like an omen.
Swirling with atmosphere and suspense, ‘A Christmas Murder of Crows’ is a thrilling festive mystery, promising to be the first in a series of Dunderdale mysteries.
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Sir Henry de Trouville of Crowthwaite Castle hosts the annual Christmas reunion of his nearest family.
Beneath the bright lights and merriment, turmoil brews within this clan, rife with secrets, betrayals and personal agendas.
Then murder tears a tragic wound through the festivities, a curse centuries past ready to be fulfilled anew.
'A Christmas Murder of Crows' is the debut novel by D.M. Austin, an historical crime mystery, set in 1923. Featuring Detective Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale, summoned from Manchester City Police to investigate two deaths at Crowthwaite Castle, nestled in rural Cumbria, this is a classic detective story in the style and time period of Golden Age crime, infused with Gothic undertones, the setting brought vividly to life – the secluded castle manor house in the midst of the snow-drenched wilderness.
Austin weaves an intricate mystery, commencing with the gathering of the de Trouville family and introduction to each character, these the last in line of this dynasty of English aristocracy, with servants and locals from the village in tow, and the retelling of a tale of family history and local folklore, infused with dark symbolism, pagan ritual and blood sacrifice. Tensions already froth beneath the surface, boiling over as we come into the early hours of Christmas morning. The first death is that of an unexpected victim, but then a second brutal murder rocks an already stricken household shortly before the police arrive.
DI Dunderdale is called up from Manchester to investigate by the Chief Constable, the local team inexperienced with conducting murder investigations. With the assistance of local Sergeant Collins, Dunderdale interviews each witness, piecing together the clues and the evidence in the hunt for a killer. Each adult member of the family and their guests is a suspect, motivated by greed, passions, and family politics; Dunderdale’s investigation uncovering deceit and malice, satisfyingly concluding with the classic mystery’s motif of the detective’s summing up of the crime and exposing the murderer; all the while, the crows hovering like an omen.
Swirling with atmosphere and suspense, ‘A Christmas Murder of Crows’ is a thrilling festive mystery, promising to be the first in a series of Dunderdale mysteries.
View all my reviews
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Threads
