A Killer's Christmas in Wales

Penny Brannigan #3

by Elizabeth J. Duncan

As the townsfolk of the Welsh valley town of Llanelen settle in for the snowiest winter in twenty-five years, an American stranger arrives. Harry Saunders charms the ladies, one of them in particular: Evelyn Lloyd, the town's former postmistress, who was left comfortably off after the death of her husband. After Mrs. Lloyd invests a good deal of money with him, Harry goes missing, as does her money. His body is soon discovered outside the walls of Conwy Castle, and Mrs. Lloyd is implicated in the murder.

Although Penny Brannigan and her business partner, Victoria Hopkirk, are busy overseeing the grand opening of their new spa, that doesn't stop Mrs. Lloyd from desperately seeking Penny's help to prove her innocence. It's quite possible that Harry made other enemies while in Llanelen and Penny's investigation unfolds while she juggles her work at the spa, her growing relationship with Detective Inspector Davies, and the Christmas window competition that she signed up to judge.

With 'A Killer's Christmas in Wales', Elizabeth J. Duncan delivers a delightful holiday-themed mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Holiday, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2011

About the author

After graduating from Carleton University, Ottawa, with a BA in English, Elizabeth J. Duncan worked as a writer and editor for some of Canada’s largest newspapers, and as a public relations practitioner.

A two-time winner of the Bloody Words Award for Canada's best light mystery, she is the author of two traditional mystery series, Penny Brannigan set in North Wales and Shakespeare in the Catskills featuring costume designer Charlotte Fairfax,
Elizabeth divides her time between Toronto, Canada and Llandudno, North Wales.

Reviews

[Connie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The residents in a small Welsh town are bustling around with their Christmas preparations when a charming American man sweeps the widow Evelyn Lloyd off her feet. He vanishes with a large sum of money that Evelyn gave him to invest. When he is found murdered outside Conwy Castle the police interview Evelyn and other people who were visiting the castle. Penny Brannigan, a local spa owner, helps investigate to try to clear Evelyn's name.

"A Killer's Christmas in Wales" is a slow-moving cozy mystery. Much of the story is about the relationships among the townspeople. The story is predictable, but readers may enjoy its holiday warmth and small town charm.

[Teri-K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose I should start by saying this is the first book in the series that I've read. It was easy enough to get into and although a bit of the plot referred to previous events I didn't find it confusing. (Except Penny and Victoria's relationship puzzled me. They're opening a business together but didn't seem to like each other much.) Unfortunately I didn't find the plot particularly interesting. It's a quick read and the Welsh setting was nice - there were a few words and phrases thrown in that I enjoyed. Christmas was represented by snow and mince pies, but otherwise it wasn't much of a holiday story.

The book jumped around between a number of POVs so that the MC didn't seem all that important till the end. I never felt the characters came alive and it was hard to care much about any of them. Other than hoping the scam artist would get what he deserved I didn't care who did it, either. And in the end the solution was very quick and unremarkable and the killer's motivation didn't convince me at all. I read it and thought - seriously? That's it? So, though I might try another in the series some day, I won't be running out for them any time soon. Too bad, I'm always on the look out for cozies that aren't set in the US.

[Dixie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to win this advance reading copy but when I got it and started , "on a dark, gloomy morning" the old jokey first line "it was a dark and stormy night" came to mind. It started slowly and I might have quit but felt I wanted to be able to review it so I plodded through the first pages.

I am so glad I did. This book was a warm, delightful blend of "murder she wrote" or the "cat who" books with the charm and wonderful characters of Rosamund Pilcher. Once Into the story, I could not turn away. Now I want to know more about the characters and will be looking for the other books in the series and now I would love a chance to visit Wales

Charming and highly recommended.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could have given this two-and-a-half stars, because it was slightly above two but didn't quite rate 3. Not a bad story, but just didn't grab me and hold on or have the characters I could really buy into like Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse series. Amateur sleuth/manicurist Penny and her police-officer boyfriend just left me a bit cold.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decision: 2019/20 holiday season-read Christmas books.. Elizabeth J Duncan’s A Killer’s Christmas in Wales (Penny Brannigan Mystery #3) is one of the holiday books I have in my stash of holiday books, and I have had it awhile so I decided to read it. One attraction is the setting of Wales. Also, I have read other Penny Brannigan mysteries and enjoyed them. This holiday cozie was easy to decipher. I identified the killer in the middle of the book, I thought. Oh, so close, but the author ‘caught’ me. That is a fun part! The book, on the whole, took just too long to solve the mystery. At least, this reader feels it did. The setting of the murder is Conwy Castle in North Wales which I have visited, and I could picture perfectly just what was taking place. This is another fun part! In fact, I really enjoyed this part as I felt I was there. Another fascinating connection made by the author is the skeleton found in Penny and Victoria’s renovation of a very old building for their new spa. That was fun too. Christmas spirit abounds or tries to do so, but with the obvious murder victim, and many various excursions taken by some characters, the book was easy to put down. I did that and read another book before finishing this mystery. Thus: 3 stars.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

While remodeling the new spa location, a female body was discovered. While the police work on that, a con man scamming gullible women takes Mrs. Lloyd for 20,000 pounds. The man ends up dead at Conwy Castle a few days later, making a couple of Penny's clients the prime suspects. A rash of small thefts hits town, and they seem to be tied to a thrift shop. Gradually pieces fall in place, assisted by the recovery of some stolen items. It even features a guest appearance Dorothy Martin of the Jeanne Dams series. This pleasant cozy makes an enjoyable, although perhaps too coincidental, Christmas read.

[Lillian Agosto]

Read the "advanced copy" of this book and really enjoyed it. This is the perfect book for those lovers of the "whodunnit" genre. Also, I have always enjoyed reading stories where the "backdrop" is a foreign country, in this case the beautiful country of Wales. Mingling the culture in the story line i.e, food, holiday traditions, etc. makes the reader feel like a traveler. After I finished the book I was looking forward for some mince pie and hot chocolate!

[Nanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need a "Murder She Wrote" type book and this is one of those. I really enjoyed cozying up with this book during the busy Christmas season. I plan to read more in this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the series and a delight!

A well constructed mystery. A skeleton is found in the spa that Penny and Victoria are renovating. A mystery man from the US arrives in Wales and wows the local older female contingent, especially Mrs. Lloyd. His intentions may not be good ones. When he is found murdered, there are obvious suspects. But what, if anything, does this have to do with small items disappearing from thrift shops and homes? Maybe nothing.....

I loved the characters, and the mature relationship between Penny and her Inspector. There were clues sprinkled throughout as to the murderer, and I did guess who, but it was not overly obvious. I will definitely continue with this series.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is nicer than a Welsh village at Christmas time, where everybody knows one another and gathers to gossip and celebrate together? Only a foreigner can break that peace of snow, carols and traditions, especially when he’s a charming cheater who seduces lonely women and can provoke strong, negative feelings to the most sensitive, weaker ones. Penny Brannigan, the heroine of this whodunit series, is just about to open her new spa when she gets involved into the murder investigation of such a man and at such a busy time, but she has to help her friends even if they’re the very ones who raise a lot of doubts and suspicions in her.

[Briansmom · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn’t good.

Why not?

The author missed the part in writing school where they talk about “show, don’t tell.” When you are showing the reader, it has to be INTERESTING. And saying that the character pushed her spoon away from herself in her soup, that isn’t remotely interesting or necessary to the reader. Everyone reading this book has seen someone eat soup, and what that looks like. So, it’s OK to just say, so and so ate their soup with relish, or enjoyment, or whatever. What the reader doesn’t know is what this character looks like, smells like, sounds like. In this entire book, we never get a detailed description of any characters’ physical features (brief exception discussed momentarily), quirks, clothing, likes, dislikes, etc. The characters are cardboard.

The setting is supposed to be Wales. In fact that’s what drew me to the book in the first place. I love England, but know nothing about Wales. Why set it in Wales at all?? The reader wants to be transported, so show me Wales. Make me not only see it, but smell it, hear it, and taste it.

This book is supposed to take place during the Christmas season, and yet no one seems to be decorating, baking, gift shopping, or doing anything at all in the frantic build-up to the big day. In fact, the home of one character is described as having no decor at all! Not even a table-top tree! Are they Jewish?

There are some big, odd red herrings that make me wonder about everyone involved. For instance, that American who shows up for a manicure? No one wonders whether she’s involved with the American who’s been murdered?

The characters are flat, boring, and lifeless. A cardboard cutout has more personality than Penny, our alleged main character. At the end of the book I knew almost as much as I did about her than when I first cracked the spine and started reading. The only character I felt like I really knew was Evelyn.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroine in this book Penny Brannigan, borders on being one of those TSTL cozy heroines. She's more restrained in this book, which leads me to be more accepting of her small lapses in this book. She does seem to get sidetracked into investigating the murder of a con man that came to town and neglecting her duties in the new spa she and her partner are opening. But at least she doesn't just go off an interrogate everyone she suspects and doesn't put herself in what could be perilous situations. She does end up being in a very perilous situation in this book, but at least its not a situation she rushes into as part of her investigation.

Peggy is an "seasoned" woman (in her 50's) and I do enjoy her continued romance (and friendship) with the local police official. He does seem to accept and welcome her insights and help. They seem to have a mature and solid relationship and its hinted that it's heating up a bit in this book.

For what I would characterize as a cozy mystery, this is on the high end of the scale. A light, easy read, but without the recklessness and stupidity that seems to be in most cozies.

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer's Christmas in Wales is the third book in the series, but the first I have read. The Christmassy village is described as the archetypal Welsh village in winter I was in Christmas heaven as the whodunit was played against a background of Christmas activities. So much everyday detail – cups of tea, decorated shop windows, holly berries, a village play – yet the detail was not so great that your eyes glaze over in the minutia. The person who was murdered was dispatched in a satisfactory manner (stabbed and pushed off a wall in a castle ruin) and the main suspect had every reason to kill. When the murderer was revealed I was taken by surprise, but it all made sense. The investigation took place with good humour, a sense of menace as the truth was about to come out, and a little bit of romance between the village policeman and the amateur sleuth. All in all a lovely Christmas mystery!

[Stelepami · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Cute. And I've been watching a TV show set in Wales so I can do the accents in my head.
The 198(5?) movie adaptation of Dylan Thomas's poem is probably my favorite Christmas movie. I've been saving this book until after Thanksgiving, but I didn't wait long.
The extremely old-fashioned gender roles are the reason this series doesn't get better ratings from me, but at least it's done in a way that makes sense for characters of that age and time.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed visiting with Penny in her cozy little town in Wales. She is in the process of opening her new spa when a new man in town raises eyebrows by getting close to an older woman. When he is found dead, and his lady friend is implicated, Penny does what she can to crack the case. This book was Christmas cozy, wintry, snowy and fun. I loved it!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third Penny Brannigan mystery set in Wales. It's written by a Canadian who lives part of the year in Wales. She has really absorbed the culture and the country and writes well. I've enjoyed all her books. I loved the references in this one to good table manners! It's fun to follow her on facebook as she always has interesting photos of the countryside in Wales. Read on my kobo.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure if there’s any other books in the series, but I probably won’t continue with it anyway. This was a nice little mystery, but just too slow-paced or I am just too impatient for this type of book right now. The characters are likable enough, but there just doesn’t seem to be much depth or emotion.

[ette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic mystery novel--nothing special. It was set in Wakes, but the author wasted the opportunity to really bring the culture and countryside into the novel. This could have been set anywhere. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Cynthia Vengraitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be getting hooked on this series. The mysteries are definitely complicated enough, the characters likable and smart enough, and the situations just short of being too cozy.
Looking forward to #4. Very quick and relaxing reads.

[Chrislin · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Reading this book I am Defenatly going to the book store and geting some other books by Elizabeth J. Duncan. It was Just that goodI received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads

[William Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was enjoyable from start to finish.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light easy mystery set in Wales. Look for her other titles The Cold Light of Mourning and A Brush with Death.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second or hers, I like the setting and the people even if the story seemed somewhat incomplete. For example, how did Harry Saunders's mother come to be killed? I like the relationships.

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an enjoyable series, with cute characters, a gorgeous location and the plots move along quickly.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written fluff of the continuing story of our manicurist solving murders. Wouldn't be nearly as interesting if it didn't take place in Wales.

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entirely too predictable. Anything else I could say would be a spoiler.

[Lulu]

I won this book from the first reads giveaways and I am so excited to read it. Thanks.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. When an American man named Harry comes into town, he does an excellent job of charming Evelyn, even convincing her to open a joint account for investment. Her housemate is suspicious, as is her bank manager, but Evelyn proceeds. Unfortunately, she finds out that he has absconded with the money. When he ends up dead, apparently from a fall from the castle wall in a nearby town, there are numerous potential suspects. Penny gets involved to try and clear Evelyn’s name.She is also juggling their new business, her romance, and judging the Christmas window contest. Penny follows a curious trail that leads her on the path of some stolen goods and brings her back to a mystery of her own.

[Nese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this series more with each book possibly because one gets to warm up to the characters and to know them better with time. Some of the new characters as well as the regulars in the previous books are included in this book, and I especially enjoy reading about Florence, a down to earth, interesting, and a nurturing character, as well as an ex-con, Jimmy, from a nursing home. In spite of their advanced ages, they are both so feisty, quirky, and full of life. Also the story about Mrs. Lloyd’s love interest con man adds more dimensions to the story while Penny’s close relationships with the others give the book a warm feeling. Four and a half stars.