What do you think?
Rate this book
Madoc and Janet Rhys #2
Murder Goes Mumming
Though he may not look the part, Madoc Rhys is a Mountie—and his keen sense of detection tells him it’s time to ask Janet Wadman to marry him. They have just gotten engaged when Christmas rolls around, and Janet’s boss invites them to his family estate for a last holiday fling before Janet leaves her job. After a long helicopter ride, they are at Graylings, ancestral home of the Condryckes, a family so strange that Canada’s shortest Mountie fits right in.
There is a psychic old woman, an erudite butler, and a family patriarch who is the spitting image of an English country squire. And when the elderly Mrs. Condrycke is found murdered, Janet will be glad she brought Madoc along. Though civilization is far away, when there is a Mountie in the house, justice is close at hand.
There is a psychic old woman, an erudite butler, and a family patriarch who is the spitting image of an English country squire. And when the elderly Mrs. Condrycke is found murdered, Janet will be glad she brought Madoc along. Though civilization is far away, when there is a Mountie in the house, justice is close at hand.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
118 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 18, 2017
I liked A Pint of Murder, the debut novel in this series featuring Detective Inspector Madoc Rhys of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and his lady love, Janet Wadman. But the winsome second entry in the series, Murder Goes Mumming, proves even better.
Pressured into a house party in an isolated part of New Brunswick, Madoc and Janet find themselves trapped at the mansion called Graylings by a heavy storm. The Condrycke family use cutting humor and nasty practical jokes to cover up some pretty dysfunctional relationships, but Madoc and Janet weren’t expecting murder. But that’s just what they get. I don’t want to reveal too much, but I do want to say that I really enjoyed the low-key Madoc, the clever plotting and even Janet Wadman, whose 1960s sensibility seems a bit too prim for today. Still, I was really surprised by the revelation of the murder and the motive, and I highly recommend Murder Goes Mumming to fans of old-fashioned cozies with a clever bent.
Pressured into a house party in an isolated part of New Brunswick, Madoc and Janet find themselves trapped at the mansion called Graylings by a heavy storm. The Condrycke family use cutting humor and nasty practical jokes to cover up some pretty dysfunctional relationships, but Madoc and Janet weren’t expecting murder. But that’s just what they get. I don’t want to reveal too much, but I do want to say that I really enjoyed the low-key Madoc, the clever plotting and even Janet Wadman, whose 1960s sensibility seems a bit too prim for today. Still, I was really surprised by the revelation of the murder and the motive, and I highly recommend Murder Goes Mumming to fans of old-fashioned cozies with a clever bent.
January 18, 2019
I am enjoying this series, and did enjoy this book in the series. There is a gentleness and cleverness and humour in Craig's (aka MacLeod's) writing.
I like the protagonists, Madoc and Janet. I find both of them gentle and clever. I appreciated Madoc's consideration for Janet, and his thoughtfulness toward her and toward life in general. I also really appreciated Janet's intelligence and ability to be politely assertive.
In this book, the supporting cast of characters was interesting. I admit, however, so many were introduced so quickly in the story, I did at first lose track of who was who, and which were parents, and children, etc. But over time, I did manage to get it all sorted out.
The plot was clever, with the murders real-seeming without being gory. There were some good clues as well as puzzling out of what happened and who had done it.
Overall, a solid read. I will read the next in the series.
I like the protagonists, Madoc and Janet. I find both of them gentle and clever. I appreciated Madoc's consideration for Janet, and his thoughtfulness toward her and toward life in general. I also really appreciated Janet's intelligence and ability to be politely assertive.
In this book, the supporting cast of characters was interesting. I admit, however, so many were introduced so quickly in the story, I did at first lose track of who was who, and which were parents, and children, etc. But over time, I did manage to get it all sorted out.
The plot was clever, with the murders real-seeming without being gory. There were some good clues as well as puzzling out of what happened and who had done it.
Overall, a solid read. I will read the next in the series.
December 24, 2021
Charlotte Macleod is becoming a go to author for cozies. Madoc and Janet make a great team!
December 12, 2024
Cozy Christmas read
December 24, 2025
A quick, fun read — a Canadian Mountie from a rich family and his fiancé spend Christmas at an out-of-the-way estate where the fun and laughs are a bit brittle and murder is on the menu.
I've read some of Charlotte McLeod's Peter Shandy series, set at the fictional Balaclava Agricultural College, and have always found them light, fun reads. This is the first of the Madoc Rhys books I've read (and the second in the five-book series) and while light and with some fun moments, I don't think that its quite as successful here.
Because its hard to see Madoc and his girlfriend Janet -- two fairly straight-laced young people -- tolerating, first, his mother setting them up with the Condryckes for the holidays, and second, her falling so quickly over Janet at first meeting as to hand over a family heirloom.
Then at Graylings, this family is a little too silly and crazy. After Granny falls dead, the family continues as if nothing has happened "because that is the way Granny would want it." But Madoc knows its murder, and says nothing to the family that is hosting him. More than a little unrealistic.
Fun, enjoyable but I still like stories with a bit more plausibility to them, even cozy mysteries.
I've read some of Charlotte McLeod's Peter Shandy series, set at the fictional Balaclava Agricultural College, and have always found them light, fun reads. This is the first of the Madoc Rhys books I've read (and the second in the five-book series) and while light and with some fun moments, I don't think that its quite as successful here.
Because its hard to see Madoc and his girlfriend Janet -- two fairly straight-laced young people -- tolerating, first, his mother setting them up with the Condryckes for the holidays, and second, her falling so quickly over Janet at first meeting as to hand over a family heirloom.
Then at Graylings, this family is a little too silly and crazy. After Granny falls dead, the family continues as if nothing has happened "because that is the way Granny would want it." But Madoc knows its murder, and says nothing to the family that is hosting him. More than a little unrealistic.
Fun, enjoyable but I still like stories with a bit more plausibility to them, even cozy mysteries.
October 17, 2023
Better than the first book, I think. This is the classic British Christmas mystery with a twist - family and friends gather at a remote stately home for the Christmas season, including Yule Log, caroling, and murder. Cut off from the world by a snowstorm, lacking electricity or outside help, our detective and his loyal sidekick must solve the case before the snow melts and the suspects disperse. In this case the mansion is in Canada, the detective is a Mountie and his sidekick is his fiancee. What's the twist? MacLeod's books are all written with a tongue-in-cheek kind of attitude that I find hard to describe but definitely enjoy reading. Not to be taken seriously, though the mystery is real and all the clues are there for you to solve.
I enjoyed this book, a quick read with enough suspects that I really didn't know who had done it, or why. We got to learn more about our Mountie, but Janet is still pretty much a blank. Too bad, as I think I like her and would like to see more of her. If you're a fan of English country house mysteries and feel like you've read them all, give this one a try. I'm pretty sure it would work even without having read the first book.
I enjoyed this book, a quick read with enough suspects that I really didn't know who had done it, or why. We got to learn more about our Mountie, but Janet is still pretty much a blank. Too bad, as I think I like her and would like to see more of her. If you're a fan of English country house mysteries and feel like you've read them all, give this one a try. I'm pretty sure it would work even without having read the first book.
April 5, 2022
Adorable. Madoc and Janet are adorable together and they just fit with each other. This was such a wild romp, but I was delighted with the story. Excellent stuff, particularly the ending.
July 25, 2017
3.5 stars - more fun than the first, A Pint of Murder, but not as tightly plotted or funny as MacLeod's other brilliant Christmas mystery starring Prof. Peter Shandy, "Rest Ye Merry".
Madoc Rhys and Janet Wadman are a cute couple but their middle-aged mannerisms fit Peter and Helen Shandy better!
Madoc Rhys and Janet Wadman are a cute couple but their middle-aged mannerisms fit Peter and Helen Shandy better!
July 10, 2025
Set in Canada at a manse in a snowstorm. Agatha type murder mystery.
Read
June 10, 2024This was a great uncomfortable Christmas House Party, with many goofy characters. Madoc Rhys and Jenny his wife to be, were invited to a huge house for Christmas. Of course at least on murder. Read this, it's very well written and a great story.
October 9, 2023
This was a good little mystery. Classic format of a who done it.
June 28, 2017
Clever mystery. Well written and great characters.
June 25, 2017
Murder in a stately home - in Canada! A happy read, enjoyable characters and s very satisfying murder in a country which does not have the death penalty.
December 7, 2014
Rhys Madoc is a Canadian Royal Mounty from a respectable titled family in Wales. He has just become engaged to Janet when the couple is manipulated by his mother in to spending the Holidays with the grand, but eccentric Crandyke family in northern Canada. Not long after their arrival at the family estate, Granny Crandyke dies, but in her memory the family decides to continue with the Christmas celebrations. Madoc suspects that Granny did not simply die of old age, but was helped along by one of the party-goers.
In the great tradition of so many cozy mysteries, this story takes place at an isolated family estate, cut off from the rest of the world by a tremendous blizzard. The setting, the food, the high tea, the revelry, and the quirky characters make this an interesting Christmas read.
The way Madoc caught the murderer was a bit far fetched. Also, clues were not revealed to the reader as they were discovered. However, what I found most unfortunate was that instead of the satisfying feeling of conclusion after the reveal, Madoc reflects that ultimately the murderer may get away with it. I know that's how it often works in real-life, but I like more of a "Justice served" conclusion to mysteries. But as we don't actually get a follow-up from the trial, we don't know if in fact the murderer gets away with it or not. A bit of a let down there.
In the great tradition of so many cozy mysteries, this story takes place at an isolated family estate, cut off from the rest of the world by a tremendous blizzard. The setting, the food, the high tea, the revelry, and the quirky characters make this an interesting Christmas read.
The way Madoc caught the murderer was a bit far fetched. Also, clues were not revealed to the reader as they were discovered. However, what I found most unfortunate was that instead of the satisfying feeling of conclusion after the reveal, Madoc reflects that ultimately the murderer may get away with it. I know that's how it often works in real-life, but I like more of a "Justice served" conclusion to mysteries. But as we don't actually get a follow-up from the trial, we don't know if in fact the murderer gets away with it or not. A bit of a let down there.
December 25, 2022
Madoc and Jenny are invited to a aristocratic Christmas
The engaged couple meets Madoc's Mum. The low key detective is actually part of the Upper Class. His Mum, a Lady not Mrs.
Mason is sort of the black sheep of the family, but his Mum allows accepts his profession by fudging the truth a bit.
Ever the Social conscious, she manages to get the young besotted couple invited to the holiday festivities of an old upper class family.
This family pretty much throws Janet into what she will experience when she weds Madoc. The extravagance, the upper class mind-set.
But of course, there is a body and the entire household is trapped due to weather. Readers are entertained with the inner workings of this Family to maintain the status quo while waiting for weather to clear when there is a dead body upstairs.
It is up to Havoc to secretly investigate. ( No one knows his profession) and Janet to assist.
I admit, I somehow missed any discussion on this series and so if I say they remind me of an Agatha Christie novel, It may not be a novel observation.
The engaged couple meets Madoc's Mum. The low key detective is actually part of the Upper Class. His Mum, a Lady not Mrs.
Mason is sort of the black sheep of the family, but his Mum allows accepts his profession by fudging the truth a bit.
Ever the Social conscious, she manages to get the young besotted couple invited to the holiday festivities of an old upper class family.
This family pretty much throws Janet into what she will experience when she weds Madoc. The extravagance, the upper class mind-set.
But of course, there is a body and the entire household is trapped due to weather. Readers are entertained with the inner workings of this Family to maintain the status quo while waiting for weather to clear when there is a dead body upstairs.
It is up to Havoc to secretly investigate. ( No one knows his profession) and Janet to assist.
I admit, I somehow missed any discussion on this series and so if I say they remind me of an Agatha Christie novel, It may not be a novel observation.
April 18, 2023
Madoc and Janet are engaged now, after his mother proposes for him and gives him a ring to give Janet. They are invited to a Christmas house party by her current boss, primarily because he has discovered Madoc's illustrious relatives. The Condrycke family are a strange bunch, from the elders - Granny and Aunt Adelaide to the teenage boys smoking pot in the billiard room. Squire's children are a fun-loving lot, playing pranks and laughing at everything, although many don't find their antics very funny. When Granny is found dead, Madoc begins sleuthing, and a later death makes things a lot more serious. Aunt Adelaide gives warning of the Phantom Ship' s appearance which is supposed to presage a death in the family and it appears twice.
April 2023 Rereading
April 2023 Rereading
August 6, 2022
Ms. MacLeod presents a facetious look into the high life in Canada, complete with mumming, a yule log, high tea, butler, a fascinating myth, practical jokes, an aunt with amazingly accurate presentiments, a huge house occupied by extended family, and, of course, a couple of murders, and then she throws in a romance as icing on the cake. Personally I was happy to get a closer look at the infamous Roy and see him get some comeuppance, although not as much as I had hoped. This book made me want to read some Canadian history and I shivered at the thought of minus thirty degree temperatures.
August 17, 2023
A lovely murder romp, with the backdrop of "old Anglo money" in New Brunswick, Canada. For those readers like myself who lived in Eastern Canada, many of the local references will bring back some happy memories of the years spent there. Due to my own background, I was able to relate to the mentions of Welsh heritage through the interaction between the police inspector and butler. The writer cleverly captures what is perhaps now a bygone age of erstwhille Empire Loyalists, with commentary from some of the characters on Canada's perennial clash of English vs French cultures.
November 6, 2021
Delightful trifle. In the Mc Beaton class. A good series but one is enough at a time. Hoopla via dpl
November 27, 2024
I really found this to be a rather bizarre story, on several levels. It qualifies as a cozy Mystery of the Golden Age type, except the sleuth is no amateur, but a Detective Inspector. The setting is classic British country-house whodunnit, with our sleuth (plus charming and sweet fiancée) trapped over Christmas by a snowstorm in a vast manor house and a family of certifiable oddballs. There are lots of passages and backstairs and attic rooms, a celebration right out of Dickens -real Yule Log, wassail, and mumming (hence the title). And, oh yes, no electricity. Sounds like the 1930s, right?
The catch? It's set in New Brunswick, Canada, circa 1980, and our very Peter Wimsey-ish sleuth works for the RCMP. And the 'lower-class' servants all speak French.
Almost forgot - the climax comes when DI Rhys gathers everyone in the Great Hall, arrests the guilty party, and explains all the details that led to this conclusion. Many of which were not provided earlier, thereby breaking rule #1 of classic mysteries (and most modern ones, to be fair); the reader must have been provided with all the clues along the way, giving them at least a fighting chance to figure it out on their own.
I should add that the other thing that suggests a Golden Age novel is the language and style of writing. A sample from page 1 - 'ukase.' Ever heard of it before? Any clue what it might mean? Me neither. The author, be it said, was born in 1922, and likely grew up with those great classics.
So. An easy quick read in the Christmas Cozy genre. Enjoyable by many, according to ratings. But I am really not one of them. 2 tars.
The catch? It's set in New Brunswick, Canada, circa 1980, and our very Peter Wimsey-ish sleuth works for the RCMP. And the 'lower-class' servants all speak French.
Almost forgot - the climax comes when DI Rhys gathers everyone in the Great Hall, arrests the guilty party, and explains all the details that led to this conclusion. Many of which were not provided earlier, thereby breaking rule #1 of classic mysteries (and most modern ones, to be fair); the reader must have been provided with all the clues along the way, giving them at least a fighting chance to figure it out on their own.
I should add that the other thing that suggests a Golden Age novel is the language and style of writing. A sample from page 1 - 'ukase.' Ever heard of it before? Any clue what it might mean? Me neither. The author, be it said, was born in 1922, and likely grew up with those great classics.
So. An easy quick read in the Christmas Cozy genre. Enjoyable by many, according to ratings. But I am really not one of them. 2 tars.
October 13, 2024
Christmas with the wealthy and indulged...who could ask for anything more???
Wonderful characters, interesting, well, opulent surroundings, A terrific storm in 28° below zero weather, A dysfunctional family who all resemble One another....sooo...how to find the murderer?
Well written though, as usual, a bit convoluted in the details...just not sure what all is happening and when.
I miss her. These books...most of which I read decades ago...and this series which is new to me...are written with humor, quippiness, laugh our loud jokes, suspense, atmosphere, and are fast paced and a satisfying read. Even now. I am rereading some of her other series and love them just as much as when I was young spry.
Worth reading. Nice romantic story in the offing between Detective Inspector Mason Thus and Janet Wildman (sp?) Is wonderful to watch (read about!).
Recommended.
Wonderful characters, interesting, well, opulent surroundings, A terrific storm in 28° below zero weather, A dysfunctional family who all resemble One another....sooo...how to find the murderer?
Well written though, as usual, a bit convoluted in the details...just not sure what all is happening and when.
I miss her. These books...most of which I read decades ago...and this series which is new to me...are written with humor, quippiness, laugh our loud jokes, suspense, atmosphere, and are fast paced and a satisfying read. Even now. I am rereading some of her other series and love them just as much as when I was young spry.
Worth reading. Nice romantic story in the offing between Detective Inspector Mason Thus and Janet Wildman (sp?) Is wonderful to watch (read about!).
Recommended.
November 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Madoc and Janet are fun characters. This is a classic country house murder. All the characters are cut-off by snow and a big storm. The book takes place in New Brunswick, Canada which is a nice change-of-pace.
Madoc is a Royal Canadian Mountie and he and Janet just got engaged. I like how much in love Madoc and Janet are. Madoc's mother and the rest of his family are "important people" so his mother arranges for the couple to spend Christmas at a beautiful old house miles from civilization. The large family they stay with really get into their Christmas celebrations. The family also doesn't know Madoc is a policeman. When they do find out they're none too happy--especially since they're all suspects in his murder investigation.
The book was written in 1982 and has an old-fashioned quality I enjoyed for the beginning of my Christmas season.
Madoc is a Royal Canadian Mountie and he and Janet just got engaged. I like how much in love Madoc and Janet are. Madoc's mother and the rest of his family are "important people" so his mother arranges for the couple to spend Christmas at a beautiful old house miles from civilization. The large family they stay with really get into their Christmas celebrations. The family also doesn't know Madoc is a policeman. When they do find out they're none too happy--especially since they're all suspects in his murder investigation.
The book was written in 1982 and has an old-fashioned quality I enjoyed for the beginning of my Christmas season.
January 21, 2019
This cozy, manor-house mystery is unexceptional but mildly enjoyable. The Canadian setting is a change of pace and provides the fierce blizzard that traps the whole cast in the obligatory ancestral pile. As Christmas mysteries go, it's markedly inferior to Ms. MacLeod's Rest You Merry because Peter Shandy and Jemima Ames are more genuinely likable. Inspector Madoc Rhys of the RCMP is a decent amateur sleuth, but Ms. MacLeod tries too hard to make his affianced, Miss Janet Wadman, admirable which backfires and makes her irritating. The supporting cast is lively although their group eccentricity seems forced. I can recommend this one to readers who like the genre, but my third star is a bit charitable.
December 8, 2020
Another fun murder mystery by Alisa Craig, a.k.a. Charlotte MacLeod. I really love the characters, Madoc and Janet. They are a rare combo and remind me of a more modern (and Canadian) version of Nick and Nora Charles, but still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. They are devoted to each other and have great banter in their conversations. This story revolves around Christmas and a country house murder or two. I enjoyed the quirky rural characters a little more in the first book but these folks were interesting and easy not to like. The ending was a bit contrived but these stories aren't meant to be complicated mysteries. They are meant to be light and fun, which they are. Looking forward to the third installment which is already on its way to me!
November 18, 2023
Standard British-type cozy mystery; takes place in New Brunswick, Canada, over Christmas holidays where group of people are stranded in a remote mansion due to blizzard, then two elderly women are killed. First two-thirds of book consist of character studies of the main players and inter-relationships; final third is the unraveling of the mystery and ID of the killer. RCMP detective Madoc Rhys and fiancé Janet are among the guests and solve the crime; the most minute clues are found and analyzed - smudged fingerprints, loose threads from a sweater, and seemingly innocent comments all point to the killer.
There are so many 4- and 5-star ratings of this book, but really there was nothing special. You must be a fan of this genre to appreciate it.
There are so many 4- and 5-star ratings of this book, but really there was nothing special. You must be a fan of this genre to appreciate it.
December 15, 2022
By the always entertaining author Alisa Craig/Charlotte Macloud, this book about Canadian Mountie Madoc Rhys and his love interest Janet Wadman is great fun. Madoc’s mother is briefly in town and Janet is amazed to meet Lady Rhys, even more amazed (and happy) to receive a family heirloom as an engagement ring from Madoc. They sped a traditional Christmas with the Crondyke family in a country manor, complete with enormous Yule Log and, of course, murder. Great characters, great setting, and weird plot including appearance of a ghost ship. Surprise ending!
January 19, 2020
Survey reward | Not remarkable in any way | Some of MacLeod's books are farcical, some try to be ingenious, this is just fairly standard. A wealthy family has Christmas together in their fancy home, members of the family are killed for gain, everyone who had seemed fairly innocuous suddenly turns out to be a real jerk, those who had already been unpleasant double down on it, and suddenly it's over. The book is fine, it's just completely forgettable.
August 30, 2020
This is the last of my pandemic project of reading Aunt Milly's 1970s 'mystery of the month book club' collection. The plot of the book was predictable: which one of the family members "did in" Granny at the family estate, Graylings? The part I loved was the setting of New Brunswick and the weaving in of British, French, Welsh, and Scottish cultural influences. A number of new vocabulary words. August 2020
September 27, 2017
It's not one of her best works, but far from her worst. The characters are quirky but not tremendously interesting and the book is too short for any realdepth of character or exploration of their personality. But there are several fun moments and laughs, so not a waste of time.
March 18, 2019
Excellent, excellent book! I loved the snowed in atmosphere with only the family members and two guests, all the Christmas festivities and the romance between the Inspector and his lady. I didn't know who-dunnit until the end, which was great.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews