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One Man and His Dog Cozy Mysteries #3
Dark Deeds on a White Christmas
Retired police inspector, Tom Ramsay, and his faithful companion Bracken are on a Christmas vacation at a secluded hotel in the Yorkshire Dales. They are enjoying the tranquil surroundings when a sudden snowstorm hits the area, cutting them off from the rest of the world. While they are snowed in, a guest is found murdered
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2026
EXCERPT: 'You know, every year we wish for a white Christmas and this year we got one. We also got murder, attempted blackmail, and a suicide. Such dark deeds on a white Christmas. I'm not sure I'll ever wish for snow again.'
ABOUT 'DARK DEEDS ON A WHITE CHRISTMAS': He tries to live and let live. But when a killer drops by for Xmas, can this retired copper keep an innocent from going down for the crime?
England, 1964. Ex-police inspector Tom Ramsay worries the world has left him behind. Thinking a trip to ring in the season is just the ticket, he agrees to a shared vacation with his assistant, her parents, and his loyal dog. But soon after they arrive at the hotel, the good tidings take a deadly dive when his assistant’s mother is found crouched over a corpse holding a knife.
Snowed in without an official constable on hand, the retiree temporarily dons his detective hat to calm the rising panic. And as he systematically interrogates the frightened and belligerent guests, he comes to the frustrating conclusion no one saw anything and nearly everyone loathed the victim.
With the culprit lurking in plain sight, can Ramsay unwrap the truth?
MY THOUGHTS: A perfectly pleasant murder mystery set in the English countryside in the midst of a white Christmas. There's a good mix of characters and a mystery I couldn't solve.
I haven't read the first two books in this series, but it didn't matter.
A solid ⭐⭐⭐.6 stars
#DarkDeedsonaWhiteChristmasARetiredSleuthandHisDogHistoricalCozyMystery #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: P.C. JAMES is a retired manager who transitioned into writing, inspired by a lifelong love of mystery stories and the iconic character Miss Marple by Agatha Christie.
He resides in Whitby, Canada, where he enjoys nature, wildlife photography, and staying active through walking, running, and cycling.
His writing often reflects his appreciation for the British countryside and classic cozy mystery settings. He is the prolific author of two cosy mystery series.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Books Go Social via NetGalley for providing the DRC of Dark Deeds on a White Christmas by P.C. James for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
DISCLOSURE:
ABOUT 'DARK DEEDS ON A WHITE CHRISTMAS': He tries to live and let live. But when a killer drops by for Xmas, can this retired copper keep an innocent from going down for the crime?
England, 1964. Ex-police inspector Tom Ramsay worries the world has left him behind. Thinking a trip to ring in the season is just the ticket, he agrees to a shared vacation with his assistant, her parents, and his loyal dog. But soon after they arrive at the hotel, the good tidings take a deadly dive when his assistant’s mother is found crouched over a corpse holding a knife.
Snowed in without an official constable on hand, the retiree temporarily dons his detective hat to calm the rising panic. And as he systematically interrogates the frightened and belligerent guests, he comes to the frustrating conclusion no one saw anything and nearly everyone loathed the victim.
With the culprit lurking in plain sight, can Ramsay unwrap the truth?
MY THOUGHTS: A perfectly pleasant murder mystery set in the English countryside in the midst of a white Christmas. There's a good mix of characters and a mystery I couldn't solve.
I haven't read the first two books in this series, but it didn't matter.
A solid ⭐⭐⭐.6 stars
#DarkDeedsonaWhiteChristmasARetiredSleuthandHisDogHistoricalCozyMystery #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: P.C. JAMES is a retired manager who transitioned into writing, inspired by a lifelong love of mystery stories and the iconic character Miss Marple by Agatha Christie.
He resides in Whitby, Canada, where he enjoys nature, wildlife photography, and staying active through walking, running, and cycling.
His writing often reflects his appreciation for the British countryside and classic cozy mystery settings. He is the prolific author of two cosy mystery series.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Books Go Social via NetGalley for providing the DRC of Dark Deeds on a White Christmas by P.C. James for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
DISCLOSURE:
February 2, 2026
4.5★s
Dark Deeds On A White Christmas is the third book in the One Man And His Dog Cozy Mystery series by British author, P.C.James. When Tom Ramsay, his border collie, Bracken, and the three members of the Danesdale family decide to book in for the ten-day Christmas Retreat at the Harkness Manor Hotel, nineteen-year-old Eliza, determined to become Tom’s investigating partner, is already hoping for a murder to solve.
Grateful to have made it through the snow on the day before Christmas Eve without incident, they watch other guests arriving, observing some tense exchanges between them, and are almost laying bets on who the victim might be. It is said “be careful what you wish for”, applicable in this case as, just after Christmas lunch, there’s a dead body in the dark corridor leading to the kitchen.
Of the guests: the victim’s partner and son, a group of six boisterous twenty-somethings, a pair of middle-aged spinsters, a slick-looking lawyer and his wife, and two single gentlemen, several had some history with the deceased who was, apparently, not well liked. The staff, owners, and entertainers, a hypnotist and a Lord of Misrule, also need to be questioned.
To Tom and Eliza’s dismay, the prime suspect is a little too close to home for comfort. And when heavy snowfalls cut the Hotel off from town, DI Baldock puts Tom in charge of interrogating witnesses. Yet nobody saw or heard anything. It’s a variation on a locked room mystery, with lots of speculation on motive and opportunity; the means, a steak knife, readily available in the kitchen.
When his input isn’t required, Bracken enjoys the company of the hotel owner’s three golden retrievers, although he weighs in when Tom comments “just because someone doesn’t like dogs it doesn’t follow they’re a bad person.” Bracken’s expression said, ‘he couldn’t see how it wouldn’t.’” He is, at times, frustrated with his humans: “If only they’d make the effort to understand. He could understand them but not the reverse. Humans really are an unintelligent species!”
James easily captures his setting and era, demonstrating how different policing is in 1964 without computers, mobile phones, CCTV and DNA: the most sophisticated tools in their arsenal being fingerprinting and blood type; crime scene photos require film cameras, darkrooms and patience; deductive reasoning is often essential. Only the most astute reader will pick up on the hint that identifies the killer. The fourth book in this enjoyable cosy series, A Missing Manuscript and Murder, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social.
Dark Deeds On A White Christmas is the third book in the One Man And His Dog Cozy Mystery series by British author, P.C.James. When Tom Ramsay, his border collie, Bracken, and the three members of the Danesdale family decide to book in for the ten-day Christmas Retreat at the Harkness Manor Hotel, nineteen-year-old Eliza, determined to become Tom’s investigating partner, is already hoping for a murder to solve.
Grateful to have made it through the snow on the day before Christmas Eve without incident, they watch other guests arriving, observing some tense exchanges between them, and are almost laying bets on who the victim might be. It is said “be careful what you wish for”, applicable in this case as, just after Christmas lunch, there’s a dead body in the dark corridor leading to the kitchen.
Of the guests: the victim’s partner and son, a group of six boisterous twenty-somethings, a pair of middle-aged spinsters, a slick-looking lawyer and his wife, and two single gentlemen, several had some history with the deceased who was, apparently, not well liked. The staff, owners, and entertainers, a hypnotist and a Lord of Misrule, also need to be questioned.
To Tom and Eliza’s dismay, the prime suspect is a little too close to home for comfort. And when heavy snowfalls cut the Hotel off from town, DI Baldock puts Tom in charge of interrogating witnesses. Yet nobody saw or heard anything. It’s a variation on a locked room mystery, with lots of speculation on motive and opportunity; the means, a steak knife, readily available in the kitchen.
When his input isn’t required, Bracken enjoys the company of the hotel owner’s three golden retrievers, although he weighs in when Tom comments “just because someone doesn’t like dogs it doesn’t follow they’re a bad person.” Bracken’s expression said, ‘he couldn’t see how it wouldn’t.’” He is, at times, frustrated with his humans: “If only they’d make the effort to understand. He could understand them but not the reverse. Humans really are an unintelligent species!”
James easily captures his setting and era, demonstrating how different policing is in 1964 without computers, mobile phones, CCTV and DNA: the most sophisticated tools in their arsenal being fingerprinting and blood type; crime scene photos require film cameras, darkrooms and patience; deductive reasoning is often essential. Only the most astute reader will pick up on the hint that identifies the killer. The fourth book in this enjoyable cosy series, A Missing Manuscript and Murder, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social.
October 15, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the free Arc. This does not influence my review of course.
It’s the Christmas of 1964 and we are in the car with our protagonist, Ramsay, his dog, his girlfrie- sorry, assistant Eliza and her parents. They are on their way to a small hotel filled with colourful guests during the white holiday. The story started off strong, with the characters having a dynamic relationship straight off the bat. Obviously, Eliza’s parents are uncomfortable with her infatuation with Ramsay who is only a few years younger than them. Meanwhile Ramsay, while flattered, is also apprehensive. She is, as the book made abundantly clear, only 19. She is also super annoying but I will not get into that quite yet.
On this holiday, Eliza’s mother is found holding a knife, shocked over the dead body of a very evil man. She is then the prime suspect. Our duo is on the case to prove the mother’s innocence! The cast of suspects include a group of young free couples, some old judgemental women, the wife and son of the evil man who hate him, two men who hate him from the past and of course, Eliza’s mother. I will now explain why I had some issues with this mystery. I felt like a lot of it was fluff, and red herrings. The actual explanation was based on something we found out in the very beginning and honestly came out of nowhere with no other hints given. I only had my suspicion because Ramsay kept giving small comments about this. But there was no development! Rather, they pursued something else entirely and in fact, Eliza had no clue about this until the very end. How are they partners if she contributes nothing to the case solving?
This would be a solid 4 star mystery but -1 star for saying Scandinavians use saunas and not Nordics. It's a Finnish invention!! Just kidding it was actually because of Eliza. I felt a bit uncomfortable about this so-called non-romance. I think if she was intellectually in the same league it would be a bit better. If she would also help with the investigation in the sense she would actually help catching the culprit; I definitely think I would like her better. Also if she was 22 or something and not literally barely 18. I am not against age gaps and I understand even the characters themselves have said this is inappropriate and it is not being pursued however, there are hints of it maybe actually working out. And I do not like that at all.
Anyway a solid short mystery. Wish it was developed a little more though.
It’s the Christmas of 1964 and we are in the car with our protagonist, Ramsay, his dog, his girlfrie- sorry, assistant Eliza and her parents. They are on their way to a small hotel filled with colourful guests during the white holiday. The story started off strong, with the characters having a dynamic relationship straight off the bat. Obviously, Eliza’s parents are uncomfortable with her infatuation with Ramsay who is only a few years younger than them. Meanwhile Ramsay, while flattered, is also apprehensive. She is, as the book made abundantly clear, only 19. She is also super annoying but I will not get into that quite yet.
On this holiday, Eliza’s mother is found holding a knife, shocked over the dead body of a very evil man. She is then the prime suspect. Our duo is on the case to prove the mother’s innocence! The cast of suspects include a group of young free couples, some old judgemental women, the wife and son of the evil man who hate him, two men who hate him from the past and of course, Eliza’s mother. I will now explain why I had some issues with this mystery. I felt like a lot of it was fluff, and red herrings. The actual explanation was based on something we found out in the very beginning and honestly came out of nowhere with no other hints given. I only had my suspicion because Ramsay kept giving small comments about this. But there was no development! Rather, they pursued something else entirely and in fact, Eliza had no clue about this until the very end. How are they partners if she contributes nothing to the case solving?
This would be a solid 4 star mystery but -1 star for saying Scandinavians use saunas and not Nordics. It's a Finnish invention!! Just kidding it was actually because of Eliza. I felt a bit uncomfortable about this so-called non-romance. I think if she was intellectually in the same league it would be a bit better. If she would also help with the investigation in the sense she would actually help catching the culprit; I definitely think I would like her better. Also if she was 22 or something and not literally barely 18. I am not against age gaps and I understand even the characters themselves have said this is inappropriate and it is not being pursued however, there are hints of it maybe actually working out. And I do not like that at all.
Anyway a solid short mystery. Wish it was developed a little more though.
September 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read "Dark Deeds On A White Christmas" in exchange for my honest review.
This is the third book in the "One Man And His Dog Cozy Mysteries" and it has gone straight to the top of my favourite books of this year. I was hooked on the very first page and could not wait to find out who the culprit was. I would love to give this book more than 5 stars!
Retired Inspector Tom Ramsey and his dog Bracken are spending the Christmas break with his young assistant Eliza and her parents Doris and Colin Danesdale at the Harkness Manor Hotel. While the weather keeps some guests from arriving there is an interesting assortment of people who do arrive. The Chambers - a family of 3 who always seem to be arguing, 3 young couples, 2 elderly ladies, a couple and a single man. The group of young people are quickly named the 'Hooray Harry's' and the older crowd seem to find their boisterous mood a bit much.
Bracken has to be my favourite character. He makes friends with Larry, Barry and Harry - the hotel dogs.
One final guest arrives - a Mr. Redhill who seems incredibly frail and ill.
Christmas Eve starts with a hypnotist, the Lord of Misrule and games. This pretty much continues the following day except on Christmas day the body of one of the guests is found and Eliza's mother becomes the prime suspect. Ramsay and Eliza set out to clear her name, as neither really trust Inspector Baldoak who is quiet obnoxious through the entire story. There are plenty of suspects as no one was able to leave because of the weather, the police themselves were not able to arrive at the hotel. The Inspector decides that Doris is the culprit and doesn't even want to entertain any other suspects. Everyone has an interesting story, everyone has a link to the deceased. But as every suspect is also cleared will Eliza's mother hang. Bracken has all the answers but no one understands him. Everyone misses the "Rosebud" clue until the very end.
Eliza wants to open a detective agency with Tom and she's sure they will marry - he's convinced she will grow out of her infatuation - after all he's 55 and she's only 19.
This story is very well crafted, a joy to read and try to figure out the clues with Ramsay and Eliza. The author created characters that are likeable and you want to know what will happen next in the series.
This is the third book in the "One Man And His Dog Cozy Mysteries" and it has gone straight to the top of my favourite books of this year. I was hooked on the very first page and could not wait to find out who the culprit was. I would love to give this book more than 5 stars!
Retired Inspector Tom Ramsey and his dog Bracken are spending the Christmas break with his young assistant Eliza and her parents Doris and Colin Danesdale at the Harkness Manor Hotel. While the weather keeps some guests from arriving there is an interesting assortment of people who do arrive. The Chambers - a family of 3 who always seem to be arguing, 3 young couples, 2 elderly ladies, a couple and a single man. The group of young people are quickly named the 'Hooray Harry's' and the older crowd seem to find their boisterous mood a bit much.
Bracken has to be my favourite character. He makes friends with Larry, Barry and Harry - the hotel dogs.
One final guest arrives - a Mr. Redhill who seems incredibly frail and ill.
Christmas Eve starts with a hypnotist, the Lord of Misrule and games. This pretty much continues the following day except on Christmas day the body of one of the guests is found and Eliza's mother becomes the prime suspect. Ramsay and Eliza set out to clear her name, as neither really trust Inspector Baldoak who is quiet obnoxious through the entire story. There are plenty of suspects as no one was able to leave because of the weather, the police themselves were not able to arrive at the hotel. The Inspector decides that Doris is the culprit and doesn't even want to entertain any other suspects. Everyone has an interesting story, everyone has a link to the deceased. But as every suspect is also cleared will Eliza's mother hang. Bracken has all the answers but no one understands him. Everyone misses the "Rosebud" clue until the very end.
Eliza wants to open a detective agency with Tom and she's sure they will marry - he's convinced she will grow out of her infatuation - after all he's 55 and she's only 19.
This story is very well crafted, a joy to read and try to figure out the clues with Ramsay and Eliza. The author created characters that are likeable and you want to know what will happen next in the series.
June 18, 2025
I'm loving this series and this particular volume has strong Agatha Christie vibes while also keeping the drama at a low level. The best aspect of this murder mystery was definitely Eliza who embodied "be careful what you wish for". I was surprised to see how stubbornly determined she is about being with Ramsay and I think I'm going to be delightedly amused as she makes him come round to her way of thinking in upcoming books.
Bracken, the border collie, also had some wonderful moments in this book. Ramsay's trusty canine companion adds a lovely dimension to the investigations and that really shone in this new book.
The murder mystery is nice and twisty with some great red herrings and a fabulous conclusion that was foreshadowed perfectly. When the real murderer was revealed, I was stunned and unsurprised at the same time. Just brilliant.
There's no doubt I'm curious to find out what happens next in Ramsay's adventures with Bracken and Eliza.
Bracken, the border collie, also had some wonderful moments in this book. Ramsay's trusty canine companion adds a lovely dimension to the investigations and that really shone in this new book.
The murder mystery is nice and twisty with some great red herrings and a fabulous conclusion that was foreshadowed perfectly. When the real murderer was revealed, I was stunned and unsurprised at the same time. Just brilliant.
There's no doubt I'm curious to find out what happens next in Ramsay's adventures with Bracken and Eliza.
October 3, 2024
Former Detective Tom Ramsey is supposed to be retired, but cases seem to pop up every where he and his dog Bracken go. On his last "holiday" he met Eliza Danesdale and her parents. Eliza was very helpful in that case, but she then decided that Ramsey should marry her (She's 19 and he 's in his 50s!) and they should have a detective agency.
Eliza amuses Tom and he is sure she will get over her infatuation eventually. As he enjoys Eliza and her family, they decide to visit Harkness Manor for their Christmas Celebration. It begins to snow on the way and gets worse later that night, but the hotel is warm, the food is good, and entertainment is available. Only the odd assortment of other guests is a possible annoyance. There is a quarrelsome family. three "hooray Henry" couples, a pair of censorious spinsters, an ill looking older gentleman, and another man who asks to be seated far from Paul Chambers of the warring family.
As Chambers irks everyone in the hotel, it should surprise no one that he is murdered. The problem came when Eliza's mother, Doris discovers the body and tries to help him by pulling out the knife. As she was alone with him and covered in blood, she becomes the prime suspect. Ramsey and Eliza are VERY motivated to find the right culprit. It seems that most of the people present, including Doris, had prior history with the victim, but even as they share what they learn with Inspector Baldock, Doris remains the most likely.
Ramsey eventually figures out who, with some not-so-advisable help from Eliza. and confronts the actual murderer and gets the confession.
The May-December romance is fun. Ramsey and the Danesdales are becoming almost friends. Can't wait to see if Ramsey will try to find happiness for himself for the first time since he lost his wife and children in the London Blitz more than twenty years ago.
This series is recommended for anyone who likes the Golden Age mysteries. It is well written and very readable.
Eliza amuses Tom and he is sure she will get over her infatuation eventually. As he enjoys Eliza and her family, they decide to visit Harkness Manor for their Christmas Celebration. It begins to snow on the way and gets worse later that night, but the hotel is warm, the food is good, and entertainment is available. Only the odd assortment of other guests is a possible annoyance. There is a quarrelsome family. three "hooray Henry" couples, a pair of censorious spinsters, an ill looking older gentleman, and another man who asks to be seated far from Paul Chambers of the warring family.
As Chambers irks everyone in the hotel, it should surprise no one that he is murdered. The problem came when Eliza's mother, Doris discovers the body and tries to help him by pulling out the knife. As she was alone with him and covered in blood, she becomes the prime suspect. Ramsey and Eliza are VERY motivated to find the right culprit. It seems that most of the people present, including Doris, had prior history with the victim, but even as they share what they learn with Inspector Baldock, Doris remains the most likely.
Ramsey eventually figures out who, with some not-so-advisable help from Eliza. and confronts the actual murderer and gets the confession.
The May-December romance is fun. Ramsey and the Danesdales are becoming almost friends. Can't wait to see if Ramsey will try to find happiness for himself for the first time since he lost his wife and children in the London Blitz more than twenty years ago.
This series is recommended for anyone who likes the Golden Age mysteries. It is well written and very readable.
August 21, 2024
The third book in the One Man and his Dog series that grabs you from the beginning as you try to figure out the murderer. Retired inspector Tom Ramsay, his trusty intuitive dog, Bracken and his assistant/maybe girlfriend, Eliza, decide to take a getaway vacation with Eliza's parents to an inn in Yorkshire. With so many activites to partake, they will have a great vacation. But, no sooner had they arrived, they get snowed in with other guests. Having a smooth uneventful, restful vacation just wasn't in the cards. One of the most disliked guests is found murdered in his room but the clincher is Eliza's mother, Doris, is found standing over the body with a knife in her hand! Tom and Eliza knows her mother didn't do it even though there's a strange relationship between the victim and Doris. So, since the police can't make it through the snow yet, Detective Ramsay, although retired, and his assistant, Eliza and Doris' daughter take it upon themselves to investigate and find the real killer before they can all leave the Inn. This is a great third book in the series and I highly recommend the whole series as well as this book! I received an ARC of the book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
March 24, 2025
I did not read books 1 and 2 in the series, One Man and his dog but I have already downloaded them and have them in my que. I love Retired police inspector, Tom Ramsay, and his faithful companion Bracken.
He tries to live and let live. But when a killer drops by for Xmas, can this retired copper keep an innocent from going down for the crime?
England, 1964. Ex-police inspector Tom Ramsay worries the world has left him behind. Thinking a trip to ring in the season is just the ticket, he agrees to a shared vacation with his assistant, her parents, and his loyal dog. But soon after they arrive at the hotel, the good tidings take a deadly dive when his assistant’s mother is found crouched over a corpse holding a knife.
Snowed in without an official constable on hand, the retiree temporarily dons his detective hat to calm the rising panic. And as he systematically interrogates the frightened and belligerent guests, he comes to the frustrating conclusion no one saw anything and nearly everyone loathed the victim.
With the culprit lurking in plain sight, can Ramsay unwrap the truth?
He tries to live and let live. But when a killer drops by for Xmas, can this retired copper keep an innocent from going down for the crime?
England, 1964. Ex-police inspector Tom Ramsay worries the world has left him behind. Thinking a trip to ring in the season is just the ticket, he agrees to a shared vacation with his assistant, her parents, and his loyal dog. But soon after they arrive at the hotel, the good tidings take a deadly dive when his assistant’s mother is found crouched over a corpse holding a knife.
Snowed in without an official constable on hand, the retiree temporarily dons his detective hat to calm the rising panic. And as he systematically interrogates the frightened and belligerent guests, he comes to the frustrating conclusion no one saw anything and nearly everyone loathed the victim.
With the culprit lurking in plain sight, can Ramsay unwrap the truth?
August 17, 2024
This latest book features the return of the charming sleuthing duo, retired police Inspector Ramsay and his young assistant (or is it girlfriend!?), Eliza. Ably supported by Ramsay's adorable and highly intuitive hound, Bracken.
Once again, I found myself swept up in another well-written whodunnit from author James. This time Ramsay and Eliza investigate a murder at an isolated hotel in rural England during a snowstorm. But there's a twist: the main suspect is none other than Eliza's mother, Doris. Worse yet, she may have a plausible motive for taking the law into her own hands.
As wintry conditions at the close of 1964 prevent the police from reaching the hotel, Ramsay and Eliza take on the challenge of solving the crime and exonerating her mom. There's no shortage of suspects and a few twists, turns, and tumbles (the latter involving skis, skating, and tobogganing) as the duo, plus Bracken, strive to unravel the puzzle. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful novel, which is sure to please cozy mystery fans everywhere.
Once again, I found myself swept up in another well-written whodunnit from author James. This time Ramsay and Eliza investigate a murder at an isolated hotel in rural England during a snowstorm. But there's a twist: the main suspect is none other than Eliza's mother, Doris. Worse yet, she may have a plausible motive for taking the law into her own hands.
As wintry conditions at the close of 1964 prevent the police from reaching the hotel, Ramsay and Eliza take on the challenge of solving the crime and exonerating her mom. There's no shortage of suspects and a few twists, turns, and tumbles (the latter involving skis, skating, and tobogganing) as the duo, plus Bracken, strive to unravel the puzzle. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful novel, which is sure to please cozy mystery fans everywhere.
August 20, 2024
I really enjoy this well written, easygoing but exciting series. Retired policeman Ramsay, his new assistant (Eliza, age 19), and her parents take a Christmas vacation at a manor house in Yorkshire. The snow starts soon after their arrival, and some guests come who do not partake of Christmas cheer. A particularly nasty father meets his end, Eliza's mother is the chief suspect, and they are snowed in! Wonderful characters (even the disagreeable ones) and Ramsay's dog Bracken meets new friends. You get more out of these if you start with the first or second book.- I received an advance copy and freely leave this honest review.
February 17, 2025
Eliza wasn’t a good sleuth. She was naive, brash, and disrespectful to the elders around them, which made her behavior intolerable. As an ex-law enforcer, Ramsay should have known better than to encourage her outrageous behavior. But the middle-aged Swain was besotted, a pushover for his young assistant, no matter how he procrastinated about their age-difference relationship. It wasn’t as intriguing and exciting as I had expected.
September 10, 2024
The third book in the One Man and his Dog series and the first I have read. I didn't feel this hindered my reading of the book at all as it can be read as a standalone. This story is very well written so stands up well on it's own and is enjoyable with likeable character's. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2025
This is the second I read in this series and I want to read the other as I love the characters and the historical backgrounds, a vivid descriptions of the 60s.
This is a solid and twisty mystery set at Christmastime in a hotel. A classi whodunnit I found entertaining.
Well done
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is a solid and twisty mystery set at Christmastime in a hotel. A classi whodunnit I found entertaining.
Well done
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 21, 2025
I loved this book. The twists and turns kept me guessing long into the night. A great read.
July 20, 2026
Interesting general plot, but I can't stand Eliza.
July 23, 2026
Very interesting read, though I wanted to throttle Eliza thru most of the book!
September 12, 2024
Third book of the series but the first for me. Good murder mystery. Variety of suspects all snowed in together.
January 4, 2025
It was certainly a very interesting read, but I found it a little off at the beginning and the romantic arc/ romantic hints were a bit off-putting, hence the 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews