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The Isle of Wight Killings #3
A Christmas Murder
Susan didn’t plan on being an amateur sleuth and after two successful investigations, she’s looking forward to a quiet Christmas. So, when local businesswoman Meera is in desperate need of help, Susan agrees rather reluctantly.
The task should be easy enough. The infamous press mogul Duncan Fern is coming back to the Isle of Wight, the scene of his family’s childhood holidays, to celebrate Christmas with his grown-up children and their partners, his new glamorous wife Kirsten who is forever dripping with diamonds, and the spikey editor of his paper the Morning Flame, Antoine. The newly-refurbished luxurious Bishopstone Manor is the perfect setting for a festive break and all Susan has to do is help Meera host.
But when a snowstorm descends over the island, and the following morning a body is found, Christmas at the Manor takes a darker turn. Can Susan get to the bottom of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…
The task should be easy enough. The infamous press mogul Duncan Fern is coming back to the Isle of Wight, the scene of his family’s childhood holidays, to celebrate Christmas with his grown-up children and their partners, his new glamorous wife Kirsten who is forever dripping with diamonds, and the spikey editor of his paper the Morning Flame, Antoine. The newly-refurbished luxurious Bishopstone Manor is the perfect setting for a festive break and all Susan has to do is help Meera host.
But when a snowstorm descends over the island, and the following morning a body is found, Christmas at the Manor takes a darker turn. Can Susan get to the bottom of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2024
1635 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Mary Grand
18 books269 followersI grew up in Wales. Later I taught in London and then worked with Deaf Children in Hastings. I now live on the beautiful Isle of Wight with my family.
I am published by Boldwood Books and write murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. The House Party was published in July 2020
The next 'The Island' will be published on June 24th, 2021.
Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories, Making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.
I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.
I am published by Boldwood Books and write murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. The House Party was published in July 2020
The next 'The Island' will be published on June 24th, 2021.
Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories, Making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.
I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
August 19, 2024
It has been a very warm summer, and I can think of no better way to cool down than with a good Christmas mystery, and that was provided to me by Mary Grand in her new book "A Christmas Murder." I had never read any of this authors books prior to this, and you never know what to expect in that instance. I was happily impressed with the book as well as the setting. You see this book is set on the Isle of Wight, and it takes place over the Christmas holiday season. Not only that, a blizzard has now descended upon the Isle and so when Duncan Fern and his family arrive at the Manor for a Christmas holiday, everyone is snowed in and after one day a murder occurs. Yes Duncan Fern is killed, and we know that from the very first pages of the book, but who is the Killer? Everyone there is basically one of the family. Our narrator and reluctant sleuth, Susan, has been asked to help at the Manor where the Fern family is staying, and so she and a few other workers are also snowbound with the Fern's. You might think this is a cozy mystery, but it's not quite that since nothing is syrupy sweet. Duncan Fern is the owner of a newspaper conglomerate and is not exactly the most warm and fuzzy individual, as a matter of fact, he's downright mean and nasty and constantly uses threats against his family to get his way. The author has a plausible setting and very well defined characters, as we get to know Duncan's second wife, Kristen; his son, Bryson, and his wife, Victoria; his daughter, Haley, and her boyfriend, Lewis, and finally the number two man at the newspaper, Antoine, who is there at Duncan's behest. The interaction between family members is strained at times, even before Duncan is killed, and Susan is witness to all of this because she is basically the person in charge of the gathering because the owner of the property is laid up with a foot and shoulder injury. Even if you're a reluctant sleuth, what are you supposed to do when things don't make sense? When family members make threats against other family members, when people sneak around in the middle of the night and tread through mountains of snow for secret rendezvous. It's all quite suspicious. And over period of three or four days we follow this family, Susan, and some of the other workers at the Manor and even get to experience some of the horror that is directed at Susan because someone feels that she is getting too close to uncovering the murderer. This is the authors fifth book set on the Isle of Wight and I must admit I really want to go back and read her other works. I found it compulsively readable! It is filled with plausible plot twists and delightful red herrings which will keep you guessing as to the killers identity! If are on the look for a wonderful Christmas murder mystery, then this book is for you. 4.5****
November 17, 2024
When I started reading this book I had to check it wasn't written for young teens. The writing is most definitely not in the least challenging. It resembles Enid Blyton in its formulation. Phrases such as "she wore a sparkly dress" and "they tucked in" were straight out of the Famous Five. The story isn't bad, although somewhat incredulous, but the entire experience of reading was not pleasant.
Cozy crime doesn't have to be this way. Writers such as Faith Martin, Richard Osman and Denzil Meyrick demonstrate how good writing elevates the genre.
Cozy crime doesn't have to be this way. Writers such as Faith Martin, Richard Osman and Denzil Meyrick demonstrate how good writing elevates the genre.
August 11, 2024
Susan is looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas alone. She gets a call to help at a local hotel who has a couple high profile guests. When one of the guests is murdered, Susan uses her skills to help. This book kept me guessing until the end.
December 18, 2024
Extremely slow! DNF read 50%
December 25, 2024
I chose this because it is set on the Isle of Wight but though it was okay I did get irritated by elements that just didn't seem plausible. Not my favourite!
December 29, 2024
A cozy murder mystery set on an Island at a resort during Christmas had all the elements of a classic whodunit.
Aged Duncan Fern brought his grown children and their partners to spend Christmas on the Isle of Wright where his younger family had stayed during the holidays. New business owner of the affluent Bishopstone Manor, Meera, has injured her ankle and reaches out to a local woman Susan to supplement her staff tasked with making this press mogul family’s visit a success. With the halls decked and the lavish food flowing freely, one would expect nothing less than a picture-perfect celebration. However, the atmosphere turns grim with an impending snowstorm and the discovery of a body the next morning. Susan, who fancies herself an amateur sleuth, suspects foul play when the clues don’t add up. But the police believe the death was of natural causes. Can Susan discover the identity of the murderer before the family leaves, or she succumbs to an ‘accident’?
It checked the boxes for the typical whodunit. Large family who all had their own secrets, personal struggles, and motive. The Manor house and the grounds make for a lush chilling atmosphere with the snow. Tension present among the guests. Check. An argument and threats made at dinner on the eve of the murder. Check. A clever murder plot in the vein that made Agatha Christie famous.
The audio format that I listened to was narrated by Karen Cass, who did a lovely job (as typical of her work). But through no fault of the voices used for the characters, I found it a challenge to keep them all straight. I would mix up the names of all except the most prominent. They were all so bland. Perhaps that was my problem.
Susan comes across as a busy body, with her snooping through people’s belongings, and following those coming and going from the house, and listening to conversations. The bulk of the novel is devoted to Susan’s investigation which comes across as a police procedural. As grating as I found Susan to be, as she dealt with her ex-husband and her new budding relationship with a man at the Manor, it was her investigation that held my attention the most. The denouement, which came at the very end, was mediocre and all was summed up rather quickly.
Maybe this book wasn’t meant to be standalone. Being book three in a series, the parts of Susan’s personal life needed more background. It felt like they were spliced into the murder mystery from some other book. Although I get the idea the other two books could be read in any order judging from their book descriptions. Standalone or not, I am unsure.
Giving all these whodunit accolades, I really should have enjoyed this one more than it turned out.
Aged Duncan Fern brought his grown children and their partners to spend Christmas on the Isle of Wright where his younger family had stayed during the holidays. New business owner of the affluent Bishopstone Manor, Meera, has injured her ankle and reaches out to a local woman Susan to supplement her staff tasked with making this press mogul family’s visit a success. With the halls decked and the lavish food flowing freely, one would expect nothing less than a picture-perfect celebration. However, the atmosphere turns grim with an impending snowstorm and the discovery of a body the next morning. Susan, who fancies herself an amateur sleuth, suspects foul play when the clues don’t add up. But the police believe the death was of natural causes. Can Susan discover the identity of the murderer before the family leaves, or she succumbs to an ‘accident’?
It checked the boxes for the typical whodunit. Large family who all had their own secrets, personal struggles, and motive. The Manor house and the grounds make for a lush chilling atmosphere with the snow. Tension present among the guests. Check. An argument and threats made at dinner on the eve of the murder. Check. A clever murder plot in the vein that made Agatha Christie famous.
The audio format that I listened to was narrated by Karen Cass, who did a lovely job (as typical of her work). But through no fault of the voices used for the characters, I found it a challenge to keep them all straight. I would mix up the names of all except the most prominent. They were all so bland. Perhaps that was my problem.
Susan comes across as a busy body, with her snooping through people’s belongings, and following those coming and going from the house, and listening to conversations. The bulk of the novel is devoted to Susan’s investigation which comes across as a police procedural. As grating as I found Susan to be, as she dealt with her ex-husband and her new budding relationship with a man at the Manor, it was her investigation that held my attention the most. The denouement, which came at the very end, was mediocre and all was summed up rather quickly.
Maybe this book wasn’t meant to be standalone. Being book three in a series, the parts of Susan’s personal life needed more background. It felt like they were spliced into the murder mystery from some other book. Although I get the idea the other two books could be read in any order judging from their book descriptions. Standalone or not, I am unsure.
Giving all these whodunit accolades, I really should have enjoyed this one more than it turned out.
January 31, 2025
This book was just so ham-handed that I had to stop at the halfway point. There were troublesome indicators early on in the book. The not-so-subtle allusions to previous murders (Hey reader, this is part of a series). Having areas in the manor pointed out to the main character (Hey reader, there will be important clues here later). I think the average reader wants to experience the story like it was a real thing that is happening as they read it. This felt like the characters were looking back over their shoulders to make sure I was still following along.
At the mid-point, the police had determined that the dead man had died due to natural causes (with toxicology results to back up that conclusion). There's no evidence of foul play, just a bunch of rich people acting weird, yet Susan can't believe it!
Soon after the police leave, Susan is followed out to the snowy car park and hides in her car until the vague threat has passed by. What! The person following her couldn't see her tracks in the fresh snow? What about Susan's dogs nearby? When Susan gets up the gumption to confront this mysterious person, they've disappeared. Susan follows the tracks in the snow but loses the trail (the story is vague about how this happens in the fresh snow). When Susan returns to the manor, she is pushed from behind while going down some stairs. An obvious attempt by the murderer to get rid of the meddling investigator. What? A successful murder has been committed, the police aren't interested, and the only person with suspicions is a kook. Why would the killer do anything to confirm her suspicions or risk getting caught committing a second murder in broad daylight?
Adding the fact that Susan is whiny and insecure (and alternates between crying and being furious) it was enough for me to close the book on this caper.
At the mid-point, the police had determined that the dead man had died due to natural causes (with toxicology results to back up that conclusion). There's no evidence of foul play, just a bunch of rich people acting weird, yet Susan can't believe it!
Soon after the police leave, Susan is followed out to the snowy car park and hides in her car until the vague threat has passed by. What! The person following her couldn't see her tracks in the fresh snow? What about Susan's dogs nearby? When Susan gets up the gumption to confront this mysterious person, they've disappeared. Susan follows the tracks in the snow but loses the trail (the story is vague about how this happens in the fresh snow). When Susan returns to the manor, she is pushed from behind while going down some stairs. An obvious attempt by the murderer to get rid of the meddling investigator. What? A successful murder has been committed, the police aren't interested, and the only person with suspicions is a kook. Why would the killer do anything to confirm her suspicions or risk getting caught committing a second murder in broad daylight?
Adding the fact that Susan is whiny and insecure (and alternates between crying and being furious) it was enough for me to close the book on this caper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
I received this novel as an ARC through NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
4.5 stars
I was honestly slightly taken aback with how much I enjoyed this book. While I knew I would find it interesting, I didn’t realize how much I wouldn’t want to put it down. The characters were well thought out and intriguingly complex, and I absolutely adore Susan the Lead Character. There were twists and turns throughout the mystery that kept me thinking and trying to analyze clues throughout. The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars is that there are times that feel a little bit repetitive, though it can be seen as a plus too in order to keep track of all the clues if you are not annotating as you go as I was. The novel also while having a nice Christmas feel wasn’t too Christmas themed and I really appreciated that it did not hinder the storyline. Overall I do recommend this novel for people who would like a nice murder mystery perfect for a night in with a cup of tea.
4.5 stars
I was honestly slightly taken aback with how much I enjoyed this book. While I knew I would find it interesting, I didn’t realize how much I wouldn’t want to put it down. The characters were well thought out and intriguingly complex, and I absolutely adore Susan the Lead Character. There were twists and turns throughout the mystery that kept me thinking and trying to analyze clues throughout. The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars is that there are times that feel a little bit repetitive, though it can be seen as a plus too in order to keep track of all the clues if you are not annotating as you go as I was. The novel also while having a nice Christmas feel wasn’t too Christmas themed and I really appreciated that it did not hinder the storyline. Overall I do recommend this novel for people who would like a nice murder mystery perfect for a night in with a cup of tea.
November 19, 2024
Please note I did not finish this book. My finish date is the day I gave up on it. It started well. I was interested. And then by the time I got to the middle, it was just dragging. I became bored. I did skim to see the ending and it was no surprise. I also felt the character Susan was depicted very unrealistically. That didn’t help. Just couldn’t hold my interest.
November 28, 2024
A Christmas Murder by Mary Grand had all the ingredients of a perfect cozy Christmas murder mystery including an absolutely stunning cover picture and although the mystery was good I somehow found the main characters to be quite bland.
I received an e-ARC of the book from the publisher Boldwood Books and the author via NetGalley.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
I received an e-ARC of the book from the publisher Boldwood Books and the author via NetGalley.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
December 6, 2024
If you enjoy a 'locked-room' type mystery, then this might just be your perfect read for the holiday season. With a limited number of characters suspects, the novel is set on the Isle of Wight during an unusual snow storm. The characters are all staying in a luxurious manor house hotel.
The protagonist, Susan, has featured in other of Mary Grand's novels, but this is the first time I've read her work. Be assured that this reads well as a 'stand-alone'.
Susan, recently divorced, and a mother and grandmother, is planning a quiet Christmas with just her two spaniels for company. However, her plans are thwarted when she is asked a favour. The owner of the local manor house hotel has been injured in an accident, and needs some assistance. A wealthy family has booked the hotel for over the Christmas holidays.
The patriarch of the family is an infamous press mogul. He, his American wife, his son and daughter-in-law, his daughter and her partner, and a co-worker are all staying at Bishopstone Manor for the holidays. How heavenly! Staying at a beautiful manor with every luxury and gourmet meals laid on.
Susan finds the wealthy Duncan Fern rather arrogant and rude, but assumes his wealth and status have made him so. A snow storm has brought the Isle of Wight to a standstill and the ferries to the mainland have stopped running. The morning after the family's arrival, Duncan Fern is found dead in his room.
The police have deemed his death 'natural causes' due to his age and ill health, but Susan does not agree. Susan, with the assistance of an elderly village woman, and the support of her friend Robert (a widower and retired policeman), try to solve the mystery of who killed Duncan. She knows she is on the right track when she is attacked on the manor's grounds...
I have to say that the setting of this novel was idyllic. I wish I could stay at Bishopstone manor for the festive season. I could do with a bit of being waited on.
Susan was a level-headed amateur sleuth and I enjoyed following along as she determined who the killer was.
The narrator of this audiobook did a wonderful job and she brought the characters to life.
With a wholly satisfying conclusion, this audiobook would be perfect for listening while wrapping gifts or doing some Christmas baking.
The protagonist, Susan, has featured in other of Mary Grand's novels, but this is the first time I've read her work. Be assured that this reads well as a 'stand-alone'.
Susan, recently divorced, and a mother and grandmother, is planning a quiet Christmas with just her two spaniels for company. However, her plans are thwarted when she is asked a favour. The owner of the local manor house hotel has been injured in an accident, and needs some assistance. A wealthy family has booked the hotel for over the Christmas holidays.
The patriarch of the family is an infamous press mogul. He, his American wife, his son and daughter-in-law, his daughter and her partner, and a co-worker are all staying at Bishopstone Manor for the holidays. How heavenly! Staying at a beautiful manor with every luxury and gourmet meals laid on.
Susan finds the wealthy Duncan Fern rather arrogant and rude, but assumes his wealth and status have made him so. A snow storm has brought the Isle of Wight to a standstill and the ferries to the mainland have stopped running. The morning after the family's arrival, Duncan Fern is found dead in his room.
The police have deemed his death 'natural causes' due to his age and ill health, but Susan does not agree. Susan, with the assistance of an elderly village woman, and the support of her friend Robert (a widower and retired policeman), try to solve the mystery of who killed Duncan. She knows she is on the right track when she is attacked on the manor's grounds...
I have to say that the setting of this novel was idyllic. I wish I could stay at Bishopstone manor for the festive season. I could do with a bit of being waited on.
Susan was a level-headed amateur sleuth and I enjoyed following along as she determined who the killer was.
The narrator of this audiobook did a wonderful job and she brought the characters to life.
With a wholly satisfying conclusion, this audiobook would be perfect for listening while wrapping gifts or doing some Christmas baking.
December 25, 2024
Apparently inspired by Agatha Christie's Poirot. This is the first book by this author i have read and it will be the last. I was interested because of the Isle of Wight, I go there often and love the island. I recognised the shop at Brighstone and Mottistone Manor, if only she could plot as well as she describes landmarks and places.
Unfortunately, what could have been a rattling good story turned out to be a load of old tosh. Amateurishly written with one dimensional characters. This author cannot hold a candle to Agatha Christie, it would be insulting to the great lady for anyone to compare them.
Unfortunately, what could have been a rattling good story turned out to be a load of old tosh. Amateurishly written with one dimensional characters. This author cannot hold a candle to Agatha Christie, it would be insulting to the great lady for anyone to compare them.
December 22, 2024
Started well and promising but fell apart half way through almost like there was a different author.
Nearly gave up on it which is rare for me but got through to the bitter end.
Storyline was weak and far too contrived lacking in believability. One star is perhaps a little harsh but I wouldn,t want anyone to waste valuable time on this.
Overall disappointing I’m afraid for a book with a public readership…
Nearly gave up on it which is rare for me but got through to the bitter end.
Storyline was weak and far too contrived lacking in believability. One star is perhaps a little harsh but I wouldn,t want anyone to waste valuable time on this.
Overall disappointing I’m afraid for a book with a public readership…
December 21, 2024
A gentle 'cosy' read. I didn't particularly enjoy it as the main character was supremely irritating and a very nosey busybody, poking through people's personal effects and even taking them. All condoned by an ex police officer. I also found the end to be over complicated with too much explanation. I shan't bother with any more in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
Quite a good who done it.
August 4, 2024
I received a free copy of, A Christmas Murder, by Mary Grand, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Susan never planned on solving murders, but that's what she does, in the beautiful setting of The Isle of Wight, at Christmas. This was a real cozy mystery that had it all, beautiful setting, the season of Christmas, and a murder. I enjoyed this book.
December 26, 2024
Cozy, Christmassey, and I defy anyone to predict the who and the why, even as we find out the how ;).
December 9, 2024
Quick little mystery
A nice quick little mystery read. I enjoyed that the main character wasn't your typical demographic. A bit of a slow start, but an easy read to pass the time.
A nice quick little mystery read. I enjoyed that the main character wasn't your typical demographic. A bit of a slow start, but an easy read to pass the time.
November 17, 2024
First, what I enjoyed about the book:
Easy reading, interesting plot and characters.
What I didn't like:
Busy body Character Susan and the fact that she needed to learn to keep her thoughts to herself and stop blurting out whatever was in her head at the time.
The daughter, Hayley who never had the courage to ask direct questions about what happened to her mother and what she saw with her own eyes. She had no backbone, even when she knew what Lewis had done with the money she had given him.
The murder victim, did she have to make him so despicable, so worthy of being murdered?
Back to Susan- she must have had several good characteristics because the other characters liked her but she annoyed the daylights out of me. Too nosey and most of her assumptions were wrong!
You'll probably know early in the story who the killer is but the author felt the need to demonize him once he was revealed. Like it's possible to keep one's true personality hidden for 30+ years from your wife, friends, and family. Even I suspected him when he was introduced in the story.
Are there any editors left in the publishing world? Seems they're all retired based on every book I've read recently.
Three stars because I did finish the story and never felt compelled to stop reading.
Easy reading, interesting plot and characters.
What I didn't like:
Busy body Character Susan and the fact that she needed to learn to keep her thoughts to herself and stop blurting out whatever was in her head at the time.
The daughter, Hayley who never had the courage to ask direct questions about what happened to her mother and what she saw with her own eyes. She had no backbone, even when she knew what Lewis had done with the money she had given him.
The murder victim, did she have to make him so despicable, so worthy of being murdered?
Back to Susan- she must have had several good characteristics because the other characters liked her but she annoyed the daylights out of me. Too nosey and most of her assumptions were wrong!
You'll probably know early in the story who the killer is but the author felt the need to demonize him once he was revealed. Like it's possible to keep one's true personality hidden for 30+ years from your wife, friends, and family. Even I suspected him when he was introduced in the story.
Are there any editors left in the publishing world? Seems they're all retired based on every book I've read recently.
Three stars because I did finish the story and never felt compelled to stop reading.
November 24, 2024
I have not read the previous books so I may be missing something. I only kept reading because I wanted to know who did it but this was only ok for me for a number of reasons.
First, there were so many characters to this story that had motive and it was also tough to keep straight how each "suspect" was related to Duncan
Second and mostly the reason I did not give it more stars was the main character Susan. What a busybody and how rude to go thru the guests rooms and belongings. And then her stupidity. She finds evidence and rather than turn it over to the police she keeps it? And she obviously does not think before she speaks. Then to top it off, when she is attacked she does not bother to tell anyone?
I have no interest in reading the others in the series.
The narrator was good.
First, there were so many characters to this story that had motive and it was also tough to keep straight how each "suspect" was related to Duncan
Second and mostly the reason I did not give it more stars was the main character Susan. What a busybody and how rude to go thru the guests rooms and belongings. And then her stupidity. She finds evidence and rather than turn it over to the police she keeps it? And she obviously does not think before she speaks. Then to top it off, when she is attacked she does not bother to tell anyone?
I have no interest in reading the others in the series.
The narrator was good.
January 2, 2025
Listened to this on audiobook.
I give a lot more grace to stories on audiobook than I do when I read. That being said, this book was simply fine.
I liked the setting and that it was a family centric drama.
I didn't like any of the characters and wasn't invested in who actually was the murderer. The narrative weaves and side plots were mostly interesting. In the end, I thought the final result and motive were a little out of left field and lackluster.
It was okay.
I give a lot more grace to stories on audiobook than I do when I read. That being said, this book was simply fine.
I liked the setting and that it was a family centric drama.
I didn't like any of the characters and wasn't invested in who actually was the murderer. The narrative weaves and side plots were mostly interesting. In the end, I thought the final result and motive were a little out of left field and lackluster.
It was okay.
January 11, 2025
Afraid I struggled to get through this. It was too fanciful to be a credible story. Susan the main character was not likeable, thinking it nothing to abuse her position in order to search people rooms and invade privacy. I finished it hoping that it would improve. Sorry. It didn't.
December 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Enjoyable read although the ending was a little flat
Enjoyable read although the ending was a little flat
December 16, 2024
This was slow!
December 24, 2024
2.5 stars. Great Christmas vibes but the writing felt simplistic and the dialogue basic which made it less engaging. Enjoyed the plot though.
December 25, 2024
Suffice to say I didn’t like it!
January 1, 2025
I liked that it was set on the Isle of Wright, I thought having a recorder player at meals an exclusive, expensive venue a little unbelievable….
December 15, 2024
This was an excellent read. Though there are clearly earlier entries in the series, I didn't feel that it was a problem reading this as a standalone.
The premise is that a woman named Meera has refurbished and restored a Tudor mansion, planning to turn it into an exclusive hotel on the Isle of Wight. As a kind of soft opening, arrangements have been made for Duncan Fern and his family to spend the week of Christmas there. When Meera has a fall, the main character Susan is asked by a mutual friend to help out. Since Susan will not be seeing her family, she agrees.
Duncan Fern and family are similar in lots of ways to Rupert Murdoch. When Duncan is found dead in bed, things get really interesting. Power shifts at his empire are one thing, but also - what happened and who may have murdered him? Add in a snowstorm that shuts down just about everything, and everything is amplified.
What I liked about this book was that it took its time, but never dragged. There were plenty of red herrings, and each character had a lot going on. The story took its time, much like Susan trying to find out what happened. I don't remember how/where I came across this book, but I'm glad I did.
Well written and very atmospheric.
The premise is that a woman named Meera has refurbished and restored a Tudor mansion, planning to turn it into an exclusive hotel on the Isle of Wight. As a kind of soft opening, arrangements have been made for Duncan Fern and his family to spend the week of Christmas there. When Meera has a fall, the main character Susan is asked by a mutual friend to help out. Since Susan will not be seeing her family, she agrees.
Duncan Fern and family are similar in lots of ways to Rupert Murdoch. When Duncan is found dead in bed, things get really interesting. Power shifts at his empire are one thing, but also - what happened and who may have murdered him? Add in a snowstorm that shuts down just about everything, and everything is amplified.
What I liked about this book was that it took its time, but never dragged. There were plenty of red herrings, and each character had a lot going on. The story took its time, much like Susan trying to find out what happened. I don't remember how/where I came across this book, but I'm glad I did.
Well written and very atmospheric.
December 16, 2024
It's Christmas on the Isle of Wight and sixty-something Susan is looking forward to a peaceful time alone at home with her dogs. But when hotel owner Meera desperately needs help after injuring herself in a fall, Susan agrees to lend a hand. The hotel has been exclusively booked by a group of seven guests; including influential newspaper editor Duncan Fern and his family. The morning after a snowstorm hits the Isle, a guest is discovered dead in bed; apparently from natural causes — but Susan isn't convinced. Can she get to the truth before the killer slips the net?
I'm not normally a reader of cosy crime but fancied a break from the grim and gruesome. A Christmas Murder filled the brief perfectly. Susan is a highly personable character, not unlike Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, who spent her time searching for clues and sniffing out motives; sneaking quietly into rooms for a rummage while no one was looking. It was an easy and fun Christmas read.
I'm not normally a reader of cosy crime but fancied a break from the grim and gruesome. A Christmas Murder filled the brief perfectly. Susan is a highly personable character, not unlike Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, who spent her time searching for clues and sniffing out motives; sneaking quietly into rooms for a rummage while no one was looking. It was an easy and fun Christmas read.
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