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A Body at the Christmas Book Fair

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While making merry at the York Christmas Book Fair, Kitt Hartley finds herself drawn into a murder mystery with a festive twist. The victim is Leonard Bell, a festival volunteer who suddenly drops dead during his performance of A Christmas Carol.

The next day, police identify the cause of death as an unknown toxin. Fearing for his own life, Bell's lab partner Kevin Ripley enlists Kitt's help to track down the killer—before it's too late.

As Kitt and her team begin to investigate the poisoning, they uncover a twisting web of long-held grudges and stolen antidotes. But even with surprise help from some very old friends, can Kitt unravel the truth? Or will the invisible assassin escape unpunished?

Cosy up to enjoy this Kitt Hartley murder mystery starring some surprise bookish guests, set at the most wonderful time of the year.

Audible Audio

Published November 6, 2025

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114 people want to read

About the author

Helen Cox

54 books136 followers
Helen Cox is a Yorkshire-born novelist and poet. After completing her MA in creative writing at the University of York St. John Helen wrote for a range of publications, edited her own independent film magazine for five years and penned three non-fiction books. Her first two novels were published by HarperCollins in 2016. She currently lives by the sea in Sunderland where she writes poetry, romance novellas, craft non-fiction and The Kitt Hartley series alongside hosting The Poetrygram podcast.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
1,735 reviews112 followers
October 30, 2025
A cozy murder mystery which was a sweet read and very entertaining. A new author for me which I will keep an eye open for more. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mary.
129 reviews11 followers
December 7, 2025
Ho un problema con questo genere di libri: il più delle volte non mi piacciono. Li trovo spesso banali nella forma e nel contenuto. E su di me fanno poca presa.

Nonostante queste premesse, di tanto in tanto, casco tra le loro pagine con tutte le scarpe. Perché sento il bisogno di una lettura leggera e coccolosa. Come accade a Natale. E così eccomi qui con “Delitto al mercatino di Natale”. Un cozy crime che promette di risolvere un omicidio nel mentre l’aria profuma di cannella, vin brûlé e tea speziati.
Ecco, promuovo solo l’aria natalizia che si respira tra le pagine a cui darei 3 ⭐️.
Il giallo, invece, troppo troppo troppo scontato. I colpevoli gridano: “eccoci!!!” sin da subito. E i dialoghi tra gli investigatori sono ripetitivi, pagina dopo pagina. Alla parte crime assegno 1 ⭐️.

Facendo una media, 2 ⭐️. E anche questo cozy crime lo archivio come caruccio da leggere a dicembre ma niente di speciale. Meglio tornare da Louise Penny..
22 reviews
November 8, 2025
What a lot of hocum. I was looking forward to a christmassy book set in York, but had to give up half way through. Sorry, too far-fetched and really not my thing.
Profile Image for Ruth.
1,091 reviews21 followers
October 22, 2025
As a librarian, the lure of a librarian turned private detective book was high! I hadn't realised this was one of a series of novels, however, and perhaps I would have benefitted from already knowing all the different characters. You can just start reading this one and launch right in - I followed along without too much difficulty. But it meant she's already well into investigations, and there wasn't very much librarian-ing in the story! Still, there are cosy Christmas vibes, and dream visits from famous authors who, a la Christmas Carol, try to give Kitt pointers in her sleuthing. I guessed who had done it fairly early on, but that didn't really matter. I did find myself frustrated with how easily the police handed over investigating to Kitt and her friends, and surely Kitt and the inspector being in a relationship is some sort of conflict of interests issue...but never mind, cosy crime often requires a suspension of disbelief! This was an easy bedtime read, and I quite fancy going back to see how Kitt started out, if only in the hope that there's a bit more librarian joy to be had!

With thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for my copy.
Profile Image for Federica.
15 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2026
Il romanzo offre un cozy mystery in cui humour britannico, ritmo narrativo e atmosfera natalizia si combinano con efficacia. É una lettura leggera, simpatica e ben orchestrata, perfetta per un pomeriggio d’inverno con una tazza di tè.
Profile Image for Christine.
345 reviews44 followers
November 20, 2025
This book passed the time. The plot was mildly interesting, the characters were 'colourful', if rather obviously so and there were flashes of humour throughout the book which did make me smile.

Unfortunately that is about the best I can say. My enjoyment was probably hindered by the fact that I realised right from the very start who had committed the titular murder, how and why . The author kept reminding the reader how terribly urgent solving the case was at every opportunity but that did not translate into action within the story, which moved along at what seemed to me a very leisurely pace. There was quite a reasonable explanation as to why a private investigator would be allowed to get involved with what would be a high profile case, namely that there only appeared to be 3 police officers available to cover the whole of York. None of the characters at any time spoke like actual normal people and much as I love 'A Christmas Carol', I really don't think it had any place in this book.

There is nothing actually wrong with this book if you just let it carry you along; possibly I might have got more from it if I had read the other eight books in the series and had been more familiar with the cast of characters.
Profile Image for Mandy reads.
39 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2025
I loved the start of this book, straight into the murder but then I feel was a bit drawn out. Lots of dialogue between characters.
I did enjoy the story over all and cosy slightly Christmas read.
Thanks NetGalley for arc copy
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 25 books372 followers
November 20, 2025
A librarian who double-jobs as a PI is attending a Christmas fair with her friends. They unfortunately, witness a performer collapse and despite the best efforts of the first aiders, he dies quickly. Some strange post-mortem effects begin to appear and the police arrive and decide to insist on hazmat suits. So far, so interesting.
The author then descends to completely unbelievable situations - and I'm not referring to the Dickens-style dreams. The police officer and medical examiner meet their respective romantic partners at the scene described, and stand around with them discussing the tragic and peculiar case in full public view and earshot. This is disrespectful to say the least, and must be against policy if an unlawful death is suspected.
A colleague of the dead man, who says they both worked for a hush-hush government installation that specialises in chemicals, walks in to the police station. The same four people are in the public office. He says he doesn't have time to go to a secure room and spends a long half hour talking over his career path, his colleague's career, what they were making, for whom, and how it was tested and samples gone missing, in full public view and earshot in the public office. Despite that he must have signed the OSA. The police would have insisted he come into the station proper where he could not be overheard by excitable members of the public who popped in to report a bike theft. They would have asked for evidence of his ID and picked up the phone to his supervisor. The author should have found another way for her librarian to get the information or provided the point of view of a detective.
A guard on duty at the hush-hush installation accepts biscuits, hot chocolate and marshmallows from two women he had never met who claim to be tourists, munches everything, which could have contained poison or sleeping drugs, and chats about his job. All of this is surely a firing offence. He will have received training and signed the OSA.
A woman who has been struck on the head in the dark lane, comes around and tells a lady she must have slipped on the ice, then later tells her female friend, "Well, I've just sort of been attacked." If there is a man going around attacking women, you tell every woman in sight and the police.
I could not read any more at this point. I might try another book by this author which did not involve agencies she doesn't understand.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Alessandra.
1,065 reviews16 followers
December 31, 2025
Della serie The Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mysteries, in Italia è stato pubblicato il primo (La bibliotecaria che inciampò in un omicidio), e adesso il nono, per vendere al volo (a mio personalissimo avviso) qualcosa di natalizio. Quindi i lettori nazionali erano rimasti con una Kitt bibliotecaria con il pallino dell’investigazione e una cotta per l’ispettore Halloran inciampata in un omicidio per caso, e si ritrovano con una Kitt che non si capisce se lavora ancora in biblioteca, non ha tempo per leggere, ma da dieci anni ha fondato una sua agenzia investigativa (di cui è già palesemente stufa) e ha una relazione stabile (apparentemente stanca) con Halloran. Allora, è un tantino irritante e stupido. E offensivo.

Alla tradizionale fiera del libro di York (in italiano è stato tradotto mercatino di Natale in quanto non esiste un corrispettivo), durante la rappresentazione del dickensiano Canto di Natale, il protagonista in scena muore sotto gli occhi del pubblico e di Kitt ubriaca di vin brulé che cerca di soccorrerlo invano: la morte è così rapida e atroce che pare chiaro un avvelenamento. Da cosa? E perchè? L’attore dilettante aveva lavorato in un’agenzia medica militare da cui era appena stato allontanato dopo il rifiuto di continuare a produrre una sostanza letale.

La polizia inizia le indagini ma, a causa di tagli del bilancio e del muro d’omertà innalzato dall’esercito, Kitt e i suoi collaboratori dovranno affiancare Halloran e con i loro goffi e maldestri metodi cercheranno di risolvere il caso.

Le indagini dovrebbero essere serrate e portare alla soluzione del caso in tre giorni, pena la morte di un’altra persona, e invece si tergiversa, si controllano estratti conto, si va a parlare qui e lì, quando le cose, al lettore, appaiono lapalissiane. Un’altra cosa non perdono a un cozy: Kitt è stanca del lavoro che fa, si è indurita, ha perso la simpatia, la goffaggine, la purezza, l’entusiasmo, sembra quasi che l’autrice voglia chiudere la serie con una persona più adulta. Il che ci può stare, ma la monotonia e il piattume del rapporto che ha con Halloran no: addirittura arriva a dire che il vantaggio di essere fidanzata con un poliziotto è che ha le notizie fresche sui sospettati, e pazienza se alla sera gli arriva a casa malconcio e pestato causa scazzottate con i criminali. Beh. Si incrociano per caso, parlano dell’omicidio cinque minuti e morta lì. Ma veramente?
Profile Image for Pamela James.
19 reviews
Review of advance copy
January 3, 2026
A Body at the Christmas Book Fair delivers exactly the kind of festive mystery Helen Cox is known for, but this instalment leans even more heavily into the charm and theatricality of a classic Christmas ghost story.

With Leonard Bell collapsing mid‑performance of A Christmas Carol, Cox sets the tone early: this is a mystery wrapped in tinsel, and just a touch of the fantastical. The nods to Dickens aren’t subtle, but they’re deliberate, giving the whole book a slightly heightened, almost story‑within‑a‑story feel that suits the season.

The plot itself, centred around an unknown toxin, a panicked lab partner, and a trail of old grudges, has plenty of entertaining twists. Some reviewers have criticised the less realistic elements, but for me they added to the fun. They echo the playful exaggeration you often find in detective‑agency fiction, where the joy lies not in strict plausibility but in the ride: the eccentric suspects, the dramatic reveals, and the sense that the ordinary world has been nudged just a little off‑centre.

That said, I did feel the pacing faltered at times. Certain scenes lingered longer than they needed to, with dialogue that circled the same points without pushing the investigation forward. Those slower stretches didn’t ruin the experience, but they did make parts of the story feel like they were dragging when the momentum could have been sharper.

What really worked for me, though, was how comfortably this book stands alone despite being part of a series. Kitt Hartley’s world is easy to step into, and the essence of the local characters, their humour, their warmth, their dialect, grounds the story beautifully. Even with the more elaborate, almost theatrical Christmas theme, the community at the heart of the series still shines through.

Overall, a good, enjoyable festive mystery with plenty of charm and atmosphere. It may lose pace in places, but the blend of seasonal storytelling, quirky detective work, and strong sense of place makes it a worthwhile read, especially if you enjoy a Christmas tale with a twist.
Profile Image for Hana.
760 reviews17 followers
December 11, 2025
Voto complessivo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trama: 👍👍.5
Personaggi: 👦👦.5
Page turner: 📖📖.5
Suspense: 😱
Plot twist: 💡

Cominciamo subito con una nota polemica: Delitto al mercatino di Natale è il nono romanzo della serie di Kitt Hartley; peccato che in Italia sia stato pubblicato solo il primo, La bibliotecaria che inciampò in un omicidio (e forse trovò l'amore), cosicché il lettore italiano si trova di fronte a un buco di ben dieci anni. Non è il tipo di serie in cui ci sia chissà che sviluppo della trama orizzontale, ma lo trovo comunque poco rispettoso. Capisco il voler sfruttare il periodo natalizio con un giallo ambientato poco prima di Natale, ma quando è troppo è troppo.

Venendo al romanzo in sé, fortunatamente i miei timori dopo la lettura del primo volume sono stati dissipati: Kitt e Halloran sono una coppia solida da 10 anni, e nulla sembra minacciare il loro rapporto. Era stato il romance a tenere in piedi La bibliotecaria che inciampò in un omicidio (e forse trovò l'amore), e qui, purtroppo, praticamente non ce n’è, dato che ormai abbiamo a che fare con una coppia di fatto che non ha nulla di nuovo da raccontarci, e l’autrice fa fare al buon Mal giusto qualche comparsata.

Il caso su cui i nostri si trovano a indagare è noioso, e la soluzione più che prevedibile.

L’unica buona idea del romanzo è una sorta di rivisitazione de Il Canto di Natale in cui non sono i Fantasmi dei Natali a comparire nei sogni di Kitt, bensì celebri scrittori (non vi rivelo chi per non guastare la sorpresa), ed è il solo motivo per cui ho arrotondato a 3 stelle.

Tutto il resto è da buttare, e Kitt rimane petulante, anche se in maniera diversa: non so quante volte ci viene ripetuto che quanto visto in 10 anni da investigatrice privata l’ha indurita e le ho tolto vivacità. Perché mai leggere un giallo se il detective si piange addosso perché ha scelto di dedicarsi all’investigazione? Insomma, con Kitt e compagnia mi fermo qui. Ci sono sicuramente serie molto più interessanti
Profile Image for Silvia Devitofrancesco.
Author 22 books132 followers
December 23, 2025
Recensione presente nel blog www.ragazzainrosso.wordpress.com
Il Natale sta per arrivare e a York è tutto pronto con i tradizionali mercatino e persino una rappresentazione di “Canto di Natale” di Dickens. Kitt Hertley, che ha ormai fondato la sua agenzia di investigazioni, si ritrova, suo malgrado, a essere testimone di una strana morte: Leonard Bell, durante la lettura, muore in circostanze misteriose e il suo cadavere mostra sin da subito i segni tipici del post mortem. Aiutata da Holland, poliziotto nonché suo compagno, Kitt dovrà fare luce sull’accaduto e svelare un intrivato mistero.

“Tra questa sera e la vigilia di Natale, tre spiriti verranno a farti visita. Ognuno ti darà una dritta importante sulla fine di quel povero uomo. Queste dritte ti guideranno alla verità.”

Quella che doveva essere una tranquilla serata di svago tra amiche si trasforma ben presto in un evento scioccante. Potremmo usare questa premessa per parlare di questo romanzo, la cui trama si fonda su esperimenti di ricerca con tanto di molecole letali e relativi antidoti.

Kitt e Holland si rivelano due investigatori d’eccellenza, sempre pronti a confrontarsi e a supportarsi a vicenda così da rendere le rispettive indagini complementari. (A questo proposito preciso che facciamo la loro conoscenza nel romanzo La bibliotecaria che inciampò in un omicidio (e forse trovò l’amore) che purtroppo non ho ancora letto ma sicuramente recupererò.)

Ho molto apprezzato l’arguzia di Kitt, il suo spirito di iniziativa, il suo essere pronta anche a correre dei rischi pur di assicurare il colpevole alla giustizia.

Lo stile della prosa è curato e scorrevole. La trama procede con un andamento lineare con un’indagine davvero interessante e ben approfondita.

Il lettore segue gli sviluppi con interesse e curiosità di scoprire chi abbia potuto compiere un crimine tanto efferato.

Un romanzo ben scritto e accattivante. Una lettura dove nulla è come sembra ed è importante diffidare di chiunque.
Profile Image for Mahnoor.
99 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2025
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC! This book is absolute perfection for anyone who loves cosy mysteries and crime fiction. Helen Cox weaves the yuletide atmosphere into a clever mystery featuring Kitt, a librarian and amateur sleuth. Then there’s Kevin, Bell’s lab partner, who fears he may be the next target. They meet but not in a romantic way, which I personally liked for a mystery novel. Given the stressful circumstances surrounding the victim’s poisoning, their interactions remain purely professional and focused on solving the case.

The setting was a perfect Christmas Book Fair! It’s filled with literary references and “bookish guests” which I know will delight fellow readers. I thought the timing of the murder, occurring during a Dickens reading, added a perfectly macabre festive twist.

One thing I personally felt could have been improved was a little more focus on Kitt’s character outside of the immediate case. It’s not a major issue, just something I would have liked to see, as the charming setting and fun side characters occasionally overshadowed the development of Kitt’s personal life.

It’s definitely the perfect Christmas read, with a wonderfully festive setting and an incredibly detailed, clever writing style that weaves literary references throughout the plot. This book is the epitome of a British cosy, ideal for curling up with a mug of tea while the wind howls outside.
Profile Image for dnsyl57.
604 reviews12 followers
November 16, 2025
"A Body at the Christmas Book Fair" is book #9 in the "Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mysteries" series by Helen Cox.

Kitt Hartley is drawn into a Dickens of a murder mystery when a deadly toxin kills a man reading "A Christmas Carol" and another man claims to have also been injected with the toxin which has been stolen from a secure lab where they both worked. With only a few days before Christmas, she and the team are going to need a Christmas miracle to solve this one - or at least a bit of help from a few literary spirits who visit Kitt in her dreams...

An interesting twist on a holiday mystery. Kitt and her team as well as Halloran and Banks are trying to get to the bottom of the theft and prevent another murder. The visiting spirits in Kitt's dreams were a bit out there but in some ways they did assist her to look in more directions for the truth.

The plotline and misdirection was well done. Drama and urgency were clear. Even if you haven't read some of the literary texts that were referenced, the dialogue gave enough detail to provide the basic messages. There were several suspects but I picked up a couple of clues that lead me to who was behind the plot well before Kitt and all put the final pieces together.

I do enjoy the core characters of this series. Grace can be a bit trying at times but when push comes to shove she does get down to business. Of course Ruby had to play even a small part in this one!

All in all, an entertaining holiday mystery read!
Profile Image for Day Ravenstone.
Author 5 books4 followers
November 30, 2025
The author was selling herself short when she said their was a Line of Duty style conspiracy. Jed could never write something as brilliant as this.

A first chapter based around Ruby's madness is truly the best way to begin. If there is ever another book in this series I need it to be from Halloran's perspective. He has been my favourite the whole way through this series and will probably always be in my top fictional detectives. Halloran and Iago's hate/hate relationship is one of my favourite parts of this series.

The last 150 pages had my heart pounding. I was so excited to find out who did it and the reveal was jaw dropping. I was sort of suspecting those two but I was definitely suspecting I was going to be wrong so actually being right for once was really nice. I was only right because that's absolutely who I would've written did it.

I loved the nods to A Christmas Carol and the name drop of my favourite adaptation: A Muppets Christmas Carol, and we love Tatiana the Tyrannical Archangel. The queen needs her own book lol.

I love the blue of the naked hardback. its such a pretty, wintery colour. Because of this book, I want to go to a Christmas book fair now (though preferably one without a gruesome murder).

Is this the most coherent review I've ever written? No. Is that because I stayed up till 4am finishing this book? No comment.
Profile Image for Leanne.
684 reviews66 followers
September 24, 2025
A Body at the Christmas Book Fair is a festive treat for fans of cozy crime with a literary twist. Set amid the twinkling lights and bookish bustle of York’s Christmas Book Fair, the story opens with a dramatic death during a performance of A Christmas Carol—and from there, the mystery unfolds like a well-wrapped present with a sinister surprise inside.

Kitt Hartley, our ever-resourceful librarian-sleuth, is back with her signature blend of wit, warmth, and tenacity. When a volunteer drops dead and the cause is revealed to be a mysterious toxin, Kitt is drawn into a web of grudges, stolen antidotes, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. With help from old friends and her loyal team, she must untangle the clues before the killer strikes again.

Cox’s writing sparkles with charm, and the festive setting adds a delightful contrast to the dark undercurrents of the plot. It’s a perfect read for curling up with a blanket, a cup of something warm, and the thrill of a good whodunnit.

Whether you're a longtime fan of the Kitt Hartley series or new to her sleuthing adventures, this installment delivers all the cozy suspense and clever twists you could wish for—plus a dash of holiday magic.

with thanks to Helen Cox, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Louise A-S.
18 reviews
January 6, 2026
A Body at the Christmas Book Fair by Helen Cox. A festive cosy mystery published on the 06th November 2025

Thank you Quercus for providing this ARC for review via NetGalley. Remember the opinion of this book are my own.

A Body at the Christmas Book Fair is the brand new festive cosy mystery and part of Helen Cox's Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mysteries series.

I have never read any books in the series or by this author previously and although this book can be read as a one off it hasn’t made me want to read the rest of the series.

The story begins at the York Christmas Book fair where Leonard Bell, a festival volunteer suddenly drops dead during his performance. Quickly after Leonard’s lab partner, Kevin Ripley, fears for his own life.
As Kitt and her team investigate, they uncover a complex web involving long-held grudges and the theft of antidotes.

I struggled with reading this book. I found it difficult to engross myself in the story and found the plot to be too slow paced. The story didn’t focus around the Christmas fair but instead the toxin. I wasn’t a fan of 3 Christmas spirits making an appearance.
It had a general winters feel and has a lovely setting of the city of York. The characters are likeable but overall not a book I would recommend as a must read.


52 reviews
November 11, 2025
The York Christmas Book Fair becomes the unlikely backdrop for a chilling murder. The victim, Leonard Bell, meets a grisly end after being poisoned. Bell, who worked at a government laboratory, leaves behind a terrified lab partner, Kevin Ripley, who fears he’s also been poisoned. As Kitt and her team dig into the case, they race against time to catch the killer and find the antidote that could save Ripley’s life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC. My review is voluntary.
Kitt is helped by several crime writers who she meets while under the influence of mulled wine. Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Dorothy L Sayers and Edgar Allen Poe all make an appearance and help Kitt solve the mystery with reference to their own books. This was an original and delightful element of the book.
Christmas only makes a brief appearance, which is a shame. You really have to suspend disbelief to accept that the police would let private investigators get involved in this case . The story feels quite padded, which slows down the pace.

Profile Image for Bodies in the Library.
878 reviews6 followers
November 15, 2025
York during the festive season? Yes please and thank you, Helen Cox!

The latest instalment of the Kitt Hartley series is, as its title suggests, set in the run up to Christmas. When a government research scientist dies before Kitt’s eyes in the middle of his rendition of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Kitt, Halloran, Evie, Banks and Grace are drawn into a race against time to save his research partner.

We see them tearing across a snowy York trying to unravel a case tied up in red tape and in the face of stonewalling to preserve official secrets.

Fortunately, like Dickens’ protagonist, Kitt is helped by seeing some Christmas spirits, in the form of famous detective novelists. Leave it to the spirit of Dorothy L. Sayers to provide the clue that changes Kitt’s mindset and makes her see the true motives and work out whodunnit.

And, just like that, my Christmas reading is underway in earnest. How about you? Too early or just in time? I’d certainly suggest adding A Body at the Christmas Book Fair to your festive TBR.
Profile Image for Recensionidelloracolo.
Author 5 books46 followers
December 10, 2025
Eh niente, l'ho finito in tempi record!
Questo già significa che mi ha presa, soprattutto per la sua trama molto originale...forse troppo? Ma purtroppo ho trovato anche un po' di pecche.
Molti capitoli sono troppo prolissi di dialoghi in mezzo a situazioni in cui si dovrebbe andare dritti al punto (in quasi tutti gli interrogatori si parla anche di argomenti superflui) e certe scene le ho trovate abbastanza tirate...come "l'estorsione" di informazioni alla guardia di sicurezza che si è lasciata abbindolare da due sconosciute raccontando cose che nemmeno gli erano state chieste 😂
Ho fatto anche un po' fatica a entrare in sintonia con i personaggi, perché si vede che sono "vissuti" e infatti ho poi purtroppo scoperto che questo libro fa parte di una saga...ma in italiano hanno solo tradotto il primo e questo che penso sia uno degli ultimi....tutti i casi in mezzo sono inediti in Italia 😅
Però, per quanto non sia un thriller con i fiocchi o troppo ben costruito, mi ha abbastanza soddisfatta.
Profile Image for Rax.
617 reviews39 followers
December 12, 2025
This book treats you like you have dementia and as someone with memory issues, it was annoying as fuck, especially as info that doesn't matter. I'm not going to read your book set in the Scottish Borders. You introducing a character twice from that book and talking about it constantly when it barely relevant. Bring it up when it's relevant.

The main character comes across as patronising. "As you know I'm a dumb bitch" sort of vibe. The main character is unlikable as especially her traits are being innocent little flower who doesn't like rock music. Get earplugs like a normal person. What do you mean you, as someone who reads a lot didn't know the dark side of humanity, especially when referencing an author whose favourite thing was to write about the dark side of humanity.

The Christmas carol stuff is nothing. It's not important. It's just a way to trick you into reading this book. It's very obvious the solution and silly at the same time.

I didn't care about any of the characters and therefore this book had no stakes. Not a single one.
Profile Image for Shari.
183 reviews13 followers
September 26, 2025
Private investigator and part-time librarian Kitt Hartley is really looking forward to meeting her best friend, Evie, at the Christmas book fair. There are all the books of course, but they also have tickets to see the dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol, which is a highlight of the book fair. However, just as Marley's ghost is saying, "My time is nearly gone..." the actor's time is up. It's not a pretty sight and why is cinnamon such a factor in the whole mystery?

I'm a big fan of cozy Christmas mysteries and I found this to be an enjoyable book. It was pretty clear to me early on whodunnit, so it was more an "Am I right?" experience. Nonetheless, I happily read on. I enjoyed the Christmas/winter setting. I especially liked the appearances of the spirits of a few classic mystery authors. The characters were appropriately quirky and sometimes made me laugh. All in all, a fun read. I thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a DRC
Profile Image for Kay Cobbold.
266 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2025
"A Body at the Christmas Book Fair" delivers a brilliantly original cozy mystery that begins with a shockingly macabre scene: a victim dying on stage during a reading of "A Christmas Carol," followed by the body's terrifyingly rapid decomposition in full view of the audience. This unforgettable opening instantly hooks you into a clever investigation led by the tenacious and warm-hearted librarian sleuth, Kitt Hartley. As the investigation is time relevant, being stonewalled by a government facility, this adds to the tension.
The story's true festive charm lies in its delightful twist on Dickens' classic. Kitt is visited by four "literary spirits" who guide her toward solving the case, a concept that is both fabulous and darkly humorous. With the support of her inspector boyfriend and friends, Kitt navigates this wonderfully crafted puzzle. This book is a perfect, festive feast for mystery lovers, in equal parts chilling, charming, and utterly captivating.
1,055 reviews6 followers
November 11, 2025
Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus books for the opportunity to read this.
A man dies during a festive reading of A christmas Carol. Kitt finds herself once more involved in a crime. She meets with the work partner only to find he may be in danger too. Can she and her team solve the case before its too late.

Wow what a festive murder mystery this was. It was really good. Its a cosy mystery but with some really dramatic moments. I really enjoyed the book references and of course some famous authors popping up. The plot was clever and had me hooked. I did figure out the killer just before they did but I liked seeing how it all came together. The characters are fun and I love Kitt. Plus her relationship with Halloran was cute and good to see them work together. The ending was dramatic and then heart warming. A perfect finish.
120 reviews4 followers
October 19, 2025
Although this is not the first in the series featuring Kitt the librarian turned Private Eye with a police detective boyfriend, so presumably quite well liked, I found it difficult to accept the concept of the police working so closely with a P.I. when every other book I have read has the P.I. as the bane of their life. I suppose in such a Christmassy themed cosy crime thriller one has to suspend reality but I always felt it was all a bit silly. The poisoning plot was reasonable although not too difficult to work out in keeping with the light nature of the book. Even so I thought it was excessively cheesy often , especially at the end. However I liked the dreamt literary Greats giving Kitt advice.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC
Profile Image for Janet.
5,195 reviews66 followers
November 5, 2025
While making merry at the York Christmas Book Fair, Kitt Hartley finds herself drawn into a murder mystery with a festive twist. The victim is Leonard Bell, a festival volunteer who suddenly drops dead during his performance of A Christmas Carol. The next day, police identify the cause of death as an unknown toxin. Fearing for his own life, Bell's lab partner Kevin Ripley enlists Kitt's help to track down the killer - before it's too late.
It’s been a while since the last Kitt book & I’m glad she’s back. Another very well written cosy mystery the bonus for me is that the books are set in Yorkshire, my home county. I really like Kitt & have enjoyed getting to know her throughout the series. There are the expected twists, turns & red herrings & I was kept guessing. I look forward to more
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
86 reviews
November 5, 2025
The book centres around a Christmas book fair in York. Kitt, a private detective/librarian has arranged to meet her friend Evie at a performance of A Christmas Carol. Leonard Bell a festival volunteer drops dead in front of them, just before he dies he keeps saying cinnamon. A trainee paramedic tries to save him bit it’s too late and the body is almost decomposing rapidly in front of them. Leonard was working on a mysterious toxin at a local secret government lab. His lab partner, Kevin asks Kit if she will help investigate the murder as he fears he will be next.

Along the way Kitt is visited by characters from a Christmas Carol to help with pointers on the murder. An unusual style of Christmas book and set in the lovely city of York but I am not really a fan, sorry.
Profile Image for Paula.
268 reviews3 followers
January 15, 2026
Not really sure what to say about this, perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read others in the series and knew more about the often strangely named confusing characters, although it is a stand alone book that doesn't require this.
Just too far-fetched, too removed from realistic police protocol, barely christmassy (apart from the weird Dickens-esque visitations from authors I would never have recognised) and you could be forgiven for forgetting it was set in Yorkshire.
I did finish it, as it had enough about it to make me want to find out 'who dunnit' but I can't say I'll be searching out anything else by this author, or certainly nothing from this series.
Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in return for my honest review.
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