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White Christmas
“Mummy – Daddy – there’s Santa! He’s hurt!”
A young girl travelling home with her family, witnesses a man dressed as Santa Claus lying in an alleyway, his throat slashed.
Noel Winters had been doing the rounds, playing Santa. His final engagement was at a private party hours before his murder. Winters had a reputation for heavy drinking and female company, and it had recently cost him his marriage. Local gossip suggests he had plans to be up and down a few chimneys over the festive period.
DCI Tyler and DS Mills struggle to narrow down the suspects, including a bitter Santa Claus rivalry. But Chief Superintendent Berkins wants the case wrapped up for Christmas. With the clock ticking, and the season of goodwill fast approaching, Tyler goes out on a limb, focusing his investigation on the new Chief Constable’s golfing buddy.
Mills and Berkins sense Tyler’s instincts are misfiring, and neither are prepared to support an improbable theory. Worse still, they fear a personal agenda is clouding his judgement. And when the Chief Constable gets wind of what the maverick detective is suggesting, Mills is convinced Tyler’s day of reckoning has finally arrived.
'Another cracking read in this series. I love the two Detectives and their relationship just gets richer with each book. The humour in the book is great and a welcome relief from the grisly crime. The Christmas theme is just the cherry on the mince pie!' Helen.
'A perfect Christmas read!' Caroline Standish.
'A book for all seasons, not just Xmas.' Celtic Audiophile.
'Another great story in this series.' Dee Groocock.
'As fresh as the rest! As always, it's a great read. Another brilliantly written book!' Beyond the Books.
'This is another great read in a terrific series. Our intrepid duo investigate the murder of a man dressed as Santa Claus and soon find multiple possible suspects.' Mary R.
'Finished in 2 evenings. Just keep getting better' Beth.
'A not so merry Christmas for Santa! Book eight, but as much fun as the earlier books. JenMedBookLover.
'Great book & great series!' TerryHeth.
'I love this series, and the very different characters of Tyler and Mills, who nevertheless make a great team. Serious crime with humour. I can take any amount of this.' Ignite.
'This may well be my favourite entry in the series so far, with all the elements we've come to enjoy at their best - a well-crafted murder mystery, great interplay and often humorous banter between the two leads, some memorable secondary characters, convincing and often gritty locations, all driving towards a very satisfying denouement. The Christmas setting creates an enjoyable background and nicely offsets the essentially gruesome storyline. A great read.' Julian Middleton.
'What a great book.Once I started reading I had a real job to put the book down.I highly recommend this book and am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.' Colin Blackman.
'Wow, Marks books get better and better with each one he writes. White Christmas was so thrilling with each twisting character having their own agendas and taking you on a different journey. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. I hope there’s another book coming soon as u really get to like Tyler and Mills.' Lisa Trussler.
'This is another great read in a very popular series featuring Tyler and Mills.
A young girl travelling home with her family, witnesses a man dressed as Santa Claus lying in an alleyway, his throat slashed.
Noel Winters had been doing the rounds, playing Santa. His final engagement was at a private party hours before his murder. Winters had a reputation for heavy drinking and female company, and it had recently cost him his marriage. Local gossip suggests he had plans to be up and down a few chimneys over the festive period.
DCI Tyler and DS Mills struggle to narrow down the suspects, including a bitter Santa Claus rivalry. But Chief Superintendent Berkins wants the case wrapped up for Christmas. With the clock ticking, and the season of goodwill fast approaching, Tyler goes out on a limb, focusing his investigation on the new Chief Constable’s golfing buddy.
Mills and Berkins sense Tyler’s instincts are misfiring, and neither are prepared to support an improbable theory. Worse still, they fear a personal agenda is clouding his judgement. And when the Chief Constable gets wind of what the maverick detective is suggesting, Mills is convinced Tyler’s day of reckoning has finally arrived.
'Another cracking read in this series. I love the two Detectives and their relationship just gets richer with each book. The humour in the book is great and a welcome relief from the grisly crime. The Christmas theme is just the cherry on the mince pie!' Helen.
'A perfect Christmas read!' Caroline Standish.
'A book for all seasons, not just Xmas.' Celtic Audiophile.
'Another great story in this series.' Dee Groocock.
'As fresh as the rest! As always, it's a great read. Another brilliantly written book!' Beyond the Books.
'This is another great read in a terrific series. Our intrepid duo investigate the murder of a man dressed as Santa Claus and soon find multiple possible suspects.' Mary R.
'Finished in 2 evenings. Just keep getting better' Beth.
'A not so merry Christmas for Santa! Book eight, but as much fun as the earlier books. JenMedBookLover.
'Great book & great series!' TerryHeth.
'I love this series, and the very different characters of Tyler and Mills, who nevertheless make a great team. Serious crime with humour. I can take any amount of this.' Ignite.
'This may well be my favourite entry in the series so far, with all the elements we've come to enjoy at their best - a well-crafted murder mystery, great interplay and often humorous banter between the two leads, some memorable secondary characters, convincing and often gritty locations, all driving towards a very satisfying denouement. The Christmas setting creates an enjoyable background and nicely offsets the essentially gruesome storyline. A great read.' Julian Middleton.
'What a great book.Once I started reading I had a real job to put the book down.I highly recommend this book and am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.' Colin Blackman.
'Wow, Marks books get better and better with each one he writes. White Christmas was so thrilling with each twisting character having their own agendas and taking you on a different journey. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. I hope there’s another book coming soon as u really get to like Tyler and Mills.' Lisa Trussler.
'This is another great read in a very popular series featuring Tyler and Mills.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2025
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 28, 2025
To completely and utterly misquote South Park, 'Oh my god, they killed Santa!' Yes, folks, this is not a sweet take on a festive classic starring Bing Crosby, and this is no sweet Christmas tale to be sharing with the kiddies. It seems someone in Stoke had it in for dear old Santa Claus, and it's up to Tyler and Mills to find out the who, what and why of it all. It is so nice being back in their company, even if the untimely demise of one of the festive season's most iconic characters does put a bit of a downer on the celebrations, especially for the myriad suspects who fall into Tyler's line of sight.
This story is packed with mystery and misdirection. There seemed to be no end of suspects who might have wanted to see the books victim dead, but perhaps only one clear motive, at least in the beginning. Mark Fowler does a grand job in leading his detectives, and us readers, up and down the garden path, in the case of Tyler and Mills quite literally, and particularly for one suspect. Conflict between suspects, a group with some unexpected connections, adds to the many questions that arise as the investigation gathers pace and this really had me hooked into the story and turning the pages at pace.
I like how the story also delves into Tyler’s backstory a little, backed by his continued conflict with people in authority, the one exception being his boss, Chief Super ‘In A Nutshell’ Berkins, and his constant battle with the demons of his past, especially given the emotions of the festive season. Mills, by contrast, is facing a very different kind of battle - a tug of love between his beloved Mrs Mills, and his equally beloved stash of mince pies and other assorted treats. Can either man save themself from the many temptations placed in their path? Well, that’s for you to find out.
I love the humour between the two lead coppers in this series. Not your tankard banter, and although it can at times seem quite taught, there is a great respect and camaraderie between them that really shines in the stories. As does the author’s, and Mills’ love for the home city of Stoke, contrasting the glitzy, and the less respectable, sides of the city, using it to contrast between the haves and have nots amongst the suspects. Those with the power and influence use it to subvert the investigation, and it creates many questions about the motives for their evasiveness. But is it guilt and, if so, guilt about what?
There is another bit of surprise in this story, one that leaves us readers with a small sense of hope for the haunted Tyler, and a possibility of salvation for what might otherwise have been a rather subdued Christmas. Do the team get their killer? Well, read the book and you can find out. Book eight, but still as much fun as the earlier books. It can be read as a standalone, but I think you’d appreciate the characters and their particular brand of kinship more if you start from the beginning.
October 15, 2025
DCI Tyler and DS Mills investigate when a young child spots an injured Santa in an alleyway. Santa has been murdered, and the locals lead the duo on a chase to find out who the killer is.
With the new Chief Constable breathing down CS Berkin’s neck, Tyler is feeling the pressure, but refusing to make arrests until he is confident of who the killer is.
This is another great story in this series, and perfect for those who enjoy detective series, as well as books around the Christmas period.
I enjoy the banter between Tyler and Mills, I can’t help laughing at their antics. Although Mills is sometimes unsure about his boss and his ways, they do make a good team.
Some great characters in the story and some red herrings that certainly led me wandering down the wrong path about who the killer was!
I received a copy of this book from the author.
With the new Chief Constable breathing down CS Berkin’s neck, Tyler is feeling the pressure, but refusing to make arrests until he is confident of who the killer is.
This is another great story in this series, and perfect for those who enjoy detective series, as well as books around the Christmas period.
I enjoy the banter between Tyler and Mills, I can’t help laughing at their antics. Although Mills is sometimes unsure about his boss and his ways, they do make a good team.
Some great characters in the story and some red herrings that certainly led me wandering down the wrong path about who the killer was!
I received a copy of this book from the author.
September 20, 2025
This is another great read in a terrific series. Our intrepid duo investigate the murder of a man dressed as Santa Claus and soon find multiple possible suspects.
I found this so easy and enjoyable to read. Mills is struggling with his diet as usual but it seems harder this time in the run up to Christmas. Tyler is also his usual enigmatic and touchy self and manages to cause issues for himself when his questioning of the chief constable's golf buddy does not go down well. I was sure I knew who the killer was and settled down to see how Tyler and Mills would prove it, only to actually be proved totally wrong!
I found this so easy and enjoyable to read. Mills is struggling with his diet as usual but it seems harder this time in the run up to Christmas. Tyler is also his usual enigmatic and touchy self and manages to cause issues for himself when his questioning of the chief constable's golf buddy does not go down well. I was sure I knew who the killer was and settled down to see how Tyler and Mills would prove it, only to actually be proved totally wrong!
October 11, 2025
Tyler and Mills are back doing what they do best. Who killed Santa, well with a very long list of possible suspects as it seems Santa is a bit of a ladies man. Tyler his usual abrasive self and poor Mills battling food demons. I won’t re -tell the storyline, it’s in the blurb, but I will say you are in for a great read.
October 6, 2025
Mark Fowler has continued the Tyler and Mills series with real panache. Tyler is at his glorious abrasive best and Mills at his own best too. Beautiful use of names to match the season and a great plot with numerous suspects.
The dynamic between the two policeman is beautifully written and well observed, with great camaraderie and banter. The small police cast you have included works well together, in a nutshell!
I look forwards to the next with eager anticipation.
Thank you to Mark Fowler for the chance to read the book.
The dynamic between the two policeman is beautifully written and well observed, with great camaraderie and banter. The small police cast you have included works well together, in a nutshell!
I look forwards to the next with eager anticipation.
Thank you to Mark Fowler for the chance to read the book.
October 3, 2025
Another great outing for Tyler and Mills. This time they are investigating the death of Santa so close to Christmas. There is no shortage of suspects and lots of lies for the detectives to pick apart. I didn’t guess who it was and liked that right until the last moment both Tyler and Mills were still unsure. Another great book by Mark in this great series.
I would recommend this book and series. It can be read as a standalone but reading the series helps you understand more about Tyler and Mills more
Looking forward to the next in the series.
I would recommend this book and series. It can be read as a standalone but reading the series helps you understand more about Tyler and Mills more
Looking forward to the next in the series.
October 1, 2025
These books always have me coming back for more. I admit I laughed in places I probably shouldn’t have, I gelled with a character for going thro something similar to myself.
The characters have come so far from the start and have me so invested going thro these books.
Tyler and Mills keep you on your toes, keep you routing for them and hoping they get to the bottom of the murder.
I will continue to read these for as long as they are written!!
The characters have come so far from the start and have me so invested going thro these books.
Tyler and Mills keep you on your toes, keep you routing for them and hoping they get to the bottom of the murder.
I will continue to read these for as long as they are written!!
September 26, 2025
Mills & Tyler are back. But this time someone’s causing trouble with Santa.
They’re on the case and they’re double the effort.
I love the crack between these 2, but now their boss has decided to join in, mostly side eyes. But it definitely rolls with the pair.
It may have funny lines but the serious side is well written and tackled great.
This case though is not straight forward and the team feel thwarted by up high due to who knows who and that does not stop Tyler from his digging.
A great read
They’re on the case and they’re double the effort.
I love the crack between these 2, but now their boss has decided to join in, mostly side eyes. But it definitely rolls with the pair.
It may have funny lines but the serious side is well written and tackled great.
This case though is not straight forward and the team feel thwarted by up high due to who knows who and that does not stop Tyler from his digging.
A great read
October 13, 2025
Noel Winters might have been a drunken womaniser but he made a jolly good Santa, highly popular with local children and pub goers alike. Clearly though, someone didn’t like him since a few days before Christmas he was discovered late at night in an alley with his throat cut. This is the new murder case for DCI Jim Tyler and DS Danny Mills in Stoke-on Trent. Soon they unearth a number of disgruntled ex-lovers, along with their respective husbands and wonder if it was crime of passion. Could it be a robbery gone wrong since he had a wallet stuffed with cash after his lucrative gig as Santa that very afternoon or maybe an usurped and revengeful rival Santa? Alternatively, much to the horror of Chief Supt Graham Berkins, he of the dancing moustache and nutshells, they also need to investigate Winters’ last party, hosted by a rather pompous man who makes a great deal of his friendship with the new Chief Constable. Heaven forbid that they upset him, especially with Tyler’s known dislike of people in authority! Meanwhile Mills’ wife is enforcing a diet on him in preparation for his overindulgence over the festive season, bringing with it a horror of its own! With both officers experiencing their own versions of a nightmare before Christmas, one involving food and the other alcohol, will they solve the case in time to celebrate the big day or will Christmas be cancelled this year?
DCI Jim Tyler, the product of a tough upbringing in London and with a hatred of bullies, authority and hierarchy nearly lost his job after hitting a senior officer. He moved to Stoke and was readily taken on by Chief Supt Graham Berkins. Divorced, his passion is running, something he does a lot when his demons come calling and the complete opposite of his partner DS Danny Mills who appreciates his food far more than exercise and loves the city but lives in the countryside as he loves his wife even more. The pair make a formidable and often hilarious partnership in solving crime, even if Tyler baffles Mills at times with his very dry and humorous manner. Mills is actually my favourite character, with his love of family, football and food (in no particular order), and the relationship between the two detectives is a pleasure to behold and gets better with every story! This is another superb addition, brimming with vivid characters and great suspects, in a smashing series which I love to bits!
DCI Jim Tyler, the product of a tough upbringing in London and with a hatred of bullies, authority and hierarchy nearly lost his job after hitting a senior officer. He moved to Stoke and was readily taken on by Chief Supt Graham Berkins. Divorced, his passion is running, something he does a lot when his demons come calling and the complete opposite of his partner DS Danny Mills who appreciates his food far more than exercise and loves the city but lives in the countryside as he loves his wife even more. The pair make a formidable and often hilarious partnership in solving crime, even if Tyler baffles Mills at times with his very dry and humorous manner. Mills is actually my favourite character, with his love of family, football and food (in no particular order), and the relationship between the two detectives is a pleasure to behold and gets better with every story! This is another superb addition, brimming with vivid characters and great suspects, in a smashing series which I love to bits!
December 3, 2025
I’m in the camp that Christmas doesn’t start until at least Dec and then it needs to be a few days into the final month of the year before I can really pick up any enthusiasm. Equating this to my fiction reading preferences, any book with a Christmas theme is of very little interest until the big event is almost on my doorstep.
But, self-defined rules are always negotiable and so, on Nov 30th I broke my Christmas reading one. Why? Because White Christmas is written by one of my most ‘trusted author,’ Mark Fowler and it is his latest in the very addictive Tyler and Mills series. And wow, once again I was not disappointed.
Despite it again delivering the perfectly pitched ironic sense of humour between the lead detectives, it never swayed from the standard the author has set in terms of being a very tough read, this is no cosy murder mystery. It also pulled into play a number of themes that reflect the ‘other’ side of Christmas – the loneliness of those not embraced by families and friend, the temptation to over indulge of those who’s health is already suffering from food and alcohol addictions and so on.
But an extra pull for me in prioritising any of Mark Fowler’s books, is how he seems to so effortlessly adopt such creative prose to aid the reader’s imagination leaving them with a sense of being physically in the fictional setting. With this in mind, after just 3 days of being totally absorbed in White Christmas, I turned the final page and was inspired to kick my Christmas off with immediate effect. That said, I genuinely believe this latest book in the Tyer and Mills series could be read at any time of year.
I am so glad Mark Fowler inspired me to break my Christmas rule.
But, self-defined rules are always negotiable and so, on Nov 30th I broke my Christmas reading one. Why? Because White Christmas is written by one of my most ‘trusted author,’ Mark Fowler and it is his latest in the very addictive Tyler and Mills series. And wow, once again I was not disappointed.
Despite it again delivering the perfectly pitched ironic sense of humour between the lead detectives, it never swayed from the standard the author has set in terms of being a very tough read, this is no cosy murder mystery. It also pulled into play a number of themes that reflect the ‘other’ side of Christmas – the loneliness of those not embraced by families and friend, the temptation to over indulge of those who’s health is already suffering from food and alcohol addictions and so on.
But an extra pull for me in prioritising any of Mark Fowler’s books, is how he seems to so effortlessly adopt such creative prose to aid the reader’s imagination leaving them with a sense of being physically in the fictional setting. With this in mind, after just 3 days of being totally absorbed in White Christmas, I turned the final page and was inspired to kick my Christmas off with immediate effect. That said, I genuinely believe this latest book in the Tyer and Mills series could be read at any time of year.
I am so glad Mark Fowler inspired me to break my Christmas rule.
January 17, 2026
Book 8 in the Tyler & Mills Mystery series & I appear to have missed out book 7, but that will soon be rectified. So, yes, this can be read as a standalone.
Santa has been murdered. Discovered in an alleyway with no solid clues to go on, except it obviously wasn’t a robbery judging by the amount of cash found on him. The new chief constable wants to make his mark & is pressurising chief superintendent Berkins. Tyler is being a slight loose cannon & Mills is hungry. Very hungry.
A great story which I tried to read nearer Yuletide, but failed dismally. The interplay between our intrepid duo is fab, as is Tyler’s respect paid to the CS. An easy read which moved on at a gentle pace apart from the merry-go-round of romantic liaisons. As an aside, I wasn’t aware that I had a side hustle as Deb’s Delights! An enjoyable & entertaining read.
Santa has been murdered. Discovered in an alleyway with no solid clues to go on, except it obviously wasn’t a robbery judging by the amount of cash found on him. The new chief constable wants to make his mark & is pressurising chief superintendent Berkins. Tyler is being a slight loose cannon & Mills is hungry. Very hungry.
A great story which I tried to read nearer Yuletide, but failed dismally. The interplay between our intrepid duo is fab, as is Tyler’s respect paid to the CS. An easy read which moved on at a gentle pace apart from the merry-go-round of romantic liaisons. As an aside, I wasn’t aware that I had a side hustle as Deb’s Delights! An enjoyable & entertaining read.
October 13, 2025
This was my first encounter with Messrs Tyler & Mills but won't be my last. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be buying the others in the series.
The characters in this book are great and believable.
Tyler & Mills are fighting their own battles and the author touches on the struggles they face in their daily life. Im sure a lot of people will be able to relate to the daily struggles they have.
I read this book over a rainy weekend where I live and it had me hooked.
Well written and I will certainly be reading the other books in this series over the forthcoming festive season.
The characters in this book are great and believable.
Tyler & Mills are fighting their own battles and the author touches on the struggles they face in their daily life. Im sure a lot of people will be able to relate to the daily struggles they have.
I read this book over a rainy weekend where I live and it had me hooked.
Well written and I will certainly be reading the other books in this series over the forthcoming festive season.
November 20, 2025
Tyler and Mills are back! The eighth book of the series, and it's as original and intriguing as the previous books. It's coming up to Christmas, and Santa has been found dead! They find themselves on a case that will test them from start to finish.
As always, it 's a great read, and the twists of the story keep the reader on their toes . As well as the mystery of their case, there is plenty of humor running throughout. It had me chuckling anyway!
With characters that are well established and a storyline that keeps you gripped, this is yet another brilliantly written book!
As always, it 's a great read, and the twists of the story keep the reader on their toes . As well as the mystery of their case, there is plenty of humor running throughout. It had me chuckling anyway!
With characters that are well established and a storyline that keeps you gripped, this is yet another brilliantly written book!
September 29, 2025
I love this series, and the very different characters of Tyler and Mills, who nevertheless make a great team. It starts with a child declaring that Santa's is hurt. Tyler's suspicions fall on someone high up in local society and, as usual, bring him up against his boss. There are some humorous episodes in this book, but a serious case underlies it. I love that we get glimpses of the home life of the two unlikely heroes. I can take any amount of this
September 30, 2025
Book 8 already in the terrific Mark Fowler’s DCI Tyler and DS Mills series.
The pair have a callout to a dead Santa. To find out who was responsible leads to upsetting the golfing buddy of the Chief Constable.
There were so many twists and turns in this book and the humour between the two detectives gave an added dimension to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed White Christmas and can definitely recommend not only this book, but the entire series.
The pair have a callout to a dead Santa. To find out who was responsible leads to upsetting the golfing buddy of the Chief Constable.
There were so many twists and turns in this book and the humour between the two detectives gave an added dimension to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed White Christmas and can definitely recommend not only this book, but the entire series.
October 3, 2025
This is another great read in a very popular series featuring Tyler and Mills. I really loved the characters, especially Tyler, and the touches of banter and humour throughout which made me laugh out loud on a long haul flight! This is the best yet in the series, in my opinion with an intriguing and unique bit of plotting which I am sure readers will enjoy.
January 5, 2026
Santa is found in a back alley with his throat cut and DCI Tyler and DI Mills are on the case with lots of suspects which keeps you guessing throughout.
Love Tyler and Mills and hope to read more about them.
Love Tyler and Mills and hope to read more about them.
September 24, 2025
Great read once again the detectives are looking for the murder suspect can they solve the case of murdered santander before Xmas
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews