How Grimm Saved Christmas

DCI Harry Grimm

by David J. Gatward

A Harry Grimm Christmas Special Novella!

A sudden snowfall. A spate of thefts. A question waiting to be asked ...

Christmas in Wensleydale is just around the corner, and a beautiful blanket of snow covers the fells. But then a blizzard hits, and everyone knows that a white Christmas in the Dales spells danger for farmers and remote communities.

In the town of Hawes there is little festive cheer as the snow closes in, the Christmas fair is cancelled, and the generator goes missing from the market hall. Then the local food bank is broken into.

Can DCI Harry Grimm and the team find out who's behind the thefts, and restore peace and goodwill to the people of the Dales? And will Harry finally summon up the courage to take the biggest step he's ever taken in his life and make this a Christmas to remember, forever?

This special Christmas novella may be Harry Grimm's biggest ever challenge, because this time, it's personal!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, British Literature, Ebooks

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2025

Reviews

[Teri Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful addition to the Harry Grimm series. The snow, the Christmas Fair and Harry’s team make this a delightful read, especially with the holidays upon us. Although this book is part of a fabulous series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Having read all the books in the series, I am already counting the days until the next one is published.

[Dr.Javed Rasheed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the snowy Yorkshire Dales, the story takes place just before Christmas in the town of Hawes. A heavy snowfall turns into a blizzard, cutting off communities and creating difficult conditions for farmers and locals. 
At the same time, a series of troubling incidents disrupts the festive spirit:
The Christmas fair is cancelled
A generator is stolen from the market hall
A local food bank is broken into 
DCI Harry Grimm and his team investigate these crimes, which at first seem like minor thefts but begin to affect the whole community. As they dig deeper, they uncover who is behind the incidents and work to restore order and goodwill before Christmas. 
Alongside the investigation, there is a more emotional storyline:
Grimm faces an important personal decision
He considers taking a major step in his relationship, making the case more meaningful than usual 
Unlike the darker novels in the series, this story is:
Lighter and more festive
Focused on community spirit, kindness, and hope
Still contains a mystery, but without heavy violence 
It’s a cozy Christmas crime story where:
A snowstorm isolates a rural community
Small crimes threaten Christmas
Grimm solves the case while facing a life-changing personal moment. It’s 3 stars from my side .
Dr. Javed Rasheed

[Mully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as ever!

I’ve just spent the evening weeping “Happy Tears” with this lovely Christmas Special. Hawes celebrating an eventful snowfall, good deeds and dogs. What’s not to like.

[Maxine Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another fantastic book !!! I love the way David brings each character to life and the descriptive writing takes you right there. This was a real page turner as always just love Grimm ❤️

[Alasdair MacCaluim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite simply great cozy festive reading!

Gruff but kind detective Harry Grimm and his lovely colleagues deliver yet another great story set in the lovely Yorkshire Dales.

I love this series so much that I actually went to visit Hawes last summer and wasn't disappointed.

[Lilly Hi Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deserves Ten Stars!

This thriller is about a Christmas miracle happening in a blinding snow storm. It recounts how the town folks and farmers look out for everyone in need and really demonstrates the Christmas spirit. It made me cry. And Harry finally proposed to Grace!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Harry Grimm series, starting with Grimm Up North. This one, book 21, almost feels like an end, it's so happy and wraps up so nicely, but thank goodness it isn't - there are 25, but I hope David Gatward will continue writing them, they're so good - and addictive! When unexpected snow falls on the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, things start to go missing in and around the market town of Hawes, and that, with the snow deep and still falling threatens to ruin Christmas. But Harry, with his usual penchant for coming up with solutions, works out a perfect one. I almost expected a manger scene - but thankfully that isn't how it went. An unexpected visitor shows up - and Harry takes his chance. Wonderful stuff! And as always, beautifully poetic descriptive writing from David J Gatward

[Stephen A. Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy Winter Story

This was a cozy winter story, almost Alexander McCall Smith-esque (No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series). Plenty to keep the Grimm followers happy, a winter storm, Father Christmas, and an elf, puppies, pubs, bacon butties, a guest appearance, and the usual charm and wisdom of the Dales.

[Grey853 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely not a typical Harry Grimm story. There's no horrific murder scene or any real mystery, not really. It's more a cozy Christmas story, one in which Harry solves a theft and finally does the right thing by Grace. I enjoyed it because as usual the writing is crisp and the characters well drawn.

[Christine Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding Bells

About time Harry…thought it was never going to happen. The theme in this book is so lighthearted and filled with a real sense of community. Loved the fact that Gordy made an appearance to see her old friends . Had a smile on my face from start to finish. Loved this.

[margaret chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star Christmas Magc.

Grimm up North in the Dales , snow falls, mysterious thefts occur, adorable puppies are tumbling around, Harry has an engagement ring ready to offer, no cheese obvious, but no doubt present, no murder, but love is all around to warm the perishing cold. Loved it. A perfect Christmas present. Read and enjoy. I did.

[Johannah Siragusa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Treat

The Grimm series, and now the Haig series, have afforded many hours of pleasure. This novella allows a respite from the usual intensity and an opportunity to spend time with familiar characters in celebration. A quick read and perfect respite from holiday chaos.

[Lindsay Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Christmas Present

What a fabulous story, perfect for the time of year and the recent weather. The team all together, with an unexpected visitor, a "crime", a solution and a coming together of the Wensleydale inhabitants in a truly joyful way. Thank you, David Gatward for this perfect Christmas present 😊

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas is approaching and, unusually, the Dales are covered with snow – a scene that the author describes quite beautifully. However, the winter weather is a challenge for the villagers and isolated farmers, especially when the power goes out. Even the Christmas Fair is threatened. Can DCI Harry Grimm come up with a plan to save Christmas?

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Grimm Saved Christmas by David Gatward is an excellent read and has a winter wonderland storyline to it.
It is a glorious read with everyone getting together to help those that may need assistance in the heavy snowfall as a community.
A grand Christmas celebration.
Thoroughly recommended

[J M Seddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story for Christmas

Great to see all the characters together with a festive plot and a happy ever after. The scenery is beautifully described and the homely nature of remote villages is perfect.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful shorter story in the Harry Grimm series. A real feel-good story for Christmas and a little tear was shed at the end. Harry is a terrific character and the sort of person I would love to meet if he was real.

[Dawn Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! Thank you David for writing this. Yes it's different from the series but a great Christmas tale. All the team together and doing what should be done, everyone helping each other. I would sooooo love to live somewhere like that. Did I cry??? Damn straight I did

[Debbie Marie Sleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

The story was brilliant from beginning to end, heartwarming. I loved all the characters. The ending was amazing, too. I can't wait to read the next book in the series

[Mrs J Kinnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great seasonal story for Grimm fans

I really enjoyed this as a seasonal read. I don't want to give anything away but there wasn't a murder in sight, just lots of snow, the characters we've all come to love, and plenty of surprises

[Mrs Sue Leaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Already love both the Harry and the Gordy series of books
This brought both together in a great way. So enjoyable I finished it in one session ( apart from tea and cake pauses! )

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I absolutely loved this story! It had everything you could want. A mystery, puppies, snow and love. It was perfect! It also made me cry. If you are a Grimm fan, you have to read this story! Beth P.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough story.

Feeling a bit of a grinch after reading this. It was ok, a little pedestrian for me. Have read all the Grimm books and I find they've gone off the boil somewhat. Started off well, but I've got a little bored with them. Still,glad Harry is happy!

[M R B Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy ending

Christmas in the dales and everyone pull together, despite the weather conditions. A generator goes missing and people, cold and living in caravans, are warmed up. The perpetrator admits culpability and also well that ends well.

[Rosie Meikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Involved in small rural areas all over

Inspiring more people in rural areas should do this sort of ,from a group of associated advocated and invoke a spiritual kind of wellbeing of the people living in the small places on outskirts of the town

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful Christmas Story

I have loved this series from the beginning. Excellent character development and great story lines. This book was especially heart warming. Thank you Mr Gatward!

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful little Christmas story with a very low stakes case and an extralarge serving of cozyness and Wensleydale appreciation. The "case" or, to be more precice, the reason that there even is a case is frankly quite silly but whatever, it's a Christmas story.

[Doug Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Loved this perfect Christmas story. It doesn't always have to be murder and crime especially with characters you have grown to love. So glad Gordy is back even if just for a visit.☺️

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY!!!! About time, Harry!!

Great story!! Is Harry and Grace back?? Still waiting for book 2... Harry and Grace are a pair to be reckoned with! Can't wait for the next book!!!

[Jeff D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 star book but took away a star since it is more a hallmark christmas movie type story and not a Grimm mystery which is his last several books. no more for me as not my type of book..gladly take recommendations on another series similar to early Grimm books