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Edie O'Sullivan #3
The Advent of Death
The ingenious new Christmas crime novel from Alexandra Benedict, the ‘Queen of the Christmas Mystery’ (
Financial Times
).
When Edie O’Sullivan receives an invitation from an old friend to spend a pre-Christmas break in the picturesque town of Rye, she jumps at the chance to escape - and reconnect. But when she arrives with her wife, Riga, it quickly becomes clear this is no festive getaway.
Edie hasn’t been invited for comfort, but for help.
Four days earlier, her friend’s daughter Rebecca - the town crier - received an unusual a handcrafted wooden advent calendar shaped like Rye itself. At first, it seemed like a charming curiosity, part of her public role. Then, on December 1st, a burglary at 1 Church Square. December 2nd, an ABH at 2 Martello Close. December 3rd, a GBH at 3 Allendale Drive.
Each door opened. Each crime escalating.
Now Rebecca is certain the calendar is counting down to something far worse - and she’s turned to the only person she believes can stop it.
With Christmas approaching and the body count rising, Edie must decipher the deadly pattern before the final door is opened.
When Edie O’Sullivan receives an invitation from an old friend to spend a pre-Christmas break in the picturesque town of Rye, she jumps at the chance to escape - and reconnect. But when she arrives with her wife, Riga, it quickly becomes clear this is no festive getaway.
Edie hasn’t been invited for comfort, but for help.
Four days earlier, her friend’s daughter Rebecca - the town crier - received an unusual a handcrafted wooden advent calendar shaped like Rye itself. At first, it seemed like a charming curiosity, part of her public role. Then, on December 1st, a burglary at 1 Church Square. December 2nd, an ABH at 2 Martello Close. December 3rd, a GBH at 3 Allendale Drive.
Each door opened. Each crime escalating.
Now Rebecca is certain the calendar is counting down to something far worse - and she’s turned to the only person she believes can stop it.
With Christmas approaching and the body count rising, Edie must decipher the deadly pattern before the final door is opened.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 6, 2026
Another great book in the series my favourite Christmas mystery series
The clues in this one are easy to figure out hit there is good reason for that
Love Edie and Riga and there surly progresses nicely
Not as much Sean and Liam in this one but I understand that as they weren’t integral to the plot
I enjoyed the ending but could see it being divisive as it is reminiscent of another well known detective book but I felt it was different enough that it felt like its own thing.
If you’re looking for a fun read this series is for you
The clues in this one are easy to figure out hit there is good reason for that
Love Edie and Riga and there surly progresses nicely
Not as much Sean and Liam in this one but I understand that as they weren’t integral to the plot
I enjoyed the ending but could see it being divisive as it is reminiscent of another well known detective book but I felt it was different enough that it felt like its own thing.
If you’re looking for a fun read this series is for you
November 5, 2026
Alexandra Benedict è la regina del giallo contemporaneo e il fatto che ambienti le sue storie nel periodo natalizio è un grande valore aggiunto. Come i suoi precedenti romanzi, anche 24 GIORNI CON L’ASSASSINO ha prima di tutto un’atmosfera che puoi sentire, così suggestiva. L’autrice ti crea un ambiente così bene che ti sembra di stare dentro e vedere ogni dettaglio del paese.
Grandissimo pregio è anche la sua originalità. Questa lettura è misteriosa, inquietante, ha un killer che funziona e conferma ancora di più la potenza del personaggio di Edie, un’investigatrice che non puoi non adorare. I colpi di scena sono ben dosati e ti tiene incollato al libro fino alla fine. Un giallo che scorre, intrattiene, soddisfa e commuove alla fine.
What else?
Grandissimo pregio è anche la sua originalità. Questa lettura è misteriosa, inquietante, ha un killer che funziona e conferma ancora di più la potenza del personaggio di Edie, un’investigatrice che non puoi non adorare. I colpi di scena sono ben dosati e ti tiene incollato al libro fino alla fine. Un giallo che scorre, intrattiene, soddisfa e commuove alla fine.
What else?
November 13, 2026
Another great Christmas murder mystery from Alexandra Benedict. I truly enjoy the series about Edie and Riga, and they're part of Christmas now. I keep my fingers crossed that there will be another one next year.
November 8, 2026
I loved it!
November 8, 2026
I just LOVE these yearly mysteries!
This one is set in Rye, and is very atmospheric with tunnels, ghosts, and the creeping dread of history unresolved.
Sean is still an asshole though. A
This one is set in Rye, and is very atmospheric with tunnels, ghosts, and the creeping dread of history unresolved.
Sean is still an asshole though. A
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews