A Carol and a Killing: A Canon Clement Christmas Novella

by Richard Coles

BOOK 6 IN THE BESTSELLING CANON CLEMENT MYSTERY SERIES

'The best of the new cosy crime writers' Daily Telegraph
'You'll want to take a front row pew in Champton while this delicious series unfolds' Janice Hallett

Christmas in Champton, and Daniel and Neil Vanloo are reluctantly conscripted into the Cathedral's choir. The town is buzzing with preparations, festive merriment prevails, and the concert goes without a hitch.

That is, until a warbling soloist steps and falls to his death before he can finish the note. And Daniel suspects it wasn't a fall, but a push . . .

Can Daniel and Detective Inspector Vanloo solve the mystery and catch the Christmas killer?

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2026

About the author

The Reverend Richard Coles (born 26 March 1962) is a Church of England priest, broadcaster, writer and musician. Richard Coles was born in Northampton, England and educated at the independent Wellingborough School (where he was a choirboy)and at the South Warwickshire College of Further Education, Department of Drama and the Liberal Arts. He is the brother of the former undercover policeman, Andy Coles.

Richard is known for having been the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band The Communards, which achieved three Top Ten hits. He later attended King's College London where he studied theology from 1990. Richard Coles co-presents Saturday Live on BBCR4. In January 2011 The Reverend Richard Coles was appointed as the parish priest of St Mary the Virgin, Finedon in the Diocese of Peterborough.

Reviews

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

There's something unique about Rev, Richard Coles Canon Clement series... it just avoids the cosy crime label because of the ecclesiastical knowledge and experience that is brought to each story.

This is a festive story - well the build up to Christmas ( or is that an advent story ) when a death occurs at carol concert at the local cathedral. Canon Clement and DI Neil Vanloo are both singing in the choir and witness the tragedy when a choir member falls from a height - was it an accident or murder?

Intrigue prevails as the investigation begins. What I enjoy about this series is the period details - we are in 1994 - and the cultural references which are peppered around - often with a comical stance -and the subtle humour too.

As usual, Audrey Clement is on hand to present her views and bring her inimitable character to events.

The denouement builds up with a list of suspects who may have committed a crime growing along the way

This is a short festive novel. I listened on audiobook ( read by Rev. Richard Coles) on a blustery day and thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Another winner in a delightful ( not cosy ) series

[Rohase Piercy · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Oh, I do love Canon Daniel Clement, what a lovely character Richard Coles has created in him! And this Christmas novella, like 'Murder under the Mistletoe', is just right, seasonal and cosy but as always, with a wider message about the human condition.
When Clive Langford, tenor soloist and local entrepreneur - who likes to present himself as a community benefactor but is in fact a lecherous playboy and ruthless businessman - falls from the clerestory at Stow Cathedral during his solo piece in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', there are mixed feelings once the shock has been absorbed. Canon Daniel and newly promoted Detective Inspector Neil Vanloo have their work cut out investigating the number of people who might have held a grudge against Clive, including as always a fine array of feisty female characters. Daniel's formidable mother, Audrey, is not one of them but is as always very much determined to be in on the action, and his new female curate, Rev Euodia Vivers, whose sights are set on ordination once it becomes legal for women (remember, the Canon Clement stories are set back in the 1990s) is revealed to have an intriguing backstory as well as an impressive set of influential clerical relatives.
The will-they-won't-they sexual tension between Daniel and Neil seems disappointingly to have been put on hold for this story, with Neil renewing his pursuit of the local gentry in the form of Honoria de Floures, much to Daniel's well-restrained disappointment. But hopefully this is not a permanent situation - I'm sure I can't be the only reader longing for Daniel to find happiness - preferably with Neil. A lovely Christmas read.

[Rebecca Stewart · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

A lovely pre Christmas short read, perfect to get into the festive spirit

All the characters from Reverend Richard Coles previous books are there and there’s (once again) a juicy murder for Daniel and Neil to get their teeth into. Its suitably solved in time for Christmas Day too

Great fun all round

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, as always

A very entertaining book as always, hard to put down. The trials and tribulations of the parish protagonists continue in very amusing style.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Rev Richard Coles novel (though this is a novelette perhaps?) - especially one with a choral overtone. I just wish he'd write some longer ones. :) A pleasure as ever.

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read by this author. Not read a poor one in this series.