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Detectives Carmine & Greene #1
The Deaths of December
When the advent calendar is delivered to the police station, no one takes any notice... until they open it to find a murder behind every door. The hunt is on for a serial killer in this thrilling festive crime novel.
The hunt is on for a serial killer in a thrilling festive crime novel.
It looks like a regular advent calendar.
Until DC Becky Greene starts opening doors...and discovers a crime scene behind almost every one.
The police hope it's a prank. Because if it isn't, a murderer has just surfaced - someone who's been killing for twenty years.
But why now? And why has he sent it to this police station?
As the country relaxes into festive cheer, Greene and DS Eddie Carmine must race against time to catch the killer. Because there are four doors left, and four murders will fill them...
It's shaping up to be a deadly little Christmas.
The hunt is on for a serial killer in a thrilling festive crime novel.
It looks like a regular advent calendar.
Until DC Becky Greene starts opening doors...and discovers a crime scene behind almost every one.
The police hope it's a prank. Because if it isn't, a murderer has just surfaced - someone who's been killing for twenty years.
But why now? And why has he sent it to this police station?
As the country relaxes into festive cheer, Greene and DS Eddie Carmine must race against time to catch the killer. Because there are four doors left, and four murders will fill them...
It's shaping up to be a deadly little Christmas.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2017
142 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read
About the author
Susi Holliday
15 books330 followersLibrarian Note: Also writes under the name S.J.I. Holliday.
Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday grew up near Edinburgh and spent many years working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying microbiology and statistics at university. She has worked as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, but it was on a 6-month round-the-world-trip that she took with her husband several years ago that she rediscovered her passion for writing.
You can find out more at www.sjiholliday.com, or on Twitter and Facebook @SJIHolliday.
Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday grew up near Edinburgh and spent many years working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying microbiology and statistics at university. She has worked as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, but it was on a 6-month round-the-world-trip that she took with her husband several years ago that she rediscovered her passion for writing.
You can find out more at www.sjiholliday.com, or on Twitter and Facebook @SJIHolliday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
December 22, 2023
* A Seasonal Christmas Read for 2023*
Detective Constable Becky Greene has just gathered up the mail that needs to be taken up to CID when she notices the large square envelope addressed “To A Detective Who Knows What To Do”.
Curious, she slices open the envelope but when she finds an Advent Calendar inside, which contains actual crime scene photos behind each door-she knows it isn’t a prank.
Could a serial killer be announcing in no uncertain terms that he has literally gotten away with murder for the last twenty years? And, why now, at Christmas time?
With 4 doors missing photos, Detectives Carmine and Greene know that there is no time to waste, if they want to prevent more holiday heartache for celebrating families.
After recently reading and enjoying “The Party Season” and realizing that it was book two of the Detectives Carmine and Greene Christmas Police Procedural series, I knew I needed to backtrack and read this one, and it didn’t disappoint!
Review for “The Party Season”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The author writes these stories in a way that purposefully keeps us as the reader, a step ahead of the detectives but at 55% there was suddenly a (WOW!!) moment that had my jaw dropping open!
And, the last 20% had some nail biting, heart thumping moments too!
The first two books set up a possible third, and I DO HOPE, I will be reading it next Christmas! (2024)
A fun buddy read with Ceecee and Susan-be sure to watch for their (always) amazing reviews to see if they enjoyed this one as much as I did!
Detective Constable Becky Greene has just gathered up the mail that needs to be taken up to CID when she notices the large square envelope addressed “To A Detective Who Knows What To Do”.
Curious, she slices open the envelope but when she finds an Advent Calendar inside, which contains actual crime scene photos behind each door-she knows it isn’t a prank.
Could a serial killer be announcing in no uncertain terms that he has literally gotten away with murder for the last twenty years? And, why now, at Christmas time?
With 4 doors missing photos, Detectives Carmine and Greene know that there is no time to waste, if they want to prevent more holiday heartache for celebrating families.
After recently reading and enjoying “The Party Season” and realizing that it was book two of the Detectives Carmine and Greene Christmas Police Procedural series, I knew I needed to backtrack and read this one, and it didn’t disappoint!
Review for “The Party Season”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The author writes these stories in a way that purposefully keeps us as the reader, a step ahead of the detectives but at 55% there was suddenly a (WOW!!) moment that had my jaw dropping open!
And, the last 20% had some nail biting, heart thumping moments too!
The first two books set up a possible third, and I DO HOPE, I will be reading it next Christmas! (2024)
A fun buddy read with Ceecee and Susan-be sure to watch for their (always) amazing reviews to see if they enjoyed this one as much as I did!
October 17, 2017
It is the season for festive crime and Susi Holliday gives us a dark serial killer thriller set in London. DC Becky Greene opens an advent calender with a twist sent to the police. Behind the windows are crime scene photographs of murders including the recent killing of Linda Hollis, but go back many years. Four windows are empty suggesting the killer is letting them know more victims are planned for this Christmas. DS Eddie Carmine has nothing to go on for Linda's murder, but he has connections to other murder investigations which lead him to think that the killer has him in mind with the advent calender. He says nothing of his thoughts to his colleagues but is plagued by dark feelings and worries. The story is delivered through the various characters, including the killer, as the police go on high alert to catch the killer amidst the busy festive season.
We are given insights into The Photographer, the creator of the advent calender, the crime scene photographs are taken in the old fashioned way using 35mm file. He began killing around the festive season because his beloved sister, Chrissie, was murdered in this period and the police have never got close to arresting the perpetrator. He is desperate for the police to re-examine the case and his killing spree are part of his need to get their attention for this purpose. Carly is a market trader with low self esteem and a marriage that is not working out, the killer has her in mind as a target. We find out later this is no random selection, but that she is chosen for her connections to someone deemed important to him. In the meantime, Becky and Eddie get closer to identifying the killer as they investigate leads, but the killer has them in his sights. Will Becky and Eddie be able to nail their man and survive?
This is a great dark crime thriller with twists. It is well plotted, suspenseful and full of tension to keep the reader engaged. The characters of Eddie, a man tired of life with his difficult family dynamics, and focusing his energies on his job, and Becky, a young detective with much to learn, are a great partnership. We are given insights into their personal lives and their work as they chase down a dangerous man and come to invest in them as the author develops them as authentic people. If you are looking for festive crime, then I can recommend this as a good read. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
We are given insights into The Photographer, the creator of the advent calender, the crime scene photographs are taken in the old fashioned way using 35mm file. He began killing around the festive season because his beloved sister, Chrissie, was murdered in this period and the police have never got close to arresting the perpetrator. He is desperate for the police to re-examine the case and his killing spree are part of his need to get their attention for this purpose. Carly is a market trader with low self esteem and a marriage that is not working out, the killer has her in mind as a target. We find out later this is no random selection, but that she is chosen for her connections to someone deemed important to him. In the meantime, Becky and Eddie get closer to identifying the killer as they investigate leads, but the killer has them in his sights. Will Becky and Eddie be able to nail their man and survive?
This is a great dark crime thriller with twists. It is well plotted, suspenseful and full of tension to keep the reader engaged. The characters of Eddie, a man tired of life with his difficult family dynamics, and focusing his energies on his job, and Becky, a young detective with much to learn, are a great partnership. We are given insights into their personal lives and their work as they chase down a dangerous man and come to invest in them as the author develops them as authentic people. If you are looking for festive crime, then I can recommend this as a good read. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
November 8, 2017
Why has a regular advent calendar been sent to the local police? It looks perfectly normal.....until DC Becky Greene starts opening doors and discovers a crime scene behind almost every one. The police hope it's an internal prank because if it isn't, a murderer has just surfaced - someone who's been killing for twenty years. But why now? And why has he sent it to this police station? With Christmas nine sleeps away Greene and DS Eddie Carmine must race against time to catch the killer, with four doors left that means four murders will fill them.
"The Deaths of December" is a decent enough read based on a Christmas theme of an advent calendar revealing murders. Although I personally didn't find the story dark or disturbing it's still a clever plot with more of a gentler, cozy mystery feel to it. A lot of readers will enjoy this book, with Christmas fast approaching not everyone wants excessive gore, violence and language and this book fits perfectly along with good characters and a plot that does keep you relatively entertained. Becky and Eddie have a great relationship which I enjoyed reading about and found their individual troubled lives interesting.
The storyline is definitely original and a great idea too for the premise of a murder book. I particularly enjoyed reading 'The Photographer' chapters though he didn't quite instil the fear that most serial killers conjure up in your mind.
This is a decent police procedural that has obviously been researched well by the author Susi Holliday - who is already well established with her very successful 'Banktoun' trilogy which I've also read and thoroughly enjoyed.
There's a definite hint to a sequel at the end and I wish the author every success with this her latest novel.
3.5 stars
"The Deaths of December" is a decent enough read based on a Christmas theme of an advent calendar revealing murders. Although I personally didn't find the story dark or disturbing it's still a clever plot with more of a gentler, cozy mystery feel to it. A lot of readers will enjoy this book, with Christmas fast approaching not everyone wants excessive gore, violence and language and this book fits perfectly along with good characters and a plot that does keep you relatively entertained. Becky and Eddie have a great relationship which I enjoyed reading about and found their individual troubled lives interesting.
The storyline is definitely original and a great idea too for the premise of a murder book. I particularly enjoyed reading 'The Photographer' chapters though he didn't quite instil the fear that most serial killers conjure up in your mind.
This is a decent police procedural that has obviously been researched well by the author Susi Holliday - who is already well established with her very successful 'Banktoun' trilogy which I've also read and thoroughly enjoyed.
There's a definite hint to a sequel at the end and I wish the author every success with this her latest novel.
3.5 stars
November 5, 2017
The Deaths of December is a police procedural with an emphasis on the psychological angle set in Woodham, Surrey and is imbued with the spirit of Christmas and all things festive as the number of sleeps until Santa makes an appearance counts down. Whilst I was fascinated by an undoubtedly original premise and the promise of some dexterous plotting required to successfully execute such a feat, I found the pace disappointingly lacklustre and felt the entire novel lacked impetus. The pedestrian pace along with the Christmas analogies contributes to a novel that although isn’t a cosy crime read, has a distinctly light and frothy feel as opposed to the pulse-pounding thrillers which are typically associated with serial killers.
Nine sleeps until Christmas Day, a greasy breakfast and the relatively new to CID and very keen twenty-eight-year old DC Becky Greene is having a good day so far. Until, that is, she uses her initiative and opens a large square envelope in the post tray cryptically entitled, ‘To A Detective who knows what to do’. Along with a truck load of glitter inside is a homemade advent calendar and behind the first door is what could possibly represent a nativity scene.. surely a festive joke by someone with too much time on their hands? However, as Becky and a growing number of her CID colleagues congregate around her desk and further doors are opened, a close-up reveals that behind each one is a 35mm photo negative of a crime scene. As the office Grinch, DS Eddie Carmine and eager DC Greene take the lead in establishing it is not in fact a twisted office prank by the crime scene photographers, they are faced with the inevitable realisation that the only other person who could possibly have taken the photos is someone who was present at the crime scene and a killer with blood on their hands. With no standard victim or method employed DS Carmine and DC Greene find themselves in a race against time to join the dots and work out what could possibly connect the victims. And with the windows behind the last four doors ominously empty they are pitted against a killer crying out for attention and focused on thwarting another December killing.. DS Eddie Carmine has more reason to worry than most when he quickly realises that two of the crime scenes are ones that he has attended and he starts to realise that it isn’t only the attention of the police that the perpetrator wants, it is HIS attention and it isn’t the first time that the killer has sought him out.
Disappointingly, it takes over one-hundred-pages of the novel to identify the various crime scenes pictured and rule out a seasonal prank, however there are some clever patterns pointing the way to where the killer could potentially next strike. As Carmine and Greene look for clues in the first picture of the murder of student Chrissie Thacker and what could possibly have triggered a killing spree spanning twenty years, they find themselves striving for justice on behalf of every family ever affected by a frustrated killer intent on enacting a warped revenge. The likely perpetrator is established early on in proceedings and the rationale bandied around, inevitably leaving the reader mulling over the unlikelihood of orchestrating or conducting such a feat without detection. I suspect that one of the reasons for the sedate pace is the multiple perspectives employed by the author that inevitably leads to some repetition. The narrative is made up of a combination of third person focus on DS Eddie Carmine, DC Becky Greene and a depressed and functioning alcoholic woman named Carly who sells her pottery at craft fairs and Christmas markets and is on the lookout for male attention. It is at these events that Carly finds her path crossing with the perpetrator, whose first person narration is denoted by passages entitled ‘The Photographer’. The multiple perspectives gives rise to a choppiness and I found this rapid transition back and forth made it difficult to build and sustain tension.
The denouement leaves much still up in the air and suggests an inevitable sequel will be forthcoming and a return for DS Eddie Carmine and DC Becky Greene and whilst I thought they were both well fleshed out and credible, I was disappointed at the painfully slow execution. Whereas I like to be consumed and fixated by the novels that I read, I just didn’t find The Deaths of December compelling or intriguing enough to summon enthusiasm for a repeat experience. I thought both lead detectives were engaging and realistic protagonists, from jaded DS Carmine as an unhappily married family man with a failing marriage to enthusiastic DC Greene, not yet ready to move out from her family home and settle down with her dependable but uninspiring boyfriend. Both of these characters have scope for further development and the makings of a decent partnership.
In short, The Deaths of December is a novel which just didn’t sit right with me, largely because a number of aspects felt slightly off, from the unconvincing motivation of the perpetrator, to the portrayal of a serial killer who lies dormant for eleven-months of every year and has done so for the last two decades. The novel also makes for an uncomfortable mix of a determined DS Carmine and DC Greene engaged in a manhunt against a backdrop of Christmas markets, Secret Santa and festive office conviviality. An undemanding and amusing read with a noticeable lack of suspense which I found to be an uninspiring but ultimately solid police procedural.
Many thanks to TBConFB and the author, Susi Holliday, for the opportunity to read this novel and provide an unbiased review.
Nine sleeps until Christmas Day, a greasy breakfast and the relatively new to CID and very keen twenty-eight-year old DC Becky Greene is having a good day so far. Until, that is, she uses her initiative and opens a large square envelope in the post tray cryptically entitled, ‘To A Detective who knows what to do’. Along with a truck load of glitter inside is a homemade advent calendar and behind the first door is what could possibly represent a nativity scene.. surely a festive joke by someone with too much time on their hands? However, as Becky and a growing number of her CID colleagues congregate around her desk and further doors are opened, a close-up reveals that behind each one is a 35mm photo negative of a crime scene. As the office Grinch, DS Eddie Carmine and eager DC Greene take the lead in establishing it is not in fact a twisted office prank by the crime scene photographers, they are faced with the inevitable realisation that the only other person who could possibly have taken the photos is someone who was present at the crime scene and a killer with blood on their hands. With no standard victim or method employed DS Carmine and DC Greene find themselves in a race against time to join the dots and work out what could possibly connect the victims. And with the windows behind the last four doors ominously empty they are pitted against a killer crying out for attention and focused on thwarting another December killing.. DS Eddie Carmine has more reason to worry than most when he quickly realises that two of the crime scenes are ones that he has attended and he starts to realise that it isn’t only the attention of the police that the perpetrator wants, it is HIS attention and it isn’t the first time that the killer has sought him out.
Disappointingly, it takes over one-hundred-pages of the novel to identify the various crime scenes pictured and rule out a seasonal prank, however there are some clever patterns pointing the way to where the killer could potentially next strike. As Carmine and Greene look for clues in the first picture of the murder of student Chrissie Thacker and what could possibly have triggered a killing spree spanning twenty years, they find themselves striving for justice on behalf of every family ever affected by a frustrated killer intent on enacting a warped revenge. The likely perpetrator is established early on in proceedings and the rationale bandied around, inevitably leaving the reader mulling over the unlikelihood of orchestrating or conducting such a feat without detection. I suspect that one of the reasons for the sedate pace is the multiple perspectives employed by the author that inevitably leads to some repetition. The narrative is made up of a combination of third person focus on DS Eddie Carmine, DC Becky Greene and a depressed and functioning alcoholic woman named Carly who sells her pottery at craft fairs and Christmas markets and is on the lookout for male attention. It is at these events that Carly finds her path crossing with the perpetrator, whose first person narration is denoted by passages entitled ‘The Photographer’. The multiple perspectives gives rise to a choppiness and I found this rapid transition back and forth made it difficult to build and sustain tension.
The denouement leaves much still up in the air and suggests an inevitable sequel will be forthcoming and a return for DS Eddie Carmine and DC Becky Greene and whilst I thought they were both well fleshed out and credible, I was disappointed at the painfully slow execution. Whereas I like to be consumed and fixated by the novels that I read, I just didn’t find The Deaths of December compelling or intriguing enough to summon enthusiasm for a repeat experience. I thought both lead detectives were engaging and realistic protagonists, from jaded DS Carmine as an unhappily married family man with a failing marriage to enthusiastic DC Greene, not yet ready to move out from her family home and settle down with her dependable but uninspiring boyfriend. Both of these characters have scope for further development and the makings of a decent partnership.
In short, The Deaths of December is a novel which just didn’t sit right with me, largely because a number of aspects felt slightly off, from the unconvincing motivation of the perpetrator, to the portrayal of a serial killer who lies dormant for eleven-months of every year and has done so for the last two decades. The novel also makes for an uncomfortable mix of a determined DS Carmine and DC Greene engaged in a manhunt against a backdrop of Christmas markets, Secret Santa and festive office conviviality. An undemanding and amusing read with a noticeable lack of suspense which I found to be an uninspiring but ultimately solid police procedural.
Many thanks to TBConFB and the author, Susi Holliday, for the opportunity to read this novel and provide an unbiased review.
December 21, 2023
An advent calendar sent to the police station turns out to be anything but regular. It’s a race against time to catch a very determined and elusive killer.
First of all, I really like the characters from f Detectives Eddie Carmine and Becky Green. Their characters feel very authentic as do their relationships, especially how tricky it can be marrying an officer.
The plot is creative, the advent calendar idea is very good and the countdown adds an additional element of tension. It’s fast paced, the twists keep on coming right to the end and there are several scenes where the suspense and tension is palpable.
I really like the combination of Christmas with a mystery/thriller and this was a Christmas cracker! 🎄🥂🎉🎄
A buddy read with my friends Jayme and Susan. Check out if they thought it was a cracker too!!
First of all, I really like the characters from f Detectives Eddie Carmine and Becky Green. Their characters feel very authentic as do their relationships, especially how tricky it can be marrying an officer.
The plot is creative, the advent calendar idea is very good and the countdown adds an additional element of tension. It’s fast paced, the twists keep on coming right to the end and there are several scenes where the suspense and tension is palpable.
I really like the combination of Christmas with a mystery/thriller and this was a Christmas cracker! 🎄🥂🎉🎄
A buddy read with my friends Jayme and Susan. Check out if they thought it was a cracker too!!
December 22, 2023
Who Knew?
That advent calendars could be so sinister?
When a Christmas calendar with unsolved crime scene photos arrives at the police station addressed to a "Detective that knows what to do" the unsolved cases are re-opened.
I like police procedurals in general and this fit my taste with two interesting characters Becky Greene and lead detective Eddie. Both are engaging and surrounded by a great supporing cast.
Feel good Hallmark movies have their place on my remote but this is the flip side with many dark elements. However, the plotting and twists had me turning the pages of a book I hadn't previously considered.
Brought to my attention by Jayme as a buddy read, I enjoyed the author's writing style and have added the second in the series to my reading list.
As usual, discussing a book with friends is always fun and want to thank both Jayme and Ceecee. Please check out their reviews for their engaging opinions.
Amazon Kindle.
That advent calendars could be so sinister?
When a Christmas calendar with unsolved crime scene photos arrives at the police station addressed to a "Detective that knows what to do" the unsolved cases are re-opened.
I like police procedurals in general and this fit my taste with two interesting characters Becky Greene and lead detective Eddie. Both are engaging and surrounded by a great supporing cast.
Feel good Hallmark movies have their place on my remote but this is the flip side with many dark elements. However, the plotting and twists had me turning the pages of a book I hadn't previously considered.
Brought to my attention by Jayme as a buddy read, I enjoyed the author's writing style and have added the second in the series to my reading list.
As usual, discussing a book with friends is always fun and want to thank both Jayme and Ceecee. Please check out their reviews for their engaging opinions.
Amazon Kindle.
December 4, 2017
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Detective Constable Becky Green arrives for her shift at the police station nine days before Christmas. On arrival, she is handed her mail, including an envelope addressed to ‘To a detective who knows what to do’. Inside the envelope is a home made advent calendar.
Opening door number one Becky discovers a small photograph of a murder scene, in fact, it is her colleague, Detective Sergeant Eddie Carmine’s most recent and unsolved murder.
Behind most of the doors is a different murder scene, but there are a few left blank, presumably for the killers next victims. The race is on to find the person who is responsible and bring them to justice, but how, when all they have is a tiny photograph as evidence?
The Deaths of December complete and utterly perked my attention with its synopsis. I love a good Christmas book, and I also love thrillers, so the combination of the two was not to be missed.
The book is split into days, counting down from nine more sleeps before Christmas, until one day to go. It is also told from various points of view, including Detective Greene, Detective Carmine, The Photographer and a young woman called Carly.
From the start you know who, though not by name, and the basis of why the killer is killing. From what we are initially told I did think it strange as to why someone would become a serial killer for that reason, but as the plot progressed I understood more and more. Then the epilogue confirmed everything for me.
Both Becky and Eddie are very likeable and authentic. Having worked at a police station, including the CID department, at times it was like being back in the open office. Ms. Holliday certainly did her research into the life of a detective thoroughly.
The book is filled with gripping and quite often tense moments. The plot is original and very realistic. If I have one little gripe it is with the ending, I’m not saying it’s not good, it was just not in the direction I was expecting Ms. Holliday to take us. I can’t really tell you anything about it as I would spoil the book for you, but I do wonder whether this is the end, or is there going to be a sequel.
If you are looking for a thriller that is going to excite you, something to get your teeth into and keep you hooked, I would definitely recommend reading ‘The Deaths of December’.
Detective Constable Becky Green arrives for her shift at the police station nine days before Christmas. On arrival, she is handed her mail, including an envelope addressed to ‘To a detective who knows what to do’. Inside the envelope is a home made advent calendar.
Opening door number one Becky discovers a small photograph of a murder scene, in fact, it is her colleague, Detective Sergeant Eddie Carmine’s most recent and unsolved murder.
Behind most of the doors is a different murder scene, but there are a few left blank, presumably for the killers next victims. The race is on to find the person who is responsible and bring them to justice, but how, when all they have is a tiny photograph as evidence?
The Deaths of December complete and utterly perked my attention with its synopsis. I love a good Christmas book, and I also love thrillers, so the combination of the two was not to be missed.
The book is split into days, counting down from nine more sleeps before Christmas, until one day to go. It is also told from various points of view, including Detective Greene, Detective Carmine, The Photographer and a young woman called Carly.
From the start you know who, though not by name, and the basis of why the killer is killing. From what we are initially told I did think it strange as to why someone would become a serial killer for that reason, but as the plot progressed I understood more and more. Then the epilogue confirmed everything for me.
Both Becky and Eddie are very likeable and authentic. Having worked at a police station, including the CID department, at times it was like being back in the open office. Ms. Holliday certainly did her research into the life of a detective thoroughly.
The book is filled with gripping and quite often tense moments. The plot is original and very realistic. If I have one little gripe it is with the ending, I’m not saying it’s not good, it was just not in the direction I was expecting Ms. Holliday to take us. I can’t really tell you anything about it as I would spoil the book for you, but I do wonder whether this is the end, or is there going to be a sequel.
If you are looking for a thriller that is going to excite you, something to get your teeth into and keep you hooked, I would definitely recommend reading ‘The Deaths of December’.
August 19, 2018
Such a clever idea for a serial killer storyline. More so when tying it in with crime scene photography and the December staple, an advent calendar.
Susi Holliday is clearly a talented writer and this book finally signposts her arrival as a crime writer of the highest quality.
The plotting is complex and holds together well. The motives for the killing spree unique when viewed against the motivations attributed to psychopaths.
The varied points of view deployed to tell the story is another strong factor in demonstrating the author’s ease to tell a story an innovative way.
It also addresses the weaknesses in policing at not always solving serious crimes and the tendency to take the line of least resistance perhaps to wrap up a case once a suspect is in custody.
Eddie and Becky are the two voices of the police investigation they are bright detectives but fail to notice how close they are to their murderer.
This is a breath of fresh air in crime fiction; it plays out to be read at any time but during advent it will always carry a more menacing threat. Thrills a plenty and tension you might not want to cut with a knife as the perpetrator is wielding one already.
Some thought is also given to the victims of crime and surviving family members who perhaps relive their grief so poignantly every December in the build up to Christmas. Amid such sorrow and loss when others are joyful and wishing to celebrate, one’s pain can be turned to bitterness. This is the thrust of this wonderful novel and it was a great pleasure to read and place on record the quality of this novel.
Susi Holliday is a name we will be hearing a great deal more about into 2018 and I would urge you to seek out her books and share this journey with me to see a young author develop and demonstrate such creative talent in this cluttered genre. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person either, who initially struggled to meet deadlines, balancing a wage earning job with part time writing. That she has a skill set to make a career at this novel writing lark is so pleasing to see and each new book is something to embrace and welcome as her star continues to rise.
Susi Holliday is clearly a talented writer and this book finally signposts her arrival as a crime writer of the highest quality.
The plotting is complex and holds together well. The motives for the killing spree unique when viewed against the motivations attributed to psychopaths.
The varied points of view deployed to tell the story is another strong factor in demonstrating the author’s ease to tell a story an innovative way.
It also addresses the weaknesses in policing at not always solving serious crimes and the tendency to take the line of least resistance perhaps to wrap up a case once a suspect is in custody.
Eddie and Becky are the two voices of the police investigation they are bright detectives but fail to notice how close they are to their murderer.
This is a breath of fresh air in crime fiction; it plays out to be read at any time but during advent it will always carry a more menacing threat. Thrills a plenty and tension you might not want to cut with a knife as the perpetrator is wielding one already.
Some thought is also given to the victims of crime and surviving family members who perhaps relive their grief so poignantly every December in the build up to Christmas. Amid such sorrow and loss when others are joyful and wishing to celebrate, one’s pain can be turned to bitterness. This is the thrust of this wonderful novel and it was a great pleasure to read and place on record the quality of this novel.
Susi Holliday is a name we will be hearing a great deal more about into 2018 and I would urge you to seek out her books and share this journey with me to see a young author develop and demonstrate such creative talent in this cluttered genre. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person either, who initially struggled to meet deadlines, balancing a wage earning job with part time writing. That she has a skill set to make a career at this novel writing lark is so pleasing to see and each new book is something to embrace and welcome as her star continues to rise.
November 20, 2017
A creepy Christmas murder book!! Will never look at an advent calendar the same way again!
December 2, 2017
I was initially attracted to The Deaths of December because I loved this author’s previous books and I’m rather obsessed with Christmas. I love the festively creepy cover!
I loved that there was a festive theme to this crime novel, although I may open my traditional picture advent calendar with slight suspicion this year. I really enjoyed the chapters titled The Photographer, which allowed the reader to get into the mind of the killer.
I’m not a fan of police procedurals, so it was always going to be a gamble reading this book. Overall, it was an okay read, but as I don’t get excited by police procedure, the chase or the solving of crimes, I wasn’t best suited to this particular book. However, I’m certain lots of crime fans will thoroughly enjoy it.
Just before I go, I do highly recommend the Banktoun Trilogy by this author. I especially loved books one and three (Black Wood and The Damselfly), so do check it out.
I loved that there was a festive theme to this crime novel, although I may open my traditional picture advent calendar with slight suspicion this year. I really enjoyed the chapters titled The Photographer, which allowed the reader to get into the mind of the killer.
I’m not a fan of police procedurals, so it was always going to be a gamble reading this book. Overall, it was an okay read, but as I don’t get excited by police procedure, the chase or the solving of crimes, I wasn’t best suited to this particular book. However, I’m certain lots of crime fans will thoroughly enjoy it.
Just before I go, I do highly recommend the Banktoun Trilogy by this author. I especially loved books one and three (Black Wood and The Damselfly), so do check it out.
December 25, 2017
I'm a huge fan of the authors Banktoun series so was so excited to see she had another novel coming out and one that is set at Christmas.
There certainly isn't that many crime books set at this time of year so made me want to read it even more.
The story flicks between a few characters which did take me a while to settle into as it took me awhile to get a feel for them all. There wasn't much background at the beginning which I think is why it took me longer than usual to get into it.
As the story goes on though, i got to know them better and started to enjoy it more.
Overall a good read but didn't quite live up to my expectations having loved the authors other books. Even though I have read many books with alternating chapters, for me it stopped me from fully getting immersed into it until after half way which is a shame as from that point on I did enjoy it.
There certainly isn't that many crime books set at this time of year so made me want to read it even more.
The story flicks between a few characters which did take me a while to settle into as it took me awhile to get a feel for them all. There wasn't much background at the beginning which I think is why it took me longer than usual to get into it.
As the story goes on though, i got to know them better and started to enjoy it more.
Overall a good read but didn't quite live up to my expectations having loved the authors other books. Even though I have read many books with alternating chapters, for me it stopped me from fully getting immersed into it until after half way which is a shame as from that point on I did enjoy it.
September 15, 2017
I’m not sure how many sleeps it is until Christmas right now (no please don’t tell me!) but if you are already looking out for the perfect book gift to give this year and you prefer your festive season dark and dastardly, you probably can’t go wrong picking this one up and popping it into a few stockings. Keeping one for yourself of course…
The Deaths of December is a rocking good crime read, twisted and clever, personally I might sit and read it again on Christmas Eve when there will only be one more sleep….
A very different kind of advent calendar turns up, showing mini crime scenes – some of which are all too familiar to Eddie Carmine – together with Becky Greene he tries to untangle a killers’ pointed yet hidden message – and prevent more deaths at this oh so happy (???!!??) time of year.
I’ve always loved the characters that Susi Holliday portrays in her novels – they are very very real, could easily be your neighbour or your friend (even the killers!) which makes any reading of her novels a truly immersive experience. I hesitate to say that a Christmas book featuring a serial killer can be all the fun – but actually it WAS all the fun, a story I got all tangled up in until the final resolution which was perfectly formed.
As the countdown continues it gets ever more intense, there are also a lot of hidden layers here, it is like unwrapping a gift only to find another wrapped gift and so forth until you end up with a severed finger or something (yes my mind just goes there ) as things unwind and we find out what is behind that final door. So to speak.
Spoiler: It ain’t puppies, kittens, or the jolly fat man in red.
The writing as ever is excellent, the plot tightly woven and endlessly intriguing and this is absolutely my type of Christmas read – dispensing with the holly and the church bells and replacing them with bodies and bloodshed. Criminally good reading.
Highly Recommended.
The Deaths of December is a rocking good crime read, twisted and clever, personally I might sit and read it again on Christmas Eve when there will only be one more sleep….
A very different kind of advent calendar turns up, showing mini crime scenes – some of which are all too familiar to Eddie Carmine – together with Becky Greene he tries to untangle a killers’ pointed yet hidden message – and prevent more deaths at this oh so happy (???!!??) time of year.
I’ve always loved the characters that Susi Holliday portrays in her novels – they are very very real, could easily be your neighbour or your friend (even the killers!) which makes any reading of her novels a truly immersive experience. I hesitate to say that a Christmas book featuring a serial killer can be all the fun – but actually it WAS all the fun, a story I got all tangled up in until the final resolution which was perfectly formed.
As the countdown continues it gets ever more intense, there are also a lot of hidden layers here, it is like unwrapping a gift only to find another wrapped gift and so forth until you end up with a severed finger or something (yes my mind just goes there ) as things unwind and we find out what is behind that final door. So to speak.
Spoiler: It ain’t puppies, kittens, or the jolly fat man in red.
The writing as ever is excellent, the plot tightly woven and endlessly intriguing and this is absolutely my type of Christmas read – dispensing with the holly and the church bells and replacing them with bodies and bloodshed. Criminally good reading.
Highly Recommended.
December 18, 2017
I want to start by saying…..
OMG BEST CHRISTMAS BOOK EVER!!!!!!
Whilst I do love a nice cosy and cheery Christmas book, I am obviously hiding a very dark side to my “sweet natured Grandma” persona because this book hit absolutely every single button for me! It was dark, disturbing and devilishly hypnotic! If your choice of festive film is less Christmas with The Kranks and more Krampus then you are going to completely fall in LOVE with The Deaths of December!
When an advent calendar gets delivered to Woodham CID addressed “To a Detective who knows what to do” DC Becky Greene decides to open it. But this is no ordinary advent calendar! No, this one contains photos from real life crime scenes behind its numbered doors. And even more worryingly, there are four doors that seem to be awaiting their pictures. So is this a serial killer? Because if so, it looks like they still have a little unfinished business to carry out! Becky teams up with DS Eddie Carmine (I mean, just how Christmassy is THAT partnership?!) to try and solve the mystery and therefore (hopefully!) save some lives.
This started off pretty much like your run of the mill police crime thriller but about a third of the way through, I realised I was enjoying it far more than I thought I would- it seemed to bring something very different to the genre for me! There was a “lightbulb” moment that had my jaw dropping and me kicking myself for my rubbish observation skills but more than that, I had begun to realise that I had come to care very deeply for these characters and that totally threw me! And when I say characters, I do mean other than just Becky and Eddie. I also felt very attached to Carly AND, most surprisingly, The Photographer as well! Rarely have my emotions been so conflicted and I began to speed up my reading pace at that point so that I could reach the chilling conclusion and find out exactly what fate was awaiting them all.
I also have to thank Susi Holliday for bringing back some golden tv memories for me! I mean, I had completely forgotten about Gary Cole and his roles in “Midnight Caller” and the brilliant, but surprisingly underrated, ” American Gothic ” both of which I was a huge fan of but they had become tucked up, sadly forgotten, on a dusty shelf in my menopausal memory library.
I was a huge fan of Susi Holliday’s Banktoun Trilogy and was devastated when it ended and it was with that love in my heart that I cautiously entered the world of Greene and Carmine so can I just say that, at the risk of being disloyal to DS Davie Gray, I really REALLY want more of this new dream team!! Their professional chemistry exploded purposefully off the page and a reaction like that deserves to be explored further!
This is definitely my favourite Christmas book of 2017 so if you’ve not already discovered it, treat yourself to a very different experience over the festive season. I promise you that you’re going to love it! Now, how many sleeps is it till Christmas Day?!
OMG BEST CHRISTMAS BOOK EVER!!!!!!
Whilst I do love a nice cosy and cheery Christmas book, I am obviously hiding a very dark side to my “sweet natured Grandma” persona because this book hit absolutely every single button for me! It was dark, disturbing and devilishly hypnotic! If your choice of festive film is less Christmas with The Kranks and more Krampus then you are going to completely fall in LOVE with The Deaths of December!
When an advent calendar gets delivered to Woodham CID addressed “To a Detective who knows what to do” DC Becky Greene decides to open it. But this is no ordinary advent calendar! No, this one contains photos from real life crime scenes behind its numbered doors. And even more worryingly, there are four doors that seem to be awaiting their pictures. So is this a serial killer? Because if so, it looks like they still have a little unfinished business to carry out! Becky teams up with DS Eddie Carmine (I mean, just how Christmassy is THAT partnership?!) to try and solve the mystery and therefore (hopefully!) save some lives.
This started off pretty much like your run of the mill police crime thriller but about a third of the way through, I realised I was enjoying it far more than I thought I would- it seemed to bring something very different to the genre for me! There was a “lightbulb” moment that had my jaw dropping and me kicking myself for my rubbish observation skills but more than that, I had begun to realise that I had come to care very deeply for these characters and that totally threw me! And when I say characters, I do mean other than just Becky and Eddie. I also felt very attached to Carly AND, most surprisingly, The Photographer as well! Rarely have my emotions been so conflicted and I began to speed up my reading pace at that point so that I could reach the chilling conclusion and find out exactly what fate was awaiting them all.
I also have to thank Susi Holliday for bringing back some golden tv memories for me! I mean, I had completely forgotten about Gary Cole and his roles in “Midnight Caller” and the brilliant, but surprisingly underrated, ” American Gothic ” both of which I was a huge fan of but they had become tucked up, sadly forgotten, on a dusty shelf in my menopausal memory library.
I was a huge fan of Susi Holliday’s Banktoun Trilogy and was devastated when it ended and it was with that love in my heart that I cautiously entered the world of Greene and Carmine so can I just say that, at the risk of being disloyal to DS Davie Gray, I really REALLY want more of this new dream team!! Their professional chemistry exploded purposefully off the page and a reaction like that deserves to be explored further!
This is definitely my favourite Christmas book of 2017 so if you’ve not already discovered it, treat yourself to a very different experience over the festive season. I promise you that you’re going to love it! Now, how many sleeps is it till Christmas Day?!
November 20, 2017
This is such an intriguing book at the start, an Advent calendar delivered to a police station, but not like any sort we would be used to seeing. Upon realising that the pictures are actual crime scene images, the hunt begins to identify the crime scenes and the bodies as well as the identity of the killer. It is the job of DI Becky Greene and her boss DS Eddie Carmine to discover who is behind this macabre calendar, along with other members of the police.
Wow, what a concept, what a story, what a book! I loved the angle with the calendar and the fact that the story is told via four people, Becky, Eddie, Carly and the photographer. As the story develops, so does that of the characters and who they are and what they do. Only the photographer is told in the first person and this adds so much more to the character and what is in their mind and thoughts. It is well laid out so that when the story flits between the characters there is no confusion, they compliment each other.
Then midway through .......blindsided or what !?! I did not see that one coming. Suzi has thrown in an amazing plot twist that actually made me shout, enough to make the dogs jump and get them barking, which in turn made me jump, scaring the hell out of me, talk about the unexpected plot twist ! What a beauty it is, a deeply twisted, festive murder, thriller, mystery with a good psychological twist to it.
There was a lot I loved about this book, the dynamics between Becky and Eddie, as well as some of the other characters in the police station. A glimpse into their individual families and a brief look at their own personal story. There is the suggestion of there being more to these two particular characters than meets the eye, and I would be interested to read more about these two. (HINT, HINT Suzi :) )
This is a deliciously deep, twisted festive delight. A book that highly recommend to readers of thriller, crime, mystery, suspense and murder.
Oh, almost forgot, I loved the TV show that is mentioned in the book. I though t it was blooming brilliant.
Wow, what a concept, what a story, what a book! I loved the angle with the calendar and the fact that the story is told via four people, Becky, Eddie, Carly and the photographer. As the story develops, so does that of the characters and who they are and what they do. Only the photographer is told in the first person and this adds so much more to the character and what is in their mind and thoughts. It is well laid out so that when the story flits between the characters there is no confusion, they compliment each other.
Then midway through .......blindsided or what !?! I did not see that one coming. Suzi has thrown in an amazing plot twist that actually made me shout, enough to make the dogs jump and get them barking, which in turn made me jump, scaring the hell out of me, talk about the unexpected plot twist ! What a beauty it is, a deeply twisted, festive murder, thriller, mystery with a good psychological twist to it.
There was a lot I loved about this book, the dynamics between Becky and Eddie, as well as some of the other characters in the police station. A glimpse into their individual families and a brief look at their own personal story. There is the suggestion of there being more to these two particular characters than meets the eye, and I would be interested to read more about these two. (HINT, HINT Suzi :) )
This is a deliciously deep, twisted festive delight. A book that highly recommend to readers of thriller, crime, mystery, suspense and murder.
Oh, almost forgot, I loved the TV show that is mentioned in the book. I though t it was blooming brilliant.
December 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this one. It was a plot that I'd not come across before, and I found that I just couldn't read it fast enough. I did figure out who the killer was quite early on in the book, ages before it was revealed and it annoyed me a little, which is one of the reasons I didn't give it a higher rating. Another reason was because the ending just seemed a little anticlimactic. I just kind of expected more. I'm looking forward to starting the second book in the series.
November 11, 2017
With thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Staunton for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
Christmas is my favourite time of year and I like to read books with a festive theme in the run up to the festivities. Christmas books are normally romances so I enjoyed The Deaths of December for the anti Christmas twist. There is something about a killer on the loose when everyone is happy that racks up the tension.
D.C. Emma Greene comes into work one morning and is asked to take the post upstairs to CID. The envelope is addressed 'To a detective who knows what to do'. Inside is a advent calendar with a difference, behind each window is a picture of a crime scene.
Her colleague DS Eddie Carmine is working on the murder of Linda Hollis but has no credible leads. Eddie's boss asks him to work with Emma to find out if the calendar is some sort of sick joke. He realises it's not when he finds a photo of the Hollis crime scene behind one of the Windows.
Eddie and Emma find out the other pictures are real-life crime scene photos. The number they are given on the advent calendar was their real life door number
The chapters are split between the POV of The Photographer (who is the murderer), Eddie, Emma and Carly. Carly is an alcoholic in a unhappy marriage who The Photographer intends to be his next victim.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie and Emma. Emma lives at home with her widowed father who is a technology geek. She has a perfect but boring boyfriend who wants her to move in but she is reluctant. Eddie is married with two teenage children, he is in a unhappy marriage and thinks she will leave him.
The Deaths Of December had a expertly woven plot with an amazing twist at the end. I hope this means there will be a sequel for Carmine and Greene.
Christmas is my favourite time of year and I like to read books with a festive theme in the run up to the festivities. Christmas books are normally romances so I enjoyed The Deaths of December for the anti Christmas twist. There is something about a killer on the loose when everyone is happy that racks up the tension.
D.C. Emma Greene comes into work one morning and is asked to take the post upstairs to CID. The envelope is addressed 'To a detective who knows what to do'. Inside is a advent calendar with a difference, behind each window is a picture of a crime scene.
Her colleague DS Eddie Carmine is working on the murder of Linda Hollis but has no credible leads. Eddie's boss asks him to work with Emma to find out if the calendar is some sort of sick joke. He realises it's not when he finds a photo of the Hollis crime scene behind one of the Windows.
Eddie and Emma find out the other pictures are real-life crime scene photos. The number they are given on the advent calendar was their real life door number
The chapters are split between the POV of The Photographer (who is the murderer), Eddie, Emma and Carly. Carly is an alcoholic in a unhappy marriage who The Photographer intends to be his next victim.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie and Emma. Emma lives at home with her widowed father who is a technology geek. She has a perfect but boring boyfriend who wants her to move in but she is reluctant. Eddie is married with two teenage children, he is in a unhappy marriage and thinks she will leave him.
The Deaths Of December had a expertly woven plot with an amazing twist at the end. I hope this means there will be a sequel for Carmine and Greene.
November 2, 2017
Well, this certainly isn't your cosy, comforting, christmassy read but it's guaranteed to rattle a few baubles!
What a brilliant and unique idea, to base murder/s on an advent calendar. It's certainly put a twist on the traditional crime thriller, and one i thorough;y enjoyed because of it.
The story is a well conceived and well written idea that has turned into a brilliant story. I mean, really, who'd have thought it possible for such an innocuous object as the traditional advent calendar, could strike such fear into the heart and mind? For those of us who like a bit more of the dark and macabre (even at christmas) then this is definitely one i'll be recommending to you.
The chapters are relatively short and snappy, so therefore the story is broken down into manageable parts. With enough surprises and wrong turns, it's enough to keep the reader guessing and wanting to turn the page.
Once again, a fantastic triumph for the author.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me an ARC.
Although it was an ARC, all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
What a brilliant and unique idea, to base murder/s on an advent calendar. It's certainly put a twist on the traditional crime thriller, and one i thorough;y enjoyed because of it.
The story is a well conceived and well written idea that has turned into a brilliant story. I mean, really, who'd have thought it possible for such an innocuous object as the traditional advent calendar, could strike such fear into the heart and mind? For those of us who like a bit more of the dark and macabre (even at christmas) then this is definitely one i'll be recommending to you.
The chapters are relatively short and snappy, so therefore the story is broken down into manageable parts. With enough surprises and wrong turns, it's enough to keep the reader guessing and wanting to turn the page.
Once again, a fantastic triumph for the author.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me an ARC.
Although it was an ARC, all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
October 9, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Deaths of December, a police procedural set in Surrey.
Becky Greene is still settling in to her new job as a detective constable in CID when she opens an envelope marked "to a Detective who knows what to do". Inside it is an advent calendar with photographic negatives from crime scenes in most of the windows. After establishing that it isn't a festive joke Becky and her sergeant, Eddie Carmine, are on the hunt for a killer.
I like the premise of The Deaths of December which is unusual and thus a bit different from the norm but the execution lets it down. This is one of those novels with alternating points of view, not least the killer. Helpfully Ms Halliday titles each change with a name, except the killer who is referred to as The Photographer. I'm not a big fan of this approach as it's distracting and doesn't hold my attention. The shifting perspective makes it impossible to get fully immersed.
I also found the killer's motivation rather unbelievable. There is no doubt about it as it is stated almost from the start so there is no need to guess and in some ways it makes the investigation redundant as the reader knows already. His identity will also not come as a big surprise to seasoned crime fiction readers as it is fairly obvious from early on.
Needless to say both Becky and Eddie have troubled home lives. Much of it is unresolved by the end, paving the way for a sequel I presume. It should also be noted that there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the novel, which many readers don't like, again paving the way for a sequel. Would I read it? Probably as I like Becky and Eddie who are well drawn and realistic.
The Deaths of December is a solid police procedural with engaging protagonists.
Becky Greene is still settling in to her new job as a detective constable in CID when she opens an envelope marked "to a Detective who knows what to do". Inside it is an advent calendar with photographic negatives from crime scenes in most of the windows. After establishing that it isn't a festive joke Becky and her sergeant, Eddie Carmine, are on the hunt for a killer.
I like the premise of The Deaths of December which is unusual and thus a bit different from the norm but the execution lets it down. This is one of those novels with alternating points of view, not least the killer. Helpfully Ms Halliday titles each change with a name, except the killer who is referred to as The Photographer. I'm not a big fan of this approach as it's distracting and doesn't hold my attention. The shifting perspective makes it impossible to get fully immersed.
I also found the killer's motivation rather unbelievable. There is no doubt about it as it is stated almost from the start so there is no need to guess and in some ways it makes the investigation redundant as the reader knows already. His identity will also not come as a big surprise to seasoned crime fiction readers as it is fairly obvious from early on.
Needless to say both Becky and Eddie have troubled home lives. Much of it is unresolved by the end, paving the way for a sequel I presume. It should also be noted that there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the novel, which many readers don't like, again paving the way for a sequel. Would I read it? Probably as I like Becky and Eddie who are well drawn and realistic.
The Deaths of December is a solid police procedural with engaging protagonists.
November 15, 2017
When an advent calendar is sent to a police station, no one takes any notice until a young DC opens it and discovers a murder behind each day. Instead of munching mince pies and winding down for the Christmas season, DC Greene and DS Carmine and their team find themselves looking for a murderer, who appears to be killing at random. With four more doors left on the calendar, there are four people who could be saved - if the police find the killer in time.
I am a self-confessed Scrooge and therefore a murder mystery set during "the most wonderful time of the year" made a great deal of sense to me. I almost empathised with the criminal! Actually, I did empathise with the killer but not because of their loathing of Christmas but because of their motive. I think Susi Holliday has managed to create a complex character in her murderer which is really refreshing. I often find the 'bad guy' a little two dimension in novels so it was interesting to read about a murderer with some depth.
I felt like Carmine and Greene (she what she did there?) were characters I knew even though this was their first outing. Holliday creates characters that confound the usual stereotypes.
The premise of 'The Deaths of December' is really original and I found the way it unfolded an interesting technique.
This is a well written festive tale with plenty of punch and a killer last line.
I am a self-confessed Scrooge and therefore a murder mystery set during "the most wonderful time of the year" made a great deal of sense to me. I almost empathised with the criminal! Actually, I did empathise with the killer but not because of their loathing of Christmas but because of their motive. I think Susi Holliday has managed to create a complex character in her murderer which is really refreshing. I often find the 'bad guy' a little two dimension in novels so it was interesting to read about a murderer with some depth.
I felt like Carmine and Greene (she what she did there?) were characters I knew even though this was their first outing. Holliday creates characters that confound the usual stereotypes.
The premise of 'The Deaths of December' is really original and I found the way it unfolded an interesting technique.
This is a well written festive tale with plenty of punch and a killer last line.
Read
February 22, 2018I used to read quite a lot of the serial killer books - Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs and so on. I stopped most of the way through a Cornwell which was lovingly spending time in the killer's head: a killer very focused on Cornwell's forensic pathologist.
As these things go, this was a pretty good serial killer book. The victims weren't all (or even mostly) young women. There was no loving descriptions of corpses. We still spent a lot of time in the head of the killer, and there were a couple of instances of brutal violence, and I did end up remembering that, y'know, I don't much like serial killer books any more. But a reasonable read for those looking for a new police procedural series.
As these things go, this was a pretty good serial killer book. The victims weren't all (or even mostly) young women. There was no loving descriptions of corpses. We still spent a lot of time in the head of the killer, and there were a couple of instances of brutal violence, and I did end up remembering that, y'know, I don't much like serial killer books any more. But a reasonable read for those looking for a new police procedural series.
December 26, 2018
Bah, humbug!
Some people go a bit nuts around Christmas time, and act like the world is ending. Our killer in Deaths of December took all this one step further. One murder in December, for the past two decades, and still counting.
When the police receives an advent calendar, addressed to “a detective who knows what to do”, they all think it’s some sort of a prank. All, apart from Eddie Carmine, who recognizes a photo of his latest unsolved case behind one of the doors. He and Becky Greene (yes, Carmine & Greene, ha!) set out to track down a prolific seasonal murderer before he can ruin anyone else’s Christmas.
The story is mainly told by Becky and Eddie, interspersed by a few quips by the killer himself, and Carly, a woman who sells pottery at Christmas markets. When she can actually be bothered.
Eddie is an eager, but somewhat disillusioned cop, who even flirted with the idea of leaving the force. Well, nothing like a serial killer on the loose to keep you motivated! Becky is in her late twenties, still living with her dad, and she’s the sort of person who drinks large lattes “extra hot” (with emphasis), tells her boyfriend who is in the middle of cooking her dinner that she’d rather eat something else from somewhere else (pretty please, with cherry on top, eyelashes batting), and consumes a shitload of Indian take away food, while not considering it “real food”. #eyeroll Yes, I didn’t like Becky.
“He sighs theatrically. ‘I go to all this effort …’ He lets the sentence hang. She can tell by his voice that he’s just as happy as her to have a curry, even though they’ve been eating more takeaways than real food lately.”
They mystery itself was twisty enough, but what a whiny serial killer we got here, my word! He doesn’t enjoy it, you see, and he just wants to rest, but oh he can’t. Bitch, please.
There were a few interesting snippets of different folklore elements I found interesting, but overall this was just an average crime mystery with a main character who may have had a reason to be they way she is, but she kept it so well to herself, that I couldn’t help but think she’s just an ungrateful, annoying woman who lacks self awareness.
“In Germany and Austria, they have Frau Perchta, a witch who likes to rip out the internal organs of the sinful and replace them with rubbish. In France, there is Père Fouettard, who along with his wife, likes to kill, chop and salt children before eating them.”
I did like Eddie a lot though. Wouldn’t mind if he had a spin off!
Some people go a bit nuts around Christmas time, and act like the world is ending. Our killer in Deaths of December took all this one step further. One murder in December, for the past two decades, and still counting.
When the police receives an advent calendar, addressed to “a detective who knows what to do”, they all think it’s some sort of a prank. All, apart from Eddie Carmine, who recognizes a photo of his latest unsolved case behind one of the doors. He and Becky Greene (yes, Carmine & Greene, ha!) set out to track down a prolific seasonal murderer before he can ruin anyone else’s Christmas.
The story is mainly told by Becky and Eddie, interspersed by a few quips by the killer himself, and Carly, a woman who sells pottery at Christmas markets. When she can actually be bothered.
Eddie is an eager, but somewhat disillusioned cop, who even flirted with the idea of leaving the force. Well, nothing like a serial killer on the loose to keep you motivated! Becky is in her late twenties, still living with her dad, and she’s the sort of person who drinks large lattes “extra hot” (with emphasis), tells her boyfriend who is in the middle of cooking her dinner that she’d rather eat something else from somewhere else (pretty please, with cherry on top, eyelashes batting), and consumes a shitload of Indian take away food, while not considering it “real food”. #eyeroll Yes, I didn’t like Becky.
“He sighs theatrically. ‘I go to all this effort …’ He lets the sentence hang. She can tell by his voice that he’s just as happy as her to have a curry, even though they’ve been eating more takeaways than real food lately.”
They mystery itself was twisty enough, but what a whiny serial killer we got here, my word! He doesn’t enjoy it, you see, and he just wants to rest, but oh he can’t. Bitch, please.
There were a few interesting snippets of different folklore elements I found interesting, but overall this was just an average crime mystery with a main character who may have had a reason to be they way she is, but she kept it so well to herself, that I couldn’t help but think she’s just an ungrateful, annoying woman who lacks self awareness.
“In Germany and Austria, they have Frau Perchta, a witch who likes to rip out the internal organs of the sinful and replace them with rubbish. In France, there is Père Fouettard, who along with his wife, likes to kill, chop and salt children before eating them.”
I did like Eddie a lot though. Wouldn’t mind if he had a spin off!
December 26, 2018
3.25
I've had this one on my shelf for a while and I wanted to wait till Christmas to read it.
One of the most things I enjoyed reading about this novel is how Christmas (a happy holiday) was turned dark and full of murder. This is such an interesting approach to writing a novel and contrasting a happy event for families to come together and turning it into a murder novel is just awesome to read.
When we think of advent calendars, the first thing that comes to mind is chocolate. But imagine receiving an advent calendar with crime scenes inside and each and everyday till Christmas comes, a murder is on the loose killing people. Way to get in the Christmas spirit, am I right?
I found this book very enjoyable to read and the thing I loved most about it was the multiple point of views that we were getting. This one does come with its own set of twists so do watch out for those! I just love the entire Christmas feel to it and even though it was a crime novel, the advent calendar aspect gave the book a huge Christmas feel.
Holliday really succeeded with the use of the advent calendar and I have to say it really did keep things interesting in the book..
If you're looking for a nice little Christmas crime novel then this is the novel for you.
Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada and Mullholland Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I've had this one on my shelf for a while and I wanted to wait till Christmas to read it.
One of the most things I enjoyed reading about this novel is how Christmas (a happy holiday) was turned dark and full of murder. This is such an interesting approach to writing a novel and contrasting a happy event for families to come together and turning it into a murder novel is just awesome to read.
When we think of advent calendars, the first thing that comes to mind is chocolate. But imagine receiving an advent calendar with crime scenes inside and each and everyday till Christmas comes, a murder is on the loose killing people. Way to get in the Christmas spirit, am I right?
I found this book very enjoyable to read and the thing I loved most about it was the multiple point of views that we were getting. This one does come with its own set of twists so do watch out for those! I just love the entire Christmas feel to it and even though it was a crime novel, the advent calendar aspect gave the book a huge Christmas feel.
Holliday really succeeded with the use of the advent calendar and I have to say it really did keep things interesting in the book..
If you're looking for a nice little Christmas crime novel then this is the novel for you.
Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada and Mullholland Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
October 27, 2017
This was the first book I read from Susi Holliday but I am already looking forward to reading more of her. I love those books where the setting is almost as important as the story and the main characters. The Deaths of December is very well written, with likable and less likable characters, twists and turns and enough for the reader to stay interested, because the story get fed to us in short chapters; each chapter written from another viewpoint.
A clever plot, good characters, room for some humor and a very good surprise at the end. Very well done.
Thanks to NetGalley.
A clever plot, good characters, room for some humor and a very good surprise at the end. Very well done.
Thanks to NetGalley.
November 16, 2017
Well, this is a bit different to the kind of Christmas book I usually read! A fabulous psychological thriller that’s full of murder and intrigue. The story moves along at a cracking pace and kept me turning the pages long into the night. Susi Holliday is a fantastic writer and her latest offering did not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. A gripping 4 star read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. A gripping 4 star read that I highly recommend.
December 8, 2017
Well I do love a good Christmas book, and this was certainly a great Christmas book - but one without the festivities, good will and light heartedness of the season. That is because there is clearly a murderer on the loose. A rather sick minded person who has slipped by for years without being caught.
But this year, the murderer has upped the ante and rather wants to be caught if the police are smart enough.
20 cold cases, each represented by a photo behind a door of an advent calendar that is sent to the police. However is it a prank, or is there really a serial killer on the loose.
Told from many perspectives including the photographer, DC Becky Greene, DS Eddie Carmine and Carly we are slowly able to piece together the story, get insights into the mind of a mass murderer and also discover more about the personal lives of the detectives.
I do love a police procedural and was fascinated in how Becky and Eddie were able to start analysing the data and look for clues. This was rather more involved though just due to the sheer enormity of what they are looking into and the distinct lack of anything obvious to work from.
This is a brilliant story that once it captured my attention, I was seemingly oblivious to my surroundings, until I could think of was the book. Carly is a potter, and travels to various craft markets selling her wares, so we did get some festive cheer with the descriptions of Christmas craft markets, but apart from that the book felt like the anti-Christmas with its goings on.
Watch out for the epilogue, it caught me slightly unawares!
But this year, the murderer has upped the ante and rather wants to be caught if the police are smart enough.
20 cold cases, each represented by a photo behind a door of an advent calendar that is sent to the police. However is it a prank, or is there really a serial killer on the loose.
Told from many perspectives including the photographer, DC Becky Greene, DS Eddie Carmine and Carly we are slowly able to piece together the story, get insights into the mind of a mass murderer and also discover more about the personal lives of the detectives.
I do love a police procedural and was fascinated in how Becky and Eddie were able to start analysing the data and look for clues. This was rather more involved though just due to the sheer enormity of what they are looking into and the distinct lack of anything obvious to work from.
This is a brilliant story that once it captured my attention, I was seemingly oblivious to my surroundings, until I could think of was the book. Carly is a potter, and travels to various craft markets selling her wares, so we did get some festive cheer with the descriptions of Christmas craft markets, but apart from that the book felt like the anti-Christmas with its goings on.
Watch out for the epilogue, it caught me slightly unawares!
December 31, 2017
3.5 stars review.
I've not read a police procedural book in a while and this was a lovely changed from my normal thriller books. I chose this book to read because the cover looked fantastic and who doesn't like a good Christmas crime book.
An advent calendar was sent in the post to the local police station. Behind each window shows a crime scene, one which DS Eddie Carmine cant seem to solve. While this was a brilliant plot it just didn't pack a punch for me. I thought it would be more crime thriller than police procedural and felt the ended left me a little lost.
The style of wiring from the author was good and for this reason I would seek other books by this author. I liked how the book flips from different perspectives, I enjoyed the killers perspective the most, the author nailed the fact that this was a creepy and twisted individual who you as the reader, want nothing more than him caught.
I've not read a police procedural book in a while and this was a lovely changed from my normal thriller books. I chose this book to read because the cover looked fantastic and who doesn't like a good Christmas crime book.
An advent calendar was sent in the post to the local police station. Behind each window shows a crime scene, one which DS Eddie Carmine cant seem to solve. While this was a brilliant plot it just didn't pack a punch for me. I thought it would be more crime thriller than police procedural and felt the ended left me a little lost.
The style of wiring from the author was good and for this reason I would seek other books by this author. I liked how the book flips from different perspectives, I enjoyed the killers perspective the most, the author nailed the fact that this was a creepy and twisted individual who you as the reader, want nothing more than him caught.
December 27, 2018
I really liked the idea behind this book: Becky, a keen rookie cop receives an unusual advent calendar in the departmental mail, pointing to crime scenes of unsolved murders which have occurred during the Christmas season in the last 20 years in the Surrey/ Thames Valley area. She teams up with Eddie, an experienced detective who has a strange connection to the serial killings as he may have met the killer during his investigation of a killing 10 years before. Though this book is not a cozy, it doesn't dwell excessively on the macabre and is a great read for anyone who wishes to escape the excesses of the holidays and yet be attuned to "the most wonderful time of the year". The characters are well-drawn and sympathetic and this book would make the beginning of a great series; my only beef was that the last quarter was a bit drawn out and the final chapter was puzzling, though possibly a necessary tease.
December 30, 2023
'...she’d been suffocated face-down, bruises on her back from where the perpetrator had knelt on her, finger marks on the back of her neck from where he’d pushed her face into the black and white cushion adorned with the smiling face of Marilyn Monroe.'
'Number six, number six; strangle, smother or hit you with bricks?
My laughter echoes inside the metal walls of the van. Laughter sounds so hollow when you’ve no one to share it with.'
In The Deaths of December, a killer sends an advent calendar to a police station, and behind each door is a gruesome crime scene… but there are four empty doors, so Detectives Eddie Carmine and Becky Greene must race to find the killer before he strikes again. It’s basically the opposite of the cosy Christmas mystery, so if you prefer your festive reads a bit more bloody, you will like it!
E-📖
'Number six, number six; strangle, smother or hit you with bricks?
My laughter echoes inside the metal walls of the van. Laughter sounds so hollow when you’ve no one to share it with.'
In The Deaths of December, a killer sends an advent calendar to a police station, and behind each door is a gruesome crime scene… but there are four empty doors, so Detectives Eddie Carmine and Becky Greene must race to find the killer before he strikes again. It’s basically the opposite of the cosy Christmas mystery, so if you prefer your festive reads a bit more bloody, you will like it!
E-📖
December 3, 2020
This was a really quick and easy to read crime thriller but it didn't blow me away.
I thought the concept was really cool. I liked the whole thing with the advent calendar.
But the book really liked suspense or any excitement. Who the killer is, is set out very early on and there isn't many twists or turns.
The writing was okay. I didn't feel like it was anything special.
I also didn't particularly care for any of the characters. I didn't feel any connection to them.
I liked reading a thriller based on Christmas but it definitely wasn't my favourite thriller I've ever read.
If you'll looking for a quick Christmas thriller to read then maybe check it out but I personally don't think this book is anything special.
TW: suicide references, violence and murder
I thought the concept was really cool. I liked the whole thing with the advent calendar.
But the book really liked suspense or any excitement. Who the killer is, is set out very early on and there isn't many twists or turns.
The writing was okay. I didn't feel like it was anything special.
I also didn't particularly care for any of the characters. I didn't feel any connection to them.
I liked reading a thriller based on Christmas but it definitely wasn't my favourite thriller I've ever read.
If you'll looking for a quick Christmas thriller to read then maybe check it out but I personally don't think this book is anything special.
TW: suicide references, violence and murder
November 12, 2017
I absolutely love reading Christmas books but they are usually chick lit ones, however when I saw the cover for this, which completely beckoned me, I decided to give it a go.
Suffice to say, I'm so glad that I did. It was a thoroughly entertaining read, love the police procedural element, as always gives you an interesting and different insight to the story. The story was also told by other characters outside of the police force which also gave the story depth and background.
This was a great story, which was well told and very cleverly done, the characters were all very well written and I really enjoyed getting to know all of them.
I do hope that the author Susi will be making this into a series as I love to see Becky and Eddie feature in future books for sure.
Suffice to say, I'm so glad that I did. It was a thoroughly entertaining read, love the police procedural element, as always gives you an interesting and different insight to the story. The story was also told by other characters outside of the police force which also gave the story depth and background.
This was a great story, which was well told and very cleverly done, the characters were all very well written and I really enjoyed getting to know all of them.
I do hope that the author Susi will be making this into a series as I love to see Becky and Eddie feature in future books for sure.
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