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The Inspector de Silva Mysteries #5
Christmas in Nuala
The little town of Nuala is full of Christmas good cheer, until a brutal murder overshadows the festivities. The mystery he needs to solve baffles Inspector de Silva. It’s just as well he has his wife Jane to support him in his race both to unmask the villain and save an endangered romance. This colourful series set in Ceylon in the 1930s is perfect for fans of Golden Age mysteries, and Christmas in Nuala makes a great short read for the holiday season.
78 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2018
372 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Harriet Steel
25 books164 followersHarriet Steel wrote several historical novels before turning to crime with the Inspector de Silva mysteries, inspired by time spent in Sri Lanka (the former Ceylon)). Her work has also appeared in national newspapers and magazines. Visit her website, https://harrietsteel.com/ to sign up to her monthly newsletter for information on new releases and offers.
Harriet is married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.
Harriet is married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 20, 2020
This is such a gentle, friendly series. Something pleasant to read in between the tougher stuff!
The series is set in Ceylon as it was called before it became Sri Lanka. The Inspector is native to the island and his wife is English. There are lots of comments about the blandness of English food and the strange things they eat and drink , and Inspector de Silva always has a few curry dishes available at his dinner table.
There is a murder and a mystery but the culprit is quickly discovered and dealt with, leaving everyone to enjoy Christmas with mince pies, mulled wine and, happily for the Inspector, no eggnog this year. I do not share his taste for hot curries but I can easily understand why he cannot tolerate eggnog.
This was an enjoyable little book to help me get into the Christmas spirit.
The series is set in Ceylon as it was called before it became Sri Lanka. The Inspector is native to the island and his wife is English. There are lots of comments about the blandness of English food and the strange things they eat and drink , and Inspector de Silva always has a few curry dishes available at his dinner table.
There is a murder and a mystery but the culprit is quickly discovered and dealt with, leaving everyone to enjoy Christmas with mince pies, mulled wine and, happily for the Inspector, no eggnog this year. I do not share his taste for hot curries but I can easily understand why he cannot tolerate eggnog.
This was an enjoyable little book to help me get into the Christmas spirit.
December 10, 2018
This is a charming and amusing Christmas gift from the author to those of us who are enjoying the Inspector de Silva series. His wife Jane supplies the clue to solving the murder happening so close to their own home after a holiday party at the Clutterbucks. Great fun!
Italian count, magic acts, cars off the road and a mystery book Jane just read all figure into this plot.
Kindle Unlimited
Italian count, magic acts, cars off the road and a mystery book Jane just read all figure into this plot.
Kindle Unlimited
December 23, 2018
I love the Inspector de Silva mysteries series and was delighted that a novella had been released for Christmas. This could be read as a stand alone and would make a perfect introduction to some of the main characters in the series. The story makes for a chilled and relaxing murder mystery to enjoy in a couple of hours. Set in 1930's Ceylon the pace of life is very different but it gives you a feel of the era and relationship of de Silva and his very charming wife Jane, who is one of my favourite characters in the series. Jane is a very subtle silent partner to the mysteries that her husband has to solve.
Christmas celebrations are taking place at the Clutterbucks and of course the local gentry are all invited but not everyone will see a happy New Year. This is a very intriguing story which I loved solving alongside the de Silvas. A clever plot that on first impression seemed an open and shut case. Super little twists that I really enjoyed. There is something that is just delightful about the writing style that makes all these characters very real and brings with it a different pace of life without todays technology.
It really is a must read series from the beginning and just have to say that I absolutely love the cover designs.
Christmas celebrations are taking place at the Clutterbucks and of course the local gentry are all invited but not everyone will see a happy New Year. This is a very intriguing story which I loved solving alongside the de Silvas. A clever plot that on first impression seemed an open and shut case. Super little twists that I really enjoyed. There is something that is just delightful about the writing style that makes all these characters very real and brings with it a different pace of life without todays technology.
It really is a must read series from the beginning and just have to say that I absolutely love the cover designs.
September 13, 2020
Lovely look at Christmas in a British outpost and a clever wife coming up with the crucial hint that solved the crime.
July 8, 2025
A short Christmas episode set in rural Ceylon in 1930. A murder happens during the Christmas celebrations, and needs to be solved before it ruins them. Like others in the series, the culprit is someone who falsely represents themselves in a small community.
February 23, 2019
An evening party at the Residence during the Christmas Season is the precursor to murder. Shanti has the task of figuring out which of two cousins would bump off their uncle for his fortune. With the help of his wife Jane, he gets at the truth and the innocent party along with the de Silvas enjoy their Christmas afterall.
This was quick, but well-developed for the mystery and the usual surroundings of regular characters and historical 1930's Ceylon. I enjoyed spending Christmas with Shanti and Jane.
This was quick, but well-developed for the mystery and the usual surroundings of regular characters and historical 1930's Ceylon. I enjoyed spending Christmas with Shanti and Jane.
February 4, 2019
I adore this series set in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, during the 1930s and featuring the charming Inspector de Silva and his wife. This, the 5th book of the series, finds the Inspector and his wife involved in a mystery that threatens the Christmas celebrations organized by the formidable wife of the Inspector's boss, British government agent Archie Clutterbuck.
The murder here is close to home this time. Although it was easy to spot the culprit, the story is still charmingly told, as always, with evocative descriptions of the milieu. I especially enjoy the home life descriptions of the loving de Silva couple, an apparent mismatch of heritages (he is a native of Ceylon; she is a British citizen) and religions (he is Buddhist; she is Christian). Everything works in this series! The reader will find much to enjoy with this delightful, thoughtful, and satisfying series - the exotic setting, the comfortable, loving home life, the clash of cultures in colonial Ceylon, and much more.
The murder here is close to home this time. Although it was easy to spot the culprit, the story is still charmingly told, as always, with evocative descriptions of the milieu. I especially enjoy the home life descriptions of the loving de Silva couple, an apparent mismatch of heritages (he is a native of Ceylon; she is a British citizen) and religions (he is Buddhist; she is Christian). Everything works in this series! The reader will find much to enjoy with this delightful, thoughtful, and satisfying series - the exotic setting, the comfortable, loving home life, the clash of cultures in colonial Ceylon, and much more.
December 20, 2025
This is a cozy, holiday mystery set during the British colonial period. I can’t say just why, but it reminds me of the world and writing of Ngaio marsh. This is the kind of book that is great for curling up with a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy afternoon.
January 2, 2019
I like this series for its heart, and also for the calm simplicity. This obe is a novella, so there wasn't really time for heart. It was a quick, little predictable mystery. I give the series a fou. This one as a standalone would have earned a three.
Ceylon 1930's
Ceylon 1930's
December 27, 2024
Love this series. Taken a long time to finish as mislaid the book.
February 14, 2019
Disappointing because it was so predictable! And so short... The only redeeming factor is the wealth of information in the descriptions.
February 25, 2025
MY RATING GUIDE: 3.5 Stars (rounded up). I am enjoying this series as a relaxing break in any day. I find it refreshingly unique in its setting and characters. Plus, Steel often includes pockets of information I find either fascinating or amusing (literature, historical topics). CHRISTMAS IN NUALA isn’t as complex as the full length novels but I still enjoyed spending time with the characters as another case required solving. Steel is a new-to-me author which I am happily devouring.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Christmas week, Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), 1937 ~
Detector Inspector Shanty de Silva is awakened from sleep with news that a violent argument is occurring in the home of a neighbor, 15min away. Soon after de Silvia’s arrival on the scene with the distraught wife, one of the disputing men is suddenly killed. Inspector de Silva catches himself standing in the study door asking himself, “What just happened here?”
Comments ~
1) CHRISTMAS IN NUALA is bk4.5 (a quick reading novella) in Harriet Steel’s Inspector deSilva Mystery series, set in Ceylon/Sri Lanka, late 1930’s. I imagine it is possible to read CHRISTMAS IN NUALA as a Standalone title but certain secondary characters & relationships (deSilva’s colleagues and family) feature in each book which have developed over time. I prefer beginning with bk1, TROUBLE IN NUALA and this is a fun Cozy series.
2) Along with other genres, I enjoy reading Classic British Mysteries (set in the 1920’s+ such as Dorthy Sayers, Lord Peter Whimsey and Karen Menuhin’s Heathcliff Lennox). Steel’s deSilva series occurs during this same period, and with Ceylon a British Colony at that period certain historical and societal elements overlap. I am finding this aspect of the series intriguing.
3) I enjoyed CIN. Although I had correctly figured out the culprit, I wasn’t exactly sure how the crime was committed nor how de Silva would prove it. My interest held till the end.
4) I like the character deSilva. I can identify with his preference for zesty rather than bland food, his reluctance to “dress up” for public occasions (in the humid heat!) and emphasize with certain social situations he must accept (as a Ceylonese inspector in a country ruled by the British government). Occasionally awkward. His character, especially as performed by voice artist Davies, truly reminds me of Peter Falk in television’s Columbo (1968-1978+), a very likable man, imo. DeSilva is a quiet, “seemingly” plodding Inspector, thorough, observant, intuitive and tolerant of his (occasionally) condescending superiors. I find this series a restful read - a pleasant escape to another place and time. Virtual time travel, in a sense. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
5) Only the first 4 books in this series are available as autobooks. The performances by Matthew Lloyd Davies are delightful and I highly recommend them! I plan on finishing the series through digital copies, of which I have purchased the next 4.
6) As I was explaining the period, setting and my favorite aspects of this series to my husband, I again realized that I truly enjoy its uniqueness. I happily recommend Steel’s Inspector deSilva Mystery series to readers who enjoy:
> Classic British Mysteries
> British Mysteries set during the 1920’s-1940’s.
> Historical British Mysteries set in Colonial settings
> Mysteries set in unique locales
> Cozy Mysteries (slower paced but with fun adventures, Clean format)
> Seasoned main characters (who are surprisingly amicably married)
> Police Procedural mysteries
> Historical Mysteries
> Mysteries with historical and literature “goose eggs.”
READER CAUTION ~ Suitable for most readers who enjoy Cozy Mysteries
PROFANITY - None. (I recall none).
VIOLENCE - This is a Cozy murder mystery with minimal graphic content.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Christmas week, Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), 1937 ~
Detector Inspector Shanty de Silva is awakened from sleep with news that a violent argument is occurring in the home of a neighbor, 15min away. Soon after de Silvia’s arrival on the scene with the distraught wife, one of the disputing men is suddenly killed. Inspector de Silva catches himself standing in the study door asking himself, “What just happened here?”
Comments ~
1) CHRISTMAS IN NUALA is bk4.5 (a quick reading novella) in Harriet Steel’s Inspector deSilva Mystery series, set in Ceylon/Sri Lanka, late 1930’s. I imagine it is possible to read CHRISTMAS IN NUALA as a Standalone title but certain secondary characters & relationships (deSilva’s colleagues and family) feature in each book which have developed over time. I prefer beginning with bk1, TROUBLE IN NUALA and this is a fun Cozy series.
2) Along with other genres, I enjoy reading Classic British Mysteries (set in the 1920’s+ such as Dorthy Sayers, Lord Peter Whimsey and Karen Menuhin’s Heathcliff Lennox). Steel’s deSilva series occurs during this same period, and with Ceylon a British Colony at that period certain historical and societal elements overlap. I am finding this aspect of the series intriguing.
3) I enjoyed CIN. Although I had correctly figured out the culprit, I wasn’t exactly sure how the crime was committed nor how de Silva would prove it. My interest held till the end.
4) I like the character deSilva. I can identify with his preference for zesty rather than bland food, his reluctance to “dress up” for public occasions (in the humid heat!) and emphasize with certain social situations he must accept (as a Ceylonese inspector in a country ruled by the British government). Occasionally awkward. His character, especially as performed by voice artist Davies, truly reminds me of Peter Falk in television’s Columbo (1968-1978+), a very likable man, imo. DeSilva is a quiet, “seemingly” plodding Inspector, thorough, observant, intuitive and tolerant of his (occasionally) condescending superiors. I find this series a restful read - a pleasant escape to another place and time. Virtual time travel, in a sense. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
5) Only the first 4 books in this series are available as autobooks. The performances by Matthew Lloyd Davies are delightful and I highly recommend them! I plan on finishing the series through digital copies, of which I have purchased the next 4.
6) As I was explaining the period, setting and my favorite aspects of this series to my husband, I again realized that I truly enjoy its uniqueness. I happily recommend Steel’s Inspector deSilva Mystery series to readers who enjoy:
> Classic British Mysteries
> British Mysteries set during the 1920’s-1940’s.
> Historical British Mysteries set in Colonial settings
> Mysteries set in unique locales
> Cozy Mysteries (slower paced but with fun adventures, Clean format)
> Seasoned main characters (who are surprisingly amicably married)
> Police Procedural mysteries
> Historical Mysteries
> Mysteries with historical and literature “goose eggs.”
READER CAUTION ~ Suitable for most readers who enjoy Cozy Mysteries
PROFANITY - None. (I recall none).
VIOLENCE - This is a Cozy murder mystery with minimal graphic content.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
December 28, 2018
Spending time with Inspector de Silva and his lovely wife Jane at Christmas time has been such a treat and this festive novella certainly acts as a real tonic, bringing all that is good about these crime stories which are set in 1930s Ceylon. This gentle crime series manages to both entertain and keep you guessing as there is always something new to discover in Inspector de Silva's world. It was rather nice to have the inspector's wife, Jane doing what she does best, supporting her husband and with gentle wisdom steering in him the right direction.
Giving away any of the plot would really spoil this story as its best read without any indication of where the mystery is heading. My advice is to cosy up with Christmas in Nuala and a restorative glass of sherry and a warm mince pie and enjoy working out the mystery alongside Shanti de Silva and Jane.
Giving away any of the plot would really spoil this story as its best read without any indication of where the mystery is heading. My advice is to cosy up with Christmas in Nuala and a restorative glass of sherry and a warm mince pie and enjoy working out the mystery alongside Shanti de Silva and Jane.
February 21, 2020
Sleight of hand
Robert Rushwell runs his elderly uncle Clarence's rubber plantation.. Clarence took over the run down property and lives thriftily in the main residence, refusing to update or modernise anything. Robert lives in the plantation managers bungalow which has at least electric power.
When Count Cosmo his other nephew appears for a visit with his wife, they move in with Clarence. Settling into the colonial community the Count puts on a performance of tricks and illusions for the Residence's Christmas party.
Later that night the Countess appears at the de Silva house claiming that Robert has attacked her husband. On their arrival Robert appears to shut them out of his uncles study fire shots and disappear. Clarence is dead, Cosmo is injured, Robert is gone. De Silva thinks he knows what he saw but did he really?
Robert Rushwell runs his elderly uncle Clarence's rubber plantation.. Clarence took over the run down property and lives thriftily in the main residence, refusing to update or modernise anything. Robert lives in the plantation managers bungalow which has at least electric power.
When Count Cosmo his other nephew appears for a visit with his wife, they move in with Clarence. Settling into the colonial community the Count puts on a performance of tricks and illusions for the Residence's Christmas party.
Later that night the Countess appears at the de Silva house claiming that Robert has attacked her husband. On their arrival Robert appears to shut them out of his uncles study fire shots and disappear. Clarence is dead, Cosmo is injured, Robert is gone. De Silva thinks he knows what he saw but did he really?
April 13, 2022
A short volume, but an enjoyable tale.
The Inspector and Jane de Silva are involved with a Christmas time murder connected to an inheritance. At first the case seems clear cut, but on further thought, maybe not so clear after all.
I enjoyed the shorter format for this mystery. There was a very short list of suspects and clear cut motives. Shanti, with insight from Jane, has to sort out whodunnit.
By-the-way. This story first appeared as a Kindle-only edition. The version I read was printed as a second story in "Break From Nuala"
The Inspector and Jane de Silva are involved with a Christmas time murder connected to an inheritance. At first the case seems clear cut, but on further thought, maybe not so clear after all.
I enjoyed the shorter format for this mystery. There was a very short list of suspects and clear cut motives. Shanti, with insight from Jane, has to sort out whodunnit.
By-the-way. This story first appeared as a Kindle-only edition. The version I read was printed as a second story in "Break From Nuala"
May 30, 2025
Not a quality read
I’ve read the first four Nuala books, and this one is the worst of the series. Not worth the time. For one thing, it’s very short, so the plot isn’t properly developed. The inspector’s wife solves the case through a book she read. Not at all believable. Lots of unanswered questions about events.
The author seemed to be tossing something together just to get another book out. Most disappointing.
I’ve read the first four Nuala books, and this one is the worst of the series. Not worth the time. For one thing, it’s very short, so the plot isn’t properly developed. The inspector’s wife solves the case through a book she read. Not at all believable. Lots of unanswered questions about events.
The author seemed to be tossing something together just to get another book out. Most disappointing.
December 30, 2018
Too Short for Comfort.
Really a novella , but non the less , a fun visit back to the prewar dreamy tropical paradise of Nuala.
It is difficult and sad to remember that this polite and formalized society is only a few years away from the shattering world war that will change it entirely.
Really a novella , but non the less , a fun visit back to the prewar dreamy tropical paradise of Nuala.
It is difficult and sad to remember that this polite and formalized society is only a few years away from the shattering world war that will change it entirely.
July 4, 2019
Wonderful book
What a delightful story. This is a short story that takes place at Christmas involving an old recluse, two nephews and murder. Why is this delightful well this time Jane, Inspector's de Silva's wife is involved and she is good at solving crimes. Hopefully Jane will be solving more crimes to come. I highly recommend this series.
What a delightful story. This is a short story that takes place at Christmas involving an old recluse, two nephews and murder. Why is this delightful well this time Jane, Inspector's de Silva's wife is involved and she is good at solving crimes. Hopefully Jane will be solving more crimes to come. I highly recommend this series.
December 9, 2019
An enjoyment of what Christmas is like in a different era and place. One didn’t expect a. Quarrel after they all left, to end in murder of the Uncle. With. Jane by his side the Inspector has a case to solve, of which Jane has the missing piece. Good series, and this is an added one to enjoy during the holidays.
December 12, 2018
Quiet aread
So many mystery stories are packed with gore and multiple murdered bodies,sliced and diced!
What a nice change. One dead body. Simple plot,easy to guess who did it and solved by the inspectors wife!I
Written with skill and escape from all the other. Enjoy
So many mystery stories are packed with gore and multiple murdered bodies,sliced and diced!
What a nice change. One dead body. Simple plot,easy to guess who did it and solved by the inspectors wife!I
Written with skill and escape from all the other. Enjoy
July 21, 2019
Another good yarn.
Thougherly enjoyed all the books in the series. A glimpse of life in the 1930’s under British rule. It follows the same police detective and his wife and their every day life and how they solve the murders that happen around this time.
Thougherly enjoyed all the books in the series. A glimpse of life in the 1930’s under British rule. It follows the same police detective and his wife and their every day life and how they solve the murders that happen around this time.
August 30, 2019
Christmas in Nuala
Likes: Dutiful wife, Jane, comes to the forefront.
Inspector de Silva appreciates her theories.
Dislike: Only one: Too short! Still really like these characters!
Likes: Dutiful wife, Jane, comes to the forefront.
Inspector de Silva appreciates her theories.
Dislike: Only one: Too short! Still really like these characters!
November 22, 2019
Clever way of framing someone for murder.
I liked this book because it was Mrs de Silva who figured out how the murder framing was set up and Mrs Clutterbuck who convinced her husband to try out the idea. Reading these books makes me wish I could visit Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
I liked this book because it was Mrs de Silva who figured out how the murder framing was set up and Mrs Clutterbuck who convinced her husband to try out the idea. Reading these books makes me wish I could visit Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
November 24, 2019
As Christmas approaches, Nuala is visted by the Count and Countess Arcanti, the family of Clarence Rushwell. But a murder occurs. Inspector de Silva investigates with the help of his wife Jane.
An enjoyable and well-written novella
An enjoyable and well-written novella
February 27, 2021
An afternoon read
As always, the genteel characters conduct themselves with restraint and decorum. The respect they have for each other always adds to the unraveling of the mystery. Very enjoyable.
As always, the genteel characters conduct themselves with restraint and decorum. The respect they have for each other always adds to the unraveling of the mystery. Very enjoyable.
May 29, 2021
CHRISTMAS IN NUALA
I would totally recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good, cozy mystery and interesting locale.Love the relationship between Inspector deSilva and his wife Jane.
I would totally recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good, cozy mystery and interesting locale.Love the relationship between Inspector deSilva and his wife Jane.
December 26, 2021
Inspector Jane
Inspector Jane solves the mystery! Another delightful chapter of the Nuala Inspector Shanti da Silva series. If you like character driven stories (Louise Penney's Armand Gamache comes to mind), you would enjoy these mystery-light novels.
Inspector Jane solves the mystery! Another delightful chapter of the Nuala Inspector Shanti da Silva series. If you like character driven stories (Louise Penney's Armand Gamache comes to mind), you would enjoy these mystery-light novels.
September 18, 2022
A Christmas novelette - you can see inspiration from some of the classic murder mysteries. However in this case I think the solution was too straightforward and there was literally no confusion about who the culprits could be. Too linear with no twists or turns
January 2, 2019
Good series
Always happy to have a new Nuala story to read. I love the variety of characters. However, this one was very predictable. Money, money, money.
Always happy to have a new Nuala story to read. I love the variety of characters. However, this one was very predictable. Money, money, money.
January 26, 2019
As always the Inspector and his wife make the book cometo to life
. I've often wondered why these stories have never been made into films. I think they would be great to see.
. I've often wondered why these stories have never been made into films. I think they would be great to see.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews