Dodo is invited to meet Rupert’s family for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong?Fresh off the trauma of her last case, Dodo is relieved when Rupert suggests spending Christmas with his family at Knightsbrooke Priory.The week begins with such promise until Rupert’s grandmother, Adelaide, dies in the middle of their Christmas Eve dinner. She is ninety-five years old and the whole family considers it an untimely natural death, but something seems off to Dodo who uses the moment of shock to take a quick inventory of the body. Certain clues bring her to draw the conclusion that Adelaide has been murdered, but this news is not taken well.With multiple family skeletons set rattling in the closets, the festive week of celebrations goes rapidly downhill and Dodo fears that Rupert’s family will not forgive her meddling. Can she solve the case and win back their approval?
Ann Sutton I think I speak for many here when I say " I'm positive that Dame Agatha would love your books as much as I do". Dodo is the young lady who some of us when younger wishes we could be ( ook well I did anyway lol I dreamt BIG haha) and to top it of it looks like she's found the man to be her equal and support . Wow his family , talk about skeletons in closets , 2 for the price of 1, let alone sledging . Eggnog.and Christmas Eve dinner . Excellent character building , I felt I knew and still know all of them . The storyline was brilliant and I never ever would of expected the shock ending . This read helped make my Christmas a great one . Thank you I look forward to more adventures with Dodo and Julie . Happy 2022 to all
What better time to read a mystery that happens on Christmas Eve, than on Christmas Eve? That's exactly what I did with Ann Sutton's book. Dorothea "Dodo" travels to Knightsbrooke Priory to meet Rupert Danforth's family. She is introduced to his mother Henrietta "Etta", father Rupert, sister Julia, aunt and uncle Ruby and Lawrence Quintell, and grandmother Adelaide. Adelaide's friend is there and so is the Vicar and Rupert's other sister Beatrice. What starts out as a nice Christmas Eve gathering, turns tragic when Adelaide is murdered at the dinner table with cyanide. There is no shortage of suspects who think they'd benefit from bequeaths in her will! Dodo tries to piece together clues with help from her maid Lizzie and the inspector. This book had a nice flow and kept me reading to find out who the murderer was! Now I want to read other books in this series.
Decent plot...but I knew who was going to die in the first few chapters. For a mystery, I'd like to have some mystery.
Then, there are all the anachronisms. Norman Rockwell was a young man in the 1920s, and not well known. He'd not yet become famous at the time of this story. A little research by the author would be welcome. There are other anachronisms in addition to Norman Rockwell. They've slipped my mind since I've slept since finishing the book.
BTW, it was obvious who was the killer. No mystery there, either.
Dodo Dorchester has been invited to her almost Betrothed young man's home for Christmas. His granny drops dead over the Christmas Eve Dinner. Because it is snowing, something that is unusual in this part of England, the Inspector and the Coroner can't get there to take care of the body. Dodo helps move her and smells bitter Almonds on her breath. She and Rupert begin to look for clues to who might have murdered the rich old lady. This isn't the only death that happens before the Law appears. Perfect reading for a cold Christmas Season!
Looking for a Christmas mystery chose this. Simplistic story and characters. Knew murderer and motive less than half in. Almost complete lack of grief for victim. Name of female lead of Dodo an insult to women as refers to stupidity of Dodo bird . Middle school level. Don't bother if you are a reader of classic writers such as Christie, MacLeod, Allingham, Randell, etc. Suggest MacLeod 's Peter Shandy series.
Sometimes meeting your new boyfriend's family is just murder. Poor Dodo and Rupert thought they would have wonderful Christmas holiday. No one expected Rupert's grandmother to drop dead during Christmas Eve dinner. They have quite a time figuring out who dun it!
Rupert is taking Dodo home to meet the family over Christmas, who knew there would be a murder at dinner Christmas Eve, clearly one of the guests in the house were responsible, they all thought it was just death because of old age only Dodo was suspicious and called the police which lead down a very convoluted path deep into family history to find the motive and the killer. Really Good Read
This has been the first book I have read in the series. Dodo has a creative mind and her brain is working every minute on the final details that many overlook. Ms. Sutton has done an outstanding job of creating all the pieces and neatly putting them together in the end.
A fun Christmas read . The story got better and better as it went on. There were a great assembly of characters and a good cosy, Manor House feel. Grab your favourite drink,cosy up by the fire and enjoy.
2 1/2 stars. A light, fast Christmas murder read. There are some anachronisms and I don't buy that the police detective would be so willing to give Dodo so much credit, but those are small things.
Seems like a bunch of various Crimes, motives pulled from Christie’s books and added here . A detective who enlisted the help of a beautiful fashionable rich aristocrat ,who in turn solves the whole thing in between romancing and being fashionable .
Dodo does it again. I love all the twist and turns. Just when you think you know who did it something else comes up. I would recommend this book to all my friends. Can not wait for the next book
Dodo goes to meet Rupert’s family for Christmas. Things do not go smoothly. Rupert’s mother takes an immediate dislike for Dodo. Then his grandmother drops dead.
Another cracking good read, these characters are brilliant so easy to read and are really enjoyed, I love reading about big county houses, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
A good murder mystery romance opening up past secrets of shame,willing spoiled indulgence with out caring of others welfare..Manipulation, and other forms,oh my 🙀❣️😢🧐😉
As a prolific reader keen on crime, I've read, re-read, and own every Christie novel published. It was immediately apparent where the tale was headed. It's not identical but obvious enough for a full-blown Christie fan to spot what was coming.
This is a fairly typical example of the cosy murder mystery set in an upper class house at Christmas. It is well written but I found the solution to be easy to deduce. The clues were laid out rather liberally.
An engaging story, with Christmas being spent at Rupert's family home. Dodo jokes about being a magnet for murder, but when a murder occurs, Rupert's mother is not amused. The characters were of the time and seemed pretty authentic.
Read it if you like the players—spoiler alert now—
…but not for the plot or plot development. If Agatha Christie were still around, Ms Sutton might be called in for plagiarism. Ah, as we neared the denouement, the mirror cracked…
I could hardly wait for the next book in the series. I am not disappointed. The book is as good as the previous 5 books. I highly recommend you read the series.
I have read all but the last book always look forward to the next won. Not a serious book fun romp fun and easy read good series to take on a trip with you
Another great Dodo mystery! I loved the description of Christmas festivities leading up to the murder and how this case left me second guessing. Can’t wait for the next one!
The time period of just after WWI is a favorite of mine, and I do love a British manor as the setting. The characters are well fleshed , the plot is twisty, and the pace is steady. I really enjoyed the clue finding and the mystery. I was happy to find there are 5 previous books to this series and am off to catch up now.