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Lord Edgington Investigates #4
The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall
England, 1925. When Lord Edgington receives an invitation to spend the Christmas holiday with an old colleague from the police, he expects fine food, good conversation and the warmth of a roaring fire. But on arriving at Mistletoe Hall with his family, they discover the house deserted and no explanation for where their host or his servants could be. As more guests appear, the master detective begins to question what could connect the disparate group of newcomers. A teacher, a comedian, a thief, a sportsman, a singer, a policeman and a racing driver will all have their roles to play when a killer crashes the party. Cut off from the outside world by the worsening weather, and with bodies piling up, Lord Edgington must rely on his wits, his years of experience, and the help of his bumbling grandson Christopher in order to solve "The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall" .
With hints of “And Then There Were None” and “The Sittaford Mystery”, the fourth "Lord Edgington Investigates…" novel is a spoiler-free, standalone whodunit with a wicked resolution all of its own. Filled with warmth, humour, a fiendishly twisting plot, an adorable canine sidekick and plenty of Yuletide spirit, “The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall” is an Agatha-Christie-style Christmas cracker that will baffle and charm you in equal measure.
With hints of “And Then There Were None” and “The Sittaford Mystery”, the fourth "Lord Edgington Investigates…" novel is a spoiler-free, standalone whodunit with a wicked resolution all of its own. Filled with warmth, humour, a fiendishly twisting plot, an adorable canine sidekick and plenty of Yuletide spirit, “The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall” is an Agatha-Christie-style Christmas cracker that will baffle and charm you in equal measure.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2021
1988 people are currently reading
3385 people want to read
About the author
Benedict Brown
52 books494 followersWriting has always been my passion. It was my favourite hour a week at primary school, and I started on my first, truly abysmal book as a teenager. So it wasn’t a difficult decision to study literature at university which led to an MA in Creative Writing. I spent a long time writing kids’ books, including funny fairy tales, dystopic adventures and serious issue-based YA, before switching to murder mysteries last year.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
March 19, 2023
First... the immersion into Christmas alone makes this one of the best Christmas murder mysteries I've ever read. While Christmas romances tend to take the Christmas element seriously and really fill the story with the festivities, mysteries often just use the season as a backdrop with lip service to fruitcake and a Christmas tree or two.
Add to that a nod to "And Then There Were None" without it being a copy, a villain you know has to be but can't figure out how or why, characters you love and others you love to hate, and even a moment when the most unsympathetic character has a glimmer of relatableness... and you've got a great mystery.
I love how Christopher doesn't know everything and isn't some kind of prodigy. He's so hopelessly ordinary, and yet he's starting to "get it" which is wonderful, too!
Add to that a nod to "And Then There Were None" without it being a copy, a villain you know has to be but can't figure out how or why, characters you love and others you love to hate, and even a moment when the most unsympathetic character has a glimmer of relatableness... and you've got a great mystery.
I love how Christopher doesn't know everything and isn't some kind of prodigy. He's so hopelessly ordinary, and yet he's starting to "get it" which is wonderful, too!
December 6, 2023
This book is part of a series ( Lord Edgington Investigates and this is installment #4) but was written by the author as a standalone and I was happy with the choice of the "English mysteries" group because I love "whodunits" set at Christmas.
The writer has a smooth and funny writing style and I loved the protagonist, a young 17-year-old, nephew of Lord Edgington, who still doesn't have a clear path in life, he doesn't know what his best qualities are but he doesn't hold back in front of nothing (even if he often would like it)
___ THE PLOT ___ England, 1925. When Lord Edgington receives an invitation to spend the Christmas holiday with an old colleague from the police, he expects fine food, good conversation and the warmth of a roaring fire. But on arriving at Mistletoe Hall with his family, they discover the house deserted and no explanation for where their host or his servants could be. After a while they found a body in the garden and as more guests appear, the master detective begins to question what could connect the disparate group of newcomers and if the culprit could be among them.
The narrator is the young nephew of Lord Edgington, while the second protagonist, the one in charge of the investigation is the eccentric Lord, who, receiving the invitation to his friend's estate, brought with him his daughter, the 2 grandchildren, the faithful driver, the cook and the waiter.
___ MY OPINION ___ I only gave 3 stars because there were aspects that I liked in this book, while for others I couldn't wait to move on to the next book.
__WHAT I LIKED ___ I liked all the main characters (therefore Lord Edgington's family and his nephew's friends) (except one), in particular the young boy, who, ironically about himself and sometimes about his family, in a kindly manner obviously, frequently tears laughter at the reader.
The Christmas atmosphere is very present in the book thanks to the descriptions of decorations, songs, festive dishes, the search for the tree and the emotional warmth that is perceived among family members.
It may seem obvious, but not all mysteries set at Christmas are truly Christmassy and when they aren't, it disturbs me greatly, I perceive it a bit as a rip-off.
__ WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE __ I hadn't read, in the plot presented by Gooodreads, that the book was a bit like "And there were none" by A. Christie, a book that many love but which I didn't like at all ! (I love all of A. Christie's mysteries except 3, and that is one of the 3 that I didn't like).
The main reason is that there is a claustrophobic atmosphere, and while in Christie's book, the characters are stuck in a house on an island, here they are stuck in a house full of horrible extravagance, surrounded by so much snow that it is impossible to leave. The killer is there and everyone is in danger.
THIS MAY BE FASCINATING IN A "WHODUNIT" TO MANY PEOPLE, so don't be put off by my impressions.
The other book which, in my opinion, inspired this book is "Mystery in White" (1937) by Jefferson Farjeon (the plot is similar in many ways, I also liked this in many respects, but the sense of claustrophobia disturbed me ).
---> The second thing I didn't like is more serious: in my opinion the mystery wasn't exactly well constructed. It makes little sense.
.
---> Furthermore, among all the guests there is a female character who is never actually suspected, although it is clear that she lies about her acquaintance with the host. And yet even at the end it isn't really made clear what his connections with that person sound like.
---> Lord Edgington then suspects someone who claims to know the dead man well, citing the fact that the dead man had never mentioned that boy in his life.
Well in the end it turns out that the boy is telling the truth and therefore all Lord Edgington's logic loses sense... that is: if your friend never told you about someone, it doesn't mean that someone didn't know your friend well.
In this case I found Lord Edgington a little presumptuous and a little too convinced of his own ideas.
---> Detective Lord Edgington also makes me nervous with his way of speaking, he talks, talks, talks and in fact never says anything concrete...even his nephew tells him several times to stop talking through riddles...because that way nothing is understandable.
___IN CONCLUSION___ the book isn't bad for me, but I've read better. However, I advise you to try reading it, because overall, if the sense of clautrophobia doesn't bother you, you might like it.
I will definitely give this author another chance, because his sparkling writing style captured me!
(last note: sorry for my English, it's not my language and I wrote the review quicker than usual, before going to work...sorry for any errors in my text)
The writer has a smooth and funny writing style and I loved the protagonist, a young 17-year-old, nephew of Lord Edgington, who still doesn't have a clear path in life, he doesn't know what his best qualities are but he doesn't hold back in front of nothing (even if he often would like it)
___ THE PLOT ___ England, 1925. When Lord Edgington receives an invitation to spend the Christmas holiday with an old colleague from the police, he expects fine food, good conversation and the warmth of a roaring fire. But on arriving at Mistletoe Hall with his family, they discover the house deserted and no explanation for where their host or his servants could be. After a while they found a body in the garden and as more guests appear, the master detective begins to question what could connect the disparate group of newcomers and if the culprit could be among them.
The narrator is the young nephew of Lord Edgington, while the second protagonist, the one in charge of the investigation is the eccentric Lord, who, receiving the invitation to his friend's estate, brought with him his daughter, the 2 grandchildren, the faithful driver, the cook and the waiter.
___ MY OPINION ___ I only gave 3 stars because there were aspects that I liked in this book, while for others I couldn't wait to move on to the next book.
__WHAT I LIKED ___ I liked all the main characters (therefore Lord Edgington's family and his nephew's friends) (except one), in particular the young boy, who, ironically about himself and sometimes about his family, in a kindly manner obviously, frequently tears laughter at the reader.
The Christmas atmosphere is very present in the book thanks to the descriptions of decorations, songs, festive dishes, the search for the tree and the emotional warmth that is perceived among family members.
It may seem obvious, but not all mysteries set at Christmas are truly Christmassy and when they aren't, it disturbs me greatly, I perceive it a bit as a rip-off.
__ WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE __ I hadn't read, in the plot presented by Gooodreads, that the book was a bit like "And there were none" by A. Christie, a book that many love but which I didn't like at all ! (I love all of A. Christie's mysteries except 3, and that is one of the 3 that I didn't like).
The main reason is that there is a claustrophobic atmosphere, and while in Christie's book, the characters are stuck in a house on an island, here they are stuck in a house full of horrible extravagance, surrounded by so much snow that it is impossible to leave. The killer is there and everyone is in danger.
THIS MAY BE FASCINATING IN A "WHODUNIT" TO MANY PEOPLE, so don't be put off by my impressions.
The other book which, in my opinion, inspired this book is "Mystery in White" (1937) by Jefferson Farjeon (the plot is similar in many ways, I also liked this in many respects, but the sense of claustrophobia disturbed me ).
---> The second thing I didn't like is more serious: in my opinion the mystery wasn't exactly well constructed. It makes little sense.
.
---> Furthermore, among all the guests there is a female character who is never actually suspected, although it is clear that she lies about her acquaintance with the host. And yet even at the end it isn't really made clear what his connections with that person sound like.
---> Lord Edgington then suspects someone who claims to know the dead man well, citing the fact that the dead man had never mentioned that boy in his life.
Well in the end it turns out that the boy is telling the truth and therefore all Lord Edgington's logic loses sense... that is: if your friend never told you about someone, it doesn't mean that someone didn't know your friend well.
In this case I found Lord Edgington a little presumptuous and a little too convinced of his own ideas.
---> Detective Lord Edgington also makes me nervous with his way of speaking, he talks, talks, talks and in fact never says anything concrete...even his nephew tells him several times to stop talking through riddles...because that way nothing is understandable.
___IN CONCLUSION___ the book isn't bad for me, but I've read better. However, I advise you to try reading it, because overall, if the sense of clautrophobia doesn't bother you, you might like it.
I will definitely give this author another chance, because his sparkling writing style captured me!
(last note: sorry for my English, it's not my language and I wrote the review quicker than usual, before going to work...sorry for any errors in my text)
December 4, 2023
The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall is book four in Lord Edgington Investigates series. Set in 1925 England, when Lord Edgington attends a Christmas holiday at a friend’s isolated estate with his family. Upon arrival, the host is missing, and the hall deserted. Other unfamiliar guests arrive, which only adds to the odd circumstances. A foreboding poem warns of the bodies to come. With a winter storm and downed phone lines, no help will come from the police. It is up to the group to discover why they were brought together and the killer who is behind this dark charade.
Being new to this series, I was delighted to find the narrator was Lord Edgington’s teen grandson, Christopher. The two sleuths work together utilizing their past experiences and logic to solve the mystery. The pair held lengthy discussions on the suspects, clues, and potential motives.
Aside from the murder going on, everything else was festive of the holiday – the snow, decorations, the tree, music, and socializing. Even the audio book, read by George Blagden, felt dressed up with its joyful music.
The mystery plot here - a riddle poem and bodies mounting up – is akin to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None mystery. Where it is a race against the clock to thwart the killer before anyone else dies.
Despite the lovely setting and the intriguing puzzle mystery, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed with the book because the killer’s motive was weak. It wasn’t credible to me. This was too big of an orchestration to stem from just that.
If you are willing to suspend belief and just enjoy the merry making and murder, The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall can add a warm charm to your reading season.
Being new to this series, I was delighted to find the narrator was Lord Edgington’s teen grandson, Christopher. The two sleuths work together utilizing their past experiences and logic to solve the mystery. The pair held lengthy discussions on the suspects, clues, and potential motives.
Aside from the murder going on, everything else was festive of the holiday – the snow, decorations, the tree, music, and socializing. Even the audio book, read by George Blagden, felt dressed up with its joyful music.
The mystery plot here - a riddle poem and bodies mounting up – is akin to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None mystery. Where it is a race against the clock to thwart the killer before anyone else dies.
Despite the lovely setting and the intriguing puzzle mystery, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed with the book because the killer’s motive was weak. It wasn’t credible to me. This was too big of an orchestration to stem from just that.
If you are willing to suspend belief and just enjoy the merry making and murder, The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall can add a warm charm to your reading season.
January 11, 2025
3.25 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: Christmas
I think maybe I needed to read the others in the series first to properly appreciate this one.
That being said… while this one didn’t blow me away I did really enjoy the grandfather-grandson dynamic. I will try and pick up another in this series.
Mood/Seasonal Reading: Christmas
I think maybe I needed to read the others in the series first to properly appreciate this one.
That being said… while this one didn’t blow me away I did really enjoy the grandfather-grandson dynamic. I will try and pick up another in this series.
November 27, 2024
All the Christmas vibes in a locked room/English manor who done it!
December 26, 2023
If one likes "locked room" mysteries, here's a Christmas-themed one for you.
Christopher is home for Christmas from the term at his boarding school. His grandfather, police superintendent Lord Edgerton, has allowed Christopher to help him on various criminal cases before (This is book #4 in the series apparently). The family is invited to Lord Edgerton's friend's property, Mistletoe Hall, for Christmas. Chris, grandfather, his mother and brother arrive during a blizzard and have to arrange their own transportation to the Hall from the road. Interesting. The house is empty when they arrive. Good thing they brought all their own servants!! (ahem) The other guests begin arriving, and they are an eclectic bunch, to say the least, including an old police force frenemy of Edgerton's, Inspector Blunt. But where is the host??
Christopher finds the host, Lord Montfalcon, dead in the garden when he goes in search of a Christmas tree. (Seriously? Cutting down a perfectly good spruce on someone else's property w/o their permission? Sheesh!) Whodunit? But he's not the only one who gets murdered! Therefore, Lord Edgerton orders the property locked down until the murder(s) is/are solved. Hence... the locked manor mystery.
Deep, deep sighs in so many places in this story. The absolute arrogance of the Edgerton family -- I mean taking along servants! At Christmas! The way Lord Edgerton lords it over everyone else invited to the Hall for the Holiday? Yikes! The casual acquisition of treasures from around the world by Lord Montfalcon? I mean, there is just SO MUCH that troubles me about the British class system here! And the characters are all such stereotypes.
As the book is recent (2021), I'm hoping the author intended a gentle parody of locked-door British mysteries. If so, he only partially redeemed himself by a conversation betweeen Lord Edgerton and Inspector Blunt about Edgerton's classism and "gentle" misogyny against the female race-car driver who was a guest. I was surprised by the murderer, which is important to me in reading a mystery so will give 3 stars, but I certainly will not read any other novels in the series.
Christopher is home for Christmas from the term at his boarding school. His grandfather, police superintendent Lord Edgerton, has allowed Christopher to help him on various criminal cases before (This is book #4 in the series apparently). The family is invited to Lord Edgerton's friend's property, Mistletoe Hall, for Christmas. Chris, grandfather, his mother and brother arrive during a blizzard and have to arrange their own transportation to the Hall from the road. Interesting. The house is empty when they arrive. Good thing they brought all their own servants!! (ahem) The other guests begin arriving, and they are an eclectic bunch, to say the least, including an old police force frenemy of Edgerton's, Inspector Blunt. But where is the host??
Christopher finds the host, Lord Montfalcon, dead in the garden when he goes in search of a Christmas tree. (Seriously? Cutting down a perfectly good spruce on someone else's property w/o their permission? Sheesh!) Whodunit? But he's not the only one who gets murdered! Therefore, Lord Edgerton orders the property locked down until the murder(s) is/are solved. Hence... the locked manor mystery.
Deep, deep sighs in so many places in this story. The absolute arrogance of the Edgerton family -- I mean taking along servants! At Christmas! The way Lord Edgerton lords it over everyone else invited to the Hall for the Holiday? Yikes! The casual acquisition of treasures from around the world by Lord Montfalcon? I mean, there is just SO MUCH that troubles me about the British class system here! And the characters are all such stereotypes.
As the book is recent (2021), I'm hoping the author intended a gentle parody of locked-door British mysteries. If so, he only partially redeemed himself by a conversation betweeen Lord Edgerton and Inspector Blunt about Edgerton's classism and "gentle" misogyny against the female race-car driver who was a guest. I was surprised by the murderer, which is important to me in reading a mystery so will give 3 stars, but I certainly will not read any other novels in the series.
December 8, 2023
That was actually rather nice - not in any way tasking, obviously, and incredibly festive/ Christmasy..I liked the afterword, in which the author spoke about his inspirations and research.
November 15, 2021
I don't know what I love the most about this series. The characters are always rich and engaging. The settings are so inviting and immersive that you ache to be there. And the mysteries....I am just in awe of how it all comes together in such a fun and surprising fashion with each installment. Each one is unique, yet each one is equally well thought out and executed.
I had suspicions with previous Lord Edgington novels that we were witnessing an author stepping into his own while also stepping out and making his arrival firmly known. With The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall, I have all the proof I need that Benedict Brown deserves a place at the top next to the best the genre has to offer. He's that good, and somehow he continues to get better. Fantastic.
I received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
I had suspicions with previous Lord Edgington novels that we were witnessing an author stepping into his own while also stepping out and making his arrival firmly known. With The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall, I have all the proof I need that Benedict Brown deserves a place at the top next to the best the genre has to offer. He's that good, and somehow he continues to get better. Fantastic.
I received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
January 3, 2022
I Could Not Even Finish This
I don’t know the last time I tried reading a mystery that was as boring and slow as this one. I finally gave up on it. There was not a single character in this book that appealed to me. I definitely will not be reading any other of this author’s books.
I don’t know the last time I tried reading a mystery that was as boring and slow as this one. I finally gave up on it. There was not a single character in this book that appealed to me. I definitely will not be reading any other of this author’s books.
December 18, 2022
Quite a good book well worth reading.
December 14, 2024
Imagine you’re invited to Christmas dinner only to discover yourself trapped in a house by a snowstorm with nearly a dozen other guests and the murdered host.
Brown gives us another tale of thrilling twists, hilarious humour, and a Christmas dinner menu that will make your mouth water! Or to quote L.M. Montgomery’s Phillipa Gordon: “That’s a book that always makes me hungry. There’s so much good eating in it.”
Content: no language; Christopher is scandalized by a bawdy tavern song (it’s written out and has some innuendo)
Brown gives us another tale of thrilling twists, hilarious humour, and a Christmas dinner menu that will make your mouth water! Or to quote L.M. Montgomery’s Phillipa Gordon: “That’s a book that always makes me hungry. There’s so much good eating in it.”
Content: no language; Christopher is scandalized by a bawdy tavern song (it’s written out and has some innuendo)
December 13, 2025
A fun little holiday locked room/isolated whodunit. I enjoyed learning about the historical British holiday customs. There were some obvious influences from Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," but the most aggravating part was the lack of a copy editor.
December 28, 2023
Delightful Christmas cozy mystery set in rural 1925 England.
December 17, 2025
A riverby find!! Highly recommend for a good holiday mystery to get you in the spirit 🌝
January 1, 2024
This standalone holiday novella has all the charm one hopes for in a Christmas cozy mystery. Set in 1925, we find the Marquess of Edgington, a former Metro Police superintendent, hauling his servants, daughter and her children up to the Cotswolds to spend Christmas at Mistletoe Hall. Residing at the hall is Lord Edgington's former boss and dear friend, Commissioner Lord Oliver Mountfalcon. Lord Edgington, having received an invitation to Lord Mountfalcon's Christmas party, was rather looking forward to catching up with his old colleague. Upon arrival, the family find the hall abandoned with not a soul in site. That is, until seventeen year old Christopher discovers the body of the deceased commissioner out in the snow. Gradually more and more guests arrive and the body count increases. With "Chrissy" as his aid, Lord Edgington has his work cut out for him But, will he be able to find the killer before each guest is eliminated? Tick tock...
What a fun and at times rather amusing story. It's a closed mansion mystery with everyone snowed in at Mistletoe Hall. The writing is solid and the settings are well described. There are quite a few red herrings as every guest seems to be a possible culprit. The relationship between Lord Edgington and his grandson, Chrissy, is at time tender but also instructive. Although this is part of the Lord Edgington Investigates mystery series, the book easily stands on its own. My curiosity is piqued and I'll be digging into the earlier installments of this series. If holiday cozies are your jam, you'll definitely want to add this to your Christmas list.
Publisher: Heathdene Books
Publication date: November 14, 2021
Number of Pages: 241
ISBN: 978-8419162007
What a fun and at times rather amusing story. It's a closed mansion mystery with everyone snowed in at Mistletoe Hall. The writing is solid and the settings are well described. There are quite a few red herrings as every guest seems to be a possible culprit. The relationship between Lord Edgington and his grandson, Chrissy, is at time tender but also instructive. Although this is part of the Lord Edgington Investigates mystery series, the book easily stands on its own. My curiosity is piqued and I'll be digging into the earlier installments of this series. If holiday cozies are your jam, you'll definitely want to add this to your Christmas list.
Publisher: Heathdene Books
Publication date: November 14, 2021
Number of Pages: 241
ISBN: 978-8419162007
November 20, 2023
A Christmas holiday becomes one filled with murder and mystery. Christoper and his grandfather, are off to visit an old friend of the Lord’s only for Chris to discover their host’s dead body in the woods. Between mysterious invites, heirs with secrets, and a murderer stalking the guests, Chris and Lord Edgington must find the killer before all the guests are struck down.
April 18, 2022
If you LOVE Christmas and mysteries you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. Most books that are set during the Christmas will be all about the plot and only mention Christmas on occasion. This book, however, is about Christmas when a murder occurs. It talks about the tree, the decorations in the rooms, the carols, the food, the excitement, the snow...everything a Christmas lover could wish for. In the midst of all this someone is murdered. And, like I said, Christmas is not sacrificed in order that the mystery plot may proceed. They are simultaneous. While this book is promoted as a standalone within a series, it does have some things happen that will ruin the early books if you haven't read them already...in my opinion. So, I would advise you to read the first two or three books in the series then read this one, in other words, read them in order, because it's not really a standalone book within the series. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book. Christmas lovers and cozy mystery lovers will adore it!
December 6, 2023
Unfortunately, this was terribly boring and slow for me. I couldn’t get into the main plot or the characters. Everyone was just forgettable.
October 10, 2024
England, 1925.
Christmastime on the estate of a wealthy police colleague of Lord Edgington's.
I read my first Benedict Brown book a week or so ago, and sadly didn’t appreciate it — mostly because I was unfamiliar with so many characters, especially "Chrissy" and his grandfather, Lord Edgington, a Scotland Yard master detective. I should have started with this book as the family's characters and other guests are described in such detail that I could picture it all.
All except the things they ate in their various meals. If you can envision a sour face right now you’d get the picture. Mind you, the setting is nearly a century ago and the meals were served to a peer of the realm and all the guests. Weird doesn’t begin to describe what this author placed on their table. The fish entrees and sauces alone were shudder-worthy. I’ve been to London and several ex-British colonies with a high school educational tour. My word, even breakfast was odd. Other meals had salad bars where the only salad dressing was ( gasp ) mayonnaise!
Okay, food aside…For the plot.
If you’ve ever played the board game “Clue” you’ll fit right into this book. There was a murder "Chrissy" came across on the grounds. The setting is Christmas, so the estate was enveloped in white, meaning the victim was quite frozen. Lord Edgington and Christopher spent the rest of their stay ferreting out the killer amongst them. Notes were found stating the plan was for all of them to be killed. No one felt safe and no one could leave unless, perhaps, they had skis or snowshoes, and even then, roads were impassible.
So, that's all I’ll say about the story other than, of course, the solution was quite a surprise, and that it was a very good book.
Christmastime on the estate of a wealthy police colleague of Lord Edgington's.
I read my first Benedict Brown book a week or so ago, and sadly didn’t appreciate it — mostly because I was unfamiliar with so many characters, especially "Chrissy" and his grandfather, Lord Edgington, a Scotland Yard master detective. I should have started with this book as the family's characters and other guests are described in such detail that I could picture it all.
All except the things they ate in their various meals. If you can envision a sour face right now you’d get the picture. Mind you, the setting is nearly a century ago and the meals were served to a peer of the realm and all the guests. Weird doesn’t begin to describe what this author placed on their table. The fish entrees and sauces alone were shudder-worthy. I’ve been to London and several ex-British colonies with a high school educational tour. My word, even breakfast was odd. Other meals had salad bars where the only salad dressing was ( gasp ) mayonnaise!
Okay, food aside…For the plot.
If you’ve ever played the board game “Clue” you’ll fit right into this book. There was a murder "Chrissy" came across on the grounds. The setting is Christmas, so the estate was enveloped in white, meaning the victim was quite frozen. Lord Edgington and Christopher spent the rest of their stay ferreting out the killer amongst them. Notes were found stating the plan was for all of them to be killed. No one felt safe and no one could leave unless, perhaps, they had skis or snowshoes, and even then, roads were impassible.
So, that's all I’ll say about the story other than, of course, the solution was quite a surprise, and that it was a very good book.
December 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this holiday mystery. Christopher is picked up from school by his 70 year old esteemed grandfather, in his latest sports car. Arriving back at the manor in one peace he learns that he, his mom, and brother to go to a house party at the retired head of the police, and good friend, and former boss of his grandfather. They all pack, including staff and baskets of food. Once there the door is unlocked, but ready for guests. It all seems very odd to his grandfather. The housing staff are missing as well. The only note left was giving his servants time off. The more the guests arrive the stranger the party seems. Christopher leaves the manor to cut down the Christmas tree, and finds their host . He is unfortunately shot through the heart. This is where the true mystery begins. It is not just a mystery, but with decorating, and games, and lots of deserts to serve there is nothing much to do. The phone line is cut, and soon a second victim is found. Now it is up to the retired inspector, and his grandson to get busy, and solve the mystery. How are they connected, and who is the murderer in the house. I found it delightful. It could be funny, and informative to what was served, and played during the days up to, and including Christmas. There were many suspects to consider, and it was fun deciding who the culprit was. Clean murder mystery, with some fun, and food to relieve the tension. Brilliant Christmas reading. 5 stars. I should mention it takes place in the 1920’s, with a buzzard snowing them in, and the freezing weather, and stolen horses, and sleighs It makes for quite the puzzle.
November 25, 2021
Lord Edgington has been invited to spend the Christmas holiday with Lord Oliver Mountfalcon, a former associate from his days on the police force. Lord Edgington is accompanied by his daughter, his two grandsons, and several of his staff. Unfortunately, when they arrive at Mistletoe Hall, the manor is deserted and Lord Mountfalcon is nowhere to be found. Also showing up at the manor is Inspector Blunt, another associate from the police force. There was quite an assortment of other guests who were also invited for the holiday.
When Christopher goes around the area looking for a Christmas tree, he finds Lord Mountfalcon's body and he appears to have been dead for a while. The weather is a huge problem with everybody snowed in and unable to leave.
What is the connection between the various guests? Who killed Lord Mountfalcon? Why was he killed? Can Lord Edgington solve the mystery before there are more deaths?
Benedict Brown has another wonderful story with this mystery. The setting and characters are very realistic and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing clear to the surprise ending.
When Christopher goes around the area looking for a Christmas tree, he finds Lord Mountfalcon's body and he appears to have been dead for a while. The weather is a huge problem with everybody snowed in and unable to leave.
What is the connection between the various guests? Who killed Lord Mountfalcon? Why was he killed? Can Lord Edgington solve the mystery before there are more deaths?
Benedict Brown has another wonderful story with this mystery. The setting and characters are very realistic and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing clear to the surprise ending.
December 23, 2023
If you have been looking for a 21st century Agatha Christie, then look no further. Benedict Brown has given such a beautiful christmas twist to And There Were None.
The mystery is interesting, story is gripping and there is enough humour to make you enjoy the book. The detective Lord Edgington is a decent replacement for Hercule Poirot. It is not possible to find few similarities between the two.
All the talks of food definitely made me hungry. There is enough snow & feasts to build the christmas vibe.
All in all a great book to cozy up for Christmas.
The mystery is interesting, story is gripping and there is enough humour to make you enjoy the book. The detective Lord Edgington is a decent replacement for Hercule Poirot. It is not possible to find few similarities between the two.
All the talks of food definitely made me hungry. There is enough snow & feasts to build the christmas vibe.
All in all a great book to cozy up for Christmas.
December 11, 2023
I'll give 4 stars because it hit what I was looking for, but it wasn't a stellar novel. It had cozy Christmas vibes and cheer, murder, and humor. I found the grandson Chrissy to be a dimwit, but a loveable one. I enjoyed his relationship with his detective Grandfather.
December 26, 2023
I was quite disappointed with this book. It literally put me to sleep. It was so boring and so slow going that I kept on falling asleep. Sorry but really did not enjoy it. The 3 stars are for the explanations at the end of the book showing us where the inspiration for Mistletoe Hall came from.
December 14, 2024
Odd mix 3.5 rounded up
I liked the ‘who dunnit’ aspect of this book, but it often felt as though the style of writing was at odds with the topic. Cozy, Christmas nostalgia almost felt disrespectful of the fact that this is about murder, and not just 1. But multiple! And the characters are all trapped in a house with a brutal killer, but yet their attitude is “let’s have Christmas cheer anyway.” 🤷🏻♀️ idk, that idea just seemed far too unbelievable for me.
I liked the ‘who dunnit’ aspect of this book, but it often felt as though the style of writing was at odds with the topic. Cozy, Christmas nostalgia almost felt disrespectful of the fact that this is about murder, and not just 1. But multiple! And the characters are all trapped in a house with a brutal killer, but yet their attitude is “let’s have Christmas cheer anyway.” 🤷🏻♀️ idk, that idea just seemed far too unbelievable for me.
December 7, 2021
Fun Christmas Season Reading
After having started and put down unfinished a couple of holiday novels, I was glad to find The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall to be enjoyable and fun to read. Benedict Brown’s style is engaging; the narrator of this book is a 17 year old boy from a wealthy family, home from boarding school for Christmas. His grandfather, Lord Edgington (a retired police official), has unexpectedly dragged the family and a contingency of his household staff to the grand estate of another lord and former Commissioner to spend the Christmas holiday. They arrive to find several other guests, from assorted walks of life, and a missing host. Of course, there is a murder, and then another. And I should mention there is a blizzard so all the guests and staff get snowed in together. With a killer on the loose. It all makes for an interesting and yes, festive, house party, and each guest seems to take a turn as the main suspect. I was never sure how the story would end, so had to keep reading. This was a delightful story, and I recommend this book for light holiday reading.
After having started and put down unfinished a couple of holiday novels, I was glad to find The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall to be enjoyable and fun to read. Benedict Brown’s style is engaging; the narrator of this book is a 17 year old boy from a wealthy family, home from boarding school for Christmas. His grandfather, Lord Edgington (a retired police official), has unexpectedly dragged the family and a contingency of his household staff to the grand estate of another lord and former Commissioner to spend the Christmas holiday. They arrive to find several other guests, from assorted walks of life, and a missing host. Of course, there is a murder, and then another. And I should mention there is a blizzard so all the guests and staff get snowed in together. With a killer on the loose. It all makes for an interesting and yes, festive, house party, and each guest seems to take a turn as the main suspect. I was never sure how the story would end, so had to keep reading. This was a delightful story, and I recommend this book for light holiday reading.
January 5, 2023
Murder at Christmas...a fun, cozy mystery!
December 20, 2023
It was a great Christmas mystery
It can be read as a standalone. I will definitely be trying out more books in this series.
Loved the setting, perfect christmas vibes
It can be read as a standalone. I will definitely be trying out more books in this series.
Loved the setting, perfect christmas vibes
December 26, 2023
3.75 stars
April 10, 2024
I’m listening to these on audio books. I like most of them. Entertaining.
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