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A Christmas Murder of Crows: A Dunderdale Mystery
December 1923. In the picturesque Westmorland village of Crowthwaite, the barmaid at The Black Feather entertains a traveller with a local story of pagan sacrifice – the Murder of Crows. Unbeknownst to the guests already arriving for Christmas at Crowthwaite Castle, the storytelling foreshadows things to come.
As he does every year, Sir Henry de Trouville, tenth Baronet, has demanded his family join him for the festive season. But family friction soon begins to flare, and when the snow falls to herald Christmas it brings with it a shocking series of events.
Just before the passes through the Pennines are closed off, Detective Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale of Manchester City Police arrives at the castle to investigate the evil, and inconvenient, business of murder.
As he does every year, Sir Henry de Trouville, tenth Baronet, has demanded his family join him for the festive season. But family friction soon begins to flare, and when the snow falls to herald Christmas it brings with it a shocking series of events.
Just before the passes through the Pennines are closed off, Detective Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale of Manchester City Police arrives at the castle to investigate the evil, and inconvenient, business of murder.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2022
42 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Austin
1 book2 followersD.M. Austin lives with her husband and their teenage son in their home county of Yorkshire. As a mature student, D.M. Austin studied Primary Teaching for two years and Education Studies for the final third year at York St John University before graduating with a First Class honours. A CHRISTMAS MURDER OF CROWS is D.M. Austin's debut novel, introducing Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale as a Golden Age detective. When not writing, D.M. Austin can be found hill walking, mountain biking, drawing or snuggled in her reading corner reading fiction and non-fiction across a range of genres.
More recently, D.M. Austin has been accepted as a member of the Crime Writers' Association and A CHRISTMAS MURDER OF CROWS is the winner of Crime Fiction Lover's BEST DEBUT NOVEL of 2022.
More recently, D.M. Austin has been accepted as a member of the Crime Writers' Association and A CHRISTMAS MURDER OF CROWS is the winner of Crime Fiction Lover's BEST DEBUT NOVEL of 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 31, 2023
December 1923. A Christmas gathering at Crowthwaite Castle, the home of baronet Sir Henry de Trouville, results in several deaths. But what could be the motive. DI Gilbert Dunderdale investigates.
An enjoyable historical mystery.
An enjoyable historical mystery.
November 26, 2022
A standout debut novel with an assured quality of writing. This is a classic Country house murder mystery with all the right ingredients, set in the 1923 and featuring a veritable cast of characters and suspects. However, you also have a quality of writing which had be me gripped and full of intrigue throughout in trying to second guess the murderer.
The author has brought to life characters who you can picture, each seemingly with a reason to commit the crime, each with secrets and a past, the way the author has given each their own personality and differing traits, so that they are not necessarily stereotypical. In DI Gilbert Dunderdale, you have a man who lets the clues lead him to the killer with a no nonsense approach, as much as the author has created superb characters place and location more than play their part, the countryhouse setting the time of year and the weather all combine to give an atmosphere of coldness and a bleakness which make a perfect setting, the writing really brings this to the fore, the narrative within the book is so descriptive, you can feel yourself there watching as things unfold
The plot is constructed in a way so your’e never sure as you read not only who the killer is but the reasons why, there are plenty of red herrings and surprises along the way, one thing I really enjoy when reading books set in the past is that the investigation relies on good old fashioned police leg work and this book is no different, follow the clues.
The book has a real depth to it in terms of the way the narrative and protagonists are written, you have a classic denoument at the end where the truth is revealed
This is a perfect read for this time of year, full of atmosphere, a read which kept me entertained throughout, with its air of mystery , suspense and intrigue, definitly one to watch out for and one where I eagerly look forward to reading more of DI Dunderdale
5*****
The author has brought to life characters who you can picture, each seemingly with a reason to commit the crime, each with secrets and a past, the way the author has given each their own personality and differing traits, so that they are not necessarily stereotypical. In DI Gilbert Dunderdale, you have a man who lets the clues lead him to the killer with a no nonsense approach, as much as the author has created superb characters place and location more than play their part, the countryhouse setting the time of year and the weather all combine to give an atmosphere of coldness and a bleakness which make a perfect setting, the writing really brings this to the fore, the narrative within the book is so descriptive, you can feel yourself there watching as things unfold
The plot is constructed in a way so your’e never sure as you read not only who the killer is but the reasons why, there are plenty of red herrings and surprises along the way, one thing I really enjoy when reading books set in the past is that the investigation relies on good old fashioned police leg work and this book is no different, follow the clues.
The book has a real depth to it in terms of the way the narrative and protagonists are written, you have a classic denoument at the end where the truth is revealed
This is a perfect read for this time of year, full of atmosphere, a read which kept me entertained throughout, with its air of mystery , suspense and intrigue, definitly one to watch out for and one where I eagerly look forward to reading more of DI Dunderdale
5*****
December 17, 2025
A midwinter murder mystery.
Sir Henry de Trouville of Crowthwaite Castle hosts the annual Christmas reunion of his nearest family.
Beneath the bright lights and merriment, turmoil brews within this clan, rife with secrets, betrayals and personal agendas.
Then murder tears a tragic wound through the festivities, a curse centuries past ready to be fulfilled anew.
'A Christmas Murder of Crows' is the debut novel by D.M. Austin, an historical crime mystery, set in 1923. Featuring Detective Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale, summoned from Manchester City Police to investigate two deaths at Crowthwaite Castle, nestled in rural Cumbria, this is a classic detective story in the style and time period of Golden Age crime, infused with Gothic undertones, the setting brought vividly to life – the secluded castle manor house in the midst of the snow-drenched wilderness.
Austin weaves an intricate mystery, commencing with the gathering of the de Trouville family and introduction to each character, these the last in line of this dynasty of English aristocracy, with servants and locals from the village in tow, and the retelling of a tale of family history and local folklore, infused with dark symbolism, pagan ritual and blood sacrifice. Tensions already froth beneath the surface, boiling over as we come into the early hours of Christmas morning. The first death is that of an unexpected victim, but then a second brutal murder rocks an already stricken household shortly before the police arrive.
DI Dunderdale is called up from Manchester to investigate by the Chief Constable, the local team inexperienced with conducting murder investigations. With the assistance of local Sergeant Collins, Dunderdale interviews each witness, piecing together the clues and the evidence in the hunt for a killer. Each adult member of the family and their guests is a suspect, motivated by greed, passions, and family politics; Dunderdale’s investigation uncovering deceit and malice, satisfyingly concluding with the classic mystery’s motif of the detective’s summing up of the crime and exposing the murderer; all the while, the crows hovering like an omen.
Swirling with atmosphere and suspense, ‘A Christmas Murder of Crows’ is a thrilling festive mystery, promising to be the first in a series of Dunderdale mysteries.
Sir Henry de Trouville of Crowthwaite Castle hosts the annual Christmas reunion of his nearest family.
Beneath the bright lights and merriment, turmoil brews within this clan, rife with secrets, betrayals and personal agendas.
Then murder tears a tragic wound through the festivities, a curse centuries past ready to be fulfilled anew.
'A Christmas Murder of Crows' is the debut novel by D.M. Austin, an historical crime mystery, set in 1923. Featuring Detective Inspector Gilbert Dunderdale, summoned from Manchester City Police to investigate two deaths at Crowthwaite Castle, nestled in rural Cumbria, this is a classic detective story in the style and time period of Golden Age crime, infused with Gothic undertones, the setting brought vividly to life – the secluded castle manor house in the midst of the snow-drenched wilderness.
Austin weaves an intricate mystery, commencing with the gathering of the de Trouville family and introduction to each character, these the last in line of this dynasty of English aristocracy, with servants and locals from the village in tow, and the retelling of a tale of family history and local folklore, infused with dark symbolism, pagan ritual and blood sacrifice. Tensions already froth beneath the surface, boiling over as we come into the early hours of Christmas morning. The first death is that of an unexpected victim, but then a second brutal murder rocks an already stricken household shortly before the police arrive.
DI Dunderdale is called up from Manchester to investigate by the Chief Constable, the local team inexperienced with conducting murder investigations. With the assistance of local Sergeant Collins, Dunderdale interviews each witness, piecing together the clues and the evidence in the hunt for a killer. Each adult member of the family and their guests is a suspect, motivated by greed, passions, and family politics; Dunderdale’s investigation uncovering deceit and malice, satisfyingly concluding with the classic mystery’s motif of the detective’s summing up of the crime and exposing the murderer; all the while, the crows hovering like an omen.
Swirling with atmosphere and suspense, ‘A Christmas Murder of Crows’ is a thrilling festive mystery, promising to be the first in a series of Dunderdale mysteries.
November 29, 2022
A Christmas Murder Of Crows - DM Austin
Well this book is gloriously in the vein of the Golden Age of Crime fiction. There is a Christmas setting in a Manor House. A big family gather at Christmas at the behest of the patriarch who is a very disagreeable character. Everyone has secrets to hide and a reason to kill. There is an old folklore tale of a sacrificial virgin, no less, and a murder of crows and a curse on the family that does not complete this each solstice.
The imagery is fabulous, very Wuthering heights with isolated moorland, crackling fires and a family at each others throats….the posh people seem to hate each other and everyone else, whilst everyone else gets on with the job - I could imagine the eye rolls!
Then, there is murder and so we begin…
There is a big cast of characters which took me some time to get to grips with but I was soon captured by the story, perfect to read with the nights drawing in and a few sparkling lights. There are a few nice little twists which threw me. Gilbert Dunderdale is tasked with uncovering the truth, he is a bit of a stickler and likes to use Greek Gods as expletives.
With wrangling over inheritance, class differences and some closing of ranks, all whilst being snowed in, for poor ‘Dunderdale’, it’s like trying to get blood out of a stone with these suspects!
I loved unpicking this, who was where and when, plenty of motives and all entwined with myths. It’s a perfect read for Christmas, there are a few nice little twists which threw me but I did in the end pick the murderer, probably by fluke!
I’m hoping there will be more murders for Dunderdale to solve in the near future!
Well this book is gloriously in the vein of the Golden Age of Crime fiction. There is a Christmas setting in a Manor House. A big family gather at Christmas at the behest of the patriarch who is a very disagreeable character. Everyone has secrets to hide and a reason to kill. There is an old folklore tale of a sacrificial virgin, no less, and a murder of crows and a curse on the family that does not complete this each solstice.
The imagery is fabulous, very Wuthering heights with isolated moorland, crackling fires and a family at each others throats….the posh people seem to hate each other and everyone else, whilst everyone else gets on with the job - I could imagine the eye rolls!
Then, there is murder and so we begin…
There is a big cast of characters which took me some time to get to grips with but I was soon captured by the story, perfect to read with the nights drawing in and a few sparkling lights. There are a few nice little twists which threw me. Gilbert Dunderdale is tasked with uncovering the truth, he is a bit of a stickler and likes to use Greek Gods as expletives.
With wrangling over inheritance, class differences and some closing of ranks, all whilst being snowed in, for poor ‘Dunderdale’, it’s like trying to get blood out of a stone with these suspects!
I loved unpicking this, who was where and when, plenty of motives and all entwined with myths. It’s a perfect read for Christmas, there are a few nice little twists which threw me but I did in the end pick the murderer, probably by fluke!
I’m hoping there will be more murders for Dunderdale to solve in the near future!
December 23, 2022
This was an enjoyable Christmas murder mystery set in a Manor House. All the pleasurable features of a Golden Age whodunnit are present - the isolation of the house, heavy snowfall, thick fog, open fires, the changing of a Will, arguments over inheritance rights, the bickering family members, etc - and then there are two murders...
But it wasn't quite as good as I really wanted it to be, especially at this time of the year. I must confess I struggled with the huge cast of characters - it was a pain trying to remember who was who, who was married to who, who was in love with who, and so on - and, for me, the dialogue was never quite right. I never felt as though I got to grips with the story and thought it would probably make for a much better film than a winter read.
If I'm being completely honest, 3½ stars is more like it.
But it wasn't quite as good as I really wanted it to be, especially at this time of the year. I must confess I struggled with the huge cast of characters - it was a pain trying to remember who was who, who was married to who, who was in love with who, and so on - and, for me, the dialogue was never quite right. I never felt as though I got to grips with the story and thought it would probably make for a much better film than a winter read.
If I'm being completely honest, 3½ stars is more like it.
January 31, 2024
Couldn't stop reading. Riveting.
I came across this book by chance, and chose it because of the title and the cover. I like murder mysteries set at Christmas. I believe that crows are an omen of death, and have personally experienced this phenomenon. The story is well written with a coherent plot. At first it was difficult to remember who was who as there are a lot of characters. The author kindly provides a list of characters at the beginning, but this is not particularly helpful when reading the kindle version. I didn't guess the murderer although, in retrospect, the clues were there, except for one: it is bad form to introduce another significant character towards the denouement. The characters are well drawn; some likeable, some not. A thoroughly good read for anyone who likes stories in the style of Agatha Christie.
I came across this book by chance, and chose it because of the title and the cover. I like murder mysteries set at Christmas. I believe that crows are an omen of death, and have personally experienced this phenomenon. The story is well written with a coherent plot. At first it was difficult to remember who was who as there are a lot of characters. The author kindly provides a list of characters at the beginning, but this is not particularly helpful when reading the kindle version. I didn't guess the murderer although, in retrospect, the clues were there, except for one: it is bad form to introduce another significant character towards the denouement. The characters are well drawn; some likeable, some not. A thoroughly good read for anyone who likes stories in the style of Agatha Christie.
December 23, 2022
It's hard to believe that this Golden Age Murder Mystery pastiche is the author's first book, the writing is very assured. I always read a mystery at Christmas and am usually disappointed (e.g. The Christmas Murder Mystery, which I gave 1* because it was truly dreadful.) This was a lot of fun with the usual cast of unlikeable and shady upper class twits gathering for Christmas and New Year and getting bumped off. Enter Inspector Dunderdale of the Manchester Police and lots of snow and you have a true Golden Age setting. The solution is easier in retrospect because the author doesn't really provide the reader with everything they need in order to solve it, which is the Christie way. I hope she does this in her next book in the series.
December 13, 2022
Perfect murder mystery, reminiscent of Agatha Christie
The setting was so well described, I was living it. Excellent murder mystery, lots of clues being dangled. I did have trouble remembering who was who, but once I was able to settle down with out disturbances, time flew. It would make a perfect Christmas whodunit tv film.
The setting was so well described, I was living it. Excellent murder mystery, lots of clues being dangled. I did have trouble remembering who was who, but once I was able to settle down with out disturbances, time flew. It would make a perfect Christmas whodunit tv film.
December 17, 2022
I finished, or it finished me.
Perhaps I should have paid closer attention although I did go over several passages several times. Still failed to comprehend some allusions. The little addition in the ending, what????? I hope to remember the author so as not to subject myself to wasted time ... again.
Perhaps I should have paid closer attention although I did go over several passages several times. Still failed to comprehend some allusions. The little addition in the ending, what????? I hope to remember the author so as not to subject myself to wasted time ... again.
January 18, 2024
Rather disappointing as I was hoping to read a true whodunit over Christmas. To me it was not very well written and had too many characters to keep up with in the story which at first appeared to be interesting. As the plot developed it didn't come up to expectations for me so sadly I will not be following any more in the Inspector Dunderdale series.
Read
December 25, 2022I started it but there was something about the writing style that just wasn't for me. Moving on.
December 25, 2022
The story is fine, but the diction is sometimes hard to follow - as if a firmer editor needed to step in.
December 29, 2022
Solid country house murder mystery that keeps you guessing.
January 8, 2023
Entertaining enough. Hard to follow various characters as all a bit the same. The whodunnit felt a bit shoehorned in and the clues were heavy handed so even I spotted them.
March 15, 2023
Intriguing plot with many twists and turns. Excellent description of the house and environs so I was able to clearly visualise the story as it unfolded.
July 5, 2023
It actually gave me a headache
July 5, 2023
It actually gave me a headache.
July 5, 2023
A Great Read.
Excellent plot with plenty of twists and turns. The characters are real and convincing. Yes I really enjoyed the read. Can’t wait for the next book.
Excellent plot with plenty of twists and turns. The characters are real and convincing. Yes I really enjoyed the read. Can’t wait for the next book.
December 3, 2023
Not very good
December 5, 2023
How fun!
March 29, 2023
I do enjoy a good murder mystery. Unfortunately this isn't one. A lot of the story is told in slightly disjointed dialogue. The characters are one dimensional stereotypes; the aristocrats are self absorbed and unprincipled, the police are plodding and uninspiring while the only likeable characters are the children and servants. The murder plot is a bit convoluted but certainly not surprising and the final confession letter too twee for words. Not a highly recommended read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews