What do you think?
Rate this book
Camille Divine Murder Mystery #4
Murder at the Christmas Grotto
BOXING DAY - LONDON 1923
Camille has planned a visit to Selfridges, the celebrated department store in Oxford Street, London. The store is decorated like a winter wonderland she has heard tell, the epitome of sophisticated chic. After the intense few days she and Cecily had had in Brighton, followed by a hectic Christmas Day where board games and fun and laughter were the order of the day, she decided a trip to the Selfridges Christmas Grotto would be quite the thing, The centrepiece of Harry Selfridges Christmas store had been the talk of London, a pièce de résistance she had read in The Times. An exquisite theatrical event they should not miss. She felt that nothing would delight Ottiie and Amandine more. Accompanied by her loyal maid and friend, Cecily Nugent, they arrive at Selfridges giggling with excitement, but unknown to them their afternoon of delights was to take a very different turn. Yet again Camille and Cecily are called upon to utilise their sleuthing skills to find a murderer. But will our girls discover who turned the Christmas Dream into a nightmare? And will Christmas ever be the same again?
Amazon Review - THE CHRISTMAS TREE MURDERS - A really lovely book set in the 1920's. Camille and her maid plus other acquaintances have the murders of three women and a horse to help the police with. Then there is also a missing ladies maid to be found. Camille has a few obstacles to get past including men who think they know best. I really enjoyed reading this book.
MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS GROTTO is the fourth book in the Camille Divine Murder Mysteries series. Camille and Cecily expect a well-earned rest after their adventure in Brighton, but it is not to be. And of course, when a mystery is there to be solved, our fabulous lady sleuths must solve it.
The Camille Divine Mysteries Series will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie, Agatha Raisin, Downton Abbey, Father Brown by G K Chesterton, The Miss Fischer series, and the contemporary series, Midsomer Murders.
Camille has planned a visit to Selfridges, the celebrated department store in Oxford Street, London. The store is decorated like a winter wonderland she has heard tell, the epitome of sophisticated chic. After the intense few days she and Cecily had had in Brighton, followed by a hectic Christmas Day where board games and fun and laughter were the order of the day, she decided a trip to the Selfridges Christmas Grotto would be quite the thing, The centrepiece of Harry Selfridges Christmas store had been the talk of London, a pièce de résistance she had read in The Times. An exquisite theatrical event they should not miss. She felt that nothing would delight Ottiie and Amandine more. Accompanied by her loyal maid and friend, Cecily Nugent, they arrive at Selfridges giggling with excitement, but unknown to them their afternoon of delights was to take a very different turn. Yet again Camille and Cecily are called upon to utilise their sleuthing skills to find a murderer. But will our girls discover who turned the Christmas Dream into a nightmare? And will Christmas ever be the same again?
Amazon Review - THE CHRISTMAS TREE MURDERS - A really lovely book set in the 1920's. Camille and her maid plus other acquaintances have the murders of three women and a horse to help the police with. Then there is also a missing ladies maid to be found. Camille has a few obstacles to get past including men who think they know best. I really enjoyed reading this book.
MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS GROTTO is the fourth book in the Camille Divine Murder Mysteries series. Camille and Cecily expect a well-earned rest after their adventure in Brighton, but it is not to be. And of course, when a mystery is there to be solved, our fabulous lady sleuths must solve it.
The Camille Divine Mysteries Series will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie, Agatha Raisin, Downton Abbey, Father Brown by G K Chesterton, The Miss Fischer series, and the contemporary series, Midsomer Murders.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2022
196 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Hicks
38 books47 followersWriting is my passion...along with soft furnishings and Jaffa cakes! I write the books I want to read; the stories that occupy my thoughts, seemingly at every moment. My hope is you will love my characters, and the stories I write about and want to read more. I'm always interested in hearing about your favourite characters and what you like to read.
Visit me at www.andreahicks-writer.com or contact me at info@andreahicks-writer.com I love connecting with my readers and other authors. Reading other authors and writing my books connects me to the world around me, giving me the opportunity to explore different situations, emotions, and even other countries.
Thank you for spending so much time with me
Love
Andrea xxx
Visit me at www.andreahicks-writer.com or contact me at info@andreahicks-writer.com I love connecting with my readers and other authors. Reading other authors and writing my books connects me to the world around me, giving me the opportunity to explore different situations, emotions, and even other countries.
Thank you for spending so much time with me
Love
Andrea xxx
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 18, 2024
Some books are hard to read.
“Murder at the Christmas Grotto” is almost impossible.
I had a headache only a few pages in.
Why?
While the main character Lady Camille Devine is a toff through and through, she is surrounded by working class stiffs who delight in mangling the English language:- ‘Carn’t ‘elp being popular can I? It’s me charisma what does it. You don’t need to worry about me, Chief Inspector. I can be as quiet as the bloke what’s just been murdered.’
“‘Or ‘e might ‘ave ‘ad a bout of indigestion and ‘ad to lie down for a minute, an’ she thought ‘e’d popped his clogs.’”
Aaaarrgh!
Despite being the fourth in a series there is nothing to show it, either on the cover or elsewhere. I did wonder why the Prologue referred to previous events and crimes.
It's not for me.
2 Stars.
“Murder at the Christmas Grotto” is almost impossible.
I had a headache only a few pages in.
Why?
While the main character Lady Camille Devine is a toff through and through, she is surrounded by working class stiffs who delight in mangling the English language:- ‘Carn’t ‘elp being popular can I? It’s me charisma what does it. You don’t need to worry about me, Chief Inspector. I can be as quiet as the bloke what’s just been murdered.’
“‘Or ‘e might ‘ave ‘ad a bout of indigestion and ‘ad to lie down for a minute, an’ she thought ‘e’d popped his clogs.’”
Aaaarrgh!
Despite being the fourth in a series there is nothing to show it, either on the cover or elsewhere. I did wonder why the Prologue referred to previous events and crimes.
It's not for me.
2 Stars.
November 22, 2022
The Heights and Depths of London in the 1920s
Lady Camille Devine and her loyal maid Cecily are enjoying a Boxing Day visit to Selfridges elegant department store and its entrancing Christmas grotto. But their fun is interrupted by a body found in the basement .
Hoping to help Scotland Yard find the murderer, Camille and Cecily head to the infamous rookery of St. Giles. Seeing the squalor of Cecily childhood home, Camille begins, to understand how class rules the lives of both the rich and poor.
It is fascinating to watch Camilla throw off the prejudice and snobbery of her upbringing and realize that a person's value comes from character, not pedigree. Reading about her continuing growth will be a pleasure.
Lady Camille Devine and her loyal maid Cecily are enjoying a Boxing Day visit to Selfridges elegant department store and its entrancing Christmas grotto. But their fun is interrupted by a body found in the basement .
Hoping to help Scotland Yard find the murderer, Camille and Cecily head to the infamous rookery of St. Giles. Seeing the squalor of Cecily childhood home, Camille begins, to understand how class rules the lives of both the rich and poor.
It is fascinating to watch Camilla throw off the prejudice and snobbery of her upbringing and realize that a person's value comes from character, not pedigree. Reading about her continuing growth will be a pleasure.
August 23, 2023
There is a difference between being a feminist and a man hater, the difference is where your focus lays.
This book confuses one for the other, the men go the extra mile to where they're irredeemable. The women are all modern age ones looking back in time and saying "ugh, how did women live like this! Here is the right way to do it!" They just don't feel like they belong in this time period and spend most of the book grumbling about what's missing from their lives, things they know nothing about and don't help them in their day to day activities.
Even the murder seems like an after thought as the main focus is the feminist/man-hating messages with a side of message and do you want some more message with your message? here have even more message.
For a cozy this was rather unpleasant. More so when it turned out the author confused a brothel Madam (who is married, washerwoman type and probably weighs a ton from the way the author describes her) with a high-end prostitute.
It feels like the author doesn't understand the time period and ended up focusing way to much on how things should be instead of what actually is.
This book confuses one for the other, the men go the extra mile to where they're irredeemable. The women are all modern age ones looking back in time and saying "ugh, how did women live like this! Here is the right way to do it!" They just don't feel like they belong in this time period and spend most of the book grumbling about what's missing from their lives, things they know nothing about and don't help them in their day to day activities.
Even the murder seems like an after thought as the main focus is the feminist/man-hating messages with a side of message and do you want some more message with your message? here have even more message.
For a cozy this was rather unpleasant. More so when it turned out the author confused a brothel Madam (who is married, washerwoman type and probably weighs a ton from the way the author describes her) with a high-end prostitute.
It feels like the author doesn't understand the time period and ended up focusing way to much on how things should be instead of what actually is.
August 1, 2024
Creative mystery with a strong heroine
The Camille Divine books are absorbing, with well crafted plots and strong, resilient women heroines.
Unfortunately there are frequent grammatical errors which detract from the excellence of the ideas.
This is why I can’t give this a 5 star (3 1/2 would be more accurate but that isn’t an option).
Andrea Hicks needs a better editor, but I will continue to read her books because of the strength and creativity of her ideas and character. I also love the era of London in the 20’s.
The Camille Divine books are absorbing, with well crafted plots and strong, resilient women heroines.
Unfortunately there are frequent grammatical errors which detract from the excellence of the ideas.
This is why I can’t give this a 5 star (3 1/2 would be more accurate but that isn’t an option).
Andrea Hicks needs a better editor, but I will continue to read her books because of the strength and creativity of her ideas and character. I also love the era of London in the 20’s.
February 12, 2023
A good story
I liked this short story. The plot is easily followed, the characters are fun and interesting, and the premise is sound. The story is well written and read quickly. I do recommend this short story.
I liked this short story. The plot is easily followed, the characters are fun and interesting, and the premise is sound. The story is well written and read quickly. I do recommend this short story.
January 20, 2025
Short
Half the length of a regular book and I was disappointed that the main character would do some snooping in a horrible part of town, it was ridiculous and pointless. I don't understand the need for pointless things done in this book.
Half the length of a regular book and I was disappointed that the main character would do some snooping in a horrible part of town, it was ridiculous and pointless. I don't understand the need for pointless things done in this book.
March 26, 2025
well written
I enjoyed this 4th book in the series. I wish they were available at the local library. Convoluted story but interesting. The characters carry over with each novel which builds up in the portrayal of the characters and story line.
I enjoyed this 4th book in the series. I wish they were available at the local library. Convoluted story but interesting. The characters carry over with each novel which builds up in the portrayal of the characters and story line.
May 4, 2025
I dearly love the characters and the setting of the stories. I read lots of other similar books- but this series captured my interest and I find them delightful! I hope there will be lots of them coming and the only thing I would have changed about them is that they could be longer!
December 12, 2022
Christmas at Selfridges
A quiet Christmas on Duke Street? Not a chance. Christmas shopping at Selfridges and visit to the Christmas grotto leads to murder!
A quiet Christmas on Duke Street? Not a chance. Christmas shopping at Selfridges and visit to the Christmas grotto leads to murder!
August 31, 2024
Great Carole Devine mystery. Expertly written!!!
September 30, 2024
Just really loved it
I love these books. They are creative an funny. I love the budding romance an how they are one big happy group
I love these books. They are creative an funny. I love the budding romance an how they are one big happy group
August 6, 2025
This was a very entertaining story and over far too quickly. I simply sped through it. This series is excellent with murder, mystery and a little romance (and no sex or swearing).
September 28, 2023
This novella is a delight in that our favourite sleuths and the colourful Elsie untangle the mystery behind a Murder at the famous Selfridges department store! It is a joy to hear the character profiles develop as the storylines twirl and weave to elegant conclusions! I really cannot wait to read the next in the series!
February 4, 2023
Excellent
A well-written, very enjoyable story.
Unlike some stories placed in this period, this one is very believable with plenty of historical details that ring true for a modern reader.
A well-written, very enjoyable story.
Unlike some stories placed in this period, this one is very believable with plenty of historical details that ring true for a modern reader.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews