A Murderous Christmas

DI Tom Blake #5.5

by J.F. Burgess

Stranded by a blizzard. Hunted by a killer.

Widowed Detective Tom Blake and his daughter Isabel receive an invitation to stay with his eighty-nine-year-old uncle Archie over Christmas. Tom is concerned as the old man indicates he has something life-changing to tell them.

When they arrive at Thorpe Dale village, Lord and Lady Bainbridge invite them to Larkstone Manor, their isolated home. But when a blizzard descends over the Peaks surrounding the house, they are cut off from the outside world.

Archie disappears early on Christmas Eve. Unable to raise help, Blake and his daughter embark on a dangerous journey over freezing, desolate moors to search for him.

The bludgeoned body of Larkstone’s gardener is found in a ghostly pine forest. linked to stories of ghostly black hounds. Could Archie be next?

Still cut off from the outside world, Blake, assisted by Isabel, investigates and uncovers a historical scandal far darker than either of them could imagine.

They quickly discover they’re among treacherous strangers concealing long-held grudges.

Will they uncover the deadly truth about Larkstone Manor and find Archie before a devious killer with a thirst for vengeance picks them off one by one in this inhospitable landscape?

MEET THE DETECTIVE

Tom Blake is a forty-six-old widowed detective inspector. His wife and ten-year-old son were tragically killed in a fatal hit-and-run car crash ten years ago. He was driving at the time and his daughter Isabel was also in the car - they both miraculously escaped with minor cuts and bruises, but he still suffers from emotional flashbacks and neck pain. His team never caught the joyrider who killed his family and he vows to bring the perpetrator to justice one day.

THE SETTING
Dovedale is a picturesque valley in the Peak District of England. This spectacular landscape is surrounded by isolated peaks and baron moors said to be haunted by black hounds, known as Padfoot's. When heavy snow falls, the remote villages and outlying farms are cut off from the outside world - and a killer's footsteps can be covered by freshly fallen snow!

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE GRIPPING DI TOM BLAKE SERIES:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Tom Blake is a great character. I have read all his adventures and continue to look forward to the next one.' Josephine Wade

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Compelling read! Intense and well-written narrative, with great characters! This book will stay with you for a long time, don't miss it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Great reads with many twists and turns.' Author Elliot Fassbinder

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'J F Burgess knows how to keep his readers hooked right until the end.' Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I really like the way Mr Burgess tells a story.' Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'J.F. Burgess writes with confidence and a distinctive style.' Alex Black


ALSO BY J.F.BURGESS
DETECTIVE TOM BLAKE MURDER MYSTERY SERIES
Book 1: THE KILLER SHADOW THIEVES
Book 2: A PLACE OF RECKONING
Book 3: THE MISSING AND THE DEAD
Book 4: HIDDEN DEPTHS
Book 5: THE DEATH OF INNOCENCE
Book 6: A MURDEROUS CHRISTMAS (standalone)

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2022

About the author

About the author

J.F. Burgess writes addictive, twist-filled crime thrillers that keep readers up all night.

If you love gritty police procedurals packed with shocking reveals, morally complex detectives, and villains you’ll never forget — you’ve just found your next favourite author.

His bestselling DI Tom Blake series is set in the raw, industrial heart of Stoke-on-Trent, where dark secrets hide in plain sight. The DI Jessica Ryan books transport readers to the stunning but deadly beauty of the Peak District, where danger lurks behind every stone wall and misty ridge.

The first Blake novel, The Killer Shadow Thieves, has been downloaded over 10,000 times and smashed into the Amazon UK Crime Top 100.

Both series have grown to twelve novels, accumulating over 1.8 million Kindle Unlimited page reads and a loyal fan base on both sides of the Atlantic.

What readers are saying:

“Page-turning, tense crime mysteries with shocking twists that take you deep inside the criminal mind.”

Jonathan lives in Stoke-on-Trent, England, with his wife and grown-up daughter.

Start reading today — and discover why crime fans can’t put these books down.

Join his *VIP Reader's Club* to ensure you get all the special offers and forthcoming gripping crime stories, only available to VIP Club members. Pop your name on the list here...

https://jfburgess.com/

Facebook — Join him and other crime fans for a chat on his Facebook readers group here: https://www.facebook.com/JonBurgessWr...

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi, I read this Novella today and loved it, some great characters, a fiesty storyline and a real Chrismassy feel to it, if you like ’whodunits’ and locked in in the snow books then give this a whirl,enjoyable

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun Christmas read, like watching a mystery series on a Sunday afternoon on the BBC. It had the feeling of a 1920s mystery but was set now so was modern. Really enjoyed it might read so more by this author.

[Kenn Divas]

Andie Low delivers a cozy Christmas mystery that’s as delightful as a cup of hot cocoa (with a little something extra for warmth). The small-town charm, quirky characters, and perfectly paced whodunit kept me turning pages late into the night. The holiday setting added just the right amount of festive cheer to balance out the murder and mayhem.

If you love amateur sleuths, clever twists, and a dash of humor with your holiday reading, A Murderous Christmas is a must-read. I’ll be picking up more from this author

[Donna Morfett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father and daughter go to visit their elderly uncle just before Christmas. When they visit the local rich family mansion and get stranded by a sudden snowfall they are cut off.
A disappearance and murder soon follow and the father and daughter duo try and solve it.
Some great characters, lots of history and long held secrets.
A very quick, but atmospheric read. Loved it.

[Gem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book quite hard to read but overall it’s a good story.

Tom Blake and his daughter visit his uncle Archie for Christmas, what follows is a devious tale of murder and deceit.

The ending wrapped up fairly quickly and it feels like some things were skipped over.

I will definitely look at reading the Tom Blake series though

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of duplicity

This is my first introduction to a Tom Blake murder mystery. This was an interesting story in which Tom and his daughter get trapped by a snowstorm only to have a murderer and a kidnapper in their midst. They then put their crime solving skills to good use.

[David Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had the basis of a good story but it appeared to be rushed. The information arrived without any investigation. Poor characterisation. In short utter rubbish!

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolute rubbish. No wonder it was cheap to buy.

A very badly told story. So much of it didn't make sense. There was lack of attention to detail. It felt rushed.

[Jo Broch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutting edge

Good story
Money can't solve everything
Quick to read but worth it


It a father and daughter mystery adventure story