Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan


Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan
Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: October 10, 2017


The first book in a classic Golden Age mystery series perfect for fans of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot

When Mordecai Tremaine arrives at the country retreat of one Benedict Grame on Christmas Eve, he discovers that the revelries are in full swing in the sleepy village of Sherbroome—but so too are tensions amongst the assortment of guests.
When midnight strikes, the partygoers discover that presents aren’t the only things nestled under the tree...there’s a dead body too. A dead body that bears a striking resemblance to Father Christmas. With the snow falling and suspicions flying, it’s up to Mordecai to sniff out the culprit—and prevent anyone else from getting murder for Christmas.



Murder for Christmas is a festive mystery for the holiday season: mulled wine, mince pies... and murder.


Praise for Murder for Christmas

"Fans of classic British mysteries will delight in this Christmas tale loaded with red herrings and cleverly planted clues." - Kirkus

"Unexpected and accomplished twists to the cozy mystery formula add to the old-fashioned pleasures of this novel." Publishers Weekly


"Fans of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers will enjoy Tremaine’s exploits. Pair with Mavis Doriel Hay’s The Santa Klaus Murder for a double shot of golden age yuletide mystery”.- Library Journal





Buy Links
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2BbeRiZ
Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2jKzfDi
IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2z9RV1X

The well described opening chapters of this book are a perfect mix of picturesque Dickensian Country Christmas and doom and gloom waiting-for-the -inevitable suspense of the beloved movie Clue.
An odd assortment of characters gathers in the village's Big House. Most of the guests have been there many times before. The host, Benedict Grame, is known for his love of the holiday but also for eccentric behavior, as are the recurring guests.
We meet a young woman, a sort of ward of the estate, who seems prepared to get married but who can not get the approval of her guardian. It is hinted that when she gets married there is a diamond necklace of great value to be presented. Is that a clue or a red herring? There are red herrings aplenty, all skillfully placed.

This wonderul holiday read will appeal to lovers of British mysteries, especially those set in a more genteel time and place. Classic mystery lovers will delight in revisiting this version.







Francis Duncan is the pseudonym for William Underhill, who was born in 1918. He lived virtually all his life in Bristol and served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in World War II, landing in France shortly after D-Day. After the war, he trained as a teacher and spent the rest of his life in education. He died in 1988.

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