Mordecai Tremaine, former tobacconist and perennial lover of romance novels, has been invited to spend Christmas in the sleepy village of Sherbroome at the country retreat of one Benedict Grame.
Arriving on Christmas Eve, he finds that the revelries are in full flow - but so too are tensions amongst the assortment of guests.
Midnight strikes and the party-goers discover that it's not just presents nestling 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 the suspicions flying, it's up to Mordecai to sniff out the culprit - and prevent someone else from getting murder for Christmas.
'Kept guessing to the end, I am left wondering why it has taken so long to discover Francis Duncan... With some 20 crime novels to his credit, a relaunch seems long overdue'
Daily Mail
'Who can resist a seasonal whodunnit? This is a bah-humbug's ideal read'
Lady
'The book nods towards Agatha Christie but retains a crackling atmosphere of dread and horror that will chill the heart however warm your fireside'
Metro
'A wonderfully cosy read and a great way to while away a winter's evening'
Nudge
'This is a golden age murder mystery that'll certainly appeal to lovers of Agatha Christie – or anyone who enjoys a good, old-fashioned whodunit... This is a book that could be read at any time of year but would certainly make perfect festive reading. It has humour, excellent characterisation and a gentle tone that would sit well following the after-Queen's Speech nap'
crimefictionlover