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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A silly little Christmas murder mystery. Similar to the other books in the series, nothing ground breaking but a nice mindless read.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ll preface this review by stating that this is the 3rd book of the “Ernest Cunningham” series and this is the first of that series I have read. It does seem to contain spoilers to the other two books to a word to the wise if you’re jumping in headfirst with this one like me.
This is a story written by our hero, Ernest Cunningham after the crime has been solved. He is Dr. Watson to himself as Sherlock Holmes, having these books published and his cases making him well known.
This case begins on 21st Dec with a call from his ex-wife, Erin. She’s accused of stabbing her partner Lyle, having woken covered in blood and no knowledge of how it happened.
Lyle Pearse was a wealthy businessman who’s foundation helps recovering addicts. Whilst looking into the Pearse Foundations employees, Ernest is invited to a charity event, a performance by the renowned magician, Rylan Blaze. A great opportunity for him to begin his investigation.
Ernest Cunningham prides himself in applying the rules of Golden Age mysteries to his books.
Ronald Knox’s ten commandments of detective fiction.
1. The criminal must be someone mentioned in the early part of the story, but must not be anyone whose thoughts the reader has been allowed to follow.
2. All supernatural or preternatural agencies are ruled out as a matter of course.
3. Not more than one secret room or passage is allowable.
4. No hitherto undiscovered poisons may be used, nor any appliance which will need a long scientific explanation at the end.
5. No racist Chinese person must figure in the story.
6. No accident must ever help the detective, nor must he ever have an unaccountable intuition which proves to be right.
7. The detective must not himself commit the crime.
8. The detective must not light on any clues which are not instantly produced for the inspection of the reader.
9. The stupid friend of the detective, the Watson, must not conceal any thoughts which pass through his mind; his intelligence must be slightly, but very slightly, below that of the average reader.
10. Twin brothers, and doubles generally, must not appear unless we have been duly prepared for them.
As Ernest himself states at the beginning of this story, “If Murder Mysteries have rules, so too do Holiday Specials”. Which I thought was a lovely touch
So, what did I think to this book? I really enjoyed how he followed the rules of Golden Age mysteries, it gave the story an sense of honesty and an innocent quality to it. I believed that nothing was being hidden by the author and we were investigating along side him.
The plot was cleverly thought out and there were plenty of clues which should lead you to the murderer or murderers. I did get this right quite early but there is enough to keep you second guessing.
The book has a good sense of humour, tastefully delivered considering the setting. I thought the interactions between Ernest and his arch-enemy, journalist Josh Felman, was a particular highlight to watch out for throughout.
What I didn’t like was the Ernest writing the story after the fact and jumping in as the Narrator, ‘breaking the 4th wall.’ I found very difficult to follow and really distracting early in the book. The humour it introduced to the book wasn’t worth the disruption. It worked beautifully in the prologue and epilogue and I wish it had been reserved specifically for them.
A thoroughly enjoyable novel, very cleverly crafted that got me into the Christmas spirit, even if it is only September!
I would like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel. All opinions are my own
This is a story written by our hero, Ernest Cunningham after the crime has been solved. He is Dr. Watson to himself as Sherlock Holmes, having these books published and his cases making him well known.
This case begins on 21st Dec with a call from his ex-wife, Erin. She’s accused of stabbing her partner Lyle, having woken covered in blood and no knowledge of how it happened.
Lyle Pearse was a wealthy businessman who’s foundation helps recovering addicts. Whilst looking into the Pearse Foundations employees, Ernest is invited to a charity event, a performance by the renowned magician, Rylan Blaze. A great opportunity for him to begin his investigation.
Ernest Cunningham prides himself in applying the rules of Golden Age mysteries to his books.
Ronald Knox’s ten commandments of detective fiction.
1. The criminal must be someone mentioned in the early part of the story, but must not be anyone whose thoughts the reader has been allowed to follow.
2. All supernatural or preternatural agencies are ruled out as a matter of course.
3. Not more than one secret room or passage is allowable.
4. No hitherto undiscovered poisons may be used, nor any appliance which will need a long scientific explanation at the end.
5. No racist Chinese person must figure in the story.
6. No accident must ever help the detective, nor must he ever have an unaccountable intuition which proves to be right.
7. The detective must not himself commit the crime.
8. The detective must not light on any clues which are not instantly produced for the inspection of the reader.
9. The stupid friend of the detective, the Watson, must not conceal any thoughts which pass through his mind; his intelligence must be slightly, but very slightly, below that of the average reader.
10. Twin brothers, and doubles generally, must not appear unless we have been duly prepared for them.
As Ernest himself states at the beginning of this story, “If Murder Mysteries have rules, so too do Holiday Specials”. Which I thought was a lovely touch
So, what did I think to this book? I really enjoyed how he followed the rules of Golden Age mysteries, it gave the story an sense of honesty and an innocent quality to it. I believed that nothing was being hidden by the author and we were investigating along side him.
The plot was cleverly thought out and there were plenty of clues which should lead you to the murderer or murderers. I did get this right quite early but there is enough to keep you second guessing.
The book has a good sense of humour, tastefully delivered considering the setting. I thought the interactions between Ernest and his arch-enemy, journalist Josh Felman, was a particular highlight to watch out for throughout.
What I didn’t like was the Ernest writing the story after the fact and jumping in as the Narrator, ‘breaking the 4th wall.’ I found very difficult to follow and really distracting early in the book. The humour it introduced to the book wasn’t worth the disruption. It worked beautifully in the prologue and epilogue and I wish it had been reserved specifically for them.
A thoroughly enjoyable novel, very cleverly crafted that got me into the Christmas spirit, even if it is only September!
I would like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel. All opinions are my own
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
lighthearted
mysterious