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bevpages's review against another edition
3.0
charming, witty and cosy christmas mystery.
i love anything set in a country house, and the vibrant characters. the mystery was intriguing and engaging and i really enjoyed how the author described each scene for the reader, almost like we were peering through the doorways or peepholes aha!
i love anything set in a country house, and the vibrant characters. the mystery was intriguing and engaging and i really enjoyed how the author described each scene for the reader, almost like we were peering through the doorways or peepholes aha!
victoiredt's review against another edition
4.0
A classic murder mystery. Very enjoyable if not original. If you're a big fan of Agatha Christie like myself you might find the plot a bit boring. On the other hand the writing and the characters were enjoyable and kept my interest.
kariann_reading_journey's review against another edition
4.0
This novel follows the Westbury family and guests they’ve invited for the Christmas holiday as they try to piece together Campbell-Scott’s death to determine whether or not he was murdered. Hugh takes on the task of investigating the death, gathering evidence, and evaluating the individual’s present at the Westbury manner in case the death is ruled a homicide.
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This was an enjoyable cozy mystery perfect for winding down from the hectic nature of the holidays. It was nice to sit back and just watch as the story unfolded. The characters had very different personalities that helped interject humor or add levity to a scene as necessary. Despite the fact his character wasn’t meant to be especially “good”, I actually enjoyed Stephen for the overwhelming sarcasm. It reminded me of being home with my own brothers.
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I did feel this story fell into the trap of being overly descriptive which made the story seem to stall at times. Additionally, the story didn’t seem to be overly novel in its makeup. However, I don’t think that detracted from it being enjoyable.
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This was an enjoyable cozy mystery perfect for winding down from the hectic nature of the holidays. It was nice to sit back and just watch as the story unfolded. The characters had very different personalities that helped interject humor or add levity to a scene as necessary. Despite the fact his character wasn’t meant to be especially “good”, I actually enjoyed Stephen for the overwhelming sarcasm. It reminded me of being home with my own brothers.
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I did feel this story fell into the trap of being overly descriptive which made the story seem to stall at times. Additionally, the story didn’t seem to be overly novel in its makeup. However, I don’t think that detracted from it being enjoyable.
alexandrasramblingreviews's review against another edition
3.5
A Christie-esque, closed circle mystery, this book is about a Christmas holiday party gone wrong, when everyone wakes up on Christmas morning to find one of their party members dead from an apparent suicide. But fellow party member, Hugh Gaveston, believes he was murdered and decides to investigate himself.
I enjoyed this but I think it was mainly the writing that kept me engaged and not the mystery or the characters. Each character has a set purpose and never really stray from that, when you have 8 main players and some side charcters I don't really mind them not being fully fleshed out, but when you have an obnoxious character (like Stephen) who is nothing but obnoxious it gets annoying having to read about them. As for the mystery, I wouldn't say it's the most mysterious - I guessed quite early on who the murderer was - but I did enjoy the reveal, but I also feel like the investigation wasn't as developed as it could've been. I do feel like if I wasn't enjoying the writing as much as I was this may have gotten a lower rating or been a DNF.
I enjoyed this but I think it was mainly the writing that kept me engaged and not the mystery or the characters. Each character has a set purpose and never really stray from that, when you have 8 main players and some side charcters I don't really mind them not being fully fleshed out, but when you have an obnoxious character (like Stephen) who is nothing but obnoxious it gets annoying having to read about them. As for the mystery, I wouldn't say it's the most mysterious - I guessed quite early on who the murderer was - but I did enjoy the reveal, but I also feel like the investigation wasn't as developed as it could've been. I do feel like if I wasn't enjoying the writing as much as I was this may have gotten a lower rating or been a DNF.
doctorclara61's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mahoganymystery's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful Christmas read!
Short, quick-witted, and charming, Moncrieff writes a compelling story about a murder and secrets on Christmas morning. I love her style of writing and I can almost hear Emma Thompson reading it!
The characters are believable and lovable. Hugh and Lydia were hilarious, and I couldn't help but root for them. Worth a read if you like Agatha Christie and want a cozy, not very suspenseful, yet fantastic whodunnit kind of book!
Short, quick-witted, and charming, Moncrieff writes a compelling story about a murder and secrets on Christmas morning. I love her style of writing and I can almost hear Emma Thompson reading it!
The characters are believable and lovable. Hugh and Lydia were hilarious, and I couldn't help but root for them. Worth a read if you like Agatha Christie and want a cozy, not very suspenseful, yet fantastic whodunnit kind of book!
ncarson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
monsieurmarple's review against another edition
5.0
‘If anyone was going to turn out to be a murderer, my money was on you’
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Too early for a Christmas read!? NOOO NEVER! And what a wonderfully Christmassy whodunnit to start me off!
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The story begins on a Christmas Eve night in Westbury Manor, the inhabitants are preparing for their guests and a few days of merriment ahead... little do they know that they will wake up with a dead body on their snowy lawn! The race is in for our amateur detective ‘Hugh’ to solve this murder and restore festivity to this Christmas celebration
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Too early for a Christmas read!? NOOO NEVER! And what a wonderfully Christmassy whodunnit to start me off!
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The story begins on a Christmas Eve night in Westbury Manor, the inhabitants are preparing for their guests and a few days of merriment ahead... little do they know that they will wake up with a dead body on their snowy lawn! The race is in for our amateur detective ‘Hugh’ to solve this murder and restore festivity to this Christmas celebration