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A review by carolpk
Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon, Martin Edwards
The Hook - Last December I participated in an Elfster Holiday Swap with some book loving friends. Imagine my delight when I received two British Classic Christmas Crime Mysteries from across the seas from a Tracey in the UK. I saved both for this Christmas season and just finished the first.
The Line - ”Miss Noyes”, replied Lydia, “suppose this house belonged to you, and you returned to it after the world’s worst snowstorm, would you rather find your larder empty or seven skeletons?
The Sinker - The introduction to this classic calls Murder in White and enticing set-up, if superficially familiar. What’s enticing is the of The British Library to publish new editions of the series for contemporary enjoyment.
”A strange assortment of passengers traveling by train during a blizzard find themselves caught in an acute dilemma when the track becomes impassable.”
When the porter has no idea when the tracks might be cleared, a group of passengers afraid their Christmas plans will be ruined, set out in hopes of making a connection at the Hemmersby Station, not too far distant. All too soon they realize the blinding storm has obliterated any possibility of finding the station. They wonder if they’ve made a rash decision, one that may lead to their demise miraculously when they come upon a house, ring the bell and when receiving no answer find the door unlocked, no one home but a fire is burning. How lucky for them, or was it?
As explained in the intro, this is not a whodunit set on a train, nor is it a take-off on Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express as this was written three years prior. J. Jefferson Farjeon does provide a subtly humorous, well-plotted, if not strictly cozy, puzzle for us to solve. It’s almost a locked room mystery of which I’m a great fan. An intriguing read for the holiday season.
Now on to Silent Nights.
The Line - ”Miss Noyes”, replied Lydia, “suppose this house belonged to you, and you returned to it after the world’s worst snowstorm, would you rather find your larder empty or seven skeletons?
The Sinker - The introduction to this classic calls Murder in White and enticing set-up, if superficially familiar. What’s enticing is the of The British Library to publish new editions of the series for contemporary enjoyment.
”A strange assortment of passengers traveling by train during a blizzard find themselves caught in an acute dilemma when the track becomes impassable.”
When the porter has no idea when the tracks might be cleared, a group of passengers afraid their Christmas plans will be ruined, set out in hopes of making a connection at the Hemmersby Station, not too far distant. All too soon they realize the blinding storm has obliterated any possibility of finding the station. They wonder if they’ve made a rash decision, one that may lead to their demise miraculously when they come upon a house, ring the bell and when receiving no answer find the door unlocked, no one home but a fire is burning. How lucky for them, or was it?
As explained in the intro, this is not a whodunit set on a train, nor is it a take-off on Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express as this was written three years prior. J. Jefferson Farjeon does provide a subtly humorous, well-plotted, if not strictly cozy, puzzle for us to solve. It’s almost a locked room mystery of which I’m a great fan. An intriguing read for the holiday season.
Now on to Silent Nights.