It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Mary Grand, A Christmas Murder, and sharing my review. Published by Boldwood Books on 5th September, it’s now available via Amazon for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Considering that I’m not really a crime reader, I’ve been surprised how very much I’ve enjoyed Mary’s well written cosy mysteries – I really love that slightly claustrophobic and atmospheric island setting, the beautifully drawn characters, and that slow reveal as the many layers of secrets are uncovered. This series, The Isle of Wight Killings – every book readable as a standalone – began with Death at Castle Cove, introducing us to amateur sleuth Susan as she refused to let things lie and was determined to uncover the truth about the death of her young lodger (you’ll find my full review here). Death at St Jude’s was a standalone sequel – a fresh start for Susan in the village of Bishopstone, a tight knit community shaken by an unexpected death, filled with twists and turns and unexpected discoveries as she tried to join up the pieces, with a steady increase in tension and intrigue. A really compelling read (you’ll find my full review here) – and I was very much looking forward to returning to the village at Christmas to see what new mystery would unfold this time…
Susan didn’t plan on being an amateur sleuth and, after two successful investigations, she’s looking forward to a quiet Christmas. So, when local businesswoman Meera is in desperate need of help, Susan agrees rather reluctantly.
The task should be easy enough. The infamous press mogul Duncan Fern is coming back to the Isle of Wight, the scene of his family’s childhood holidays, to celebrate Christmas with his grown-up children and their partners, his new glamorous wife Kirsten who is forever dripping with diamonds, and the spikey editor of his paper the Morning Flame, Antoine. The newly-refurbished luxurious Bishopstone Manor is the perfect setting for a festive break and all Susan has to do is help Meera host.
But when a snowstorm descends over the island, and the following morning a body is found, Christmas at the Manor takes a darker turn. Can Susan get to the bottom of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…
With Christmas fast approaching, and a group of prestigious guests due to arrive at recently renovated Bishopstone Manor for their celebrations, owner Meera needs help when she’s incapacitated by a really badly timed accident. The chef – thank goodness – is already in place, but she won’t be able to meet and greet the party or organise their activities. At Robert’s request – he’s a widower friend, a former policeman, whose wish to become rather more she’s been fending off – Susan steps into the breach, happy to live on site for a while, the duties not expected to be particularly onerous. Well, other than taking along her recorder to provide musical accompaniment at mealtimes – a little daunting, but something she’s willing to take on.
The guests are a family group – a high-powered and less than sympathetic newspaper editor and his wife, his author son and food critic wife (the chef is rather hoping to impress…), his distinctly fragile daughter and her fitness trainer partner, and Antoine, his second-in-command at The Morning Flame. And then, of course, the unexpected happens. There’s a death – which might just be natural causes, but Susan’s convinced that’s not the case. She’s been aware of night-time movements, people being where they shouldn’t have been, undercurrents to the relationships she’s found unsettling, and sets about her own investigation. And my goodness, there are so many layers of secrets that she uncovers – individuals who have their own agendas or aren’t quite what they first appear to be, every one of them with a viable motive. Alice, at the local nursing home – rather more difficult to visit through the unusually heavy snow – helps out, as always, with theories and acts as rather more than just a sounding board, while Robert grows increasingly concerned that Susan’s putting her own safety at risk.
What ensues is a locked room mystery that had me gripped throughout, drawing my own conclusions about the likely perpetrator (and as always, I was entirely on the wrong track…), hoping Susan could avoid becoming another victim when it became clear that someone wasn’t too pleased about her interference. Everyone at the Manor becomes a suspect, all moving in and out of the frame in turn, with all those red herrings and bits of misdirection I so enjoy in the author’s books. While there’s always a certain claustrophobia about the unique island setting – which the author, as always, so perfectly draws – this time it’s amplified with the snow cutting off connection to the mainland and making outside movement (other than a little necessary dog walking) entirely impossible.
I’ve grown quite fond of Susan, and always enjoy finding out more about her personal life too – her ex-husband’s plans giving her some cause for concern about her fresh start, and her nose unexpectedly out of joint when Meera appears to have replaced her in Robert’s affections. But I also very much like her quiet deliberations and the way she tests out her theories, and her willingness to accept both Alice’s and Robert’s interventions and alternatives – I just rather wish she’d stop making me feel so uncomfortable that she just might be making herself the next target (no, not really!).
Perfectly paced, with a nice ramping up of the tension as the story approached its unexpected but wholly satisfying conclusion, this was a read I thoroughly enjoyed – and should the Christmassy romances I usually recommend not be quite to your taste, this really would be a perfect choice to hunker down with when the festive season comes.
About the author
Mary Grand writes gripping, page-turning suspense, with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight where her Boldwood novels are set.
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Thank you so much Anne for this lovely review. I love how you talk about Susan, I have a few things planned for her. Your reviews are always so considered and insighful, thank you so much for all the hard work and thought you put into them. with love Mary xx
Sounds good!