Good day to you all, SoBros Network Patreon subscribers. Welcome to the SoBros Book Club, on which I will share some book recommendations for those of you who enjoy taking in the written word. Today, we‘re discussing Murder Most Festive from Ada Moncrieff.
If you trusted me on Willie Nelson’s Pretty Paper and dug it, then I’ve got another fun one for you to read as we head towards another Christmas day. There are two things I love reading at this time of year – something that cranks the Christmas vibes way up, or a good old-fashioned whodunit. If you can combine the two, well then that’s the sweet spot. That’s exactly what I thought I had on my hands when I picked up Murder Most Festive off of the shelf from Books-A-Million last November. And, that’s exactly what Moncrieff delivered.
I didn’t get a chance to start this one until late in the season. I was actually already on my annual two-week holiday break when I dug into it. But, I was awake until 3AM on Christmas morning finishing this bad boy. Once it gets going, it doesn’t let up.
Christmas Eve, 1938. The Westbury family and assorted friends have gathered for another legendary celebration at their beautiful country house. The champagne flows, the silverware sparkles and upstairs the rooms are ready for their occupants. But one bed will lie empty that night. On Christmas morning, David Campbell-Scott is found dead in the snow. There’s a pistol beside him and only one set of footprints. Yet something doesn’t seem right to amateur sleuth Hugh Gaveston. Campbell-Scott had just returned from overseas with untold wealth – why would he kill himself? Hugh sets out to investigate…
Moncrieff absolutely nailed this cast of characters – all interesting…all with a unique role to play in the unraveling of this grand mystery. Little nuggets are revealed throughout the way that show potential motives, and it always has a way of keeping you guessing.
But, Moncrieff also nailed it when setting the stage for the festive feeling in this tale. The heavy snow…the big house…the concept of traveling off into the woods to spend the holidays with friends and family. A holiday hunt! The food they eat! Everything! I can certainly see how some critics found it formulaic, and maybe I’d have been disappointed if not for such a festive setting. But, the bottom line is that it’s quite simply a good old fashioned mystery set at Christmastime of yesteryear, and it’s a quick, easy read. Enjoy!
Other SoBros Book Club Features
- The Boys in the Boat
- Dodge City
- Fevre Dream
- The Junction Boys
- Meddling Kids
- Nuclear Jellyfish
- Playing for Pizza
- Pretty Paper
- The Toynbee Convector
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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