I love how the British Library Crime Classics has been resurrecting forgotten novels from the Golden Age. I have found some absolute gems and hope to find more (thanks to Poisoned Pen Press making them available on this side of the Pond ... and the New York Public Library having so many available digitally). This one? Well, I think there's a reason it was forgotten and perhaps it should have stayed that way. It actually made my head hurt and m pretty sure both stars given were for the introduction by Martin Edwards.

So many red herrings and a cast of wonderfully eccentric characters, make this a mad chaotic but very funny romp. Very much in the style of yesteryear but still and enjoyable read, I did manage to guess who did it but very much towards the latter stages. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an e-galley of this novel.

If you are familiar with the project Martin Edwards and the British Library have embarked on, you will understand why it is significant when Martin Edwards calls a book "unorthodox" in his introduction to the story. This one definitely fits that description. At times I couldn't figure out whether the characters were meant to be as strange as the narration indicated or if this was just the style of writing of Rupert Latimer. It's for sure I needed to keep that description in mind as I read this Christmas murder mystery that seemed to go right off the rails at times. Still, I'm very glad it has been made available once again and glad I read it - once.

Sir Willoughby Keene-Cotton is unable to travel to his villa in San Remo Italy this Christmas season because of the unpleasantness of war on the Continent. Sir Willoughby's stepdaughter, Rhoda Redpath, decides to invite him to come to them for Christmas. After all, with all this cold weather maybe he will catch a chill and die. Said in a joking way, of course. Or was it? When the joke turns out to be true everything hangs on exactly when Sir Willoughby actually died. A lot of people have a stake in that information and the police are having a hard time getting proof of much of anything with all the strange characters wandering about the place.

This is unorthodox, yes, but it is also interesting to read and especially difficult to try to figure out. The author put in so many twists and turns I had no idea of who, what, or when but I was pretty sure of where! Turned out I was wrong.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press, in return for an honest review. A lesser-known Golden Age UK author wrote this Christmas mystery in 1944. There are elements of Wodehouse’s commentary on the UK upper classes, mixed among the solid country house mystery. A good read and thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for republishing it for today’s audiences.

""A war's on and a murder has been committed - and we sit here talking nonsense about almond whirls and mince pies!"

Good old Uncle Willie - known for an insatiable sweet tooth and being an epic pain in the rear - has come to stay with the Redpaths for the holidays. As luck would have it, he's found dead in the snow, in a Santa suit on Boxing Day. It seems as though someone may have poisoned his chocolate...or was it the mince pie? As the police flock to the house, Willie's descendants, past lovers and distant relatives are drawn into a perplexing investigation to find out how the old man met his fate, and who stands to gain by such an unseasonable crime.

First published in 1944, Murder After Christmas is a lively riot of murder, holiday desserts, and misdirection, cleverly twisting the tropes of Golden Age detective fiction to create a pacey, light-hearted package admirably suited for the holiday season. Featuring an introduction by CWA Diamond Dagger Award-winning author and series editor Martin Edwards."

The TOP of my Christmas reading list this year!

It's an okay story, good characters, but the writing shows that it's not a contemporary writer. He's not aged well like Christie or Simenon.

Enjoyed it as a one off.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

This book is terrific. A reader must take a trip back to England during World War II. Attitudes and actions were different. But, human nature has not changed one bit.
Rhoda and Frank are a well to do couple who feel obligated to invite Uncle Willie for Christmas. He is Rhoda’s step-father. He is a very wealthy man who is cranky, self–absorbed and always right. But, he is also generous with his money and his affection. He is presently married to his 4th wife. She will not be joining them for Christmas, she is ill.
There is a big discussion about Uncle Willie’s last will and testament. His will has left all his money to his 4th wife and her family.
In the permanent household of Rhoda and Frank, there is also Aunt Paulina. She is not actually anyone’s aunt, but she has been a fixture in their lives since Rhoda was a child. Her complicated life history is involved with the complicated history of Rhoda and Frank’s family life. Included in the family is their son John. He has returned for Christmas bringing his fiancee Margery with him. They are keeping the secret that they are actually already wed.
In fact, the story is filled with secrets. Old and new.
One of the ongoing themes of the story is constant talk of different ways to murder Uncle Willie. And it turns out that Rhoda and Frank are not the only ones who have that hobby.
When Uncle Willie is found dead in the snow, in some ways it is no surprise. In other ways, it is a very big surprise for some people. And the number of people who might benefit from his death seems to be very large.
The first mystery, what exactly killed Uncle Willie? Was he murdered? Did Uncle Willie accidentally take too much cough syrup? Did he wander out into the cold and snow and simply freeze?
Everything is in the competent hands of Superintendent Culley. In fact, for me, he was well worth the read. He listens very carefully to what is said as well as what is not said. He is also willing to follow a cat to find out all about those mince pies.
The characters are interesting. The plot seems to take flight every now and then, but it is well written. There is humor and mystery and many clues. The fact that some of the clues go no where is simply part of the beauty of the book.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer is the latest British Library Crime Classic to be published by Poisoned Pen Press. It was first published in 1944 and is unlike any other whodunnit that I have ever read. As Martin Edwards writes in the Introduction, “the storyline pursues an increasingly eccentric course”. That’s like saying New York is a largeish town – perhaps a bit of an understatement?

The plot is simply outlined: Frank and Rhoda Redpath have invited rich Uncle Willie to enjoy Christmas with them. Unfortunately, he’s found dead in the garden on Boxing Day. There are a lot of potential suspects, most of whom are related in some way.

The publisher describes the book as light-hearted and it is reminiscent of PG Wodehouse but I found the Redpath family to be intensely irritating: they are always jesting about murdering Uncle Willie. I think they use “kill” as a synonym for “wearing out”: for example, “seeing he didn’t kill himself more than necessary”. They also break the fourth wall with lines such as “Can you give me an explanation, or have we got to wait until the last chapter?” Finally, I got so confused over the ending that I don’t even know whether Uncle Willie was murdered or not, never mind whodunnit!

This is going to be one of those books that really divides opinion: some readers will love it and some, like me, will scrawl “This is a SILLY book!” and slam the book closed before (yes, I admit it) re-opening the book and continuing to read. I’m quite happy to accept that the fact I don’t like a book doesn’t mean it’s not a well-written one, nor that other people will enjoy it. Just don’t blame me if you end up throwing it across the room and breaking a much-loved ornament.

I understand that the American Federal Trade Commission requires me to state that I received a free review copy from the Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. However, my opinions are my own and are unbiased.

Sir Willoughby Keene-Cotton (aka Uncle Willie) is very rich, very old, and for many years has been supporting numerous relatives associated through his various marriages. Over the years they have all joked about how easy it would be to murder Uncle Willie. But no one would really do it, would they? Well maybe, if they got the timing just right. Murder before or after Christmas? Depends on who you ask…and who dies first!

With his wealth and cantankerous nature, it’s obvious that Uncle Willie will be murdered. But that’s about all that’s obvious as Latimer keeps his solution well hidden behind an intricate plot. Red herrings and misdirection abound amidst a complex structure of family relationships, opposing plans for the Christmas festivities, and a game of three-card monte regarding just who Uncle Willie’s heir really is.

Latimer’s delightful cast of characters is filled with unusual, eccentric individuals that I found quite appealing and highly amusing. It’s also a cast from which any number of people could be picked out as the murderer. Now, I will admit that the narrative did run on a bit and could definitely have benefited from some paring down. But with it’s madcap tone and lively tongue-in-cheek dialogue, there is a decided lightness to the tale which kept me very much engaged and wanting to keep reading.

I love GAD mysteries with a Christmas setting. I also love mysteries that are somewhat madcap in tone. Put them together and I’m in heaven. In my opinion Murder After Christmas is a gem of a read, and not just for the holidays.

Good old Uncle Willie—rich, truculent and seemingly propped up by his fierce willpower alone—has come to stay with the Redpaths for the holidays. It is just their luck for him to be found dead in the snow on Boxing Day morning, dressed in his Santa Claus costume and seemingly poisoned by something in the Christmas confectionery. As the police flock to the house, Willie's descendants, past lovers and distant relatives are drawn into a perplexing investigation to find out how the old man met his fate, and who stands to gain by such an unseasonable crime. This book was originally published in 1944 and is a classic example of the Golden Age of Mysteries style. It has held up well and is a fun read with a handful of twists that will keep you guessing. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers for review.

A wealthy elderly man spending Christmas at the home of his stepdaughter and husband. Guests include other relatives and acquaintance's. When his body is found, police must determine who murdered him, However, it is an unusual situation as a number of them talk about having thoughts about killing him. Who actually did?
#Murder After Christmas #NetGalley

Golden Age Gem..
Amidst the Christmas puddings, mince pies and sherry comes murder most foul. A wholly entertaining and delightfully humorous Golden Age gem with a wonderfully well crafted cast of characters and a witty plot peppered with fun and frothy asides but with a very clever and well constructed mystery at its’ heart and a deviously done denouement.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this Christmas based manor mystery from the golden age of detection.

Twas the day after Christmas, Boxing Day for the Americans, and while some were dreaming of dancing sugar plums, others were contemplating murder, poisoning specifically. Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer, a reissue from 1944 and part of the British Library Crime Series, edited and introduced by Martin Edwards is a humorous drawing room mystery complete with aunts, uncles, heirs, want-to-be-heirs and or course murder.

Uncle Willie, is rich, currently married to his third wife, who he has successfully avoiding meeting, and suddenly homeless for the holidays. The Second World War has ruined his usual winters in Italy, and his hotel has been seized by the government for housing troops. Willie's stepdaughter Rhoda begs her husband to let Willie come for the holidays, in hopes that this kindness will be repaid upon his death, which being near 80 must be soon. The appearance of a lord, one with such a rich history of oddness makes the Redpaths suddenly the most popular group in their small town, invitations rain down on them as everyone wants to make friends with the upper crust. And somehow a share of what is thought to be immense wealth. Everything is going swimmingly, until Willie is found dead, dressed as Santa in the snow, with a fatal overdose of laudanum, and his estate suddenly up for grabs.

A amalgam of classic detective story and P. G. Wodehouse, though the biggest crime in Wodehouse was missing creamer containers, and stealing a policeman's hat, not murder. There is a lot of humor and wordplay some that might be too dated for some readers but the social climbing jokes still ring true, and are funny nonetheless. There are a lot of characters, and that can be a problem, this aunt, that wife who is pretending to not be a wife, that neighbor, but the mystery plays fair, and the story is quite engaging, and good. A classic mystery that is also a farce which I enjoyed quite a bit.

Not a book for everyone, I can see where a bit of it could be dated, and what was once considered funny, might not have aged well. However there is a lot of humor and a good mystery. Recommended for both fans of Wodehouse, and Christie or any of the amateur sleuth of the early part of the century.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy of Murder after Christmas, a stand-alone police procedural set in England, originally published in 1944.

Frank and Rhoda Redpath invite her stepfather, a rich man known to them as Uncle Willie, to stay for Christmas. To their consternation he is found dead in his Santa suit just after Christmas and a police investigation suggests that he has been poisoned. Superintendent Colley concentrates on the chocolates and mince pies as the means, but trawls deeper through Uncle Willie’s family, friends and dependents for a motive.

I enjoyed Murder after Christmas, which is like a farce in its set up and plotting and made me laugh, but it also has a good mystery that had me baffled. It’s a fun read if you can get past the mince pies (perhaps I was distracted but I never really got their significance and couldn’t follow the logic).

Who did what and why comes out in the denouement, sort of, because the author has a final twist to add a last sting. Various other devious actions come out during the investigation, but as most of the characters have no compunction in misleading or outright lying to the police the reader never knows where the truth lies. As a result the plot is convoluted, perhaps unnecessarily so, but it made me laugh.

As with most detection fiction of the time it is set firmly in the upper middle classes where money and connections matter. Obviously not money as most of us understand it, but as a means of supporting a luxurious lifestyle, so much of the novel is about Uncle Willie’s will and who will inherit. There is an entitled arrogance to the characters and I was ready to scream at the much used “Bread upon the Waters” phrase which implies that doling out kindness will bring the giver more rewards. It’s so self serving.

Murder after Christmas is a fun read that will appeal to readers who like an old fashioned read.

I received a free copy of, Murder After Christmas, by Rupert Latimer from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Who killed Uncle Willie, on boxing day day no less. An intriguing read.

Uncle Willie, aka the very rich Sir Willoughby Keene-Cotton has comes to stay with the Redpaths for Christmas. Unfortunately for him he gets himself killed. But by who and why.
Unfortunately I found most of the characters annoying, with too much repetition and was it really meant to be humorous.
Overall it was an enjoyable mystery but I didn't take to the style of writing.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Originally published in 1944

Set in England during WWII, this splendid British Library Crime Classics Golden Age mystery first published in 1944 is such a treat! Oh, how I loved Murder After Christmas! In spite of the war raging with black out shades and food rationing, one family circle livens things up a bit with a good old fashioned murder plot. The book is jam packed with hijinks and wit on nearly every page, enough to cause me to chortle out loud many times.

The big old festive house is swarming with relatives and the snow outside is deep. So are the plentiful secrets. Everyone has them. Uncle Willie's relatives joked about how easy it would be to murder Uncle Willie, particularly shortly before or after Christmas as the house would be full of guests and the murderer would go undetected. Well, their wish came true. Uncle Willie's dead body is discovered. Wills, chocolates, Santa Claus and mince pies become subjects of scrutiny as the list of suspects swirls like the snow. Red herrings pop up with delicious frequency. The characters are quirky and great fun as is the ending.

Mystery readers who are enamoured with incomparable Golden Age writing, this refreshing book is unmissable. It is reminiscent of a mix of Agatha Christie cleverness and P. G. Wodehouse humour yet with Latimer's unique style. It is a pity he died at such a young age.

My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fantastic book! Kudos for re-publishing this treasure.

This book was a treat to read.The setting of a cozy little village and snowy weather made me feel like sitting in front of a fireplace and read the whole book in one go.This is a timeless mystery book.

Murder After Christmas is a re-issue that was first published in 1944. A cast of interesting characters, a big Christmas feast - with a lot of mince pie.

Uncle Willie comes to join the Redpath family for the holiday and is found dead the day after Christmas in a Santa Suit. It appears he was poisoned but by what? Did the mince pies play a role?

This mystery has a sense of humor, a festive holiday atmosphere, and a cozy mystery to entertain the reader during the holiday season.

British-crime-classics, England, greed, law-enforcement, multigenerational, murder, murder-investigation, mystery, read, satire, secrets, sly-humor, snobs, snow-season, twisty, wartime*****

The whodunnit is overshadowed by uproarious laughter! So many of the characters are brainless twits. I had to read it in spurts, but I loved the laughs. Be aware that there is some stuff that is decidedly non-PC for today's sensibilities, but those days are over. If you can't laugh it off, it just might return.
I requested and received a free e-book from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thanks!