This was an enjoyable read mainly for the short mysteries in each chapter that’ were not always straight forward whodunnits. I did find the puzzles at the end of each chapter too difficult- I think mainly as I was reading on my kindle and so did not have pen and paper to hand. Would definitely recommend as a cosy read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

This was such an exciting and adrenaline rushing read for me as it mixed my love of mystery with puzzles, it was fantastic,

We really enjoyed this book. I thought to begin with that the puzzles might interfere with my enjoyment or the flow of the story. As it was, the book provided breaks for family discussions and snack times (well you need snacks when working puzzles out !). It would make a great family entertainment over the festive period. Loved it.

A very interesting premise but with a few too many puzzles for me (I was expecting some but not that many!). that said, you can enjoy all of the stories without ever having to work out the puzzles if you don't want to and the stories are, on the whole, excellent!

This is such a fun, quirky read with lots of puzzles to solve, too. Although I did manage with an ebook, I think a physical book would have been better.

I did find myself racing through the storyline, which I loved, to get to the puzzles.

This book was a lot of fun. Not only do we get a whole host of murder mysteries to puzzle over, we literally get puzzles to puzzle over too. PLenty of them in fact, so if you love to ponder over an anagram, if Logic Problem puzzle books were your favourite go to for whiling away a few hours, if you believe you are a genius at mathematics, or if you simply believe that you can out Poirot Poirot, then this could well be the book for you.

Sarah Dunnakey has created a wonderful mix of characters who all gather at Bracestone House at the bequest of the late Edward Luddenham. The reason - on paper at least - is to attend the reading of Edward's will. The real reason? Why to unmask Edward's killer of course. Now, it stands to reason that the killer will be one of the people attending this event, but who, of the many suspects placed before us, would it be? Well, to find out we have to navigate a series of short stories as it were, each ending in a series of puzzles, one of which will give a clue to the greatest mystery of them all - whodunnit.

With such a wide variety of characters, we are treated to a mixture of mysteries too. From tales of vengeance, to tales of greed, there is a little bit of everything for everyone, and a chance for us to flex out Detective muscles trying to outpace the story in terms of determining what each one might reveal. I really enjoyed these various fireside tales, each one giving a taste of something slightly different, like the many varied courses Bracestone House's housekeeper treated the guests to each night. If you like a good short story collection, then the book is worth reading for them alone.

For me, the real bonus, was the various puzzles that festoon the book at the end of each of the short stories. They vary in type, and often complexity, and it really did allow me to challenge my mental agility, as well as often my observational skills, something I can only benefit from as I age, right? This is the kind of book I can see keeping people amused around a fireside at Christmas, or even in the run up as it is easy to break down the book into a chapter, or story, a night, with one set of puzzles a day to lead you towards the big reveal. Will you be able to guess whodunnit ahead of the final set of clues? maybe, maybe not. Did I get the identity of the killer correct? Well, that's between me and my conscience isn't it? I'm certainly not going to reveal it to anyone reading this.

'Puzzle' based crime books are having a real boon right now, and I am loving it. A lot of fun and definitely recommended.

A cosy combination of mystery and puzzles. Some of the puzzles do take some thinking about but I did enjoy this quirky novel. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

This book is a perfect companion for the Christmas holiday season. Sarah Dunnakey's "The Twelve Murders of Christmas" is an enthralling blend of classic mystery and challenging puzzles that will delight fans of both genres.
Each story is a mini murder mystery, and while the concept is cool, I found that some of the stories dragged a bit. and could be confusing as the current characters interjected into the stories being told. I was often just trying to get to the end to figure out the clues.
Personally I would find the physical copy easier as you have to keep going back to look thin.gs up, I don't think it works as a Kindle book.
However the story itself is kept me captivated and I liked the fact I could get involved.

I know it says it’s a puzzle book, I just didn’t expect so many. I think it would definitely be easier to solve the m in an actual book, whereas I read the kindle edition. The book has the wrapper of the main story with several small mysteries within and with each mystery there are puzzles to solve and also each has a puzzle that when put together will solve the whole book - who killed Edward Luddenham..
A good book for Christmas, I enjoyed reading and trying, not very successfully to solve the puzzles.

Well if you want to dive into a story to get you into the festive mood, but want something to keep you guessing from the opening scenes to the very final page then this absolutely is the right book!

Every year I love to dive into my christmas stories early to get into the mood, but I like to vary the genres, and I am so so glad that I dove into this one! The story kept me guessing throughout and kept a fast pace. It didn’t drag at all, and There were several times I was surprised by where the story went.

Engrossing and enjoyable throughout, with surprises and a brilliantly done build up, this is a great seasonal read., even if not exactly the cosy type!

I loved that this was different to most other christmas stories, it has itself own quirks as do the characters. This is certainly an Author that I will be looking for more from in the future!

This was certainly different from anything I've read before.
I thought each story was a bit laboured, and I just wanted to get to the end of each so I could work out the clues.
Some of them are hard, and you definitely need a pen and notebook.
I'm not sure I would read another book lime this again.
I would also recommend reading the book rather than on a Kindle because you have to go back and forth.
Thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Whilst I enjoyed this book and the concept of solving the puzzles, I did find the narrative quite difficult to follow and off-putting. It was a good idea to have a story where the reader tries to solve the puzzle, however I didn't find them that easy to read and solve on kindle, I feel this would be better to read on paperback.

I love puzzle books, murder mystery, and I absolutely love Christmas. So when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it.
I love the concept of this book. You are tasked with solving puzzles at the end of each section, and if you correctly work them out, you then have a final one to solve right at the end.

You read stories from guests attending the former home of Edward Luddenham. Who died mysteriously. Then you work out the puzzles.
I think because I read this as an ARC and read it over a few days, I did lose interest slightly. I would have preferred to pick it up, do a section, and come back to it another time. Just to break it up.
I would also suggest only buying this in a physical copy. If you're like me and you're slightly rubbish at this sort of thing and need to keep going back and forth to reread parts, ebook is a right pain to do this with. This is why I didn't work out the end one, because I couldn't work some of them out, and I didn't want to go back over it. Paperback version i could of done this a lot quicker. Personal preference.

This would make an excellent gift or stocking filler.

The Twelve Murders of Christmas, a clever combination of murder mystery stories and puzzles.

A year on from Edward Luddenham's mysterious death, 9 people gather for the reading of the will. Each comes with a murderous tale to share..... and at the end of each story there are a series of puzzles to solve in order to solve the mystery of who killed Edward.

I enjoyed the concept of the book and enjoyed the murderous tales that each person had to share. I did get a little confused during the storytelling when each character would be going between talking in the present and telling their stories, but on the whole I enjoyed the storytelling.

The puzzles added an element of fun, and I was really keen to try and solve the puzzles, as at the end of each story there were puzzles to work out which in turn would answer a puzzle at the end. I struggled with a few of the puzzles, but continued with the story as I was enjoying the tales.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books Uk for the advance egalley of this book to read. Opinions expressed here are my own.

There's nothing quite like gathering around the fire during the dark, chilly nights before Christmas, playing parlour games and sharing spine-tingling mysteries. From the haunting tales of Charles Dickens to the cunning plots of Agatha Christie, festive murder mysteries have long been a part of the holiday tradition. Now, The Twelve Murders of Christmas brings a fresh spin to this classic pastime, offering twelve dark and twisty stories that each end with a clue—challenging you to solve the overarching mystery before Christmas Day.

In this collection, you're not just a reader—you’re the detective. Each story presents a cleverly crafted whodunnit, with puzzles that grow more intricate as the pages turn. At the end of each tale, a new clue is revealed, drawing you closer to uncovering the truth. Can you solve all twelve mysteries and figure out the bigger picture in time for the holidays?

Fans of Murdle will find a lot to love here. While Murdle offers standalone brain teasers, The Twelve Murders of Christmas is more narrative-driven, pulling you into each eerie, festive scene and scattering clues throughout the stories. This approach not only keeps your sleuthing skills sharp but also immerses you in the atmospheric settings, perfect for the Christmas season.

Much like the classic murder mysteries we adore, this book is ideal for family gatherings, inviting everyone to put their detective hats on. If you love intricate plots, festive puzzles, and the thrill of solving a mystery just in time for Christmas, The Twelve Murders of Christmas is sure to become a holiday favourite. These deliciously dark stories will keep you guessing until the very end—if you’re clever enough to uncover the truth.

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

The Twelve Murders of Christmas has an intriguing premise; nine people are gathering at the home of Edward Luddenham, on the the first anniversary of his mysterious death. Now each guest is tasked with telling a murderous tale, aka a “festive mystery story” to their fellow guests. At the end of each of these stories, is a series of puzzles and if you can solve the puzzle correctly then you will gather a series of clues to help you solve the overall mystery.
While I enjoyed each of the puzzles, I found myself becoming bored with the dual narrative. - back and forth between the present of Christmas and the mystery stories. The constant movement made the storyline feel very interrupted for me, and I lost interest in the murder of Edward. Though I had solved the clues, I wasn't interested in reading the story to determine who had killed him, only to see if I had solved the overall puzzles.
Great premise as I said but too long.

Sarah Dunnakey’s The Twelve Murders of Christmas offers an interesting concept with its tale-within-a-tale structure, blending a modern story with a classic holiday mystery. While the idea is engaging, the execution falls a bit short.

The dual narratives allow for some clever connections, and Dunnakey keeps readers guessing with her clues and twists. However, pacing issues and underdeveloped characters can make it hard to fully invest in the story. The characters are likable but often feel clichéd.

Dunnakey’s writing is light and fits the holiday mood, but the tension sometimes fades, leaving deeper themes unexplored. While the ending is satisfying, it doesn’t have the impact that could elevate the story.

Overall, The Twelve Murders of Christmas is a fun, cozy read for those looking for a festive mystery. It has its flaws, but it’s a decent seasonal distraction that won’t leave a lasting impression. If you enjoy light mysteries, it might be worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really fun book that's perfect for the Christmas holiday period. If you're dreading a tedious week of claustrophobia with your fractious family then this will ease the tension.

It's an atmospheric, traditional murder mystery story but with 'goose egg' puzzles in each chapter and puzzles at the end of the chapters. I found some of them utterly perplexing and entirely impossible whereas others were easier for me but still challenging and fun. It's a joyful book and an ideal gift or an emergency boredom break-glass for yourself.

I loved the concept of the puzzles coming together to give the final solution. The writing style works too and it's witty and sharp.