Festive Crime: A Very Merry Murder & The Christmas Clue

I treated myself to some newly released festive cozy crime mysteries, Kate Wells’ A Very Merry Murder and Nicola Upson’s The Christmas Clue. Read my reviews.

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A Very Merry Murder by Kate Wells

A Very Merry Murder is my first experience of Kate Wells’ writing. Yes, I did dive into her bestselling Malvern Mysteries series at book 6, but to the author’s credit this contemporary cozy mystery stood up just fine as a standalone read also.

In a straight forward, linear story narrative Wells depicts the Malvern Hills’ beauty and mother nature’s influence on the farm and village life, and provides ample background and context for first-time readers. But what this author’s prose lacks in literary flair, is more than made up for by her relatable and endearing characters.

Jude Gray is a strong, down-to-earth series lead who, while tackling the various challenges life has thrown in her path, has drawn into her orbit a multi-generational cast of kind-hearted supporting characters. From the disarming innocence of youth to the plucky spirit of senior citizens and a dash of romance, this cozy drama A Very Merry Murder has it all.

The crime mystery that unfolds when a beloved national TV show comes to film their Christmas special on Jude’s farm ended up being more complex than I’d expected also. Lots of different personalities and long-held resentments simmer amongst the crew, so there are red-herrings aplenty. And, for Jude who’s determined to assist her friends in the local police bring a murderer to justice before anyone else gets hurt, some real edge-of-your-seat moments.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kate Wells’ A Very Merry Murder, and am now keen to see what lies ahead for these characters. It was the non-taxing, ‘reading purely for relaxation’ novel I needed at this often hectic time of year — a compelling crime mystery wrapped in warm-hearted rural village drama.

My Rating: The Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 3.5 / 5 – Overall 3.75

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The Christmas Clue by Nicola Upson

At only 138 pages, this standalone novella from historical fiction author Nicola Upson (the Josephine Tey Mysteries) is another compelling festive read. What drew me to this slim title was that the story was inspired by the real-life couple that created the classic board game Cluedo,

In strong and assured prose Nicola Upson evocatively juxtaposes a white Christmas postcard rural village setting and the fun and frivolity of hosted murder-mystery evenings with the sombre mood of England society mid WWII.

In Elva and Anthony Pratt, Upson depicts a highly likeable, progressive coupling of equals. While the crimes involved in The Christmas Clue are darker than I’d expected for a festive cozy read (potentially triggering for some) and minimal time is spent developing the secondary characters, the criminal plotting is clever and Upson wraps up this brief treat neatly.

For fans of historical fiction based on fact.

My Rating: The Story 3.5 / 5 ; The Writing 4 / 5 – Overall 3.75

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More festive-themed novels:

Click on book covers for full reviews of each novel.