Murder Most Festive cover art

Murder Most Festive

A Christmas Mystery

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Murder Most Festive

By: Ada Moncrieff
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

It's Christmas at Westbury Manor, and amateur detective Hugh Gaveston must unravel a fiendish mystery....

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 is 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....

Wonderfully atmospheric, with charming wit and brilliant plotting, Murder Most Festive is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, M. C. Beaton and James Runcie's Grantchester series.

©2020 Ada Moncrieff (P)2021 Penguin Audio Amateur Sleuths Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Winter Christmas Crime

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Critic reviews

"If you're a fan of historical mysteries, then Murder Most Festive should be at the top of your to-read list." (Cultured Vultures)
All stars
Most relevant  
I listened to this whilst decorating my yule tree and it was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Joan Walker is an excellent narrator, being both clear and distinguishing each character. Set in 1938 it's truly a vintage style classic, with red herrings and twists. A fun and easy to listen to cozy read. If you are fan of a golden age mystery, then you should find this one enjoyable.

Perfect vintage style Christmas crime book

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I’m sorry some of the other readers had difficulty with the narration. True, it is distinctive, but I found it worked very well for me and in particular seemed to suit this story.
I really enjoyed the story and the way the author built up the characters. Sadly, I guessed the denouement quite early on, but it didn’t reduce any of the pleasure. Like another reader’s review, I was desperately hoping for a suitable “comeuppance’ for one of the two son’s of the house . . . . . . ! I await the next story from this author with bated breath! Enjoyed.

A good old fashioned Christmas “whodunnit”!

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Good but I don’t know why I struggled to listen to it. It just didn’t grab my attention very much. Some clues petered about but I didn’t pick up on at first because the story was lacklustre and the characters annoying. Narrator did their best though.

Good

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Good old Festive Murder. Bit slow to start and takes an effort to get into the actual story. This isn't helped by the narrators rhythmic style reading, which makes the story and events run into each other like a continuous poem. This style of reading doesn't lend well to the differentiation of characters. Once you overcome the feeling of listening to the Ilead, and focus on the words not the rhythm, the story is a nice sit by the fire and absorb tale. Best to read rather than listen on this one.

Good Story based on a Well Thumbed theme

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a lovely Christmas cosy crime. But the narration is so awful I struggled to finish it. I will make sure I never buy another book narrated by Joan Walker.

dreadful narration

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I just couldn’t make head or tail with this book.
Too many people, conversations much too long.
I was really confused

Reason I want to return this book

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Far too long winded, storytelling was dull. Will not get another from this author or narrator - EVER!!!

Very long winded

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Murder Most Festive promised cozy holiday intrigue but delivered a tedious slog. The narrator’s grating, over-the-top performance ruined any immersion, while the author’s pretentious prose and forced wit felt insufferably smug. A disappointing experience best avoided.

Isufferable performer, pretentious author.

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I wish I had read other reviews before buying this audio book. Joan Walker's performance spoils the story, there is little attempt to give the characters different voices and it is read at such a pace that following the story is difficult.
One other issue is the dominance of the waspish, apparently drunken youngest son. I hadn't got far into the book before I was hoping that he would be very quickly murdered.
Not an enjoyable seasonal read.

A story spoilt by the reader

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I don't know if this was a good story as I had to return it. The narration was so bad, dull and angst ridden at the same time if that is possible.

Narration was terrible!!!!

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