From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Murder After Christmas

Rupert Latimer,

Martin Edwards (Introduction)

Start date: December 1, 2025

Finish date: December 31, 2025

Discussion: Group reads

Why we're reading this: Winner of our December group reads poll
[close] Winner of our December group reads poll

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Group reads

* VOTE NOW for February 2026 group read
By Judy · 15 posts · 24 views

last updated Dec 05, 2025 02:31PM

* Dec 25: Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer (1944)
By Susan · 14 posts · 22 views

last updated 21 hours, 54 min ago

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What Members Thought

Dec 03, 2025 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is a fun murder mystery, set and written during WWII. 'Uncle Willy' is the very wealthy and titled stepfather of Rhona Redpath. Unable to visit Italy as usual for Christmas (for obvious reasons) he descends on the family. When he is found dead, it leads to a plethora of clues and motives. Was it murder and, if so, who benefits?

This is a slightly bonkers Christmas mystery and it was, at times, hard to keep track of what was going on. However, overall I enjoyed it and I am delighted that so m ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 03, 2025 Frances rated it liked it

This was a fun but somewhat over-convoluted mystery that takes place in an old country home (naturally) in which wealthy Uncle William, pushing 90 and still active and annoying, arrives for the holidays only to end up dead on Boxing Day. As it turns out, there are multiple motives for killing him AND for keeping him alive, and the police struggle to sort out all the possible suspects, motives, and means. This could really have benefitted from a character list at the beginning, but it does make a ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 29, 2025 Susan in NC marked it as not-sure-shelf

Shelves: kindle, audiobook

Dnf, just not interested after getting about a third in. Too many characters, couldn’t keep track of who was who, married to who, related to who…and not clicking with the writing style.

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 19, 2022 Annarella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I had a lot of fun in reading this novel, a mix of comedy of manners and mystery. It's a very entertaining story, full of fun and well plotted.
I loved the puzzled and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I would be happy to read other books by this author, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine ...more

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Dec 19, 2022 Carol Evans rated it liked it

Murder After Christmas is an odd book. It’s full of holiday cheer – Santa Claus, mince pies, snow, Christmas decorations, and food. It’s funny, even if the jokes get a bit repetitive, and the characters are eccentric to say the least. The plot is twisty and turny and people act in all kinds of odd ways. The plot might be a bit overcomplicated and over the top, but I enjoyed it. It’s a fun, lighthearted, Christmassy read.

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Dec 19, 2023 Laura Anne rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, british-isles

The investigation in the middle-third lagged, but the Christmas vibe was just right. An abundance of mince pies, chocolate boxes, Santa suits, and snowmen ring in the festive season in this irreverent country house mystery.

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Dec 29, 2023 Yorky Caz rated it it was amazing

Absolutely fantastic. So many secrets and misdirections and a loopy family that throw in so many casual references to murdering poor old uncle Willie. Loved this one, probably my favourite of all the BLCC

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