Murder at Holly House

A holiday mystery that will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie, this novel is set in Yorkshire, England, in 1952. With Christmas just around the corner, a dead man is discovered lodged in the chimney of Holly House in the village of Elderby. Is the stranger merely a would-be thief—or something far more sinister? Soon after, the husband of the local doctor is found murdered, and Inspector Frank Grasby is assigned to the case. As is often the way in Grasby’s life, the investigation proves anything but straightforward. When he is later ordered to quietly sweep the case under the rug, he begins to realize that the seemingly quaint villagers of Elderby are hiding dangerous secrets. If Grasby fails to uncover the truth, the consequences could be devastating—not just for the village, but for the country as a whole. Grasby is a likable but somewhat bumbling detective who has attained his position more through connections than competence. Despite his shortcomings, he is endearing and often amusing, and his determination makes him easy to root for. The supporting cast adds depth and color to the story, each character contributing to the sense that not everything in Elderby is as it seems. Although Grasby is initially instructed to placate the villagers with a mock investigation, he simply can’t follow orders. Inept as he may be at times, he is inevitably drawn into a genuine and increasingly dangerous mystery. The story keeps you guessing throughout, though the author withholds so much information that readers have little chance of identifying the culprit ahead of time. Alongside the mystery, the novel explores a strained and dysfunctional father-son relationship that adds emotional weight. Set in post-war 1952, the author does an excellent job capturing the period through atmosphere, setting, and dialogue. Altogether, this proves to be a Christmas mystery to remember.