The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: An Enemies-to-Lovers Christmas Romance and a Cozy Mystery Set in the English Countryside.

USA Today Bestseller! "Full of tongue-in-cheek humor, excellent dialogue, and fantastic characters, this expertly crafted story from Carter (The Blonde Identity) is a heart-melting rivals-to-lovers romance combined with a delightful locked-room mystery." — Library Journal (starred review)

Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:

She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.

He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at a snowbound English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished in a classic locked-room mystery, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue in this cozy holiday mystery will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

The laugh out loud holiday "romystery"—filled with witty banter—that you’ve been waiting for!

  • A touching holiday read
  • Perfect for fans of uplifting winter romances
  • A delightful Christmas gift

BUY THE BOOK

Published Sep 24, 2024

304 pages

Average rating: 7.21

919 RATINGS

|

These clubs recently read this book...

North Shore Thrillers

New book club for Psychological Thrillers!

The Gathered Pages Society

New book club: Bringing stories and people together with themed reads and friendly gatherings!

Books & Bubbles Lodi

Welcome to Books & Bubbles! We read all genres, sip our favorite drinks, and enjoy good books and even better company—join us!

Community Reviews

fromlizaslibrary
Dec 25, 2025
10/10 stars
This was such an amazing book! I adored Maggie and Ethan their dynamic was so fun. I enjoyed the fact that the romance was an additional piece because it truly allowed the mystery and the crime solving to be the main focus but added the extra fun/butterfly moments along the way. The plot of the disappearance and whodunit was gripping, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I thought I knew where things were going, but I didn’t quite have it exactly the way it turned out, which made it more enjoyable to read. I feel like I read a lot of Hallmark-style romances around this time of year so to read a cozy mystery style holiday read instead was perfect and I could not get enough! 10/10 highly recommend!
MandiCole11
Oct 29, 2025
10/10 stars
Cute, cozy romancey mystery.
Gilhal14
Jan 07, 2025
8/10 stars
Agatha Christie like but with modern characters and humor! I joyed this more than I thought 💭 so many twists that kept me progressing!
Zoe E.
Dec 14, 2024
7/10 stars
This one was fun!
Celtictigg
Jan 26, 2026
8/10 stars
Great fun

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.