Karen's Reviews > The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

“For a murder isn’t a murder when there is no death. And a mystery isn’t a mystery when it’s only a test.”

So, what is with this book title anyway? Is it a play on words of a favorite song at a specific time of year? And, if so, what does it exactly mean? Those questions were my reasons for wanting to check out this book from my local library. I was curious.

But then, when I began to read this book and got a sense of what it was about, it reminded me of the past few nights. My corgi, Oliver and I have been sneaking out of the warmth of our bedroom, in the wee hours of the morning while it was still dark, and turning on the Peacock Channel. You see, on the Peacock Channel are these Hallmark murder mystery movies. (My husband hates them, thus, the reason why Oliver and I do a sneaky retreat in the early hours when he is still sleeping.)

Back to the movies.

Anyway, even though they are focused on a murder, and a mystery to be solved, there are always these two awkward characters (typically an attractive man and an attractive woman) who are avoiding the chemistry between them. And, the question would always become, are Oliver and I watching a murder mystery or a romantic movie or a combination of both? And, what happens if they throw in our favorite holiday time of the year for scenic ambiance? What then?

So, needless to say, the same questions came up for me about this book. Only Oliver had nothing to do with this one, it was all me turning the pages. Needing to figure this one out – including whether I was up for it…or not.

Of course I was! It is that time of year, after all! Besides, how could I not resist a forced proximity trope with a little mystery thrown in at Christmastime?

So, what happens when hot hunk Ethan and recently divorced, semi-agoraphobic Maggie, both writers, get invited to spend Christmas with a fan who turns out to be Maggie’s favorite author, Eleanor?

“…I’m not the star of my books. Ultimately my characters have to speak for themselves.”

And, why did Eleanor choose to invite Ethan and Maggie to what has been an annual traditional holiday family gathering only?

“She looked…amused, …with the night. Like they were at the start of one of her favorite scenes and she was trying not to shout spoilers.”

And, while readers are taking in the ambiance of Eleanor’s castle, and all her quirky relatives, and other guests, including a police inspector, why and how did Eleanor suddenly disappear in the midst of a blizzard?

As Ethan encourages everyone to search the home, Maggie can’t help but put her mystery-writing skills to work, including her knowledge of everyone of Eleanor’s books and wonder…

Was she murdered? Is there something sinister going on? If so, why? And, who is behind it?

Or, is this a test/contest – for the mystery authors, who also happen to be invited guests, to solve?

Mostly, did Eleanor have a specific reason that mystery writers and a police inspector should be invited to her family dinner?

With twists and turns, and delicious Agatha Christie flair, this page-turner will keep readers on their toes to the very last page.

So, it wouldn’t be surprising for any reader to just want to follow along with the romantic trope, and the mystery, wondering as well, what will make this “the most wonderful crime of the year?” And, will the author throw in a HEA to top off the holiday atmosphere? (No spoilers from me.)