Dead Festive

Murder, mince pies, and mayhem-a family Christmas takes a deadly turn.

For veteran lawyer Leo, Christmas Day is going according to plan. His vegetarian Wellington has been well received; his beloved partner Marion has finally introduced him to her dress-wearing brother Harold, who seems very happy with his partner Julian; Leo's granddaughter Jazz is behaving impeccably; and his oldest friend Dennis, the doyen of crime journalists, is being kept under control by his wife Susan, helped by large quantities of wine. Even Leo's dog Pumpernickel joins in the fun.

Until Julian, a reluctant player of charades, lies down to enact his last word, and fails to get up again. Suddenly, the festive mood turns dark. Was it a heart attack, something he ate, or could it be murder? As they wait for the police to turn up, the tension isn't eased by the arrival of Leo's sister Becky with her husband and moody son. Family rows erupt and secrets jostle to the surface.

Why did the victim hide away a box of champagne truffles? Who was really meant to receive Harold's glittering bracelet? Was Pumpernickel right in detecting the presence of poison?

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"Everyone needs a Marion and Leo in their life. They are warm, kind, reassuring and funny."

Patrick Neale