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4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 5 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Any Francis Duncan mystery is a joy
Format: Paperback
As a lover of classic British mysteries, my chance discovery of this author from the mid-20th Century has been a real joy. Every page keeps my interest, which I cannot say about many mysteries I read by well-regarded authors. Duncan's books are also not guilty of that staple of modern mysteries that I am getting so weary of: a detective drowning in their personal angst, fighting emotional slings and arrows, and of course, a tragic love life, etc, which takes up so much of the bulk of his or her attention. Duncan's Miss Marple-like character Mordecai Tremaine is in many ways a very ordinary type of person, but he is able to blend in with quite different types of social groups; groups which fester with secrets, lies and a hidden murderer...until Tremaine untangles it all in his unassuming but brilliant way. He does it by observing people as much as by physical clues, which is similar to the Agatha Christie approach. This mystery, "Murder for Christmas" was not the typical "murder at a country house at Christmas" mystery which I thought it would be. It was quite surprising, startling, enthralling, and a joy to read.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018
★★★★★ 4
Delightful Golden Age Mystery
Format: Paperback
Retired tobacconist Mordecai Tremaine is invited to a Christmas house party by a man he doesn't know well. He chooses to go, because of the intriguing postscript stating that "something was wrong" in the household. That something was most definitely wrong was proven when a dead Father Christmas was discovered under the tree on Christmas Eve. Mordecai uses his sharp eye and keen reasoning to investigate his fellow house guests to determine the motive and method of the crime.
This was a delightful mystery, with an engaging protagonist and a well imagined cast of characters. The mystery itself was intelligent, believable, and nicely plotted. Duncan's writing wasn't perfect; there were repeated phrases and the occasional awkward sentence. Despite that, I would most definitely recommend this nearly forgotten Golden Age mystery. I will most certainly be reading more of Mordecai's adventures.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2018
★★★★★ 3
Bit of a snore
Format: Kindle
Mordecai Tremaine is a retired tobacconist and an amateur detective. He is invited to spend Christmas with an acquaintance in a country manor house who specifically tempts Mordecai Tremaine by hinting at a threat. This story has a period feel to it with servants, snow, secrets, and murder. The pacing is laborious. I hoped that the pace would improve when a murdered person in a Father Christmas suit is found on the floor in front of the Christmas tree. Alas, it was not to be. The character list is very long, and the characters are not well developed. This is the first book in a series featuring Mordecai Tremaine (who is only referred to by last and first names). I have a soft spot for British mysteries, including period British mysteries like those by Ngaio Marsh. While the mystery has its twists and turns as Mordecai Tremaine investigates to assist the police, it never quite clicked for me. I am not likely to read any of the other books in the series.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2018
★★★★★ 5
Enjoyable Classic mystery
Format: Kindle
I am an avid fan of vintage mysteries, and “English country house” mysteries are among my very favorites in that genre. I enjoyed this one very much and was pleased to see that there were two others available and a couple more being published. This book was my idea of a terrific cozy type mystery, and I enjoyed it very much. The Christmas setting added to its appeal.
Mordecai Tremayne, the detective in this story is just eccentric enough to be interesting without being stereotyped. He observes people, and makes deductions based on these observations, along with his knowledge of human nature. In retrospect, he is almost a bit like male version of Miss Marple, although this did not strike me as a I read the book.
This was a fun book to while away a few hours, and I look forward to reading others in this series. Highly recommended for fans of vintage mysteries, and cozies.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2018
★★★★★ 4
Leaves You Wanting More
I read about this novel right after Christmas, but I decided to order it anyway. It was not supposed to arrive until some time in February, so I was pleasantly surprised when I received it within a few days of my order. With the snow finally falling in the Chicago area, I knew this would be a good time to read this book.
The book begins with a summary of the case with somewhat overwrought language. However, as it moves on to the characters, it becomes more successful. It is important to remember that the novel was written in the 1940s, which means that we have a world that is slower paced than the 21st century. Of course we are looking at a wealthier segment of society in rural England, but this pace allows us to study the scenery and the characters more carefully. This is a world with a mansion that can house a number of guests for Christmas with these guests being able to stay over a few days with a pleasant host.
The characters are mostly forgettable with the major exception of Mordecai Tremaine as the amateur detective who helps solve the case. He is a character who is unforgettable. The ending is well plotted, and it leaves the taste of a delicious Christmas dinner in the mouth of the reader.
The author, Francis Duncan, wrote in the 1930s and 1940s, and this is the first book of his to be republished. I can only hope that other books by this author will be republished as well and republished soon or at least in time for me to read them by next Christmas. Without knowing anything about his other books, it would be nice to think that I could have other seasonal stories waiting for me in the future. The ending still remains in my mind, even several weeks after I have read the book. It would be delicious to meet Mordecai Tremaine again.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016