A Christmas Carol Murder by Heather Redmond REVIEW

A Christmas Carol Murder

by Heather Redmond

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Synopsis:

London, December 1835: Charles and Kate are out with friends and family for a chilly night of caroling and good cheer. But their blood truly runs cold when their singing is interrupted by a body plummeting from an upper window of a house. They soon learn the dead man at their feet, his neck strangely wrapped in chains, is Jacob Harley, the business partner of the resident of the house, an unpleasant codger who owns a counting house, one Emmanuel Screws.

Ever the journalist, Charles dedicates himself to discovering who's behind the diabolical defenestration. But before he can investigate further, Harley's corpse is stolen. Following that, Charles is visited in his quarters by what appears to be Harley's ghost--or is it merely Charles's overwrought imagination? He continues to suspect Emmanuel, the same penurious penny pincher who denied his father a loan years ago, but Kate insists the old man is too weak to heave a body out a window. Their mutual affection and admiration can accommodate a difference of opinion, but matters are complicated by the unexpected arrival of an infant orphan. Charles must find the child a home while solving a murder, to ensure that the next one in chains is the guilty party . . .


Review:

Thank you Heather Redmond and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Being a big fan of A Christmas Carol I thought I would enjoy this murder mystery retelling, however, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Set in December 1835, Charles and his love Kate, are out caroling when they witness the body of Jacob Harley falling out of a window wrapped in chains. Charles just can't let this murder go unsolved so he dedicates himself to discovering who killed Jacob Harley and why. With a series of twists, turns and unexpected events this Christmas mystery will have you entertained on every page.

I absolutely loved this book! It had everything! From scandals and secrets, to murder and missing individuals, to a fresh take on well known and loved characters. In this world created by Heather Redmond, Charles Dickens is brought to life with a mix of fact and fiction that had me hooked from the first page to the last. I think Redmond did a brilliant job twisting and twirling the characters from the original Christmas Carol into this Sherlock style masterpiece.

I'd like to quickly point out this is the 3rd book in the A Dickens of a Crime series. Personally, I found this book did great as a standalone, however, others who have read the whole series may have a differing opinion.

I'd recommend this book for fans of A Christmas Carol, fans of Charles Dickens, fans of Sherlock type mysteries, and anyone else who enjoys and good whodunit murder mystery!