Crime At Christmas by C.H.B. Kitchen

This 1934 "classic festive mystery" takes place from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, as Stockbroker Malcolm Warren is a guest of his wealthy clients, the Quisbergs. Their large family is ambivalent to traditions, and Malcolm has time to take long walks, making this mystery unique. Indeed, Malcolm states "it might well be that in some of the dullest passages of my narrative - accounts of my rising and my going to bed, my movements about the house, the openings and shuttings of doors - that the most important clues would be contained."

On December 24th, after a last-minute purchase of stocks for Mr. Quisberg of a company he 'knows' will become profitable, Malcolm arrives at Beresford Lodge on Hampstead Heath. Mr. Quisberg and his secretary Mr. Harley are out of town, but the home is full with lovely Mrs. Quisberg, her four grown children, and young Cyril (12), tended by his nurse after appendicitis. Mr. Harley's aged mother is also staying over, along with family friend Dr. Green. At dinner, the Quisbergs agree if they had a payday in the stocks, they would buy the dilapidated house next door and tear it down for a better view. In the early morning moonlight, Malcolm can see it is an eyesore, and then looks down to discover harmless Mrs. Harley has sleepwalked out her window, and is lying dead on the fence below. Such a tragic accident changes little for the family who doesn't celebrate by exchanging gifts, and they mostly read, or go for walks. Malcolm is wandering on the heath when he discovers one of them dead from blunt force in the thicket. It is now time to call in Detective Inspector Parris of Scotland Yard, although Malcolm continues to investigate and, after the preamble above, a clever mystery is revealed that has little to do with anything I have just said.

Clifford Henry Benn Kitchen wrote with eccentric humor, his most famous titles being The Death of My Aunt (1929) and The Death of His Uncle (1939). The Inspector gives Malcolm free rein, remembering his help in previously solving his aunt's murder, and can see he has admirable intuition and perception to discover the whole truth.

Following the mystery, a short catechism sums it all up (an interview between the reader and Malcolm Warren) for those whose minds wandered during those long walks on the heath.

This seasonal mystery doesn't feature the snow or presents expected at Christmas, but is clever enough to earn being called a classic.

Widely available in all formats including free downloadable eBook.

1934 / Tradeback / 294 pages