Published 5th November 2020 by Faber and Faber.
Audio book narrated by Sandra Duncan.
From the cover of the book:
December 1938, and storm clouds hover once again over Europe.
Josephine Tey and Archie Penrose gather with friends for a Cornish Christmas, but two strange and brutal deaths on St Michael's Mount - and the unexpected arrival of a world famous film star, in need of sanctuary - interrupt the festivities.
Cut off by the sea and a relentless blizzard, the hunt for a murderer begins.
Pivoting on a real moment in history, the ninth novel in the 'Josephine Tey' series draws on all the much-loved conventions of the Golden Age Christmas mystery, whilst giving them a thrilling contemporary twist.
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December 1938: Josephine Tey is preparing for a cosy Christmas in Cornwall with her partner Marta, at the family home of her close friend London-based DCI Archie Penrose, so she is rather surprised when Archie tells her there is going to be a last minute change of venue.
They find themselves expected to take part in a rather different sort of festive gathering in the grand house on St Michael's Mount, after Archie is given the job of minding a very famous film star for a charity get-together, arranged by his childhood friend Hilaria St Aubyn.
Hemmed in by the sea, and trapped on the island by a severe blizzard, the unlikely group of guests is looking forward to enjoying a traditional country house Christmas. However, Christmas Day brings with it rather more than presents and tradition, when two brutal deaths are discovered. Archie, as the only law enforcement officer on hand in the extreme weather, now has the hunt for a murderer on his hands - and it can only be someone on the island...
Nicola creates an intriguing cast of characters to trap together on an island surround by wild seas and freezing weather, with our stalwart detective Archie and his friends Josephne and Marta rubbing shoulders with aristocracy, the clergy, a journalist, a suburban couple, an heiress with poor taste in companions (lovely Mitford touch here), and a Hollywood mega-star (who will remain nameless for fear of spoilers). Throw in a few domestic staff, and residents of The Mount, with troubles of their own, and you have all the makings of a fabulous 'locked-room' mystery - which is exactly what Upson does to perfection.
This period murder mystery is told through the narratives of a variety of characters. The pieces of the puzzle come together slowly and the story keeps you guessing in the most enjoyable fashion. There is clever misdirection, and some lovely red herrings to throw you off the scent, and Nicola uses the isolated location and extreme weather to enhance the feelings of claustrophobia and menace beautifully. Interestingly, she gives the game away about part of the story right at the beginning, but leaves you completely in the dark in other ways, so you really do not know who to trust among the likely group of suspects.
I love the way Nicola touches on so much in her books, and this one is overflowing with themes that delve into childhood, family ties, sins of the past, and many shades of loss. She uses the Christmas setting to give her characters pause, reflecting on past, present, and future - especially with the threat of war in the air. Archie's recollections about a shocking murder scene eighteen years before, of which he is somehow reminded by one of the murders he must now solve, are heartrending. There are lovely moments between Josephine and Marta too, as they face the prospect of being parted, and as always, Josephine's friendship with Archie is emotional gold.
One of my favourite things about Nicola's books is the way she weaves delightful interplay between the factual and fictional characters - and the very famous Hollywood actress that appears in this one is a stunner. Her murderers are also complex and written with relatable depth, and this story is especially heart-rending when Archie finally uncovers what lies behind the tragic events that play out.
I absolutely raced through the audiobook, beautifully narrated as always by Sandra Duncan, for my revist to this gem, and loved every moment!
My catch-up with book 10, Dear Little Corpses, next!
About the author:
Nicola Upson was born in Suffolk and read English at Downing College, Cambridge. Her debut, An Expert in Murder, was the first in a series of crime novels to feature Josephine Tey - one of Britain's finest Golden Age crime writers - and was dramatised for BBC Radio 4.
Nicola is a member of the Detection Club, and several of her novels have been listed for the CWA Gold and Historical Daggers. Sorry for the Dead and her latest book, The Christmas Clue, were both Waterstones Thrillers of the Month.
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