09/23/2013
In this charming reprint of a title published in 1936 by Hay (1894–1979), someone masquerading as the jolly man in red shoots Sir Osmond Melbury, a miserly cookie manufacturer, as his family members gather for Christmas at his country house, Flaxmere, outside of Bristol, England. Motives abound for the murder: Melbury cut off his eldest daughter after she eloped with an artist, pressured his second daughter into renouncing her first love, opposed his youngest daughter’s engagement, replaced the faithful family chauffeur with a Cockney “Socialist,” and ousted his impoverished spinster sister from Flaxmere in favor of his scheming secretary. Following the convention of different characters narrating individual chapters popularized by Wilkie Collins in The Moonstone, the novel reflects the preoccupations of the period with its complex timetables, concealed doors, and alternate wills. Readers seeking to keep details in order may need to consult the cast of characters and floor plan provided, but they are part of the enjoyable universe of this Golden Age mystery. (Nov.)
This extremely clever country-house murder mystery by Mavis Doriel Hay is the perfect holiday gift for the avid cozy-crime fan. . . . There are loads of clues, red herrings, and twists in a truly classic Christmas mystery with all the Golden Age patina.
“The Santa Klaus Murder is a good, workmanlike job, with plenty of suspects and a fair number of clues in what is certainly a fine puzzle-oriented mystery. . . . It’s good reading on a cold winter's night, particularly with Christmas just around the corner.
“The Santa Klaus Murder is a re-issue of a forgotten British cozy that warrants attention as both a classic British mystery novel and as a holiday read. . . . It moves stealthily toward an intriguing and not altogether predictable conclusion.
Engaging [and] clever.
Despite its title, this British Library Crime Classics reissue of a 1936 novel isn't just an entertaining Christmas read. It's a fine example of the old-time country-house murder mystery, with loads of suspects, lots of period atmosphere, and much caustic wit. It even starts with a plan of the ground floor of the estate where the murder occurs, complete with servants' hall, drawing room, dining hall, library, study, and, ominously, gun room. Yes, the novel reads today like a template for the classic board game Clue. And, yes, as in the game, a body, that of Sir Osmond, the possessor of great wealth and no charm, is found in the study of his country house, with a bullet in his head, discovered there [by] the guest enlisted to play Santa Klaus. Part of the charm of this puzzle is that it's presented from the point of view of several guests,which alerts us to explosive secrets and poisonous rivalries.Pair this with Mystery in White , by another Golden Age author, J. Jefferson Farjeon.
The Santa Klaus Murder by author Mavis Doriel Hay is a classic British cozy with a Christmas theme. Written in 1936 and long out of print, it is being released as part of the British Library's Crime Classics series. It is an intelligent, well-written mystery with plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing but plenty of clues to point the way. At times, I found it a bit draggy and, at others, confusing, but over all a nice mystery just in time for the holidays.
Author Mavis Doriel Hay does a nice job weaving in the family skeletons and dissensions by having Colonel Halstock interview each of the family and the lead servants. She shows us the motive each of the family may have had without simply telling us, and she also lays several false trails and red herrings. (Personally I suspected the actual culprit from the beginning because ofthe way he was introduced.)I'm not crazy about murder mysteries but do enjoy the odd British country house weekend novel and this was a fine example, but with the twist of a dead body in the study with a gun!
....Hay has made it very understandable and easy to read, weaving humor and British scenarios throughout. As the story goes on, readers will enjoy the suspense, and also the interesting and odd characters that make up the Melbury family. Hay did an excellent job creating her characters, and they seem very real, bringing new meaning to the much used phrase "you can't pick your relatives."...For readers who are looking for a light, fun suspense novel, The Santa Klaus Murder is a good choice. It is a great read for the Christmas season, not only because it takes place over the holiday, but also because even avid readers are busier at Christmas time and this novel goes fast.
Mavis Doriel Hay's The Santa Klaus Murder is a traditional country house murder mystery - so that means a limited number of suspects, but in the case of this novel there are multiple narrators as various characters give their versions of events....The chapters told from the viewpoints of various guests are a nice twist and author Mavis Doriel Hay manages to convey a different tone to each of these chapters as they pave the way to the crime. Philip Cheriton's chatty account gives a nice history of the family and various relationships, and this is in wonderful contrast to Aunt Mildred's fussy, critical narrative. We see that stubbornness runs in the Melbury blood, for Aunt Mildred, who helped steer most of the Melbury children towards "suitable" marriages, now sees the consequences of her work but refuses to admit that perhaps she was wrong....There's a clue thrown out very early in the book which signals the solution, and while The Santa Klaus Murder has nothing new to offer to the genre, it is an enjoyable, seasonal read....The book comes complete with a plan of the ground floor of Flaxmere House and a cast of characters....Review copy. This is another British Library Crime Classic from Poisoned Pen Press.
The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Hay is a delightfully old fashioned murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie. When Sir Oswald Melbury is murdered on Christmas day all the Christmas visitors are under suspicion and each of them has his or her own motive for wanting the man dead.
