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decretaro's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
vstewart76's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
carolpk's review
The Hook Take away the title and that The Santa Klaus Murder is part of the The British Library Crime Classics, the picture that remains bids us "Welcome", please come inside for a cozy, comfy fire and good cheer. But you better watch out, because this Santa may not be jolly ol' St. Nick.
The Line - "Really, Colonel Halstock, really, when the children are to be put through the fourth dimension or whatever you call it, and terrified, poor little things, out of their lives, really, it is too much!”
The Sinker - A good old fashioned mystery right down to the map of the country manor, Flaxmere, on the opening page. The cast of characters is given, the stage is set and the fun begins. Not all guests arrive but most are on hand before Christmas morn. The first five chapters are told from their viewpoint, we think as it happens. It is not until the sixth chapter that we learn that their reports are the gathering of statements by Colonel Halstock, Chief Constable of Haulmshire. There's been a death, someone in the house is the culprit, and Santa is as suspect as anyone.
I adore these golden age mysteries with their picturesque dialog drawing the scene and leaving us clues. It has a locked room aspect, half-truths, and lots of could be murderers with motive. Like many stories of this ilk, the characters mingle throughout, socializing with each other, and the timing of who is who and who is where and who is doing what, is extremely important. A very slight difference here is the addition of children in the cast, though of course, none of these is suspect, but are questioned to the happenings of Christmas Day, just the same.
The British Library Crime Classics are gems.
The Line - "Really, Colonel Halstock, really, when the children are to be put through the fourth dimension or whatever you call it, and terrified, poor little things, out of their lives, really, it is too much!”
The Sinker - A good old fashioned mystery right down to the map of the country manor, Flaxmere, on the opening page. The cast of characters is given, the stage is set and the fun begins. Not all guests arrive but most are on hand before Christmas morn. The first five chapters are told from their viewpoint, we think as it happens. It is not until the sixth chapter that we learn that their reports are the gathering of statements by Colonel Halstock, Chief Constable of Haulmshire. There's been a death, someone in the house is the culprit, and Santa is as suspect as anyone.
I adore these golden age mysteries with their picturesque dialog drawing the scene and leaving us clues. It has a locked room aspect, half-truths, and lots of could be murderers with motive. Like many stories of this ilk, the characters mingle throughout, socializing with each other, and the timing of who is who and who is where and who is doing what, is extremely important. A very slight difference here is the addition of children in the cast, though of course, none of these is suspect, but are questioned to the happenings of Christmas Day, just the same.
The British Library Crime Classics are gems.
kgroods9's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
i'm still undecided if i like closed-door whodunits. i felt like the author could've captured the claustrophobia of family drama a little better, but this was overall good
kategci's review
3.0
There is nothing like a little murder to put me in the holiday spirit. Published in 1936, this is a closed house mystery, as Santa Klaus is murdered on Christmas Day. The Melburys have gathered at the country estate where their father resides with his youngest daughter. Aunt Mildred believes nothing good can come of such a family party. Depending on who you are, a lot good may have come from the cranky, annoying patriarch being shot in the head in his study during the festivities. I liked it a lot and the British Library Crime Classics again do not disappoint.
gldnhaze's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this. Even though I didn't feel christmassy this year at all, the two christmas murder mysteries were awesome.
cauchemarlena's review against another edition
4.0
Melbury perekond koguneb jõuludeks Flaxmere'i, perekonnapea Sir Osmondi koju. Õhustik on pingeline ja ärev, sest kui nii palju pereliikmeid ühte kohta kokku tuleb, siis läheb kindlasti midagi valesti. Ja kui üks külalistest avastab perekonnapea surnukeha, siis ilmselgelt on süüdi keegi kohalolijatest. Uurimust hakkab juhtima Sir Osmondi kauaaegne tuttav ja sõber. Kes saab ohvri surmast kõige rohkem kasu? Kes ei räägi tõtt?
See oli mõnus hubane lugemine, mis sobib ideaalselt just lähenevate pühade eel lugemiseks. Mulle meeldis!
See oli mõnus hubane lugemine, mis sobib ideaalselt just lähenevate pühade eel lugemiseks. Mulle meeldis!
l1nds's review against another edition
2.0
Very disappointing. The main narrator is too detached from events to make us feel part of it, so on the whole we are told things rather than shown them, which is never fun to read. The denouement is a let down, and it wasn't particularly festive. I quite understand why the book had faded into obscurity over the years, but I'm unclear why the British Library felt the need to rescue it. They set the bar high with Mystery in White last Christmas and frankly I wish I'd just reread that!