A review by ashanderson
The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I'm bah humbug when it comes to Christmas, so if anything's going to get me to read a Christmas related book, I guess a murder mystery is acceptable. 
I was honestly more surprised by the amount of murders in the book than who the murder(s) was/were. The reason behind the family gathering was the death (murder) of Aunt Liliana who just so happened to murder her brother (Edward) and his wife for murdering their beloved sister (and mother to the main character, Lily) for the title to the manor, maze, and accompanying wealth. That's a lot of family murder even prior to the second generation of family murders within the main story of the book!

Aunt Liliana had requested in her will and final instructions for her attorney gather the family at the manor to play one last Christmas game to determine who would own the manor, maze, and family money. All of the cousins, besides Lily, were solely playing for the manor and the money, but Aunt Liliana had also sent a letter to Lily stating this one final game will also tell her what really happened to her mother.

Not that you get to know all of the cousins very well, but I recommend not getting attached to anyone because very, very few make it out alive.
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