The Mystery of the Christmas Crackers

Darriby Hall is famous for entertaining busybody aristocrats, tales from distant lands, and a dead body . . . now and then.

Lady Darriby-Jones, ever the gracious hostess, welcomes an eclectic mix of aristocrats, eccentrics, and an unexpected scandal or two to her stately home each year at the most wonderful time of the year. This year, the festive mood is shattered when one of her guests is found dead amidst the Christmas crackers and mince pies.

Enter DCI "Rude" Manners, a police chief whose investigative methods are as clumsy as a three-legged reindeer. His theory? Arrest the first suspect he stumbles upon and call it a day.

But Lady Darriby-Jones knows her guests—and her reputation—demand more than that.

Armed with sharp wit, a knack for unearthing secrets, and a few well-placed questions over tea, she dives into a tangle of alibis, hidden grudges, and festive deceptions. Can she crack the case before the real murderer strikes again? Or will this holiday season be her last?

Packed with intrigue, humor, and all the charm of a 1920s English countryside Christmas, The Mystery of the Christmas Crackers is a cozy historical mystery you won't want to put down.

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Release date

Audiobook: 8 July 2025