Last up in Ada Moncrieff’s Christmas Mysteries is Murder at Maybridge Castle*. We’re sticking with Daphne as our protagonist – but this time, she’s supporting her family member, Charles, as he soft-opens a new hotel at the titular Maybridge Castle. Plus, local legends (and Charles) say the hotel is haunted! It all adds up to a very spooky setting, even before the sudden murder.

A more solid, if solvable mystery

There is a lot to like about the mystery in Murder at Maybridge Castle. It starts with the setup – a classic, as Charles suggests a game of “murder in the dark”. (I have never played this game, but I thought this was going Glass Onion for a moment as a result.) When someone is fatally pushed down some stairs, and the police are not up to the case, it’s up to Daphne to investigate. Note that this gives us the best of many worlds – you’ve got the closed circle and the country house setting, as in Murder Most Festive. But because this is a party with invitations, no miserable family who hate each other.

Then there are the sleuths. Daphne investigates (of course); she gets help this time from the sardonic Mrs. Thewley, a known ghost skeptic. Daphne and Mrs. Thewley have a fun dynamic (even if they don’t fully trust each other – there are some moments of frustration when they could and share information for a smoother result).

The trappings of Christmas

Murder at Maybridge Castle is probably the most loosely tied out of all Moncrieff’s novels to Christmas. Instead of taking place on or around Christmas, we simply have a hotel with Christmas decor. (Charles wants to make sure that the guests get to see the hotel in all its holiday splendor.) There are a few fun moments with this, including a memorable moment with some festive jellies, but overall, the Christmas specificity is low.

That’s not inherently a bad thing, and from a general vibes standpoint the story does pretty well. I certainly enjoyed reading it curled up on the couch this winter. This is the first of Moncrieff’s stories to end with a conclusion that felt like it resolved to the actual holiday spirit of warmth, so that’s a plus. If you’re in the mood for a snowy country house with some pine needles and red ornaments, this will do just fine.

Reader’s notes and rating: 🎁 🎁 🎁 🎀

Continuous improvement is the name of the game here, and there’s a lot more to love in Murder at Maybridge Castle. than its predecessors. I enjoyed Daphne and Mrs. Thewley’s interactions, and the writing was smoother than it’s been before. The mystery is fine – enough to keep engaged with, if not the trickiest or most puzzling. A serviceable winter murder mystery, with elements of Christmas sprinkled in.

3.5 presents.

Tomorrow, we’re getting into some more recent releases (and some of my favorites this season)! Until then – stay cozy and stay curious!

*Note for US readers: if you want this one, you may have to get it shipped from the UK – or wait a year and see if/when they release on these shores!