Murder at Holly House
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Description
*A WATERSTONES THRILLER OF THE MONTH PICK*
Discover the book everyone is talking about - this fun and festive murder mystery is the perfect Christmas read.
'The feel-good factor is off the scale' The Times
'Your new festive fave' My Weekly
'A crime Christmas stocking must!' Yorkshire Life
A village of secrets.
Yorkshire, 1952. Christmas is fast approaching when a dead stranger is found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered village of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer?
A mystery that can't be solved.
Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. But as is often the way for him, things don't go according to plan.
A Christmas to remember.
When the local doctor's husband is murdered, Grasby begins to realize that everyone in Elderby is hiding something.
And if he can't uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price...
Praise for Murder at Holly House
'A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery' Sun
'A fun book. Playful. One to make you smile' Stuart MacBride, Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller author of The Dead of Winter
'Intricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour' The Sunday Post
'A complete joy of a historical Christmas crime novel' Miranda Dickinson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Fairytale of New York
'A hugely entertaining story with an authentic period feel' The Herald
'Vintage crime from a true master of the genre!' 5* Reader Review
'Wonderful, imaginative and difficult to put down...a real festive treat!' 5* Reader Review
'An intriguing mystery peppered with some delightful touches of humour.' 5* Reader Review
'The plot was immersive and the pacing was superb. There are twists and turns, secrets and lies. All you really need for a romp in the snow!' 5* Reader Review
'Who doesn't love a Christmas murder mystery?' 5* Reader Review
Waterstones Thriller of the Month, November 2024
Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024
Denzil Meyrick, No.1 New York Times bestseller, November 2025
Book Information
Posts
Abgedrehte Geschichte und labernder Inspektor
Inspektor Frank Grasby wird Mitte Dezember 1952, kurz nach dem 2. Weltkrieg, in das vermeintlich verschlafene Dorf Elderby in Nord York versetzt, um dort eine Reihe von Diebstählen auf umliegenden Farmen aufzuklären. Nur wenige Stunden nach seiner Ankunft, wird eine Leiche im Kamin von Holly House entdeckt, der Residenz von Lord und Lady Damnish. Während Inspektor Grasby ermittelt, wird schnell klar, dass in Elderby nichts ist wie es scheint und die Ereignisse nehmen ihren Lauf. Einen ziemlich abgedrehten Lauf, wie ich finde, aber ich möchte hier auch nicht alles verraten, falls noch jemand das Buch lesen möchte. Mich konnte das Buch nicht überzeugen. Es wird aus der Sicht von Inspektor Frank Grasby erzählt, dessen "dummes" Polizeiinspektor-Junggesellen Geschwätz mir leider schnell auf die Nerven gegangen ist. Zudem hat es fast ein Drittel des Buches gebraucht bis die Geschichte endlich in Gang gekommen ist. Das Ende war mir dann wiederum viel zu überdreht. Abgesehen von ein paar Lachern, hat mich Denzil Meyricks (1965-2025) Erzähl- und Schreibweise deswegen nicht wirklich mitgenommen.
The least Christmas-ey Christmas mystery I have ever read
If you want a murder mystery with a great Christmas / Winter ambience you will be as disappointed as I was reading this book. The mystery itself was resolved in a way which was simply too weird, it wasn't anything I expected. Why would you set your book in December and even mention Christmas in the blurb if you won't SET your book at Christmas? 😭😭
Not What I Expected
This book turned out to be much more political and focused on post-war themes than I expected. I went in thinking it would be a more classic murder mystery, but there were a lot of discussions around the Second World War and social commentary. While there were some twists, the story just didn’t really grab me. I finished it mainly to get through it. Probably not my kind of book, but I’m sure others who enjoy historical-political mysteries might like it more.
Description
*A WATERSTONES THRILLER OF THE MONTH PICK*
Discover the book everyone is talking about - this fun and festive murder mystery is the perfect Christmas read.
'The feel-good factor is off the scale' The Times
'Your new festive fave' My Weekly
'A crime Christmas stocking must!' Yorkshire Life
A village of secrets.
Yorkshire, 1952. Christmas is fast approaching when a dead stranger is found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered village of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer?
A mystery that can't be solved.
Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. But as is often the way for him, things don't go according to plan.
A Christmas to remember.
When the local doctor's husband is murdered, Grasby begins to realize that everyone in Elderby is hiding something.
And if he can't uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price...
Praise for Murder at Holly House
'A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery' Sun
'A fun book. Playful. One to make you smile' Stuart MacBride, Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller author of The Dead of Winter
'Intricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour' The Sunday Post
'A complete joy of a historical Christmas crime novel' Miranda Dickinson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Fairytale of New York
'A hugely entertaining story with an authentic period feel' The Herald
'Vintage crime from a true master of the genre!' 5* Reader Review
'Wonderful, imaginative and difficult to put down...a real festive treat!' 5* Reader Review
'An intriguing mystery peppered with some delightful touches of humour.' 5* Reader Review
'The plot was immersive and the pacing was superb. There are twists and turns, secrets and lies. All you really need for a romp in the snow!' 5* Reader Review
'Who doesn't love a Christmas murder mystery?' 5* Reader Review
Waterstones Thriller of the Month, November 2024
Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024
Denzil Meyrick, No.1 New York Times bestseller, November 2025
Book Information
Posts
Abgedrehte Geschichte und labernder Inspektor
Inspektor Frank Grasby wird Mitte Dezember 1952, kurz nach dem 2. Weltkrieg, in das vermeintlich verschlafene Dorf Elderby in Nord York versetzt, um dort eine Reihe von Diebstählen auf umliegenden Farmen aufzuklären. Nur wenige Stunden nach seiner Ankunft, wird eine Leiche im Kamin von Holly House entdeckt, der Residenz von Lord und Lady Damnish. Während Inspektor Grasby ermittelt, wird schnell klar, dass in Elderby nichts ist wie es scheint und die Ereignisse nehmen ihren Lauf. Einen ziemlich abgedrehten Lauf, wie ich finde, aber ich möchte hier auch nicht alles verraten, falls noch jemand das Buch lesen möchte. Mich konnte das Buch nicht überzeugen. Es wird aus der Sicht von Inspektor Frank Grasby erzählt, dessen "dummes" Polizeiinspektor-Junggesellen Geschwätz mir leider schnell auf die Nerven gegangen ist. Zudem hat es fast ein Drittel des Buches gebraucht bis die Geschichte endlich in Gang gekommen ist. Das Ende war mir dann wiederum viel zu überdreht. Abgesehen von ein paar Lachern, hat mich Denzil Meyricks (1965-2025) Erzähl- und Schreibweise deswegen nicht wirklich mitgenommen.
The least Christmas-ey Christmas mystery I have ever read
If you want a murder mystery with a great Christmas / Winter ambience you will be as disappointed as I was reading this book. The mystery itself was resolved in a way which was simply too weird, it wasn't anything I expected. Why would you set your book in December and even mention Christmas in the blurb if you won't SET your book at Christmas? 😭😭
Not What I Expected
This book turned out to be much more political and focused on post-war themes than I expected. I went in thinking it would be a more classic murder mystery, but there were a lot of discussions around the Second World War and social commentary. While there were some twists, the story just didn’t really grab me. I finished it mainly to get through it. Probably not my kind of book, but I’m sure others who enjoy historical-political mysteries might like it more.