Everyone called it a blessing that old Granny Condrycke died so peacefully in her sleep at Christmastime, and the whole family agreed to go ahead with the holiday festivities at Graylings, the isolated ancestral mansion on the cliffs overlooking Bay Chaleur. But while the Yule Log burned, the owl of wassail spread cheer and warmth and the house guests dressed up for a merry mumming parade through the ancient halls, someone was planning a murder. Another murder, that is since Detective Inspector Maddoc Rhys already knew that old Granny didn't go gentle into that good night... and that before the snowy evening was over a killer might give Death a second Christmas corpse.
A family member recently went back to read her Madoc and Janet Rhys series, and enjoyed them as well. Madoc is a Mountie, Janet his beloved who does not shrink from the bad behavior in which she becomes embroiled with Madoc. In this book, second in the series, Madoc and Janet end up at the mansion of an odd family for the holidays, his mother having finagled an invitation for him and Janet because they can't get away to join the rest of the family in London. Of course, murder is afoot, the cast of characters very strange, and it keeps you guessing to the end. A quick read, the only downside is trying to keep the numerous family members straight, but well worth the time. One of the first lady mystery writers, her books are light reading, full of unusual characters (including strong women with their own minds), and sometimes laugh out loud funny. Read them all if you enjoy this genre!
Cozy, Inspector Rhys mystery. Don't remember it well.
