'The Santa Klaus Murder' by Mavis Doriel Hay is a classic murder mystery set during a Christmas celebration at an English country manor. The story unfolds through the perspectives of various characters, including family members and investigators, as they navigate through red herrings, motives, and a complex web of clues to solve the murder of the controlling patriarch, Sir Osmond Melbury. The narrative captures the essence of a dysfunctional family gathering, where tensions run high and everyone becomes a suspect in the murder mystery.

The book, written in the 1930s, follows the Chief Constable, Colonel Halstock, as he methodically investigates the crime, uncovering secrets, motives, and hidden agendas among the family members. With elements of a closed-room mystery, multiple suspects, and a festive Christmas backdrop, 'The Santa Klaus Murder' provides a captivating blend of classic whodunit storytelling, intricate character development, and a carefully crafted plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Characters:

The characters are a dysfunctional family with distinct personalities, centering around the controlling patriarch, Sir Osmond, and a mix of both sympathetic and unfriendly individuals.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by formal and descriptive language, with a light humorous touch while maintaining a somewhat stilted dialogue reflective of the era.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a classic country house murder taking place during a Christmas family gathering, featuring a rich tapestry of suspects, all of whom have motives for the crime.

Setting:

The story is set in the English countryside at the family estate of Flaxmere during the Christmas holidays, evoking a 1940s atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow to moderate, allowing for a deliberate buildup of suspects and motives, though it may feel draggy at times.

I have known the Melbury family since the time when Jennifer, the youngest daughter, and I climbed trees and built wigwams together in the Flaxmere garden. I know enough about them, therefore, to set ...

Notes:

The Santa Klaus Murder was originally published in 1936.

The story is set during a Christmas gathering at the Melbury family's country home, Flaxmere.

Sir Osmond Melbury, the patriarch, is found murdered with a bullet in his head.

The book features a classic locked room mystery format.

The investigation is led by Colonel Halstock, a Chief Constable who knows the family well.

Every family member has a motive for Sir Osmond's murder due to financial gain or personal grievances.

The narrative begins with multiple characters providing their perspectives before shifting to the investigation led by the police.

Mavis Doriel Hay, the author, is a lesser-known writer from the Golden Age of Mystery, often overshadowed by Agatha Christie and others.

The novel is part of the British Library Crime Classics series, which reprints forgotten works from the Golden Age.

The story is filled with red herrings, complex motives, and subtle clues.

From The Publisher:

When it comes to Christmas stories, one typically thinks of those that embody the spirit of the season, such as O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi and Charles Dickens s" A Christmas Carol." The Yuletide-themed murder mystery is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. But in 1936, Mavis Doriel Hay wrote "The Santa Klaus Murder," one of three detective novels she published in the 1930s.A classic country-house murder mystery, "The Santa Klaus Murder "begins with Aunt Mildred declaring that no good could come of the Melbury family Christmas gathering at their country residence Flaxmere. So when Sir Osmond Melbury, the family patriarch, is discovered by a guest dressed as Santa Klaus with a bullet in his head on Christmas Day, the festivities are plunged into chaos. Nearly every member of the party stands to reap some sort of benefit from Sir Osmond's death, but Santa Klaus, the one person who seems to have every opportunity to fire the shot, has no apparent motive. Various members of the family have their private suspicions about the identity of the murderer, but in the midst of mistrust, suspicion, and hatred, it emerges that there was not one Santa Klaus but two.This new addition to the British Library Crime Classics series is a must-have for all fans of classic murder mystery and will delight anyone looking for a thrilling read during the holidays.

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About the Author:

Mavis Doriel Hay (1894 1979) was a novelist of the golden age of British crime fiction. Her other novels are "Murder Underground "and "Death on the Cherwell.""

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The Santa Klaus Murder

Mavis Doriel Hay