In "Mystery in White" by J. Jefferson Farjeon, a group of train passengers find themselves stranded on Christmas Eve due to heavy snowfall. Seeking shelter, they come across a deserted house with signs of recent activity but no occupants. As they try to uncover the secrets of the house, a murder occurs among them, leading to a suspenseful and spooky tale of intrigue and murder. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists, engaging characters, and a cozy Christmas setting that adds to the overall mystery and suspense of the story.

Characters:

The cast consists of diverse yet archetypical characters, with some exhibiting depth through mental challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing combines cozy atmosphere with witty dialogue, although it can be verbose and occasionally confusing due to style choices.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves stranded train passengers seeking shelter in a mysteriously empty house, where they uncover secrets and face a series of murders.

Setting:

The story is set on Christmas Eve during a fierce snowstorm, primarily within an empty yet cozy country house.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly with character introductions but builds momentum as the plot thickens later on.

Notes:

The novel is set on Christmas Eve during a fierce snowstorm.

Passengers leave a stranded train to find shelter in a mysterious country house.

The house has fires lit and a kettle boiling, but no occupants are present.

The characters include a psychic, a nervous accountant, a sister-brother duo, and an older man with an interest in the paranormal.

The story involves themes of mental distress, especially with depictions of shell shock.

The plot features convoluted mysteries, including multiple murders and family secrets.

The book combines elements of cozy mystery with a touch of the supernatural.

It was originally published in 1937 and has since been reissued by the British Library.

The characters are described as being quirky and memorable, despite some being one-dimensional.

It critiques the trope of introducing last-minute plot elements in mysteries.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of murder, psychological distress, and instances of shell shock.

From The Publisher:

A snowbound train should be a safe, if slightly inconvenient, place to spend Christmas, no? Not in "Mystery in White" Death, it turns out, is a passenger on this run, and as passengers begin to fear, and some make a bid for escape, J. Jefferson Farjeon keeps ratcheting up the tension, holding readers in his grip until the surprising conclusion.

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About the Author:

J. Jefferson Farjeon (18831955) was a British crime novelist, journalist, and playwright whose play "Number 17" served as the basis of the Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name.

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Mystery in White

J. Jefferson Farjeon