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Mistletoe Murder: And Other Stories
Mistletoe Murder: And Other Stories | P D James
108 posts | 79 read | 38 to read
Throughout her illustrious career as the Queen of Crime, P. D. James was frequently commissioned by newspapers and magazines to write a special short story for Christmas. Now, for the first time, four of the best are collected here. In "The Twelve Clues of Christmas," James's iconic Scotland Yard detective, Adam Dalgliesh, is drawn into a case that is pure Agatha Christie. In "A Very Commonplace Murder," a respectable clerk's secret taste for pornography is only the first reason he finds for not coming forward as a witness to a terrible crime. "The Boxdale Inheritance" finds Dalgliesh reinvestigating a notorious murder at the insistence of his godfather--only to uncover the darkest of family secrets. And in the title story, a bestselling crime novelist describes the crime in which she herself was involved some fifty years ago. Playful and ingenious, shot through with narrative elegance and sly humor, The Mistletoe Murder is a treat for P. D. James's legions of fans--and anyone who enjoys the pleasures of a masterfully wrought whodunit.
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review
marleed
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Pickpick

This is my first PD James novel and she has me convinced I‘m a fan of the short story murder mystery. There were 4 solid stories here. My two favorites were The Mistletoe Murder - a murder in the home told by a WWII war widow and A Commonplace Murder told by a creepy dude keeping the details of a murder to himself even if it means an innocent man takes the rap.

62 likes2 stack adds
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candc320
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Pickpick

My last review of the year! This short audiobook was interesting enough. Very sort of old fashioned murder mystery entertainment. Made cleaning fun (ish). 🌟🌟🌟 #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames2021 #bookspinbingo #averymerrybingo #christmasmyway #averymerryreadathon

TheSpineView Awesome! 3y
Jadams89 🎄🎉📚🎅🏻 3y
DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 3y
23 likes3 comments
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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

This is a photograph of the prolific author, P. D. (Phyllis Dorothy)James who died in 2014. The book is a a collection of short stories that take place in England. All involve a murder. Clever, elegant narrative that keeps you guessing till the end. Loved this quote from two of the stories “pure Agatha Christie”. I was transported to the time and place as I listened to the audio on Libby. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

EvieBee These stories are great! 3y
47 likes2 comments
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DivineDiana
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New Hoopla audiobook! #classic

45 likes2 stack adds
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Charityann
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Pickpick

These short stories were pretty good. Had a little bit of an Agatha Christie vibe. #mistletoemaniacs #wintergames2021 @Clwojick

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Avanders
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Mehso-so

I…. Thought this was fine. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ it all felt very… anticlimactic to me 🤷🏽‍♀️

Also, once I came home and saw the #jolabokaflodswap package that was destroyed yesterday, it was clear it was no dog, but instead one of our neighborhood‘s resident bobcats 😲 I‘m not sure if you can tell from this pic (I had to cover the addresses), but there are claw marks on the label 🐅🐆

Beatlefan129 Yikes! That‘s scary 🙀 3y
Soubhiville Wow! Was it just after the chocolate? Weird. 3y
Ruthiella Did the book survive? 3y
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mabell 😳😳😳 3y
Chrissyreadit Umm…. A bobcat… sampled your mail…. How does one keep bobcats out of packages? 3y
LeahBergen Eek!! I have bobcats in my neighbourhood, too, but I‘ve never heard of them going at parcels! 😮 3y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego 😳 wow. We too have bobcats in our area, and I haven't heard of them getting into mail. Must have been some really good chocolate! 3y
Avanders Ah! I have to be better about remembering to tag this ☺️ #AVeryMerryReadathon … and this book was even holiday-related! 🤦🏽‍♀️ @TheSpineView (edited) 3y
Avanders @Beatlefan129 you know… I just try not to think of it that way 🤭😆 @Soubhiville yes, which I agree… weird! @Ruthiella unfortunately, not enough. It‘s readable but not giftable! @mabell definitely some new experiences in his neighborhood! 😳 @Chrissyreadit lol I think… don‘t leave them out? 😂 @LeahBergen @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I hadn‘t either!! Lol I hope the cat isn‘t too sick now! 😨 3y
AmyG Holy cow! We have a resident bobcat and now I am happy we have no mail delivery. Wow. 3y
Avanders @AmyG you know, we‘ve never had a problem with any packages being delivered before… usually packages are in a locked box on the street, but occasionally things are left on our front “porch” area… I wonder if this was a problem because it was so early in the morning? 🤷🏽‍♀️ Good to know, though! 😜 3y
AmyG I find that our local bobcat is out very early or late in the afternoon. The only animal I have ever seen during the day is a coyote. 3y
84 likes1 stack add12 comments
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Avanders
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Whew! It‘s been a busy Dec! We finally got our tree up & decorated & I finally got all of my swap packages finished, wrapped, packaged, & out the door! #Bestof2021Swap #Jólabókaflód #jolabokaflodswap #littlechristmasswap #wintersolsticeswap Though, unfortunately, a dog (?) apparently got into 1 pkg before the mail person could pick it up, so 1 #jólabókaflódswap package has to be redone & will be sent out this week!

And enjoying these 2 reads ☺️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty 🎄❤️💚 3y
candority Wonderful! 3y
58 likes2 comments
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catiewithac
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Pickpick

I rather liked this book, a lot!

LeahBergen I liked it, too! 4y
batsy Me three! :) 4y
kspenmoll Me four!!! 4y
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kspenmoll I hope you are taking care of yourself as best you can. 4y
monalyisha Hello! Just popping by to let you know that your package has reached the post office in your town! That‘s a good sign, I think! 4y
monalyisha Hooray! Your box has been delivered. Tracking says it arrived on your front porch or at your front door at 6:58 this morning. 4y
catiewithac @monalyisha it‘s here!!!!!!!!! Thank you 😊 4y
monalyisha @catiewithac All of those exclamation points! Haha. I feel that 100%. 😅 4y
66 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

Fun little mystery stories! Very Agatha Christie, honestly. #bookspinbingo #cornersquare #wintergames2020 #teahreadnosedreindeer 26pts #readmyowndamnbooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 4y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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jhod
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Pickpick

Excellent book of four short Christmas Crime Capers!

69 likes1 stack add
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catiewithac
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@Twainy thank you for this lovely #Elfswap package! I‘m already reading the tagged book! I really appreciate the socks, HUGE bag of caramels, and second book (!!!!) 😀 I hope you have a lovely Christmas! 🎄 @Avanders thanks for hosting this sweet swap!! ⛄️

Crazeedi Merry Christmas Catie! Thank you for the lovely card and note!🎁🎄🌠☃️❄💗 4y
Soubhiville Fun socks! 4y
catiewithac @sprainedbrain I just checked the shipping my package to you. I'm so sorry that it didn't arrive on time. I mailed in on Dec 11, but the USPS delays must have caught this one. Last I checked it was in the correct state. I hope it arrives soon. Happy Xmas! Tracking # 9505512008840346679422 @avanders 4y
sprainedbrain No worries! I‘m sure it will make it and I just get an extra day of Christmas. 🥰🎄 4y
Avanders 🧚🏽‍♀️♥️🎄 Merry Christmas! 4y
79 likes5 comments
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Beck9lol
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My litsy penpal sent Santa my way and boy did he deliver! Look at these fabulous gifts she picked out for me! I was hoping to get more of those amazing socks. Also got some fur mama magnets, lunar new year black tea, and books that I already started reading. Thank you so much @Litlady for all these beautiful gifts! This year has been rough, but I'm so grateful for your friendship. Merry Christmas!!! Happy Holidays to you all! ❄️

Bklover What wonderful gifts! 4y
Litlady Yay for Christmas and bookish gift giving! Blessed and thankful for our @Litsy friendship, Becky! Wishing you and all of us here a happier and healthier New Year. Big bookish hugs my dear friend! ❤️💚🎅🏻🎄🐾😻 Give a holiday chin scratch to Harvey kitty, too! 😺🤶🏻🌈 4y
25 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LDavisMunro
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Pickpick

This was my first time reading P.D. James and although I didn‘t love all the stories, I really enjoyed most of them. I especially enjoyed being introduced to her famous detective, Adam Dalgliesh, in the story “The Twelve Clues of Christmas”. I was amazed at how much James fit into such short stories, and although the endings were not always surprising, I was ok with that because of the length of the stories.

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EadieB
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Day 6 - #Mistletoe #SleighTheShelves
#TheMistletoeMurders #PDJames

I read and enjoyed this book in December 2018.

OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚🎄 4y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DinoMom
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Panpan

This book wasn‘t for me. I was hoping for a stronger Christmas feel, but besides a few of the short stories being set on Christmas , that is only Christmas feel to them. It was a quick read, if you are looking for some quick mysteries to fill an hour or so then maybe you would enjoy it. Not my thing I guess.

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DinoMom
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I am not normally one to reach for seasonal reads but everyone here on Litsy has inspired me to do so. Therefore I am giving it a go! #christmasreads #mystery

ShelleyBooksie Look forward to your review! 4y
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
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cris.f
Mehso-so

Not enough suspense for me.

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azulaco
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Pickpick

I don‘t think I‘ve ever read P.D. James before. I‘m not sure how I made that omission, but I decided to give this book a try over Christmas. I liked it, but didn‘t love it. I think I‘m just more used to Agatha Christie‘s lighter style. To be fair, I liked these stories enough to want to give a James full-length novel a try before I make a final judgement on her writing. I‘d still recommend this collection.

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betsyhaddox
Pickpick

P. D. James is not an incredibly celebrated author for nothing. She has such skill. Beautiful descriptions, a couple of surprises... great set of stories.

SW-T Agreed! 5y
4 likes1 comment
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LouBeth
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Pickpick

Finishing the year strong!!
A retelling of A Christmas Carol and 4 short murder mysteries.

#HolidayReads

#TeamFestivus @wanderinglynn
#WinterGames @Clwojick @StayCurious

wanderinglynn 🙌🏻❤️📚 5y
25 likes1 comment
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EadieB
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Day 29 - #Mistletoe #HollyJollyReading

The short stories were quick and easy to read and quite entertaining. They were sort of like cozies but were masterly done as the characters were interesting and the murderer was not too easy to figure out. I mostly enjoyed the surprise endings which was not expected. It you have not read her before, you should read this book as a sample of her writing. I'm sure you would enjoy it as much as I did!

48 likes2 comments
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rabbitprincess
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My mum is trying to hit 100 books read this year. The Mistletoe Murder will be number 95, if I recall correctly.

Coincidentally, I just nabbed another PD James off her shelves: A Taste for Death. #BookTwins ?
(Mum: "That was the first PD James I read! It was really good.")

Nute Good luck to your Mom with one hundred books read. Ninety-five is already an awesome yearly accomplishment!🙂 5y
rabbitprincess @Nute Thanks! I think she's up to 98 now, and knows which books she wants to read to cross the finish line 😊 5y
18 likes2 comments
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veritysalter
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Pickpick

Four short stories by P.D. James, taking her inspiration from the Christmas country-house Murders of Agatha Christie. #WinterGames #MerryReaders #HolidayRead

Clwojick 81 pt 5y
31 likes1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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I liked ‘Sleep No More‘ by P. D. James so much I had look and see if she had any other story collections and I found this. Turns out she often wrote special stories for Christmas for newspapers and magazines. Several of her most well-known were collected in the tagged book. Murder and mistletoe...what could be better on a cold, winter night? I think I need to read this book too.

14 likes1 stack add
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ElizaMarie
Pickpick

I am usually not a fan of short stories but I had picked this one because of the theme of the holidays and it was available on Litsy. (I say I‘m not a fan yet I do indulge in the short story now and then) anyway I enjoyed it.

Go #TeamNutcracker !!! ❄️ #WinterGames

@Bookworm54 , @Clwojick , @StayCurious

1 point participation ⛄️

1 point #FestivePhotoChallenge + 20 points #HolidayRead 🎄= 21 points

Running total: 1,177

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ElizaMarie
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Only listened to the first story so far. But I am loving it :)

Go #TeamNutcracker !!! ❄️ #WinterGames

@Bookworm54 , @Clwojick , @StayCurious

1 point participation ⛄️

#WinterReadsBingo

Running total: 1,071

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ElizaMarie
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Picked this one just for the cover.... I am usually not a fan of short stories but.... I mean hopefully it will be entertaining

Go #TeamNutcracker !!! ❄️ #WinterGames

@Bookworm54 , @Clwojick , @StayCurious

1 point participation ⛄️

Running total: 1,013

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quirkyreader
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Pickpick

One more completed in the Year of P.D. James. Only two more left, unless another posthumous collection shows up.

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quirkyreader
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The year of P.D. James rolls on. Only 3 more left.

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Gissy
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Pickpick

I wanted to finish 71 books this year so at the end I chose short books😜There are 4 short stories where a murder had occurred and the end you discovered the murderer but not necessarily the case is closed. As short stories you always would like more details but in general I would say the author kept my attention. I didn't like how she mentioned Agatha Christie in her stories, did she think she was better?3.6⭐️Thanks for this book @Stacy_31

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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

This is my first P.D. James book and I have to say, I‘m quite impressed! This is an excellent collection of short stories. I found myself getting wrapped up in each one, especially the second story. I will definitely be checking out more of her books. Thank you again @callielafleur ! 🤗

#Christmas
#mystery
#catsoflitsy
#Scarlett

🎄⛄️🎅🏻🎄⛄️🎅🏻🎄⛄️🎅🏻🎄⛄️🎅🏻🎄⛄️🎅🏻🎄⛄️

Susanita I think the second story was my favorite too. 6y
BookBabe Aaahhh so cute! 😸 6y
107 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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batsy
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Pickpick

Before this, I've only read Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James & really liked it. I also really enjoyed this small collection of short stories. Although the last one takes a good-hearted stab at a Christie-esque whodunit, James's strength seems to be the psychological depth to her stories. These aren't quiet, cosy Christmas tales; one in particular is rather dark & grim. I enjoy her writing; it's rich & descriptive & rewards close attention.

saresmoore Yes, please. Also, that latte art is amazing! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm I‘m glad this is good. It‘s waiting for me. You should read the rest of her books, they‘re great, especially the Adam Dalgliesh and Cordelia Gray series. 6y
readordierachel That is some next-level coffee design ☕ 6y
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Cathythoughts I‘m not a Christmas story book person ... but you have sold me ! & yes @readordierachel that coffee design is impressive ♥️ 6y
batsy @saresmoore @ReadOrDieRachel @Cathythoughts This barista has some skills 🙌🏽😁 6y
batsy @erzascarletbookgasm I love her style! I'm so looking forward to discovering the Dalgliesh and Gray series. 6y
LeahBergen Oh, I love the cover on this. 😍😍 Angela Harding is a gorgeous illustrator. 6y
CarolynM Always enjoy some latte art🙂 6y
batsy @LeahBergen It's so lovely! She did the cover for Sleep No More too, and I love the thematic similarity ❤️ 6y
batsy @CarolynM Me too! Here is some next level latte art 😁 https://twitter.com/41Strange/status/1076912962776924160?s=19 6y
104 likes3 stack adds10 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Was planning to read it this month, but looks like my current read will take up the rest of December. Oh well, next year perhaps.
#seasonsreadings #mistletoe

batsy Currently reading! Enjoying it :) 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty cover!!! 6y
79 likes2 comments
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i.z.booknook
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Pickpick

Funnily enough I didn‘t actually like The Mistletoe Murder; there was no satisfaction to it, and no great story. But I did enjoy the other three stories very much! They were very satisfying and had me intrigued! 🎄

ephemeralwaltz Pretty photo! 😍 6y
55 likes1 comment
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Liatrek
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Pickpick

This was a easy quick read. I liked the character Adam and will be looking to buy the first book in his series Cover her Face.

zsuzsanna_reads I love this series! I haven't read them all, but my favourite so far is 6y
97 likes1 comment
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EadieB
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Pickpick

I'm not a fan of short stories but I did enjoy this book by James. I've only read Death Comes to Pemberley by her in the past but I do look forward to reading her other books. The short stories were quick and easy to read and quite entertaining. They were sort of like cozies but were masterly done as the characters were interesting and the murderer was not too easy to figure out. I mostly enjoyed the surprise endings which was not expected.

Ruthiella I love her mysteries featuring Daglish. Or try one of the ones featuring Cordelia Grey. They are long but satisfying!😀 6y
80 likes2 comments
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Tamra
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Mehso-so

Fits the bill for holiday mysteries, though they aren‘t terribly memorable.

Moonpa I liked the title story but the rest were “meh” 6y
Tamra @Moonpa yes, agreed! (edited) 6y
57 likes2 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces Thank you for hosting. I would have never read this. I enjoyed all the stories and it was great for a change of pace 6y
EadieB @Reecaspieces Your welcome! I like to do buddy reads as I think you get so much more out of the story especially with everyone‘s input. 6y
myellenbee It was a fun, easy group read. I loved being able to talk with all of you about the stories. Thanks FCC or hosting it and also choosing a short book I could fit in. I also liked these short stories by P D James I hadn't known about. 6y
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EadieB @myellenbee Your welcome! It was a fun read! 6y
jb72 I really enjoyed these short stories and thanks for hosting! It was my first James book. I liked seeing everyone‘s thoughts on each story. 6y
kspenmoll Thanks for hosting. So sorry I could not join in real time for last two stories. 6y
EadieB @kspenmoll You‘re welcome! Thanks for participating! 6y
9 likes7 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces I still think the first one. 6y
EadieB @Reecaspieces I think they all had something special about them. 6y
myellenbee Probably the Boxdale Inheritance, a very typical Adam Dagleish story. The Mistletoe Murder was also really good but knowing it really happened made it somehow feel different. The 12 Clues of Christmas was clever but there were a few very British things I didn't understand. 6y
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Reecaspieces @myellenbee I know....what does “pull the cracker” mean? 6y
myellenbee They are these very British Christmas toys. They are the size of a toilet paper roll covered with the paper twisted at the ends. Someone pulls on each end and somehow they make a noise as it comes apart. There are little toys and paper crowns in them. Like party hats that everyone put on. Remember that they were looking for the second thing, the cheap little broache? it's meant to be a fun thing people do together, not a thing for a sad person. 6y
Reecaspieces @myellenbee thank you! That explains a lot. I guess I could have looked it up! 😬🤓 6y
jb72 The Mistletoe Murder was my favorite. The other three were very good. The second story had the creepiest feel to it. The last story seemed a bit lighter. 6y
Pamwurtzler I liked The Mistletoe Murder best, followed by the Twelve Clues. 6y
kspenmoll The Mistletoe Murder was a great intro to the book; then Boxdale Inheritance because I have not read a story featuring Dalgleish in ages. 6y
8 likes9 comments
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EadieB
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myellenbee I thought making it fit into 12 clues was very clever. I was wondering when it took place because of the constable coming on a bike and having to go back down the road for a telephone box. Like I are before that family needs to keep their day jobs. 6y
jb72 Very clever with the the 12 clues. 6y
kspenmoll Enjoyable! Liked his homage to Agatha Christie! 6y
9 likes3 comments
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EadieB
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jb72 I‘m super excited to finish up the last story today. Thanks for tags! I‘m really enjoying the short story reads. 6y
EadieB @jb72 You‘re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it! (edited) 6y
Pamwurtzler Thanks for the buddy read, @EadieB ! It was fun! 6y
EadieB @Pamwurtzler You‘re welcome! Fun to read something light for Christmas! 6y
9 likes4 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces Nope, nada! 6y
EadieB @Reecaspieces I thought it had to be murder too! 6y
myellenbee No never. From the start I was suspicious. If you have read any stories where there are servants, there is no way the cook would have followed the police and family upstairs. Especially a short term hire. They would want to be as far as possible from. The whole need to hire a Christmas cook was implasuable. I can't imagine a suicidal person still pulling a cracker and wearing the paper crown. And what was with the pudding! 6y
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jb72 Nope. I immediately thought of murder. The note seemed very suspicious to me. 6y
Pamwurtzler Nope. The temporary cook was my first hint. And I‘m with @myellenbee - she was not a realistic servant. (edited) 6y
kspenmoll Not at all given Dalgliesh became involved. 6y
10 likes6 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces I enjoyed it. I enjoyed all of them! 6y
EadieB @Reecaspieces Great! I liked them all too! 6y
myellenbee As murderers that family needs to keep their day jobs! About the story it was good. I always like Dalgleish .I liked seeing him in his early days, still smarter than the officers. 6y
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jb72 It was a good story. But I agree @myellenbee that family suck at being murderers. 6y
Pamwurtzler I liked it! And yeah, that family made pitiful murderers. 6y
kspenmoll This was a good one! 6y
9 likes6 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces I think I like this last one better or it could be because I read it last...who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
myellenbee It's close between the mistletoe murder and this one but I think the Boxdale inheritance wins because I liked the compassion Dagleish hsd sitting with the old woman each day as promised, the peace it gave her at the end. 6y
EadieB @myellenbee it‘s hard to choose one over the other because they both have different things that I like! @Reecaspieces 6y
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jb72 I definitely like The Mistletoe Murder the best, but this one is a close second. 6y
Pamwurtzler @jb72 Totally agree! 6y
10 likes6 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces I am conflicted. 6y
myellenbee I think technically no but morally yes. 6y
EadieB @myellenbee She could have stopped him from dying so I think it makes her culpable too! @Reecaspieces 6y
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jb72 I definitely think she is culpable in this situation. She saw what happened. She knew what would happen. She was easily in the realm of preventing what did happen. 6y
Pamwurtzler I agree. She knew what would happen and wanted Allie to hang for it. 6y
jillannjohn Yes! 6y
kspenmoll @jillannjohn @Pamwurtzler @jb72 @myellenbee @Reecaspieces She could have intervened at several points so I think she is culpable. 6y
11 likes7 comments
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EadieB
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Reecaspieces Unfortunately, yes... I must be dumb as dirt not to see these murderers! 😜😂. After they are revealed...I go OH YEAH 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️ 6y
myellenbee Very much, I was not at all on my radar. It was also very sad. 6y
EadieB @Reecaspieces you always can see it after the fact but miss all the clues while reading the story. Very tricky authors! @myellenbee 6y
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Reecaspieces @EadieB another truth....I call them smart authors! 6y
jb72 I‘d say as I read on I wasn‘t totally surprised by the murderer‘s identity. 6y
Pamwurtzler I‘m always surprised by the twist at the end! 6y
jillannjohn Yep definitely surprised. 6y
kspenmoll Totally surprised! 6y
10 likes8 comments