A Killer Christmas at Honeychurch Hall: the perfect festive read

''Just the thing to chase the blues away'' M. C. Beaton

Following the butler''s death and the cook''s retirement, the ever-gullible Lady Lavinia replaces them with a power couple who are determined to thrust the crumbling estate into the 21st century. The Dowager Countess reluctantly agrees to hold a big-ticket Christmas gala and silent auction with a mystery celebrity flying in from Monaco as the guest of honour.

Needless to say the newcomers'' make a few enemies in their quest to change the status quo and when one body is discovered in the Victorian stumpery and a second, in the ha-ha, it seems that their high-flying past is catching up with them.

Meanwhile, Kat is dealing with the theft of a valuable doll that had been earmarked for the auction. When it turns out that all the ticket money has vanished and there never was a celebrity guest, it''s up to Kat to save the day and bring the cold-blooded killer to justice.

Praise for Hannah Dennison:

''The perfect classic English village mystery but with the addition of charm, wit and a thoroughly modern touch'' Rhys Bowen

''Downton Abbey was yesterday. Murder at Honeychurch Hall lifts the lid on today''s grand country estate in all its tarnished, scheming, inbred, deranged glory'' Catriona McPherson

''Will delight fans and new readers alike'' People''s Friend

''A fun read'' Carola Dunn

''Sparkles like a glass of Devon cider on a summer afternoon'' Elizabeth Duncan