Murder Most Festive by Ada Moncrieff

Christmas 1938. It is meant to be very Christmassy especially since it is a mixed gathering, but there seems to be many hidden tensions. The hosts the Westbury's themselves are a mixed bunch. Lord W is vague and somewhat out of place, Lady W is the mistress of ceremonies who has to hold things together, Three grown up children all squabbling with each other - all seemingly having hidden agendas. Then the invitees themselves. When David one of the guests and a very old friend of the family is found murdered on their doorstep, Hugh Galveston is called in as an old friend and visitors for Christmas to try to use his detective skills to solve the murder. The local constable thinks it is an open shut case of suicide and his language is hilarious in the description. The story of Hugh trying to detect, but avoiding the local police and the family and the other guests from interfering and upsetting his plans are amusing. It is 1938 and on the cusp of WW but these seem far away for this family who want to stick to their traditions of what they consider a "proper Christmas". Trying to keep within these boundaries of what is considered respectable is also a burden as even a post mortem is considered not quite right for the aristocracy. Reminiscent of an era long gone, this was a cosy mystery murder set with just few characters but all vastly different from each other. Sent by Poisoned Pen Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.