8 "friends", who all last got together 12 years ago at a murder mystery weekend at university, where one of their number disappeared, spend Christmas at a remote Scottish castle with a new mystery to solve. This was well written, with flashbacks to the past adding to the rising tension.

Rating: 3.2/5

Although she has already written books for the Young Adult market, "The Twelve Days of Murder" marks Andreina Cordani's first attempt to target the adult market. If you were to swap an isolated island off the coast of Devon for a secluded country house in Scotland - and were then to replace the cast of characters with a group of friends who used to run "The Masquerade Murder Society", who each have long-hidden secrets - you would find yourself with the ingredients for a locked room style mystery in the spirit of "And Then There Were None". All you need is for the guests to start prematurely meeting their maker ... et voilà! The scene is set for a classic whodunnit.

It is actually something of a rite of passage for an author to pen a story based on the format of Agatha Christie's classic tale (or sometimes even more than one). The formula has been adopted by so many wordsmiths over the years and with varying degrees of success, so it could be seen as quite a brave move to opt to take that path with your very first adult mystery. So, how does this one stack up?

On the whole, I would have to say pretty well. The structure is fairly sound with an assortment of characters who are interesting enough, even if they are a little stereotypical. The setting works well and the author employs a dual timeline in the form of flashbacks to give some historical insight into the interpersonal relationships between the protagonists. The writing is intelligent and apart from occasional lapses that hint at the writer's background in YA fiction, this is certainly appropriately written for its older target audience. There are plenty of red herrings and plot twists along the way, which mostly manage to stay within the bounds of being credible without becoming excessively convenient. However, in spite of the key ingredients and mechanisms being present, there was something intangible that didn't quite elevate this into the same category as some of the most accomplished murder mysteries I have read. That said, there are certainly more than enough positives to ensure that I will be back to read more from Andreina Cordani in future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Ill be 100% honest, i struggled to even get through a few chapters of this book. I got confused very early on by the amount of characters and remembering their names and who they were and what their part in the story was. I didnt finish the book because i wasnt enjoying it. I will give it another chance at some point but for now its back at the bottom of my list.

A group of friends at University set up a society themed around murder mysteries. Just a bit of fun really. Except that it all goes pear shaped when one of its founders disappears.

Nevertheless, over decade later, the decision is taken to resuscitate this is initiated, with plans for a masquerade party. And the seven survivors - clearly having learned nothing from past experience! - gather once again for the 12 days of Christmas theme.

The problem is, they are all hiding things from each other - not least what they know about the initial disappearance of one of the members 12 years ago. And of course, in the hothouse environment that they are currently trapped in, there is plenty of room for (all the wrong kinds of) manoeuvres...

The writer maintains a strong sense of suspense throughout, and even though you suspect that things about to go horribly wrong yet again you are gripped. The characters are well-drawn, though not all of them are likeable, and the way that the plot unfolds is intriguing. Recommended for mystery lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this new novel. I loved it.....such a refreshing take on an old wheeze and it kept me guessing right to the end.
I totally recommend this book especially as the festive season approaches....that and a hot chocolate alongside !

I started reading this with a slightly sceptical attitude: yet another looked room mystery with a touch of 'And Then There Were None' but I was very pleasantly surprised. Although the plot has elements of these devices, it is still an amazingly good mystery thriller that keeps you reading and guessing to the very end. The Masqueraders got together at university and formed a group that created and acted out their own murder mysteries. All except one of their members come from wealthy, privileged backgrounds and she is partly ostracised by the group after being accused of theft . Ten years later they get together for another murder game but their former leader is not with them, having disappeared from a locked room at their last event. To add to the suspects, they are hosted my a mysterious caterer and one of the actors is accompanied by his girlfriend and when the masqueraders start being murdered, no one feels safe. There are no end of suspects in this novel and, although I partially guessed the outcome, I read late into the night to read the denouement which contained significant twists. I would highly recommend this novel which would make a great Christmas present for anyone who enjoys crime thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers, Bonnier Books UK & Zaffre for this Arc. I absolutely LOVED this book. As a child who wanted to grow up and be Jessica Fletcher or Poirot, this read just like the Golden age mysteries I loved so much. I would recommend this for anyone who likes whodunits. I hope that everyone who reviews this book early, remembers that thrillers are NOT the same as mystery novels. Anybody can write a thriller (which is why the market is overran with wannabe Gone Girls, unreliable narrators, women with 'secrets'), but it takes actual skill to write a mystery that makes sense. I hope this author continues to write these types of novels. She is definitely a name I'm going to be looking for!

Bonus: Christmas murders. Hohoho.

A group of people who were part of a murder mystery group at university are brought back together years after they last saw each other, they will spend Christmas together in the Scottish Highlands playing out a murder mystery, the only problem being is that someone has decided that this time the murders will really happen. This is essentially a retelling of And Then There We’re None - characters put in an isolated location, and all of them hiding something, that doesn’t mean that it is a bad book, it is reasonably entertaining and an easy read.

I liked the premise of this book but did not finish as I didn't enjoy the writing style. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

My Mum once said that she wanted to read a book that had detectives, murder and Christmas. Guess what book she’s getting in her stocking this year!

This book follows a group of university murder mystery club members who are reuniting 10 years after their last mystery and facing into an exaggerated version of the awkwardness we all know seeing friends we haven’t seen for so long.

Did I guess the culprit? Absolutely not. Did I try? Of course!

It was an unputdownable page-turner with all the elements of a murder mystery beautifully laid out one after the other in exactly the right order. The pacing was perfection.

This is one of those books you wish you could read again for the first time.

The Masquerade Murder Society, formed by a niche group formed at university, was famed for their dramatic murder mysteries - and the unsolved disappearance of one of their founder members. Our storyline opens on the night of this disappearance, and throughout the novel, we will revisit the events of that day, through the memories of various society members.
Twelve years later, the seven surviving members are meeting again for one more Christmas masquerade event. This reunion will take place in a remote house in Scotland on Christmas eve. And so, the stage is set for 12 nights of mystery, murder and utter mayhem.
The group can be divided up as follows:
- the doctor
- the journalist/ would be politician
- the influencer
- the spoiled heiress
And finally, our protagonist Charley, who narrates the tale and colours our view of events. We soon learn that every member of the group has secrets - ones that they may be willing to kill to keep - along with the mysterious disappearance of 12 years earlier.
There are definite echoes of Agatha Christie here - the setting and assigned persona (as per the Masquerade instructions), are reminiscent of the upperclass world that we have seen with Christie's characters and the building menace as the characters cannot escape the killer that is stalking them.
The author builds up the fear throughout the novel, using the setting to the best advantage. And the Masquerade element, adds a layer of complexity as we wonder which character is acting and who is being themselves. And of course, setting this series of horror filled events at Christmas is ideal, with a contrast between the expected joy and actual fear of the characters, ensuring that the pact doesn't drop and holds our interest.

A good book which kept me guessing. I will recommend this book to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

I can see why this book would appeal to a publisher - it seems a candidate for a four quadrant plot appealing to many of the trends in crime/ mystery fiction of the last couple of years: a location thriller/ university friends with a mysterious past/ and an apparent killer at the reunion.
There are subtle and not so subtle nods to Agatha Christie in a 'then there were none' story and twists that will be sure to keep many readers entertained.
The cast list might be considered amusing or tropey depending on the reader's point of view - the doctor, the journalist/ would be politician, the social media darling, the Russian, the spoiled nepotism business bod, and the protagonist who was always to lower class to feel she really fit in. All of them have secrets that someone knows about (the reveal of HOW this person knows might seem a little too convenient for some).
There are twists along the way and some amateur detective work that occasionally rely on coincidence, luck or late reveals but for a seasonal crime caper I'm sure this will appeal to many readers.
Thank you to the publishers for the chance to read the novel in return for an honest opinion.

I'd say this was more of a light, fun murder story if such things exist lol! It's obviously based around the 12 days of Christmas and it's really well plotted out and executed to stay on theme. I dont think I've ever come across a Xmas themed murder story before so it was certainly ly original. The characters were well written, if horrible people. The plot moved at a good pace. Overall I had no complaints and really enjoyed it

A lot of suspens. A lot of mysteries but with a Christmas vibe. I like it. It was entertaining and kept me going with ideas, trying to solve the mystery.

A Christmas themed murder mystery based around the “12 days of Christmas”?! Yes please!

12 friends during university ran a club called “Masquerade Murder Society” it was all fun and games until one of them disappeared. Years later the remaining friends get together for a reunion in Scotland. Another game is played where one of them dies! Will they the culprit before they all die?

I love it in films and books when a fictional game results in real deaths because it makes for higher stakes and literally playing for your life. It always make for a good time.

I’ve preordered myself a physical copy!

This I found just ok. Thought more suspense in who did it. Not sure if it was me with reading a lot of murder stories that I struggled to get excited.

Santa's not coming to town this year.. someone with murderous intentions is. Can they survive this final game of The Masquerade Murder Society?

'Find the truth. Solve the murder. Never reveal your secret'.

Synopsis
The Masquerade Murder Society started back at University: dress up, play the roles and discover who's the killer. Everyone who was part of this club had very privileged upbringings, apart from Charley.. which made her an easy target to blame when a members necklace disappears.

When the Society were meant to find the founder, Karl, 'dead' during their last game, they found him nowhere. 12 years later, they still don't know what happened to him.. but someone does.

Reunited for a Christmas Masquerade, they're assigned new identities to play, but these identities have some realism to them - their secrets, well hidden, are now in their character profiles.

But when Lady Partridge is found hanging in a pear tree, they know this isn't just any Masquerade. Someone knows their secrets, and is killing them one by one for revenge.

'Until the next morning, when Lady Partridge is found hanging from a pear tree. It quickly becomes clear that in this game, the murder will be all too real, and the story is bringing long-hidden secrets to the surface'.

Thoughts
I love a murder mystery and this one you could definitely play along to see if you could figure it out. Everyone had reasons for wanting Karl gone - with the story jumping from past to present, you got to put a detective hat on to see who had the most motive! P.s I got it wrong!

Really enjoyable read, the setting, the characters, the plot and the mystery - lots of red herrings to keep you on your toes!

Eight friends create The Masquerade Murder Society in college during one of their parties one friend goes missing never to be seen again. Fast forward 12 years they reunite for another Masquerade in a remote part of Scotland but they soon find out this isn't the fictional mystery they were hoping for when one by one they are being murdered.
This book had a great plot and was well written but I found the characters unlikeable they were self centered egotistical liars apart from Charley which you quickly pick up is the odd one out. It switches between two timelines which was good to get some background on the missing friend its full of twist and turns some I didn't expect. It was an enjoyable read.

If I could give this book ten stars I would. I thought it a clever and thrilling book and so easy to suddenly realise you’ve gone hours over when you should be asleep as it’s very addictive.