Well if you want to dive into a story to get you into the festive mood, but want something to keep you guessing from the opening scenes to the very final page then this absolutely is the right book!

Every year I love to dive into my christmas stories early to get into the mood, but I like to vary the genres, and I am so so glad that I dove into this one! The story kept me guessing throughout and kept a fast pace. It didn’t drag at all, and There were several times I was surprised by where the story went.

Engrossing and enjoyable throughout, with surprises and a brilliantly done build up, this is a great seasonal read., even if not exactly the cosy type!

I loved that this was different to most other christmas stories, it has itself own quirks as do the characters. This is certainly an Author that I will be looking for more from in the future!

This was certainly different from anything I've read before.
I thought each story was a bit laboured, and I just wanted to get to the end of each so I could work out the clues.
Some of them are hard, and you definitely need a pen and notebook.
I'm not sure I would read another book lime this again.
I would also recommend reading the book rather than on a Kindle because you have to go back and forth.
Thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Whilst I enjoyed this book and the concept of solving the puzzles, I did find the narrative quite difficult to follow and off-putting. It was a good idea to have a story where the reader tries to solve the puzzle, however I didn't find them that easy to read and solve on kindle, I feel this would be better to read on paperback.

I love puzzle books, murder mystery, and I absolutely love Christmas. So when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it.
I love the concept of this book. You are tasked with solving puzzles at the end of each section, and if you correctly work them out, you then have a final one to solve right at the end.

You read stories from guests attending the former home of Edward Luddenham. Who died mysteriously. Then you work out the puzzles.
I think because I read this as an ARC and read it over a few days, I did lose interest slightly. I would have preferred to pick it up, do a section, and come back to it another time. Just to break it up.
I would also suggest only buying this in a physical copy. If you're like me and you're slightly rubbish at this sort of thing and need to keep going back and forth to reread parts, ebook is a right pain to do this with. This is why I didn't work out the end one, because I couldn't work some of them out, and I didn't want to go back over it. Paperback version i could of done this a lot quicker. Personal preference.

This would make an excellent gift or stocking filler.

The Twelve Murders of Christmas, a clever combination of murder mystery stories and puzzles.

A year on from Edward Luddenham's mysterious death, 9 people gather for the reading of the will. Each comes with a murderous tale to share..... and at the end of each story there are a series of puzzles to solve in order to solve the mystery of who killed Edward.

I enjoyed the concept of the book and enjoyed the murderous tales that each person had to share. I did get a little confused during the storytelling when each character would be going between talking in the present and telling their stories, but on the whole I enjoyed the storytelling.

The puzzles added an element of fun, and I was really keen to try and solve the puzzles, as at the end of each story there were puzzles to work out which in turn would answer a puzzle at the end. I struggled with a few of the puzzles, but continued with the story as I was enjoying the tales.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books Uk for the advance egalley of this book to read. Opinions expressed here are my own.

There's nothing quite like gathering around the fire during the dark, chilly nights before Christmas, playing parlour games and sharing spine-tingling mysteries. From the haunting tales of Charles Dickens to the cunning plots of Agatha Christie, festive murder mysteries have long been a part of the holiday tradition. Now, The Twelve Murders of Christmas brings a fresh spin to this classic pastime, offering twelve dark and twisty stories that each end with a clue—challenging you to solve the overarching mystery before Christmas Day.

In this collection, you're not just a reader—you’re the detective. Each story presents a cleverly crafted whodunnit, with puzzles that grow more intricate as the pages turn. At the end of each tale, a new clue is revealed, drawing you closer to uncovering the truth. Can you solve all twelve mysteries and figure out the bigger picture in time for the holidays?

Fans of Murdle will find a lot to love here. While Murdle offers standalone brain teasers, The Twelve Murders of Christmas is more narrative-driven, pulling you into each eerie, festive scene and scattering clues throughout the stories. This approach not only keeps your sleuthing skills sharp but also immerses you in the atmospheric settings, perfect for the Christmas season.

Much like the classic murder mysteries we adore, this book is ideal for family gatherings, inviting everyone to put their detective hats on. If you love intricate plots, festive puzzles, and the thrill of solving a mystery just in time for Christmas, The Twelve Murders of Christmas is sure to become a holiday favourite. These deliciously dark stories will keep you guessing until the very end—if you’re clever enough to uncover the truth.

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

The Twelve Murders of Christmas has an intriguing premise; nine people are gathering at the home of Edward Luddenham, on the the first anniversary of his mysterious death. Now each guest is tasked with telling a murderous tale, aka a “festive mystery story” to their fellow guests. At the end of each of these stories, is a series of puzzles and if you can solve the puzzle correctly then you will gather a series of clues to help you solve the overall mystery.
While I enjoyed each of the puzzles, I found myself becoming bored with the dual narrative. - back and forth between the present of Christmas and the mystery stories. The constant movement made the storyline feel very interrupted for me, and I lost interest in the murder of Edward. Though I had solved the clues, I wasn't interested in reading the story to determine who had killed him, only to see if I had solved the overall puzzles.
Great premise as I said but too long.

Sarah Dunnakey’s The Twelve Murders of Christmas offers an interesting concept with its tale-within-a-tale structure, blending a modern story with a classic holiday mystery. While the idea is engaging, the execution falls a bit short.

The dual narratives allow for some clever connections, and Dunnakey keeps readers guessing with her clues and twists. However, pacing issues and underdeveloped characters can make it hard to fully invest in the story. The characters are likable but often feel clichéd.

Dunnakey’s writing is light and fits the holiday mood, but the tension sometimes fades, leaving deeper themes unexplored. While the ending is satisfying, it doesn’t have the impact that could elevate the story.

Overall, The Twelve Murders of Christmas is a fun, cozy read for those looking for a festive mystery. It has its flaws, but it’s a decent seasonal distraction that won’t leave a lasting impression. If you enjoy light mysteries, it might be worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really fun book that's perfect for the Christmas holiday period. If you're dreading a tedious week of claustrophobia with your fractious family then this will ease the tension.

It's an atmospheric, traditional murder mystery story but with 'goose egg' puzzles in each chapter and puzzles at the end of the chapters. I found some of them utterly perplexing and entirely impossible whereas others were easier for me but still challenging and fun. It's a joyful book and an ideal gift or an emergency boredom break-glass for yourself.

I loved the concept of the puzzles coming together to give the final solution. The writing style works too and it's witty and sharp.