This is an entertaining murder mystery/ police procedural set over Christmas in 1950s Yorkshire. The atmosphere of the era is captured perfectly, and the plot and characters are suitably over-the-top for a fun read, perhaps over Christmas. This is the first Denzil Meyrick book I have read, and i shall be very happy to read more of his cosy(ish) crime novels.

This is the reminiscences of fiction detective Frank Grasby. In the early 1950s just before Christmas, Superintendent Juggers and Detective Inspector Grasby go to Uthley Bay to investigate a murder but all is not as it seems and Superintendent Juggers know more than he is letting on. A tale of smuggling and murder.
I didn't really enjoy it.

Frank Grasby is once again going to have to miss Christmas. His boss superintendent Juggers has told him that he is accompanying him down to Uthley Bay to investigate the murder of a fisherman.
As they drive down there, the weather is getting increasingly bad with snow. When they get the to the village there is more going on that Juggers has told him and their lives are increasingly put in danger.
Add in the complication of Frank's father showing up with his girlfriend and some very strange villagers and you have an entertaining read set around Christmas.

Grasby & Juggers out to Catch the Stocking Murderers before they do a runner

Atmospheric,amusing and a book to read by a fireside. Dark deeds on the North Yorkshire coast in bleak midwinter demand the attention of a laconic Frank Grasby and his boss Juggers as they try to unravel a murder pointing to a gang with a bigger fish to fry. With the local village population embroiled in some form or other and more help than they realise it is a desperate situation requiring the detective skills of Grasby and a flare gun down the trousers of Juggers. Enough said and a good read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I did find the main character Grasby's narration meandering. Maybe if I had clicked with the humour it might have been better. Sadly the book wasn't for me but I'm sure many will enjoy it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

An enjoyable cosy christmas read featuring Frank Grasby and his boss Juggers. Not the most fast paced but keeps you interested and lots of humour throughout, with Frank's internal monologue.

Rated 4.5/5

The writing was entertaining and detailed. It touched on some heavy topics, but it was done in a light hearted manner. There was a lot of detail, particularly in the settings and the main character's thoughts that added nicely to the story. There was a lot to keep track of with twists and turns throughout, but overall it was an enjoyable ride.

The chapters were fairly short so you felt as if you were making good progress. There was, however, an interesting pace to the story. Whilst the shorter chapters made you move through the story well, you were slowed down due to the main character's thoughts. I didn't mind this though as he thoughts were often entertaining and gave the story a humorous side. There was a good flow between the main storyline and the character's thoughts so it wasn't a chore to read.

The characters were excellent. I loved how the main character kept going even though he was often misunderstood and often found himself in somewhat adverse situations. He had a quiet intelligence that only the reader could appreciate. I was willing the other characters to see it. I enjoyed his wit and thought that the supporting characters actions highlighted it well.

It was interesting reading the relationship between the main character and his father and the main character and his boss. Whilst they both always put him down, in some form or another, he was able to push past that and get on with things.

Lastly the settings. They were great. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the area, the weather, the food and the smells. Altogether they added an extra layer to the story.

Overall an entertaining Christmas Mystery.

It's Christmas 1953 and DI Frank Grasby and his boss Superintendent Juggers are once again in the thick of crime-solving. This time we have a small Yorkshire seaside town with strange goings on- murders, pirates, stockings and of course lots of snow! Another fun filled romp of a murder mystery packed full of brilliantly crafted characters. Can't wait for the next one! Many thanks to the author, netgalley and publisher for an early read.

In this the second 1950s Christmas story from Denzil Meyrick our hero Yorkshire detective Inspector Frank Grasby finds himself all at sea in search of smugglers. Accompanied by his boss Superintendent Juggers the intrepid duo find themselves in a tiny Yorkshire fishing village on Christmas Eve in the middle of a blizzard. They bumble their way through the necessary investigations required to apprehend their villains. Hindered unexpectedly along the way by Franks father and paramour and various other very random characters.
Written in a 'jolly hockey sticks' way with a tongue in cheek humour these books are a tonic that I am beginning to look forward to at this time of year. There are lots of references to 'how it was in the war' and the language and manners are definitely of the 1950s, as am I! I'm already a big fan of the DCI Daley series and although totally different I'm beginning to love Inspector Grasby almost as much. Give him a go. You won't be disappointed!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Oh, I really enjoyed this story. A fantastic Christmas romp in a small coastal town in Yorkshire, smugglers, murderers and the like and amidst it all Inspector Frank Grasley and his Superintendent Juggers battling through snow to bring justice to all, absolutely brilliant with a touch of Enid Blyton, Bravo!

This was not the sort of book I would usually read as I prefer modern gritty crime. This book is set in the 1950’s in the aftermath of the war and rationing. A really enjoyable gentle read.
Set before Christmas Grasby and his boss Juggers are sent to investigate a fisherman being murdered in Uthley. What is the link to the packages of stockings found on the beach,
In a village where no-one wants to talk, how do they solve a murder where everyone is a suspect.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

This is the second book with Inspector Frank Grasby! The story is set Christmas, 1953 and begins in York, when Frank is called into his boss's office, Superintendent Arthur Juggers to learn that he and his boss are off to investigate the mysterious death of a fisherman involving a stocking, in Uthley Bay on the North Yorkshire coast. They arrive shortly before a major snow storm. Frank and Juggers are so funny with each other that I had a few laugh out loud moments. I could see them on the comedy circuit! They then discover the death of a local publican with a stocking as part of that crime! How are the victims connected? Why did they have stockings on their bodies? Where is the killer? All the answers will be found once you start reading! The characters and locations were very descriptive that I could see it all in my mind.

The Christmas Stocking Murders sees our “hero” Inspector Frank Grasby sent to a small fishing village at to investigate a murder with “Juggers” his boss. Juggers seems to know more than he is letting on and Grasby’s uneasy before they even set foot in the village.

Having read of his previous endeavours in Murder at Holly House, I was already fond of Frank Grasby. This book is once again written by Grasby, from his case notes including his stream of consciousness. He has a wicked sense of humour that had me chuckling throughout, even in times of peril he has things to say that are utterly ridiculous, naive but charming. Despite his demeanour and cowardly actions at times, Grasby is no fool and his intuition helps to get him both into and out of sticky situations.

Grasby describes his surroundings and the characters we meet with zeal, full of his unique humour and displaying his distaste with much of what he is experiencing. He certainly doesn’t paint a picturesque image of an ideal Christmas holiday destination!

The actual murder and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it, take a bit of a back seat initially , as we join with Grasby observing and judging. It is a bit of a slow burner mystery wise but Denzil Meyrick’s writing style as Grasby is delightful and kept me reading on, knowing that mild peril, farcical situations and a big reveal would likely ensue.
I hope to read even more of Grasby’s escapades in future.

Really enjoyed this!

I do love a cosy Christmas crime novel. Set in 1953 the story reintroduces us to Inspector Frank Grasby and Superintendent Arthur Juggers as they are sent to a Yorkshire fishing village to investigate the death of a local man.
This book is filled with humour and a great cast of characters.

Another good festive police detective romp from Meyrick, revisiting Grasby and Juggers, this time investigating murders and stocking smuggling on the Yorkshire coast. It’s all rather unlikely and terribly good fun…

Grasby’s memoirs make for an entertaining historical read, with a cosy 1950s atmosphere, albeit informed by the shadow of the war. This takes the edge off what could be a saccharine experience - Meyrick adds enough bite and jeopardy to keep things on the right side of the cosy crime adventure line.

I do love a cosy Christmas crime novel and I really enjoyed reading Murder at Holly House last year so I was very pleased to get a review copy of The Christmas Stocking Murders.
Set in 1953 the story reintroduces us to Inspector Frank Grasby and Superintendent Arthur Juggers as they are sent to a Yorkshire fishing village to investigate the death of a local man.
This book is filled with humour and a great cast of characters. Denzil Meyrick pitches this perfectly and it is a great follow on from his first Grasby story. I hope there will be many more to come.

I really enjoyed the first Gratsby book, so was looking forward to this one and it didn’t disappoint. Slyly humorous with great period details, a Christmas blizzard and black market stockings. Great characters and a clever plot.

This is a police crime novel looking back at the 1950s to a small Yorkshire fishing village where a murder is committed. It follows two police officers trying to solve the crime. It is very well written and kept me interested from start to finish with a great twist at the end. Set over a snowy Christmas.

I was lucky enough to receive this as a free advanced copy and leave this review voluntarily.

DI Frank Grasby is agin sharing his memories, in this the second book of his time as a member of York City Police. Christmas time 1953 and along with his Superintendent Arthur Juggers they are off to the small fishing village of Uthley Bay to investigate the murder of an old fisherman. Juggers hints at more things going on then just the discovery of the murdered man, but gives no further information to Frank.
They are soon drawn into the mysterious goings on of the small village after numerous packets of brand new stockings are discovered on the beach, it still being a time of rationing, all is not as it should be in the village of Uthley.
This book is a delight to read as Grasby and Juggers get into one scrape after another, and although this is the second book it reads perfectly as a stand alone. Well written and with plenty of twists, unexpected turns to keep you hooked.

I've read previous books from this author and quite liked them but just couldn't get into this one. I did not finish it sadly. It may appeal to other cosy crime lovers.