If a cozy English pub, a snowstorm, and a murder don’t scream festive fun, then I don’t know what does. "The Christmas Eve Murders" throws stranded traveler Maddie Marlowe into the middle of a small-town mystery when she’s forced to take shelter at The Merry Monarch, a charming Yorkshire pub, on—you guessed it—Christmas Eve. What starts as an unexpected holiday detour quickly turns into a game of survival when the power goes out, a scream echoes through the dark, and one of the party guests turns up very dead. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a good old-fashioned whodunit!

This book is pure cozy chaos. The cast of characters—locals, off-duty police officers, and even a dog named Barkley—are delightfully suspicious, and the pub setting makes for the kind of locked-room mystery that feels both intimate and atmospheric. Between scavenger hunts, ghostly legends, and growing paranoia, the tension slowly builds until trust is thinner than a snowflake in the wind. Is the plot a little predictable at times? Sure. But it also has that warm, classic murder mystery charm that makes you want to grab a hot toddy and lean into the drama.

A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars! It’s a fun, easy read with a dose of festive murder, even if it takes a little while to pick up steam. If you love small-town mysteries where secrets unravel in candlelit corners and everyone could be a suspect, this one’s worth adding to your holiday TBR.

Cosy mysteries are a guilty pleasure and this overall was good to read on a snowy and wintery day - setting not necessary for enjoyment purposes though. Overall, an easy, entertaining read with a decent plot.

Brilliant plot and characters all the way through. An easy read that just didn’t disappoint and I will definitely look for the authors back catalogue and follow for new stuff so pleased to have received this copy to review.

The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright is the perfect blend of cosy Christmas cheer and thrilling murder mystery, making it an absolute joy to read. Set in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales at the Merry Monarch pub, this festive whodunnit takes readers on a rollercoaster of laughs, suspense, and unexpected twists, all while maintaining that warm, cosy atmosphere you want from a Christmas mystery.

The story kicks off with the annual scavenger hunt at the pub, where the eccentric regulars—each with their own quirky personalities—create an ensemble cast that's as delightful as it is diverse. From Mickey, the charming but wayward landlord, to his supernaturally inclined deputy Don, and the seemingly innocent Curtis with his dog Barkley, the characters are wonderfully realised and bring so much life to the story. There’s a great sense of camaraderie amongst the group, making the eventual dark turn all the more jarring when things take a deadly twist.

Maddie Marlowe’s unexpected arrival, stranded by a snowstorm and car failure, adds an intriguing outsider perspective to the mix. Her journalistic background makes her the perfect character to step into the mystery, and I found myself rooting for her as she tried to piece together the clues in a rapidly escalating situation. The moment the power is cut and darkness descends, the tension rises, and the stakes are suddenly so much higher. The added isolation, with no way out due to the storm, makes the whodunnit element all the more thrilling. One of the group is a murderer—and it’s up to Maddie and the others to figure out who.

What truly sets this book apart is its delightful sense of humour. Albright expertly balances the tension of the murder mystery with wit and charm, keeping the tone light and entertaining, even as the situation grows darker. It’s like Agatha Christie with a comedic twist, and if you’re a fan of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, you’ll feel right at home with the warm, yet intriguing atmosphere that Albright crafts.

The pacing is spot on, and I was fully engrossed in the story from start to finish. The blend of humour and suspense kept me turning the pages, and just when I thought I had it figured out, Albright would throw in a clever twist that kept me second-guessing until the final reveal. The ending was satisfying, with all the pieces falling into place in a way that felt both surprising and perfectly in tune with the rest of the story.

The Christmas Eve Murders is a five-star festive treat—an entertaining, laugh-out-loud, yet gripping murder mystery that will have you glued to the page. Whether you’re in the mood for a Christmas read or simply love a good whodunnit, this one is sure to deliver. A brilliant mix of light-hearted fun and murderously good suspense. Highly recommended!

I like comedy in my murder mysteries, but this just seemed like it was doing too much in the comedy category. My attention was never grabbed for this book, so at times I had to force myself to read it so that I could finish. Sometimes the writing seemed forced, and I also found it to be too jokey.

I'm surprised the blurb says this novel is hilarious I didn't find much humour at all. But that's because it is a whodunnit and whilst masquerading as a cosy murder mystery it was quite gory in parts.

Overall an enjoyable read and I read it over Christmas so felt very festive.

Thanks for the arc.

This was a very readable book, which draws the reader in from the first sentence. Maddie is travelling to visit her parents on Christmas Eve when her car breaks down somewhere in Yorkshire. She is helped by a local man, Curtis, who advises her to go with him to a nearby pub and try to get help. When she realises she'll be stuck there overnight, she starts to get to know the regulars who are in the pub for a Christmas game. Then someone is murdered...

It's quite a standard scenario for a mystery novel - people end up trapped somewhere due to a storm and there's a murderer among them. But despite that this can be done well or badly, and this is done quite well. Maddie is a likeable character - she's understandably nervous at being among strangers but can also hold her own with the others.

I found the Yorkshire dialect to be quite well done in the conversations between the characters. And the actual conversation sounds very true to life. Some of the characters, such as Alex, the main cop who ends up investigating the murder, I found to be a little wooden.

But the plot is quite well done - it isn't immediately obvious who the killer is - and the various backstories of the characters were interesting enough. I wouldn't say this is the best book I've ever read, but it was definitely readable and engaging enough to keep me reading.

Book Review: The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently finished reading "The Christmas Eve Murders" by Noelle Albright, and I have to say, it was quite the festive ride! The cover immediately caught my eye—it's just so delightful. Imagine a cozy English pub, the Merry Monarch, nestled in the charming Yorkshire Dales, preparing for its annual Christmas scavenger hunt. Sounds quaint and fun, right? Well, things take a turn for the mysterious when a journalist named Maddie Marlowe shows up unexpectedly, stranded by car trouble and a looming snowstorm.

The cast of characters is wonderfully eclectic. There's Mickey, the pubs' landlord; his wife Sofia; their rebellious son James; and a motley crew of villagers, including a local policeman and his deputy with a penchant for the supernatural. As if that wasn’t intriguing enough, chaos ensues when the power goes out, plunging everyone into darkness. What was supposed to be a lighthearted hunt turns deadly serious, as Maddie and her newfound companions realize they have a murderer in their midst.

Albright's writing is top-notch—she weaves a well-paced and well-plotted mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. Each character feels like someone you might know, with their quirks and secrets adding layers to the plot. It's a classic whodunit with a festive twist, making it the perfect quick read for the holiday season. If you’re in the mood for a cozy yet thrilling escape, "The Christmas Eve Murders" is definitely worth picking up. Four stars from me!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

If you’re in the mood for a festive murder mystery, The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright is the perfect choice! Set in the Merry Monarch, a cosy pub tucked away in the Yorkshire Dales, the story kicks off with its annual scavenger hunt for the quirky regulars. From the landlord Mickey and his family to the local policeman and his ghost-hunting deputy, this group is as colourful as it gets.

When Maddie Marlowe, a stranded journalist, turns up on their doorstep during a snowstorm, things start to heat up, despite the freezing weather outside. But the real chill comes when the power cuts out, and the hunt takes a sinister turn. As the body count rises, Maddie and the group are left trying to figure out which one of them is a killer.

With a classic locked-room mystery vibe, plenty of twists, and a touch of holiday cheer (and fear), this is a story that will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s an atmospheric and entertaining read that’s perfect for curling up with on a wintry night!

I could see where this story was going, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong, it was a very fast-paced read that I ended up flying through, but it was also quite flat as a mystery. The characters were all quite one-dimensional so I didn’t really connect with any of them, making the murderous plot boring! The premise of the story and the mystery were quite engaging but ultimately it was a little predictable. So, whilst a quick and easy read, it's not something I necessarily enjoyed!

TW: death, murder, violence, sexism

Isolated, cut-off from the world due to a snow storm, and a cozy pub. Yes please!!
This book had great atmosphere and cozy winter vibes, even with a murderer on the loose. Reminiscent of a stormy Murder She Wrote episode and Agatha Christie novel, this was a great Christmas murder mystery.
The characters were lovable (some more than others), and the plot was well-thought out. I'd love to see Maddie in another cozy mystery!!
I give this one 4.25 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for this ARC!

For murder mystery fans who would like a little holiday festivities, The Christmas Eve Murders offers both for the price of one. In this cozy murder mystery, set in the Yorkshire Dales on Christmas Eve, our main character, Maddie, finds herself stranded along the snowy road when her car dies. Unable to make any phone calls in the cellular dead zone, Maddie has no other choice than to follow a seemingly friendly older gentleman and his Scottie dog through piles of snow to the nearest public building: the local pub. Despite the news that she will not be given roadside assistance until the morning, Maddie's spirits are slightly lifted by the cheery pub setting and promise of an annual Christmas Eve scavenger hunt that a variety of local characters come together to participate in. However, soon into the games, one of the players ends up dead. The deceased individual seems to have no shortage of enemies, so who could it have been? Maddie, a journalist, finds herself sleuthing alongside the local detective using her skills to interview and identify the likeliest person for this Christmas Eve Murder.

I wanted to enjoy this novel a lot more than I did. There were many elements that are usually home-runs for me. I love a murder mystery, a cozy pub, and a snowed-in element keeping everyone trapped. However, this novel didn't grip me and keep me turning the pages. The characters were likable enough, so I am left thinking that part of the issues I had with this novel were the "almost" elements. There was almost a romance between Maddie and the detective, but not really. There was almost a harrowing backstory with Maddie concerning a dead body, but it wasn't really that bad. There was almost a paranormal plot, but it was pretty obvious this wasn't a possibility and was never considered as much, meaning all the discussions about it felt like wasted space. Certain plot points were pretty obvious (i.e. Curtis in the basement) and some seemed to come out of nowhere. Overall this book was a 3 star rating for me and a bit of a disappointment.

After she breaks down in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales, journalist Maddie Marlowe finds herself stranded on Christmas Eve, a snow storm preventing her from making it to Edinburgh for a family get together. She arrives at the Merry Monarch, the local village pub, just as it is about to undertake its annual Christmas scavenger hunt and finds herself coerced into participating. When there is a sudden power cut, the hunt turns deadly – one of the people in the pub is a killer. With the storm closing in and no way of leaving, Maddie and her new companions must find the murderer before there are more deaths.

The Christmas Eve Murders is the perfect Christmas read, reminiscent of old-school cosy crime mysteries. From the very start, we are immersed into the plot as we meet the array of villagers present at the Merry Monarch. It is apparent from the off that there are secrets a-plenty and that some of the characters are not as enamoured with each other as they would like everyone to believe – the perfect setting for a whodunit. Add in the approaching snow storm which has knocked out the power and you have a great locked room mystery!

This is a quick read, one that is easy to follow with an enjoyable, engaging plot and a few mysteries and red herrings thrown in along the way. Mixing humour with intrigue, this is the perfect read for the long winter nights.

I love a seasonal cosy murder-mystery, especially one with a festive theme! So on my Christmas break I settled down with The Christmas Eve Murders and let myself get lost in the world of Maddie and her treacherous journey home to Scotland from Manchester to see her parents for Christmas.

When her car breaks down in Yorkshire (where there is a lack of phone signal), the only place she can go is the Merry Monarch pub where she meets some local characters, some of whom are definitely not what they seem as... yes, there is murder.

Given the isolated snowy setting, we have a tight cast of characters to select the murderer from and while this wasn't the most high-drama cosy crime I've read, it kept me entertained and ticked the box in terms of delivering on an easy festive read with a crime twist.

A good old fashioned who done it, set in Yorkshire. Our suspects are snowed in on Christmas Eve and go on a traditional treasure hunt.

🔍❄️ If you love a classic whodunit with a festive twist, The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright is well worth a read! With all the hallmarks of golden-age crime—think a snowed-in house, a locked-room mystery, and a clever Agatha Christie-style reveal—it kept me turning the pages.

The pacing was spot-on, building tension without ever dragging, and the big reveal tied everything together nicely. While it didn’t quite hit five-star territory for me, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable mystery that’s perfect for curling up with on a chilly December evening.

Add this one to your holiday reading list if you’re after a bit of murder to spice up your Christmas! 🎄📚

I had so much fun with this one! I'm a sucker for books that take place during a specific time period, so I really enjoyed reading this in the days leading up to Christmas. The main character was likeable and the setting cozy. There was even the barest hint of romance, though I feel like I may have been reading too much into it. Can't wait to read more from Albright!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book was not written well. I feel like the writing just really took away from the story. The characters were also just not likeable and I didn't really care for anyone.

I didn't click with this book but I hope others love it.

Maddie Marlow, a young reporter for the Trafford Times in Manchester, gets stranded in an isolated North Yorkshire village after her car breaks down as she is travelling to her parents in Scotland. She takes shelter in the village pub, the Merry Monarch, where she has to stay overnight as the snow closed the roads and she can’t get anyone out to fix her car. The Merry Monarch doesn’t live up to its name with the landlord at loggerheads with his son and there are rumours of ghosts and secret passages adding to Maddie’s unease. During the course of the evenings traditional scavenger hunt there is a power cut and when the lights return one of the competitors is found murdered. With all the signs that it was premeditated with meticulous planning and execution.

This is a fast paced, fun cosy murder mystery. The setting is within a snow bound pub and the reasons for why some of the characters were there that night felt a bit contrived. Also, the layout of the building and the presence of a number of secret passageways was a little confusing. The characterisation of the two police officers was weak and at times a bit farcical.

Overall though, there is a good level of intrigue and mystery in this quick to read book.

A solid if lightweight whodunit, The Christmas Eve Murders succeeds largely thanks to its cosy charm and likeable characters, even if the actual mystery is too light to be of much real note. An enjoyable time nonetheless.