Book 20 and the series keeps getting better and better. Love that Eleanor and Hugh are finding more times to have a little romance. A good Christmas murder mystery, and although there were a lot of red herrings, and the killer was unexpected, it was still a fun read. Would highly recommend.

Lady Eleanor Swift finds herself and her staff as guests of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, although she did have other plans for the Season. Of course, a murder occurs rather early in the story, but it is not quite clear why she really is there until several chapters in. Also, several liberties were taken for the sake of the story's logic and coherence, but this is not unusual for the series.
The murder story is not straightforward; the banter between Eleanor and the ladies, Eleanor and Clifford, as well as Eleanor and Hugh, is fun and creates a lightness to the narrative. As I have been taking a break from the series since volume 15, I was pleasantly surprised that the pets have not taken over the plot and that Clifford and Hugh have found a balance in the narrative context. Also, the romance (finally) got a bit more room in the story and is finally getting somewhere. To be honest, this was a major point for me to take a break from the series: Eleanor was flitting from location to location and was involving herself in anything but her own life. Now she seems to admit that this is a question worth thinking more about.
All in all, a festive, cozy winter mystery with a bit of romance and funny banter.

This is my honest - and voluntary- review.

The cover design is gorgeous and enticed me to read this story! ❤️ It's an entertaining cozy murder mystery, set in a stately home at Christmastime, with strong Downton Abbey vibes. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot, the bit where they used a tin bath as a sledge, the descriptions of gorgeous 1920s fashions, and the sweet chemistry/banter between the detective Ellie and her fiancé Hugh. This is the 20th instalment in the Eleanor Swift mystery series, but it's written in a way that also works just fine as a standalone story.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.