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Christmas is Murder: A Rex Graves Mystery (Rex Graves Mysteries) | 
 enlarge | Author: C.s. Challinor
Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $11.16
You Save: $2.79 (20%)
New (12) Used (4) from $8.83
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 3697
Media: Paperback
Pages: 216
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0738713597
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780738713595
ASIN: 0738713597
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Not even a blizzard can keep Rex Graves away from Swanmere Manor, a historic hotel in East Sussex. But instead of Christmas cheer, the red-haired Scottish barrister finds a dead guest. Was it a stroke that killed old Mr. Lawry? Or an almond tart laced with poison? When more guests die, all hopes for a jolly holiday are dashed. Worst of all, the remote mansion is buried under beastly snow. No one can leave. Confined with a killer, no one can enjoy their tea without suspicion and scrutiny. Rex takes it upon himself to solve the mystery, but the most intriguing evidence - a burnt biography of President George W. Bush - offers few clues. Could the killer be the sherry-swilling handyman? The gay antiques dealer with a biting wit? The quarrelling newlyweds? Surely, it's not Helen D'arcy, the lovely lass Rex seems to be falling for.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 Christmas is Murder August 7, 2008
Nancy L. Mehl (USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
Rex Graves is a red-haired Scottish barrister who wants to spend Christmas in Swanmere Manor, an historic hotel in East Sussex. But a harsh blizzard and an unexpected murder ruin those plans. The murderer must be among the guests. There are several possibilities, and Rex must sort through several intriguing clues in a search for the truth.
Challinor presents strong elements of mystery and suspense in a literary style that will remind you of Agatha Christie - at her best. This novel is one of the finest novels I've read in a long time. Fans of mystery will not be disappointed. Challinor is an author who will cause you to clear some space on your bookshelf in anticipation of her next offerings.
Highest Recommendation!
Cool Mystery September 15, 2008
FGCU Student (Florida)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This was like Agatha Christies "And Then There Were None" but more readable. I liked the sleuth Rex Graves. He does not try to be enigmatic like many mystery sleuths. I will read the next book when it comes out.
Terrific Mystery Set in a British Blizzard September 3, 2008
Mark W. Miller (Montreal)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This mystery was recommended and had me turning the pages in total absorption until the very end. Good plot, compelling characters, humorous, and a little romance to-boot. The sleuth is a Scottish barrister from Edinburgh, very principaled and likeable. There's an exerpt at the back for the next Rex Graves mystery, "Murder in the Raw," which is set at an exclusive nudist resort in the French West Indies, and which I'll definitely read when it comes out!!
 Likeable Barrister-Sleuth in Impressive Debut September 11, 2008
C.L. Howell
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Prompted by memories of happy childhood visits at Swanmere Manor, QC Rex Graves travels to that remote estate, looking forward to a relaxing Christmas holiday in the country. His mother's friend, the widowed Dahlia Smithings, is still in residence there, having converted her family home to a small hotel.
A series of unexpected events complicates his plans in this entertaining debut novel straight out of the Agatha Christie school of plotting.
His arrival coincides with a blizzard that will bury the inn, effectively isolating both guests and staff. Within minutes, he learns that the previous afternoon's tea had been disrupted by a sudden death. One of the guests confides to Rex that he has questions about the cause of death: Was it a stroke - or poison in the almond tart?
Soon, there's another death. An accident? Or is there indeed a murderer in the house? The body count rises and Rex investigates, aided by two fellow guests. The amateur sleuths uncover some curious secrets and an abundance of possible motives as the list of suspects grows. Unfortunately, that list must include Rex's two confederates, one of whom is an attractive young woman who has sparked a romantic interest in the bachelor barrister.
Finally, in the classic denouement, the survivors gather in the drawing room to hear Rex reveal the solution to this contemporary cozy mystery.
CHRISTMAS IS MURDER October 22, 2008
Librarian (Ottawa, Canada)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I found the book a delicious read that would bed perfect for some stolen moments around Christmas time especially. A touch of sophistication with the manor setting, the building unease with the locked room and the Christie-esque Graves looking into it all. History, atmosphere, somewhere exotic to be transformed to, the delight of peering into other people's lives...what is not to like? I hope that there will be more to follow.
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