Description

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A Scotland Yard detective investigates when gunfire disrupts an aristocratic family’s Christmas celebrations in this classic British mystery.

The relatives of Sir Basil Roper are gathering to celebrate Christmas at the family’s ancestral home in Yorkshire. While the ancient estate has remained unchanged for centuries, the surrounding area now features neon signs, a textile mill, and a brewery.

Even so, Arthur Ferryman is happy to be there and looking forward to a peaceful holiday. Unfortunately, many of his cousins have taken up pistol shooting for a new hobby. Making matters worse, the family learns that Basil plans to sell the place.

With the mood of the party soured, quarreling begins, and tension mounts. Before you can say, “Bah humbug,” a gun is fired, and one of the revelers is shot.

Soon, Arthur finds himself assisting Insp. John Appleby with his investigation. Together they must navigate family secrets and grudges to find a shooter before someone else gets a bullet for Christmas . . .

Originally published s asunder the title A Comedy of Terrors

Praise for Michael Innes and There Came Both Mist and Snow

“Highbrow appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Mr. Innes is in a class by himself among detective story writers.” —The Times Literary Supplement

“Wickedly witty.” —Daily Mail

“As farfetched and literary as Sayers.” —The Cambridge Companion to Crime Fiction

About the Author

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Michael Innes (1906–1994) was the pseudonym of John Innes MacKintosh “J.I.M.” Stewart. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotlandeducated at Oxford, and taught English at universities in the UK and Australia. Writing as J.I.M. Stewart he published a number of scholarly works, mainly critical studies of authors, including Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling, as well as more than twenty works of fiction and a memoir. As Michael Innes, he published numerous mystery novels and short story collections, most featuring the Scotland Yard detective Inspector John Appleby.