Description

A clever Christmas murder mystery about crime writers, deadly secrets and a puzzle you can solve yourself.

‘A true master of British crime writing.’ RICHARD OSMAN
‘Wonderful stuff.’ IAN MOORE
‘A delight from the first page to the last.’ DAILY MAIL

SPOT THE CLUES, PLAY DETECTIVE AND SOLVE THE MYSTERY FIRST.

Six people connected to the world of crime writing have been invited to a remote village in north Yorkshire by the mysterious Midwinter Trust.

Their challenge is simple: solve the murder of a fictional crime writer and win a life-changing prize.

But as the village is cut off by a snow storm, the players – and the staff – must be extra vigilant. Midwinter is not kind to those who don’t play by the rules.

The game is set – but playing fair isn’t on everyone’s Christmas list.

After all, when the prize is to die for, someone is bound to inject a little murder into the mystery…

*Featuring a Cluefinder, hidden clues and puzzles to solve alongside the suspects, this Christmas mystery invites you to play detective and uncover the truth for yourself.*

Perfect for readers who enjoy:
*Classic murder mysteries
*Puzzle mysteries and interactive crime fiction
*Golden Age detective stories
*Christmas crime novels
*Locked-room and snowbound mysteries
*Clever clues and fair-play detection
*Amateur sleuth mysteries
*Books by Janice Hallett, Alexandra Benedict and Alex Pavesi

‘Only a writer with Martin Edwards’s knowledge of and feeling for British crime fiction in all its breadth and depth could have pulled off Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife.’ MORNING STAR
‘Excellent.’ CRITIC
‘All the entertainment you’ll need this Christmas.’ IAN MOORE
‘A real masterpiece. . . perfect for fans of crime, puzzles and escape rooms!’ DARLING READS, BOOKSELLER’S CIRCLE
‘Very clever and funny, with lots of jokes about the book world to enjoy. Loved it.’ MW CRAVEN
‘A wonderful puzzle mystery from the master of the Golden Age.’ RAGNAR JONASSON
‘The king of the puzzle mystery novel.’ ALEX PAVESI
‘Nobody knows the game of murder like Martin Edwards.’ ANTONY JOHNSTON
‘Fiendish, hilarious and utterly addictive.’ ORLANDO MURRIN
‘A celebration of crime fiction… As thoughtful as it is fun.’ CRIME FICTION LOVER
‘What a treat.’ SJ BENNETT
‘I absolutely loved it.’ MARY GRAND
‘Martin knows more about crime fiction than anyone.’ ANN CLEEVES
‘A fine writer…. . . his novels feature an acute sense of place as well as deep psychological insights.’ IAN RANKIN
Included in the i newspaper’s best new crime and thriller books to read, September 2025

DISCOVER MORE THRILLING READS FROM THE KING OF CLASSIC CRIME, ALL FEATURING A CLUEFINDER SO YOU CAN PLAY DETECTIVE YOURSELF.

THE RACHEL SAVERNAKE GOLDEN AGE MYSTERIES
#1 GALLOWS COURT
#2 MORTMAIN HALL
#3 BLACKSTONE FELL
#4 SEPULCHRE STREET
#5 HEMLOCK BAY

STANDALONE MYSTERIES
#1 MISS WINTER IN THE LIBRARY WITH A KNIFE

Publisher Review

The perfect way to unwind during the holidays. What a treat. — SJ Bennett Martin Edwards is a magician who conjures up a captivating crime story before your eyes. — Janice Hallett The king of the puzzle mystery novel. — Alex Pavesi A mystery-within-a-mystery you can play along with, all done in the best classic style. Nobody knows the game of murder like Martin Edwards. * Antony Johnston * You can put down the Radio Times and highlighter pen, this book is all the entertainment you’ll need this Christmas. Wonderful stuff. — Ian Moore Editor, aficionado, reviewer, collector – Martin Edwards must have crime fiction coursing through his veins. But it is as a writer that he is revealed at his best, synthesising all of that knowledge and love of the genre into work that is singularly his own. — John Harvey A classic murder mystery as fresh and sparkling as a snowy day. A perfect read for the long winter evenings. — Kate Ellis This year’s must-read Christmas murder mystery. I absolutely loved it. — Mary Grand Fiendish, hilarious and utterly addictive, this belongs under every Christmas tree. — Orlando Murrin