Description

‘A true master of British crime writing.’ RICHARD OSMAN
‘All the entertainment you’ll need this Christmas. Wonderful stuff.’ IAN MOORE
‘A delight from the first page to the last.’ DAILY MAIL

If you want to, you can play along! Includes a Cluefinder where you can check the clues you spotted – and missed – along the way…

Can you find the clues and solve the murder first?

Six people with links to the world of crime writing have been invited to play a game this Christmas by the mysterious Midwinter Trust.

Solve the murder of a fictional crime writer in a remote village in north Yorkshire and win a life-changing prize.

Each guest has been meticulously vetted by the shadowy Trust, which has staff on-hand to make sure everyone plays fair. But with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, they must be extra vigilant.

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

And when the prize is to die for, it’s so tempting to inject a little murder into the mystery…

The perfect gift for crime fiction lovers and fans of Janice Hallett, Alexandra Benedict and Alex Pavesi.

Included in the i newspaper’s best new crime and thriller books to read in September 2025.

‘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
‘A real masterpiece… perfect for fans of crime, puzzles and escape rooms!’ DARLING READS, BOOKSELLER’S CIRCLE
‘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

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