Cecily always plans her parties down to the last detail, making her guests’ stay at the Pennyfoot extra special. This year, Cecily’s guests include several members of Parliament, including the speaker of the House of Lords, Sir Walter Hetherton and his wife, Lady Clara. Cecily has had special  Christmas crackers made, customized for the hotel, one with a pearl brooch inside instead of the usual trinkets. 

As the maids finish laying the table, they notice two crackers have gone missing. Cecily’s fretting over the missing party favors is sort lived when an explosion on the upper floor kills Sir Walter and Lady Hetherton. All too happy to call it a lamp explosion, the constable closes the case and heads off to his Christmas holiday. 

When the worker charged with cleaning up the room points out to Cecily that there is no damage to the lamp and there are scraps of a cracker strewn around, Cecily is afraid another Yuletide murder has been committed at the Pennyfoot and this time, the murderer is still among them.

Pleasant, light fare, Ringing in Murder is long on setting and atmosphere, but short on motive and suspense. Cecily easily traces how the murder was committed and then works her way through her guests, eliminating them one by one. In the background are the employees of the Pennyfoot, making their own Christmas celebration, watching a sinister snowman move about the grounds, and pining for lost loves. Being able to move quietly among guests and hear and observe things, several members of the staff are able to offer some guidance to Cecily in her investigation. 

While the murderer is guessed through a process of elimination, the motive remains a puzzle even after it is revealed. A dependable holiday mystery in the tradition of Dame Agatha, Ringing in Murder will provide a brief, pleasant respite amidst the holiday hustle and bustle.                                  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry