Benjamin Stevenson’s latest novella is part of the series that began with the clever and acclaimed crime thriller Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone. Amateur detective and author, Ernest Cunningham, returns for this special Christmas edition, recounting his efforts to solve two murders and prove the innocence of his ex-wife, Erin.

Ernest, as a narrator and sleuth, is very mindful of abiding by the rules of murder mystery storytelling and holiday specials, ensuring that his readers are provided with the clues they need throughout the narrative, albeit with a Christmas theme, to determine for themselves whodunnit by the time the denouement is reached. The novella is structured like an advent calendar with 24 chapters, each providing a significant clue to solving the crime. Secret Santa gifts cards are also used to focus on Ernest’s investigation of each suspect and their possible motive for murder.

The novella opens with Ernest driving to the town of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, ostensibly to check out the act of magician Rylan Blaze who has been hired as the entertainment for Ernest’s upcoming wedding to Juliette. However, Ernest is really replying to a call for help from his ex-wife Erin who has found herself accused of the murder of her partner, Lyle Pearse. Erin has been placed under arrest after waking in the morning to find that Lyle has been brutally stabbed to death, and she is covered in his blood with no memory of events.

As with all murder mysteries, there must be more than one suspect. Lyle Pearse was the head of a foundation that supports the recovery of young adults struggling with drug addiction by igniting their passion for the theatre. The pool of potential suspects includes CFO of the foundation Felicity Herrington, famous magician Rylan Blaze, his stagehand Christopher, a hypnotist and her twin, and other graduates of the program working in various theatre roles. As often happens in murder mysteries, one murder is soon followed by a second, and Ernest must uncover how these two deaths are related if he is to prove Erin’s innocence.

Stevenson’s novella progresses at a very swift pace and there is a lot for the reader to process, particularly if they are determined to solve these murders before Ernest has his light-bulb moment and figures it all out. However, the pacing does not at all detract from the enjoyment of the story as it effectively builds the suspense. The final chapters where all is revealed are dramatically depicted and it is quite satisfying to see all the disparate clues come together.

Lastly, what I most enjoyed about this novella is the blend of a fast-paced murder mystery with Christmas holiday details, even one of the victims writing the word Christmas in their own blood. For fans of this series, this novella will tide them over while they wait for the next book to be published.