Snowbound at Christmas. Very cosy. Until a murderer and a thief appear.December, 1935.Ruby and Fina are anticipating a quiet Christmas. But the snowy peace of Quenby College is shattered when the police come looking for Ruby. She and Fina escape to a relative’s plush country home — only to find that Aunt Millie has a few surprises in store … a few surprises in store …
As the mercury drops, Ruby and Fina are drawn into a web of false identities and half-truths. Why did someone spike the cocktails during the after-dinner jazz? Who stole Aunt Millie’s priceless hatpin collection? Could it be a coincidence that all the house guests were also present on the day when Fina’s father was murdered?
With the police on their tail, and a killer on the loose, the two dressmaking sleuths have to use all their considerable wits to solve Fina’s family tragedy – and bring a little joy back to Christmas.
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This series is notable for the sense of period that it portrays and also for the quirky and engaging characters who feature in the books. This book is a little different in that Fina is rather more centre-stage than in the other books, which tend to focus more on Ruby.
I really liked the start which features Ruby and Fina dodging the police and having to leave their college to join Fina’s aunt in her country house, there is a very funny piece where Fina has to dodge the college ‘scouts’ to warn Ruby, and this sets the tone for the rest of the book. Another notable funny moment is the descriptions of the bathing suits, including a wooden one!
However once Ruby and Fina are joined by their friend Pixley the tone turns rather more sombre as there are robberies, attempted murder and spiked drinks, albeit lightened by more humorous moments. It becomes obvious that the gathering relates to the murder of Fina’s father, and her brother’s subsequent death sentence, which Fina has always believed was a miscarriage of justice.
There are a lot of characters, and they all have something to hide, and the subsequent investigation by experienced amateur sleuths Ruby, Fina and Pixley turns up all sorts of surprises, and risks. The culprit is well concealed right up to the end. Although this is a complete stand-alone story, there is a loose end which will provide a great story line for another book.
I received an advance copy of the book but have voluntarily reviewed it
Another Ruby Dove mystery! Try as I might, I can never figure out who is the bad guy. It’s like a wonderful rollercoaster, filled with twists and turns. The author keeps me on my toes. Another great book from Rose Donovan!
I won the ebook on 12-29-2019 in the Goodreads Give-Away and between the weather and the pandemic this is the best time to read and listen to a lot of books. This book reminded me of a combination of Agatha Christie books and Sherlock Holmes. Ruby and Fina leave Quenby College for personal reasons and go to Aunt Millie’s where the is a gathering of people at Christmas with investigations, robberies and a lot of deducing at the end of the story.
I loved it. It took me right back in time to the era it is written . Love that Ruby and Fina are friends and can be studying, especially Ruby doing chemistry. You go!
I admit that the mistletoe had me confused. i was thinking late holiday book. Guess again! it is using the mistletoe as a herb. Love that.
This might be book 6 in a series but it is my first in the series and this author. I am hoping to read more.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC copy.
This historical mystery series is set in London and stars Ruby and Fina in a Sherlock and Watson-type relationship.
In Ruby’s Mistletoe, Ruby and Fina travel to Fina’s estranged aunt’s home for safety reasons. But once there they realize things are not what they seem. Their sleuthing skills are needed or they’ll all be in danger.
I enjoyed this book. The historical aspect is interesting and the author does a good job pulling you into the setting. The characters are realistic and enjoyable to read. This book is part of a series but you do not need to have read the prior books in order to enjoy this one. Also the book is set in time near Christmas but I would say it’s more a winter book than a holiday book. If you only like to read Christmas books in December don’t worry – you’ll enjoy reading this whenever.
I recommend reading The Mystery of Ruby’s Mistletoe!
I read an ARC copy. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
This is a fun series with very likeable main characters. Ruby and Fina, best friends and amateur sleuths decide to dodge the police at Quenby because they want to talk to Ruby about a thieving gang called the Elephant Gang who are prolific robbers and have eluded the police. Apparently, there is a member of that group named Ruby and so the police asked Fina if she knew where her friend, Ruby Dove was and she said no, but she suspected where she could be and together they left school for Christmas to go to Fina’s Aunt’s country estate. Fina felt strange about it because she hadn’t seen her aunt in a while, but it was the best place for them to go in order to get away. And Ruby wanted to help Fina get some questions answered about the death of her father and the execution of her brother for the murder. She has so many questions and felt in her heart her brother didn’t do it. Fina also invited their journalist friend, Pixley who they trusted and since he was spending Christmas alone, they figured it would be nice and besides they could use his investigative help. At Aunt Millie’s estate, things aren’t what Fina expected. First of all, the house had some strange renovations she never expected her straight laced aunt would have even thought of. And then there was a very strange mix of guests who were invited to share the holiday at the mansion. What happens next are a frightening and strange set of circumstances, including drugging the guests and items being stolen, that set Ruby, Fina and Pixley to put on their sleuthing caps to solve the strange events that were taking place and in turn find evidence of how Fina’s father was murdered and who the murderer actually was. Wow so many threads and each guest has a secret of their own to be unwoven. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next adventure with Ruby and Fina. I received an ARC but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.