*AN INSTANT NO.1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*
*A WATERSTONES THRILLER OF THE MONTH PICK*

Discover the book everyone is talking about - this fun and festive murder mystery is the perfect Christmas read.

'The feel-good factor is off the scale' The Times
‘Your new festive fave’ My Weekly
‘A crime Christmas stocking must!’ Yorkshire Life

A village of secrets.
Yorkshire, 1952. Christmas is fast approaching when a dead stranger is found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered village of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer?

A mystery that can’t be solved.
Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. But as is often the way for him, things don’t go according to plan.

A Christmas to remember.
When the local doctor’s husband is murdered, Grasby begins to realize that everyone in Elderby is hiding something.
And if he can’t uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price...

Praise for Murder at Holly House

'A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery' Sun

'A fun book. Playful. One to make you smile' Stuart MacBride, Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller author of The Dead of Winter

‘Intricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour’ The Sunday Post

‘A complete joy of a historical Christmas crime novel’ Miranda Dickinson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Fairytale of New York

‘A hugely entertaining story with an authentic period feel’ The Herald

'Vintage crime from a true master of the genre!' 5* Reader Review

'Wonderful, imaginative and difficult to put down...a real festive treat!' 5* Reader Review

'An intriguing mystery peppered with some delightful touches of humour.' 5* Reader Review

'The plot was immersive and the pacing was superb. There are twists and turns, secrets and lies. All you really need for a romp in the snow!' 5* Reader Review

'Who doesn’t love a Christmas murder mystery?' 5* Reader Review

Waterstones Thriller of the Month, November 2024
Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024
Denzil Meyrick, No.1 New York Times bestseller, November 2025

A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery. * Sun *
The feel-good factor of this frantic farce is off the scale. A healing comedy. * The Times *
Told with a good dollop of tongue-in-cheek humour, warmth, and the kind of quirky characters any reader would be happy to spend time with. It’s a fun book. Playful. One to make you smile. * Stuart MacBride *
A fine, intricately plotted, seasonal mystery, shot through with black humour. * Mail on Sunday *
A wonderfully entertaining mystery with great characters, setting and period detail. * Ian Moore, bestselling author of Death and Croissants *
Intricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour. * The Sunday Post *
Your new festive fave. . .a dead body stuck up the chimney, a stumped detective, lies, twists, and Meyrick’s renowned storytelling and wit. * My Weekly *
A thoroughly enjoyable book filled with marvellous characters, skilfully drawn settings and clever twists – a crime Christmas stocking must! * Yorkshire Life *
A hugely entertaining story with an authentic period feel, making it a satisfying, escapist yarn for the cold, dark nights ahead. * The Herald *
A successful foray into the tricky world of comic crime. * The Scotsman *

Denzil Meyrick was from Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll. After studying politics, he enjoyed a varied career as a police officer, distillery manager, a director of several companies, and an executive producer of a major TV adaptation of his books. Regarded as 'One of Scotland's finest writers' (SWH), he was the No.1 New York Times bestselling author of the DCI Daley series, and the Detective Frank Grasby mysteries, including the Waterstones Thriller of the Month pick, Murder at Holly House.


Denzil died peacefully at his home beside Loch Lomond in Scotland, in February 2025. For more information about his books, visit his website: www.denzilmeyrick.com