A harmless game of Murder in the Dark? Or an invitation to die for?

It is Christmas 1936 and guests gather at Maybridge Castle for its grand reopening. Snow settles over the Cumbrian countryside as sherry is poured and polite conversation masks private tensions.

Among the eclectic group of guests are a doctor and his new wife, tarot readers, a journalist, and an elderly amateur sleuth accompanied by her cat. When a parlour game ends with a body on the floor, the festive atmosphere fractures.

Someone has changed the rules. . . but who? Suspicion moves through drawing rooms and corridors, revealing grudges, secrets, and calculated deceit.

Readers love Ada Moncrieff:

'An absolute delight of a book'
'Compelling and engaging Christmas historical crime'
'Her prose reminds me of the brilliant PG Wodehouse.'
'A cosy mystery with the added charm of a Christmas setting. What more could a reader want.'
'Beautifully written, funny, and gripping. Can't wait to see what Moncrieff comes up with next.'