Nicola Upson's series characters return here for their ninth outing, in a suitably wintry Christmas mystery. And who are they? you may be asking, if you haven't encountered Upson before. Well, the series revolves around a novelist called Josephine Tey. Yes, of course, this character is based on a real woman, one of the Golden Age Queens of Crime, who wrote crime novels under this name, though in real life she was called Elizabeth MacKintosh. Other recurring characters are her lover, an actress called Marta (also based on a real person, though there's no hard evidence that she was Tey's lover in real life) and her friend Detective Inspector Archie Penrose, who seems to owe a lot to Tey's series detective Alan Grant. This intermingling of real, or fictionalised real, characters - which recurs in each novel, and includes many other well-known figures - is superbly handled by Upson. You don't have to know who they are all based on, but it certainly adds to the fun if you do.

In The Dead of Winter, Josephine, Marta and Archie have been invited to spend Christmas in Cornwall. And not just Cornwall - the holiday will be spent staying in the castle on St Michael's Mount - you can see it represented on the cover. It sits on an island just off the mainland, and is only accessible from the town of Marazion by a causeway which is uncovered at low tide. If you've ever been there - and it's well worth a visit - you may know that the castle has been inhabited by the St Aubin family since the mid-seventeenth century. In 1938, when this novel is set, a family member named Hilaria St Aubin lives there, and she is the hostess who welcomes Josephine and her friends. Other visitors are there too, including a very famous actress who Archie has been employed to guard during the holiday period. Her name is not revealed for a while, so I'm not going to reveal it here - but I can tell you that you will learn (real) facts about her that you probably didn't know before, and you will like her all the better for it.

The novel actually begins with a flashback to 1920:

It was the day that stripped the joy from Christmas, or so he thought afterwards - everything a parody of what it should have been.

This is Archie Penrose, a young detective sergeant, called to a horrific crime scene he will never forget, and one which, not surprisingly, will have a bearing on the case he's called to investigate on the island, though how and why is not clear until much later. The victim is an elderly and much-loved local vicar, and he has been murdered in a particularly unpleasant way and found in an extremely bizarre setting. But in fact before all the visitors arrive, another murder has taken place and this time we are witness to it and know who did it, though the body is not discovered immediately. Meanwhile, Archie is left to try to solve Reverend Hartley's murder with no help from outside, as the Mount is not only snowed under but also cut off from the mainland by tremendous storms which have made the causeway impassible. When a journey across to Marazion becomes unavoidable, Hilaria arranges for him to make the crossing roped together with some strong men who inhabit the village on the island: it's a terrifying journey, buffeted by huge waves, and leaves Archie battered and bruised, though luckily still in one piece. Given the revelations about the past in the opening chapter, it was not that hard to guess that one of the guests must be connected to the 1920 crime, and presumably also the murderer - but which one, and what could the motive for Hartley's murder have been? When Archie finally finds the perpetrator, he has some shocks in store which cause him to reassess everything he thought he knew. 

Nicola Upson's novels are notable for their wonderful evocation of the locations where they are set: previous novels have taken place in 1930s Cambridge, more than one in pre-war London (one with particular emphasis on the BBC), 1936 Portmeirion in Wales (where Hitchcock is filming) and many others. The period detail is superb: here, with World War II looming, there are some disturbing glimpses of Nazi characters, and we are reminded that the Nazi general Joachim von Ribbentrop, a frequent visitor to Cornwall, planned to live at the Mount after the planned invasion. There are often nods towards golden age crime books - in The Dead of Winter, one character is reading a Poirot novel, and of course the snowbound setting recalls many a winter/locked room/country house mystery. Altogether, you are getting a perfect combination of classic crime with a contemporary twist. What's not to love?

Playwright and amateur sleuth Josephine Tey and her policeman friend Archie Penrose are in his native Cornwall again, this time visiting St Michael's Mount over Christmas. Archie is providing police protection for Marlene Dietrich who is under threat from Nazis as Hitler wants her immediate return to Germany. Soon two deaths have occurred and our crime-solving duo must investigate. This is a gripping period drama and it's always good to spend some time with Josephine and Archie. A really good Christmas thriller.

Having never read the Tey series by Nicola Upson (which, in a post-modern twist, takes the Golden Age of Crime author Josephine Tey and casts her as a fictional character in Golden Age-era murder mysteries) I was unsure what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Dead Of Winter. The setting - St Michael's Mount in Cornwall - was evocative and the plot managed to be both festive and bleak at the same time. The narrative style is very true to the era, which makes some of the more modern and brutal touches all the more effective. I have immediately sought out the rest of the series, and would very much recommend them to fans of Agatha Christie (truly, the highest praise as she is much compared-to but very rarely are those comparisons accurate).

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the ARC of this book.

So apparently this is book nine in a series which I didn't know when I got the ARC, but you definitely don't need to read the other books to understand this one.

It's Christmas time and a group of strangers are spending it on St Michael's Mount in Cornwall as part of a charity event. But as the weather gets worse and worse they end up stranded on the island with no way of contacting the mainland. Cue the murders! Two people are found dead and now it's up to inspector Penrose to find the murderer before the high tide relents and allows the culprit to escape.

I really enjoyed reading this! It's a great Christmas mystery and I loved the setting of St Michael's Mount. Are some of the tropes used in this story clichés? Yes, ABSOLUTELY!!! But it didn't bother me at all, if anything it actually gave this story a very nostalgic, golden-age crime fiction feel. And while I could sort of see the ending coming, there were still a lot of details that surprised me.

All in all I'd say this is a really entertaining book and now I want to look up the other eight in the series!

Nicola Upson surprised me. I never read a book where main character is real-life crime writer. And I am yet to read Josephine Tey's novels. My TBR list is expanding with each new book I read.

The Dead of Winter is like a cup of Christmas drink: dark, thick, spicy, surprising, strong and covered in snow (whipped cream). You never know what's on the bottom of your mug and you can't guess all the ingredients either.

In this installment (9th) of Josephine Tey mysteries you get to meet Marlen Dietrich in person, in real life. Also, you get to glimpse what it was like to live in Europe close to WWII: divisions in the society, expectations, and general feel of 'something dark coming'.

Christmas at St. Michaels Mount in Cornwall will turn out to be murderous. The events will tie with each other in tight knots and will twist numerous times. 

Coming into the series at 9th installment is draught with danger and boredom for the reader: one is left not knowhing who is who and what and why. However, The Dead of Winter easily reads as stand alone novel. Author gives readers light introduction touches on all of the main characters. A bunch of new characters is created in such a way one can feel them being part of the setting, the island, the castle.

A very interesting, atmospheric book. A bit sad for holiday season but a worthy read anyhow., even in jolly times.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fabre and Fabre for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This book was an absolute treat, as I knew it would be, already being familiar with Nicola Upson’s work. She is such an emotive writer and what better subject than an isolated castle and a dodgy murder running around a house party. 
I did guess the murderer fairly early but that didn’t take anything away from the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas murder and highly recommend you to pick it up this coming Christmas. Pure escapism and I loved it.

It is December 1938 and Josephine Tey and Archie Penrose join friends in Cornwall to celebrate Christmas. While there they contend with the arrival of a Hollywood star and two strange deaths. I have read most of Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey novels and they are a delight. Upson beautifully conjures up the period and the place and I love her characterisation. This novel is a lighter read than previous books in the series but I would recommend it as a perfect Christmas thriller.

This is a story so brilliant that I will be picking up all of Upson’s previous books - and I can’t think of a better time to read this than before Christmas!
There are so many twists and turns to this story that it’s hard to know where to start - we open with a scene from 1920 where a family of children and their mother are found dead, of an apparent murder-suicide, but it then takes quite some time to realise the significance of this as we move to Christmas 1938. With the Second World War looming, a handful of esteemed guests are invited to spend Christmas at the isolated St Michael’s Mount - including the writer Josephine Tey, her friend Detective Archie Penrose, and a famous movie star trying to escape the attention of the Nazis. But when two people are found brutally murdered, Archie can’t help but wonder if there’s a connection to that brutal crime from long ago...
What follows is a brilliant story reminiscent of the Golden Age of crime writing - a brilliant whodunnit where nothing is as it seems and everyone is a suspect. I loved the glamour of the setting and the famous actress against the backdrop of Christmas and I could so easily see this on the big screen - this is crime writing at its best. 
To also include queer relationships, domestic violence and what I assume is Dementia in the story gives it a fresh take on the classics, and I loved the relationship between Josephine and her partner Marta, which added some fun and joy to the story. 
If this review is garbled and all over the place it’s simply because I’m still feeling that rush of excitement from discovering a fantastic author - I cannot wait to read more!

In many ways I loved this book; the star system always falls down when trying to put any nuance in- this would be 3 and a half if I could!

The setting here- St Michael's Mount at Christmas- is wonderful and has been laid out beautifully. The snow, the sea, the church, the castle... all these were excellent. Sense of place was very well done and I loved the juxtaposition of Christmas with murder and mystery. There is a reason crime at Christmas is so special! The characterisation was fun too, especially the investigators. 

Where it fell down for me *slightly* was the resolution of the plot. I suddenly realised we were in the middle of the scene that revealed the murderer but I hadn't realised it. It felt slightly jarring, as if I felt this was the false reveal before the real murderer was revealed... but it was actually the real murderer. I am happy to forgive the book this slight hiccup, as the rest of it was so enjoyable.

My thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this novel.

I'll admit I had no idea this was part of a series, which hindered my enjoyment just a smidge. Still, Upson's writing is clear and descriptive. If I find the time I may check out more Josephine Tey stories.

I haven't read any previous titles in this series (or any of Miss Tey's novels), so all of the characters are new to me. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the story and devoured it avidly. I love stories set in this era any way but the description had me at Christmas on an island. It didn't disappoint, the main story is complicated by an extra murder for our detective Archie to unravel. he does this with a great dollop of help from his friends including Ms. Dietrich. The descriptions of the characters, the island and the worsening weather are all spot on and add to the overall ambiance.  This is a cosy mystery, not great literary fiction, but it's definitely worth the time to snuggle up with on a cold winter evening. An ideal present for Christmas and snowy murder mystery lovers.

I did like the setup and premise for this and the first third of the novel was really good but the further i got into this book, the less enjoyed it. It was a classic murder mystery in style but it wasn't exactly 100% the same style or widely revolutionary. It either needed to be a carbon copy of the style or completely different to give it a flare but as it didn't do either, it just felt a bit bland and underwhelming for me. The characters were okay but i would have like certain areas involving the investigation to be written and explored a bit better.

This is the latest in Upson’s crime series that features the writer Josephine Tey, her partner Marta and their friend and policeman DS Archie Penrose of the Metropolitan Police. It is December 1938 and it is an important time for Josephine as she makes preparations in Inverness, as Marta will be going to work in the USA in the New Year and she has insecurities as to whether their relationship will survive. But nevertheless they have joint plans for Christmas as Archie has invited them to his Cornish cottage to celebrate the season. As 1938 - with its difficult and volatile politics – comes to an end, thinking people are preparing mentally with trepidation for another war with Germany. Many still carry the scars of the First World War.
Archie will telephone to ask if they will accept alternative arrangements. A special fund raising house party has been arranged for a small group of people on St Michael’s Mount and the Castle. Archie has to be there to “protect” a special guest and would like Marta and Josephine to come too. The secret guest will soon be unveiled as the actress Marlene Dietrich, who the Nazi regime is trying to lure back to Germany for political purposes, she is resisting the idea. But it is suggested that she is under surveillance.
After this the plot is straightforward – a group of people, supposedly unknown to the others, will gather on the causewayed “island”. Stormy weather will prevent visitors moving on and off it for a short while. One of the house party will meet a gruesome death and the investigation will allow the backgrounds of the various guests to be explored. But in the meantime another death of a local woman on the island will be uncovered and the initial belief that this was an accident will have to be revised to murder. Archie with the help of Josephine, but in the absence of specialist support, will have to try and resolve who was responsible, but do this at the same time as tensions start to rise, as do worries about how to keep all the guests safe. 
Complex relationships will start to be developed through the story and back histories, that may, or may not, be relevant to the investigation will be revealed. Christmas and murder are not of course the sole interest or worry of most people – Upson will range across the worries of the coming war, loss of homes, living with dementia and abusive relationships, both in the castle group and those outside too.  With access to the Mount limited Archie’s sidekick DS Fallowfield will have to carry out investigations off island that lead to a scattering of false or previous identities - and yet another murder – to complicate any assessment of motives or guilt. But this is a novel so all will be revealed. But the guilty party (ies) are unlikely to be spotted too early.
Upson is excellent at melding her storyline with the personal aspects of her main characters – even as in this case when she has rather a lot of secondary ones. Her depiction of the Castle and Mount are vibrant and realistic, although one might snipe that her expectations of the scale of Christmas preparations in Inverness back in 1938 (then a working day remember) are a little out of period. But with the plethora of personalities with real anxieties and responses and fast developing actions on actions this is a compelling read.

This is the ninth bookin the Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey series and I've loved every one of them.

Josephine and her good friend Archie Penrose gather, together with some friends and a surprise guest, to spend a quiet Christmas on St Michael's Mount.

Of course, Christmas is anything but quiet, murders and mysteries a-plenty!

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.

Another great cozy mystery from Upson in this series. This time it's set in Cornwall. It was amazing, atmospheric. Absolutely a pleasure to read at this time of the year. If you're a cozy mystery fan, you should get it. 
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

This book is set in December 1938 with Europe on brink of war. Author Josephine Tey and Detective Archie Penrose are going to spend Christmas in Cornwall in St Michael's Mount. There are a few guests staying as well which includes a famous film star. They find themselves cut off from the mainland and two murders happen. Josephine and Archive must solve the crime and stop the murderer claiming another person.

I enjoyed this book.

It is set at Christmas but it is certainly not a Christmas book. It has mystery side to it as crime happens in the book.
Each character in the book has the own background story and they were well written. The characters are all stuck together and anyone of them could be the murderer. The tension keeps upping between them all as the story goes on and author throws in twists they keep you on your toes right through. 

Also Europe is on the brink of war in the book with adds even more palpable tension in the book.

Overall a mystery set in the past which had a Agatha Christie feel to it.

I received a ARC from Netgalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for an objection review.

First thing first I’m a fan of Josephine Tey series and was more than happy to have the pleasure of reading this ARC.
I think this is the best installment in this excellent series, a perfect Golden Age mystery that mixes some of the Golden Age tropes (closed circle of suspects, the atmosphere of a weekend in the country) with a modern touch making them fascinating.
I loved the mix of historical and fictional characters. I found both Marlene and Hilaria well rounded and fleshed. The character development is excellent and I loved the empathy of the author toward the more frail or damaged characters.
The historical background is excellent and well researched, I loved the references to historical facts and the attention to the details.
The island setting could have been a bit claustrophobic but I wished to visit the Mount St Michael and see the places the author describes so well.
Last but not least the mystery part. It’s very complex with some subplots, red herrings, twists and turns. The solution came as a surprise and I wasn’t able to guess the culprit even if I tried.
A gripping and highly entertaining page turner I couldn’t put down and kept me reading till late in the night.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Faber&Faber for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Nicola Upson's ninth instalment in her Josephine Tey series is a fitting homage to the golden age tradition of the Christmas mystery. Upson's series features as her heroine a fictionalised characterisation of real life "golden age" crime writer Josephine Tey (author of the classic The Daughter of Time, one of my own all time favourite books).
The Dead of Winter opens with a chapter set during Christmas 1920, as then young detective sergeant Archie Penrose attends the scene of a domestic tragedy, the details of which will haunt him for years to come.
The remainder of the book is set in December 1938, in a nervous Britain poised on the brink of World War 2. Josephine Tey and her partner Marta agree to join their good friend DCI Archie Penrose for Christmas at St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall. Archie's lifelong friend, the Hon. Hilaria St. Aubyn, is hosting Christmas at her castle home for a select group of guests, in order to raise much needed funds to assist in the evacuation of Jewish refugees from Europe. Archie's own role in the festivities is to accompany and provide personal security for the guest of honour, German-born actress Marlene Dietrich, who is sympathetic to the fundraising cause.
As the guests make their way to Cornwall, heavy snowfalls begin, eventually leaving the island and its inhabitants cut off from the mainland over Christmas - the perfect setting for a classic Christmas mystery!
Unbeknownst to Josephine and her fellow guests, a murder has already been committed on St. Michaels Mount as they arrive, shortly followed by the discovery of a dramatically posed body - one of the Christmas guests - on Christmas morning. Josephine and Marta, aided by their gracious host Hilaria and the unexpectedly practical Dietrich, support Archie in his efforts to identify and apprehend the murderer or murderers amongst them.
Upson's prose is beautifully crafted and evokes the style of the golden age (albeit with the occasional contextual f-bomb!), and her cast of characters intriguing and well-developed. St. Michael's Mount is a remarkable setting and Upson skilfully incorporates architectural and other detail into the story - the depth of her research for this novel is evident.
To use more than one person who actually lived as characters in a fictional work is not an exercise to be entered into lightly. Upson's portrayals of both Tey and Dietrich are thoughtful, sympathetic and, as far as I can tell, quite consistent with their real-life personae.
The Dead of Winter is another well-executed instalment in a delightful series. It was an absolute pleasure to read.
My thanks to the author, publisher Faber and Faber Ltd. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title in advance of its publication on 5 November 2020.

Faber and Faber have been publishing the very best crime novelists for many many years. One of their latest titans is Nicola Upson. Her series featuring Josephine Tey and Archie Penrose gets better and better.
Like the real Josephine Tey and writers like Ngaio Marsh she is able to write a mystery in which the crime is almost irrelevant. Her strong point is the realism of her characters and her understanding of the moralities of 1930s England.
Marlene Dietrich is beautifully and compassionately drawn. St Michael's Mount is the perfect setting for a novel that pays homage to all those great Golden Age conventions. I'm sure Josephine Tey would approve and applaud.

This was a good read with lots of well-developed and likeable characters. It's also a book that is very self-aware, with nods to the standard plots of "country house" murder mysteries and how they unfold.

I enjoyed the setting of a Britain on the eve of the Second World War. I think it gets across how the anxiety about the coming war and its impact on people's lives affects people in a very realistic way.

There are some really great characters to love and hate. Gerald, an abusive husband, is horribly believable. It's nice that Upson has two gay women in a relationship at the centre of the novel too, with no fuss made about that.

I liked how the women characters come across as independent and confident. 

The plot is good too. The book begins with a description of a horrific murder 18 years previous to the main story. The reader is left wondering how this relates to the main story, and which characters might appear in both of them.

It's a very easy book to read, engaging and thought-provoking. I will look to reading more of Upson's books.