That will give you over three weeks to settle your affairs, say your prayers, and eat a hearty Christmas dinner. I shall kill you, most probably, on Boxing Day.

In the lead up to Christmas, Fergus O’Brien, World War One flying ace turned introspective recluse, suspects someone is out for his blood. Having received three threatening letters promising his death, O’Brien takes his fate into his own hands.

Inviting all the prime suspects to a Christmas party at his grand country home, O’Brien enlists private investigator Nigel Strangeways to help suss out the culprit.

But amid the falling snow and cutting wind, a murderer lurks in Dower House. Nigel must work quickly to uncover the secrets of O’Brien’s past to catch the criminal before it’s too late…

Thou Shell of Death was first published in 1936.