Christmas crime books to read in 2026

Reading lists

12 Christmas murder mystery books to get you feeling festive

Detective crime series to read now

8 of the best crime book series to start now

Last Orders

DCI Jim Daley is charged with murder - and everyone saw him do it - in the gripping final thriller in the series, from the bestselling author Denzil Meyrick. 
 
In the middle of the night in Kinloch, the phone rings… 
 
Detective Sergeant Brian Scott answers. It’s a message from his old friend and partner, DCI Jim Daley, which chills him to the bone: 
 
‘She’s dead, Brian. I couldn’t take it anymore – I killed her! You have to help.’ 
 
Daley has been arrested for murder, and everyone saw him do it. The police have all the evidence they need to put him behind bars for life, but Scott still believes he’s innocent. 
 
Is someone trying to frame him? 
 
The search for answers takes Daley and Scott on a dark journey into their past, putting the people closest to them in immediate danger. And as the heartbreak takes its toll, Scott begins to wonder if this might be the end of the road. 
 
Is it time to call last orders? 
 
***Praise for Denzil Meyrick*** 
 
‘In high demand across the globe’ Daily Mail 
 
‘You’ll have a blast with these’ Ian Rankin 
 
‘One of Scotland’s finest writers in any genre’ SWH 
 
‘It’s a fun book. One to make you smile’ Stuart MacBride 
 
‘Spellbinding … one of the UK’s most loved crime writers’ Sunday Post 
 
***Praise for the DCI Daley Series*** 
 
'Irresistible' ***** Reader Review 
 
'I defy you not to read this series and want to go visit Campbeltown' ***** Reader Review 
 
'Twisted and compelling' ***** Reader Review 
 
'Not only wildly entertaining but also very thought provoking' ***** Reader Review 
 
'I’m a huge fan of Denzil Meyrick’s D.C.I. Daley series and this was the best yet' ***** Reader Review 
 
'Exactly my kind of series - police thriller, good humour, brilliantly memorable characters' ***** Reader Review

Another gripping story...makes a fitting end to the series.

A brutally effective closing chapter to the DCI Daley Series… the twists and violence are relentless, all leavened by a streak of coal-black humour.

An entertainingly dark journey fraught with unexpected dangers.

One of Scotland's most prolific and best-loved crime writers.

Absorbing . . . no run-of-the-mill tartan noir

It’s a fun book. One to make you smile.

Whiplash action, grit, gloss and dark humour.

One of Scotland's finest writers in any genre

In high demand across the globe . . . A runaway hit . . . Readers instantly warm to Daley

Universal truths ... an unbuttoned sense of humour ... engaging and eventful

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

DCI Jim Daley is charged with murder - and everyone saw him do it - in the gripping new thriller from the bestselling author Denzil Meyrick. 
 
In the middle of the night in Kinloch, the phone rings… 
 
Detective Sergeant Brian Scott answers. It’s a message from his old friend and partner, DCI Jim Daley, which chills him to the bone: 
 
‘She’s dead, Brian. I couldn’t take it anymore – I killed her! You have to help.’ 
 
Daley has been arrested for murder, and everyone saw him do it. The police have all the evidence they need to put him behind bars for life, but Scott still believes he’s innocent. 
 
Is someone trying to frame him? 
 
The search for answers takes Daley and Scott on a dark journey into their past, putting the people closest to them in immediate danger. And as the heartbreak takes its toll, Scott begins to wonder if this might be the end of the road. 
 
Is it time to call last orders?

The Christmas Stocking Murders

Don't miss the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month that everyone is talking about this Christmas - the fun and festive murder mystery from the No.1 New York Times bestselling author. 
 
'Twists galore' Stuart MacBride 
'Had me laughing out loud' Yorkshire Life 
'First-class' The Times 
 
A case shrouded in secrets. 
It’s just before Christmas, 1953. Grasby and Juggers are investigating a puzzling murder in the remote village of Uthley’s Bay. A fisherman has been found dead on the beach, with a stocking wound tight round his throat. 
 
A festive mystery for one and all. 
Hundreds of pairs of stockings, in neat cellophane bags, soon wash up on the shore. A blizzard cuts off Grasby and Juggers from help, and the local innkeeper is murdered. Any remaining Christmas cheer goes up in smoke as the villagers refuse to talk, leaving the two detectives chasing false leads in the snow. 
 
A winter wonderland with no escape. 
To make matters worse, Grasby can’t stop thinking about stockings. Why does everyone seem to be enjoying strangely high standards of hosiery, even beneath their oilskins? Who is the sinister bespectacled man snooping around their hotel? And how can they solve the murder when everyone in the village is a suspect? 
 
Readers love The Christmas Stocking Murders: 
 
‘Atmospheric, amusing, a book to read by a fireside.’ FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW 
 
‘This book is a delight.’ FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW 
 
‘I found myself chuckling along.’ FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW 
 
‘A wonderful page-turner.’ FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW 
 
‘These books are a tonic.’ FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW 
 
‘A Christmas joy. FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW 
 
Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024 
Denzil Meyrick, No.1 New York Times bestseller, November 2025

'‘Wonderfully irreverent, warm and funny, with twists galore.’

Denzil Meyrick, revelling in fond and foolish nostalgia, has once again produced a tale of first-class nonsense.

Unabashed comedy…Not many new novels have me laughing aloud these days, but this one did, time and again.

Darkly comic and engaging, this is a Christmas cracker you simply won’t want to put down.

A laugh-out-loud must for the Christmas stocking for any mystery fan in your life.

Grasby and Juggers are a tremendous pairing who display Denzil Meyrick’s comic talents to the full in this immensely enjoyable Christmas caper set in a wintry Yorkshire seaside town. Scratching below the surface, there is again much to be found that reflects not only on the 1950s, but on our own time. Highly recommended.

Outlandish and unpredictable, yet anyone who knows the Yorkshire coast will find it hilarious and all too plausible.

I loved the humour and ambiance of this book. Definitely one to read over the festive holidays.

An authentic vintage crime laced with dark humour. Frank Grasby is an instant classic detective. Unmissable.

A terrific rip-roaring page turner! I very much enjoyed this darkly comic breakneck dash through the dark streets - and even darker secrets - of a North Yorkshire fishing village.

It reminds me of Agatha Christie with a dose of black humour.

It gallops along at breakneck speed, is playful, and Frank the bungling hero is fabulous.

An absolute joy to read. Reluctant hero Frank Grasby is back with another thriller that is also light, airy fun. Juggers and the flare gun is worth the cover price alone!

Christmas mayhem, mischief and murder – this series has become a staple of the festive period with its brilliant mysteries and razor-sharp wit.

The Christmas Stocking Murders skilfully blends a festive mystery, comedy and even a dash of romance.

A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery.

A wonderfully entertaining mystery with great characters, setting and period detail.

Ian Moore, bestselling author of Death and Croissants

Absorbing . . . no run-of-the-mill tartan noir.

In high demand across the globe . . . A runaway hit.

A book that should find its place under countless Christmas trees.

An intriguing, fast-paced story with a likeable central protagonist and an immersive winter setting; a perfect crime read for a chilly December night.

Spellbinding . . . one of the UK's most loved crime writers.

One of Scotland's finest writers in any genre.

Your new festive fave. . .a dead body stuck up the chimney, a stumped detective, lies, twists, and Meyrick’s renowned storytelling and wit.

Don't miss the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month that everyone is talking about this Christmas - the fun and festive murder mystery from the No.1 New York Times bestselling author. 
 
A case shrouded in secrets. 
It’s just before Christmas, 1953. Grasby and Juggers are investigating a puzzling murder in the remote village of Uthley’s Bay. A fisherman has been found dead on the beach, with a stocking wound tight round his throat. 
 
A festive mystery for one and all. 
Hundreds of pairs of stockings, in neat cellophane bags, soon wash up on the shore. A blizzard cuts off Grasby and Juggers from help, and the local innkeeper is murdered. Any remaining Christmas cheer goes up in smoke as the villagers refuse to talk, leaving the two detectives chasing false leads in the snow. 
 
A winter wonderland with no escape. 
To make matters worse, Grasby can’t stop thinking about stockings. Why does everyone seem to be enjoying strangely high standards of hosiery, even beneath their oilskins? Who is the sinister bespectacled man snooping around their hotel? And how can they solve the murder when everyone in the village is a suspect?

The Estate

Succession meets And Then There Were None, this is the unputdownable new thriller from Denzil Meyrick, the bestselling author of Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Murder at Holly House. 
 
‘A joy from start to frenetic finish.’ The Times 
'Succession with a Highland twist' Daily Mail 
 
Every family has a secret. 
The Pallanders have it all – a castle in the Scottish Highlands and an island in the Caribbean – but their perfect life is about to be shattered. 
 
Every father has a favourite. 
Sebastian Pallander dies, leaving a pitiful amount of money for his relatives to fight over. Then his son is killed in mysterious circumstances, and everyone suspects foul play. 
 
Every killer has a motive. 
The family gather at their estate and begin to wonder: who will be next? Where has all their money gone? And will anyone get what they truly deserve? 
 
***Readers are gripped by The Estate!*** 
 
'This book has everything: mystery, suspense, humour, a bit of romance and definitely loads of surprises!' - ***** Reader Review 
 
'Succession meets Downton with a dash of Poirot. Whiplash action, grit, gloss and dark humour brilliantly blended in this pacy action thriller.' - Andrea Mara 
 
'It left me breathless...A twisty and surprising page turner!' - ***** Reader Review 
 
'Fast paced and thrilling – Denzil Meyrick gives Harlan Coben a run for his money. As many twists and turns as a Scottish country road.' - Stephen Leather 
 
'What a cracker of a read!' - ***** Reader Review 
 
Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024

Denzil Meyrick&rsquo;s wry sense of humour recalls that of the much-missed Reginald Hill &hellip;This classic example of beat-the-rich is a joy from start to frenetic finish.

Succession with a Highland twist… great storytelling.

Succession meets Downton with a dash of Poirot. Whiplash action, grit, gloss and dark humour brilliantly blended in this pacy action thriller.

An action-packed mix of political drama and thriller... culminating with a nail-biting finish in a Scottish castle and a killer twist we didn&rsquo;t see coming.

Fast paced and thrilling – Denzil Meyrick gives Harlan Coben a run for his money. As many twists and turns as a Scottish country road. Grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go.

Denzil Meyrick has given us a new and unique heroine in Cara Salt with this incredibly clever and intriguing mystery. Simultaneously high-octane and hugely atmospheric, I look forward to seeing what Cara does next.

Fast-paced from the off&hellip; I have been left wanting more.

A family at war with itself is under threat in this glossy page-turner that keeps both police and readers guessing to the final pages. Denzil Meyrick moves the intrigue from Glasgow to London, Switzerland and the delights of rural Perthshire with consummate ease.

Denzil Meyrick is a true master of his craft. I&rsquo;m in awe of his talent and The Estate proves what a gifted wordsmith he is.

Intricately plotted, great fun and full of twists, turns and entanglements, this is a rip-roaring thriller with a special sparkle.

'Absorbing . . . no run-of-the-mill tartan noir'

'One of Scotland's finest writers in any genre'

'Spellbinding . . . one of the UK's most loved crime writers'

'If you like Rankin, MacBride and Oswald, you'll love Meyrick'

'In high demand across the globe . . . A runaway hit . . . Readers instantly warm to Daley'

'Universal truths ... an unbuttoned sense of humour ... engaging and eventful'

Every family has a secret. 
The Pallanders have it all – a castle in the Scottish Highlands and an island in the Caribbean – but their perfect life is about to be shattered. 
 
Every father has a favourite. 
Sebastian Pallander dies, leaving a pitiful amount of money for his relatives to fight over. Then his son is killed in mysterious circumstances, and everyone suspects foul play. 
 
Every killer has a motive. 
The family gather at their estate and begin to wonder: who will be next? Where has all their money gone? And will anyone get what they truly deserve?

Murder at Holly House

*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

The feel-good factor of this frantic farce is off the scale. A healing comedy.

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.

A fine, intricately plotted, seasonal mystery, shot through with black humour.

Intricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour.

A thoroughly enjoyable book filled with marvellous characters, skilfully drawn settings and clever twists – a crime Christmas stocking must!

A hugely entertaining story with an authentic period feel, making it a satisfying, escapist yarn for the cold, dark nights ahead.

A successful foray into the tricky world of comic crime.

Murder at Holly House' might be the most surprising book I've read this year. With all Meyrick's trademark ingenious plotting, guile and humour, this is a sure-fire set up for a very satisfying series.

A thoroughly enjoyable book filled with marvellous characters, skilfully drawn settings and very clever twists.

Murder at Holly House is a complete joy of a historical Christmas crime novel. All the elements of a classic crime caper shot through with Yorkshire humour, cracking characters and an evocative setting. Bumbling yet brilliant Inspector Frank Grasby is the detective hero we've been waiting for. I'm crossing my fingers for more cases to come!

This was a whole load of fun. A propulsive historical thriller with wonderful characters that make the pages fly. Terrific stuff.

Meyrick is a literary genius. As chilling as a Yorkshire winter with dark humour and likeable, flawed characters. I loved this book.

Plotting and character creation are the two essentials of mystery fiction. Denzil Meyrick is a proven master of both: as evidence, I cite Murder at Holly House. Best read of the year.

Meyrick has concocted a clever tale that is at once humorous, thrilling, cosy and noirish, melding all these elements into one hugely entertaining package.

A happy book, one that should find its place under countless Christmas trees.

What a cracking series! As a crime writer, the highest compliment I can give is to say I've yet to work out an ending.

If you like Rankin, MacBride and Oswald, you'll love Meyrick.

In high demand across the globe . . . A runaway hit . . . Readers instantly warm to Daley.

Universal truths ... an unbuttoned sense of humour ... engaging and eventful.

Touches of dark humour, multi-layered and compelling.

The right amount of authenticity . . . gritty writing . . . most memorable.

*AN INSTANT NO.1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* 
*A WATERSTONES THRILLER OF THE MONTH PICK* 
 
In a village of lies, death comes with the snow... Discover the dazzling murder mystery that everyone is talking about this Christmas. 
 
'A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery' Sun 
'The feel-good factor is off the scale' The Times 
'A fun book. Playful. One to make you smile' Stuart MacBride 
 
A village of secrets. 
It’s December 1952, and a dead stranger has been found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered town of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer? Either way, he wasn’t on anyone’s Christmas wish-list. 
 
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... 
 
*** Readers love Murder at Holly House! *** 
 
'Vintage crime from a true master of the genre!' ***** Reader Review 
 
'Wonderful, imaginative and difficult to put down...a real festive treat!' ***** Reader Review 
 
'An intriguing mystery peppered with some delightful touches of humour.' ***** 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!' ***** Reader Review 
 
'Who doesn’t love a Christmas murder mystery?' ***** Reader Review

Denzil Meyrick

Ian Moore

This book is so much fun, and packed with delights. No one did character quite as well as Denzil, and Ian Moore has done an absolutely terrific job, honouring the humour, the humanity and the tradition of madcap escapades in completing this final work.  I loved it.

Denzil’s talent is unquestionable, but his versatility is underrated. One of the greats.

Ian Moore has done a wonderful job in capturing not just Denzil's style when writing Grasby, but also the spirit of the piece. It's all here, the humour, the emotion, the cricket...

The perfect yuletide mystery blending an intricate plot, memorable characters, and genuine laugh-out-loud humour.

Another hilarious outing for DI Grasby in the series. Love the post-war setting… It was great to spend time once again with Frank Grasby and Juggers.

The feel-good factor of this frantic farce is off the scale.

It’s a fun book. Playful. One to make you smile.

As snow falls, the hunt for a killer begins ... 
 
It’s Christmas Day 1954 and Frank Grasby’s father is getting married at Rowantree Hall. To make matters worse, Frank is best man. 
 
Various clergymen and Frank’s boss, Superintendent Arthur Juggers gather for the celebration. Guests line the chapel as the bride glides down the aisle. The blizzard whirls outside, cutting them off from the rest of the world as Reverend Welling steps into the pulpit. He starts to speak and stutters – then falls. The horrified guests rush to his side, but Welling is already dead. Poisoned by mistletoe. 
 
As Juggers and Grasby investigate, they discover dark secrets in this hallowed hall. Time is running out to save the wedding. Where do you turn for help, when even the clergy can’t be trusted?

Denzil Meyrick

Books by Denzil Meyrick

Series by Denzil Meyrick

A Frank Grasby Mystery3 Books

DCI Daley Thrillers1 Book

Articles featuring Denzil Meyrick

12 Christmas murder mystery books to get you feeling festive

8 of the best crime book series to start now

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