Murder on a Frosty Night by Verity Bright ~ a Review & Recipe

by Donna Huber

Wrapping presents and singing at midnight mass on a frosty night… Lady Swift is determined to enjoy Christmas at home this year, until another body turns up!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

December 2025; Bookouture; 978-1805500193
audio, ebook, print (322 pages); cozy mystery

It is the holidays in 1925 England. Newlyweds Eleanor and Hugh are looking forward to a quiet first Christmas at home at Henley Hall, along with Clifford, the ladies, and Kofi. But an urgent telegram on Christmas Eve has Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford racing to a remote hamlet. The Bryon Detective Agency is on the case!

I will admit I was looking forward to the Christmas festivities at home with the village and everyone at Henley Hall. Though they weren't able to be home, being snowed in in a very remote (like not really on any maps remote) hamlet still provided stolen moments of holiday cheer. Especially since they were arranged for the ladies and Kofi to join them before the only road in or out was completely blocked by snow.

The murder mystery was quite complicated. The person employing the Bryon Detective Agency is missing when they arrived, and later he is found dead in the graveyard just as midnight mass is ending. There is a riddle, a possible witch, and no clear motive. 

Murder on a Frosty Night is book 24 in this cozy mystery series, but you don't need to have read the previous books to start with this one. If you want to do some Christmas reading but aren't big on the Hallmark-like romance stories, then this is a fun book to pick up.

Buy Murder on a Frosty Night at Amazon

Recipe

Here's a great recipe for a hot beverage to enjoy while reading this book. Wassail was/is often served to carolers as they go house to house. Wassail is from the Old English and means "be of good health".

Wassail Punch

2 quarts Apple Cider

2 cups Cranberry Juice

2 cups Orange Juice

1/2 cup Lemon Juice

12 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

a pinch of nutmeg

a pinch of ginger

1 orange

Thickly slice the orange and stud it with cloves. Combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and spices in a crockpot. Heat on low for 8 hours. Serve hot. 

*This can also be used as a Hot Toddy if you want a more adult beverage.

If you are looking for more books to read for Christmas, be sure to check out all the 25 Days of Christmas Reading recommendations.

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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