Mint Frosting and Murder

Christmas at the castle wouldn't be the same without a little sneaky slaying...

It's almost Christmas at Audley Castle in the picture-perfect village of Audley St. Mary, and I'm looking forward to a fun, festive time with my extended family and their friends. The douglas fir in the grand hallway is festooned with decorations, presents sit under the frosted branches, fires crackle in huge fireplaces, and there's snow.

So much snow! I'm a fan of a little festive frosting, but twenty inches falling in less than a day means flights get canceled, roads blocked, and plans changed. But I'm determined to make the best of things, including helping Princess Alice Audley learn how to frost Christmas cupcakes.

When some guests make it through the snow, our plans shift again. Princess Alice's former school friends are full of fizz and chatter, some of it not merry and bright. The friend with the sharpest tongue is silenced forever when she's discovered dead in her bed on the night of her arrival.

Was it an overdose, or does the chocolate cake Princess Alice made that's been smeared across the victim's face hold a worrying clue?

With Campbell bedridden after an accident, the phone lines down due to the snow, and no one's mobile working, I'm in charge of figuring out what happened!

With my trusty four-legged sidekick and my best ditzy princess sister-in-law by my side (and my new husband), I'm determined to find the killer and ensure this Christmas is remembered for all the right reasons.

Enjoy this festive special featuring Holly Holmes and Meatball, set in your favorite English castle. Expect an overdose of Christmas treats, a mystery as twisty as a candy cane, and a dollop of puzzle cream so tempting, you'll have to read it in one sitting.