Twelve Drummers Drumming

BY C.C. Benison, pen name for Doug Whiteway. This is a who-dunnit in the finest style of Agatha Christie. Tom Christmas, is the new vicar for the small, rural village of Thornford Regis. All Tom wants is a quiet life for him and his daughter after his wife's murder in London, but it is not to be. He becomes embroiled in mystery when a young woman's body is discovered in the village hall on Fayre Day.

Just as Jane Marple uses her wits to uncover the perpetrator, Tom follows the clues and uncovers the murderer before the police can solve the case. A wry twist keeps him from divulging his knowledge. When it appears that the murderer will escape, Tom unearths the final, damning evidence.

Benison is a Canadian, but his book is set in England. I have a rather extensive vocabulary, but I was at a loss at times with the King's English compared to our Americanizations. This book was thoroughly enjoyable and I plan to look for more of his work in the future.