Maggie Chase hates Christmas. She has no family. Her parents died when she was in college. Her ex-husband cheated on her with her best friend. She plans to spend the holiday alone β writing her next book. But when a mysterious invitation arrives to spend Christmas in England, her editor forces her to accept.
Eleanor Ashely is the Duchess of Death and the reason Maggie writes mysteries. Maggie canβt believe her good fortune β even if it means spending the holiday with fellow author Ethan Wyatt, her arch nemesis.
A snowstorm rolls in overnight, cutting the house off from the rest of the world. In the morning, the family discovers that Eleanor is missing. She was last seen in her office, which was locked from the inside. There are no footprints outside the window.
Maggie and Ethan are concerned. Β None of the family seems distraught at the disappearance. Is Eleanor in danger? Did she leave clues behind for her author friends to follow? Just when Maggie thinks sheβs onto something, someone tries to kill her. Can she trust Ethan enough to work together to solve this mystery?
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is the second adult Ally Carter book. Itβs inspired by Agatha Christieβs disappearance. This enemies-to-lovers book has all the banter one expects from an Ally Carter novel. Β This romance/mystery contains secret rooms, poison gardens, and family motives. If youβre not a fan of Ally Carters, you will be after reading this book!
Β
She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.
He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.
She hates his guts.
He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)
But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.
That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.
She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?
As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026