The Case of the Christmas Card

About the book

A festive murder mystery novella featuring Ali Dawson

No-one is more surprised than time-travelling detective Ali Dawson when Charles Dickens suddenly turns up on her doorstep a few days before Christmas. The Great Writer is as baffled as she is as to how he got there. Ali takes him in, despite being preoccupied with a new cold case around the murdered artist Sylvester Strong.

Dickens is a rather demanding house guest. However, as a detective, he shows distinct promise and together they embark on finding the truth behind the appearance of new paintings by the deceased artist. On top of that Nell, the daughter of Ali's best friend Meg, has vanished without a trace.

As the whole of London is in full festive swing and preparing for the most special day of the year, Ali and Dickens are exploring the town, desperate to solve not just one but two crime cases. Will they succeed before Christmas Day arrives and more importantly, will Charles find a way back home?

'Most writers of popular fiction would love to invoke the spirit of Dickens at Christmas but Elly Griffiths does this like literally no one else' - Rev. Richard Coles

'Mulled Wine Crime - warming and intoxicating' - Ian Moore

'Dickens and Dawson make a great sleuthing combination' - Lucinda Hawksley

'Warm and engaging characters and a wildly brilliant story wittily told' - Ann Cleeves 

'Ali Dawson is a delight - a detective you'll want to spend more time with' - JP Delaney

'Elly Griffiths has done it again. Warm, witty and outrageously believable. I loved it' - Sarah Hilary

'Here's a paradox: a thriller that is full of zest and joy' - Nicci French

'Ali Dawson could be the most fun time-travelling detective since Dirk Gently' - Chris Brookmyre