Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this ARC.

Ernest Cunningham's ex-wife is suspected of having murdered her new husband Lyle. Before she calls anyone else, she calls him for help.

This is the third book in the series about Ernest Cunningham as amateur detective. I wish I'd known that as this doesn't read well as a standalone.

Apparently, technically, this is only half a book as it's only the "holiday special". We know all this because Ernest is constantly breaking the fourth wall by talking directly to the reader as a crime author telling us all about the rules of murder mysteries and what must happen next. 

And therein lies the problem for me. I simply couldn't get on with the weird "self-absorbed inner monologue of a crime writer" writing style.

The advent calendar format is quirky but the prospect of a hot Australian Christmas put me off. Altogether this didn't grab me. I'm sure he has his fans who like this because it's quirky and unusual - I simply found it irritating. Thankfully it's a very quick read.