The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly is a crime story set at Christmas, rather than one where the festive season plays a large part. It was originally published in 1958 and is set in London where an older lady, an aristocratic emigrant from Russia after the revolution, is found dead in her flat. It soon becomes obvious that she has been murdered. Princess Olga appears poor but seems to have had a collection of priceless jewellery, which is now missing. Her only relative is a grandson who works for the railways.
Scotland Yard, in the person of Inspector Nightingale, investigates. Has she been the subject of a burglary ? Do the culprits come from the Russian emigree community ? Has her grandson taken her wealth for himself ? How rich was she ? What has happened to the jewellery ? This book reads as a police procedural, in that we follow the Inspector and his assistant as they interview people and look for clues. It also becomes more of a thriller when the police officers are attacked when doing their jobs.
This reprint of a classic story is interesting and enjoyable despite the fact that it’s difficult to engage with any of the characters – there just isn’t enough depth to them. The plot is clever and the resolution is kept until the very end of the book. It’s a good read, and worth trying if you get the chance.
Anne Is Reading 