Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage is a Churchill and Pemberley Christmas novella by Emily Organ.
The Vicarage Christmas Party has gone horribly wrong. The mince pies have been finished off. And so has the village choirmaster.
Senior sleuths Churchill and Pemberley are enjoying sherry and festive cheer at Compton Poppleford’s big event of the season, but their fun is ruined when the choirmaster is found dead in the parlour. Which of the vicar’s guests could possibly commit murder at Christmas time?
With everyone detained at the vicarage, Churchill and Pemberley find themselves in all the wrong places at all the wrong times. Their wayward, four-legged assistant isn’t helping matters either. Inspector Mappin is certain they’re his suspects and the vicar is convinced too. How can the two old ladies prove their innocence? With the net closing in, the detective duo must find the culprit to avoid spending Christmas in Compton Poppleford’s police cells.
Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage is available as ebook and paperback. Free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
Read an excerpt from Christmas Calamity at the Vicarage “It’s almost Christmas!” chimed Annabel Churchill as she hung cheerful red and silver baubles on the little fir tree in her office. “Good tidings of great joy and all that lark. I do like Christmas. Do you like Christmas, Pembers?” “I think it’s wonderful,” replied her secretary Doris Pemberley, who was sitting at her desk with a scruffy dog on her lap. “I’m so glad.” “Oswald adores Christmas.” Pemberley patted the dog’s head affectionately. “How do you know that? This is the first Christmas you’ll have spent with him.” “I can just tell that he does.” “That’s lovely. How is the festive season usually celebrated here in Compton Poppleford? What’s the main event?” “It’s all about the Vicarage Christmas Party.” “Is it any good?” “Most of the villagers attend.” “But is it any good?” “The vicar provides sherry and bitters.” “I like the sound of those.” “And a mince pie mountain.” “That’s clinched it! When is this fine event to be held?” “It’s usually the Saturday before Christmas Day unless that day is Christmas Eve, in which case it’s the Saturday before it.” “Which is?” “This Saturday.” “Well, I’m game if you are, Pembers. Shall we attend the special soirée together?” “Of course. Can Oswald come?” “I don’t see why not. Does the vicar like dogs?” “He loves them.” “Perfect.” Pemberley gave an excited gasp. “I just saw a snowflake float past the window!” “Really?” Churchill dashed over to Pemberley’s desk and peered out. “Oh yes! Look at that!” A light dusting of snow was beginning to collect on the rooftops along the high street, and Churchill felt a skip of joy beneath her large bosom. “No matter how old one is, a bit of snow always lifts the spirits, doesn’t it?” she exclaimed. The two ladies quietly watched the snow falling for a moment or two. “How will you be spending this Christmas, Mrs Churchill?” “I shall return to my former haunt of Richmond-upon-Thames for a Christmas lunch with my old acquaintances.” “The ladies from the Richmond-upon-Thames Ladies’ Lawn Tennis Club, you mean?” “Some of them, yes. What about you, Pembers?” “I usually spend Christmas with my nephew and his wife in Burton Bradstock.” “How lovely.” “But I can’t go this year.” “Why not?” “Because I’d like Oswald to spend his first Christmas at home.” “Just you and Oswald on Christmas Day?” “Yes. What’s wrong with that?” “Won’t you get bored?” “How could I possibly be bored when Oswald is around?” “I suppose it would be a little more interesting if he could play backgammon.” “I adore backgammon.” “Do you really, Pembers? I didn’t realise that. So do I.” “If you weren’t heading off to Richmond-upon-Thames for Christmas we could have played it.” “Perhaps we could do so on my return. We have the Vicarage Christmas Party to look forward to in the meantime. A mince pie mountain, eh? I had no idea Christmas in Compton Poppleford would be so exciting.”