Book Review: The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict
- Megs
- Dec 28, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 7
The Christmas Murder Game
Alexandra Benedict
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published Date: September 30, 2021
Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction
279 Pages / 9 Hours 5 Minutes
Date Read: December 15-25, 2025
Format: đź“–
Source: Borrowed from a friend.
As always, if you prefer a spoiler free review please read my quick review instead of the in depth review below.
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About the Book
At the Armitage family home there is an annual Christmas Game where the winner gets an extra present. This year, the stakes are much higher. Lily Armitage has not returned since her mother died twenty-one years ago. Lily receives a letter from her aunt promising that this years' games will give her all the answers to the family's darkest secrets, including her mother's death. Now Lily is locked in the house with her cousins for twelve days to find twelve clues and twelve keys. Not everyone is playing fair. And not everyone will come out alive.
Quick Review (Spoiler Free)
This story started out with a very interesting story. Unfortunately, it became very predictable in my opinion about â…” of the way through. I also found that the wording choices and writing style that the author chose really threw me off and caused a disconnect for me with the story.
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Now, let's get into the details!!
The storyline sounded really interesting. 12 keys, 12 clues, and 12 days to figure out who is going to win the Christmas game this year and get the deed to the family house. I really enjoy a good 'whodunit' mystery. The set up for the story was great. The first 1/3 of the book did such a good job at integrating the characters and small plot points to drive the remainder of the story.
The pacing felt appropriate for the events happening and the secrets being revealed as you read through the story. Nothing felt rushed or chopped short which was the biggest win from this book. Unfortunately, it became very predictable in my opinion about â…” of the way through. I had predicted all but one of the twists in the book and it felt a bit lackluster. I like when a book can make me think and then twist what I thought I knew. This one didn't do that for me. It was like I could see through the story.
I also found that the wording choices and writing style that the author chose really threw me off and caused a disconnect for me with the story.
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