By Reginald Hill. 1972 (as by Patrick Ruell). A cross between James Bond and Bel Canto. The action took place over Christmas at an older hotel in the English countryside. A reenactment of a Dickensian Christmas with merry travelers and a diplomatic envoy incognito collide in a bloodbath. Part thriller, part espionage, and part mystery, a little dated with Russian spies delivering the drama.
