The Christmas Market Murder

The Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries, Book 6

By: Peter Boland

Narrated by: Zara Ramm

'Tis the season for mince pies, mulled wine... and murder!

A dead body. A locked Christmas stall with no way in or out. A cunning killer who's gone before the tea's gone cold.

Christmas in Southbourne should be all twinkly lights and festive cheer, but Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue—the retired trio who run Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop— have little to celebrate. What with the elusive "Southbourne Stalker" prowling the streets of their sleepy seaside town, they're in need of a little seasonal magic.

The new Christmas market seems the perfect tonic: fairy lights in the pines, the scent of cinnamon on the air, and mugs of steaming mulled wine. Until...

A desperate scream shatters the calm.

Postmaster Scott Preston is trying to break into a locked market stall. His father's inside—and in terrible trouble. By the time the door is forced, it's too late. His father is dead.

The police say he took his own life. But Scott can't believe that's true. His dad was many things, but tidy wasn't one of them—and the stall is suspiciously spotless. Someone had a good clear-up before making their getaway.

Now the ladies must unwrap a mystery knottier than a string of Christmas lights, before someone else ends up six feet under the mistletoe.

Fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Janice Hallett, Simon Brett, Ian Moore, and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett will adore this exciting new talent in cozy crime.

©2025 Peter Boland (P)2026 Podium Audio

Entertaining, fun and delightful

Loved the book and narration. Funny and entertaining. Will read again in the future. Greats characters and writing style.

Excellent mystery with Twists and surprise ending

Peter Boland's Christmas Market Murder is a awesome cozy read with numerous twists and turn all the way to the end. It starts with a suicide within a lock room and a stalker which is causing potential buyers to stay away. Our group of investigators are unable to find out who the stalker who and if there is any connection to the death at the Christmas Market.

While trying to ride out the downturn in foot traffic, several people ask them to find out if the suicide is really a murder. The request comes with a donation of cash for the Charity. Fiona, Sue and Daisy are on the case.

This is my favorite in series and look forward to more from Mr. Boland.

I also enjoy the narrator Zara Ramm enough to have followed her to several other series.

Lovely cozy locked room mystery

I just love the Charity Shop Detectives - it’s cozy. It’s sweet. And Zara is one of the best narrators out there!

Great story and great narrator!

I love this utterly charming and beautifully performed series! I can’t wait for the next one!

Never figured it out until the end

Great story with a bit of a twist “of the knife”. The Charity Shop Detectives are at it again. It’s a difficult case with 2 clients! So happy they are back! I have been waiting for this 5 book in the series!