Solved: mystery of Christmas whodunnit that was a hit 66 years after publication

A new edition of a 1949 crime novel has won critical praise, but its publisher knew almost nothing about the author – until now  

William Underhill, aka MoreMurder for Christmas author Francis Duncan, wife Sylvia and daughter Kathryn in 1943. Photograph: Courtesy of Katy Brown

Vanessa Thorpe - The Observer  Sunday 3 January 2016 

There is nothing more festive than an unexplained death, it seems, at least if it occurs in the pages of a seasonal whodunnit. Among a number of crime novels that did surprisingly good trade this Christmas was a title with an extra element of mystery. Murder for Christmas, a new edition of a book that first appeared in 1949, became an unexpected hit with readers and critics.

Reviewers rounding up the best titles this holiday season noted the sure narrative style and suspenseful handling of the plot. But who was the author, Francis Duncan?

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