The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Book Club Kit
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is the official December 2026 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.
Last year I picked a steamy Christmas romance for our end of year pick but I'm always looking to shake things up!
If Hallmark romances make you want to gag, I think you'll be thrilled with this unique Christmas mystery. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is perfect for fans of Knives Out, with a little tinsel tossed on top.
I hope you enjoy this month's book just as much as I did. If you want to see my full thoughts, you can read my The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year book review here!
P.S. Just joining us? Don't miss the full list of 2026 book club book picks.
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This book club pick is one of the awesome books from our twelfth year of book club.
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What is The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year About?
The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas.
Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:
She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.
He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy.
She hates his guts.
He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)
But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.
That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.
She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?
As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.
Assuming they don’t kill each other first.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Discussion Questions
I believe the best book club questions to spark a lively discussion in your group help readers make personal connections to the story.
You can read about how to write the best book club questions on your own here, but hopefully these will get you started!
Question 1:
If this month's book was a venn diagram of the genres it samples, which circles would you add to the chart? Is one genre or another more predominant or are they all equal?
Question 2:
If you were the heroine in this mystery, how quickly would you have solved the case?
Question 3:
How did you feel about Ethan at the beginning of the story? Did your feelings change? When?
Question 4:
If you had lunch with Maggie and she asked your advice whether she should go on this trip, what would you have told her?
Question 5:
Do you think the story could have been just as effective if it were set in the United States instead of England?
Question 6:
How many different romance tropes are used in this book? Can you name them?
Question 7:
How did you feel about the ending? Is there anything you might have changed?
Book Club Party Menu
I think it is so fun to plan your book club dinner menu or dessert list based on the theme of the book.
Since the book takes place in England during the holidays, why not host a holiday tea party for your book club meeting?
You could choose any number of finger sandwiches to add to a tea tray but Coronation chicken sandwiches would be truly authentic. You can fix the chicken salad in advance and just assemble the finger sandwiches before serving.
Then add a batch of chocolate chip scones with almond extract for a little holiday flair. It wouldn't be a proper tea party without mock clotted cream to go with!
And on the top tier of your tea tray, add an assortment of bite-sized cookies. My easy Irish shortbread cookies are perfect with Earl Grey or a mug of hot cocoa if you prefer.
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