Mata Hari Books in Order

The Mata Hari series begins with a fun but sharp setup. In The Murders of Christmas Past, it is Christmas Day, there has been a murder, and a flu epidemic has emptied Prestwich Police Station in Manchester of almost everyone who might normally handle the case. That leaves DC Mata Hari as the only detective standing.

She is not exactly backed by a dream team. The only person available to help is PCSO Wong Wang, and it is only his third day on the job. From there the series gets its energy from necessity. There is no time for ideal staffing, elaborate planning, or waiting until the holiday is over. A murder has happened, and Mata Hari has to get moving with whoever is left.

That pressure gives the story a nice pace.

Even in novella form, the appeal is clear. Mata Hari is the kind of investigator who has to think on her feet and make do with the people and information in front of her. The Christmas setting adds atmosphere, but not warmth. Snow, empty streets, and a half-shut station create a sense of isolation that turns a simple holiday case into something more tense.

What you should expect here is a brisk police mystery with dry humor, seasonal atmosphere, and a lead who has to prove herself fast. The series may be smaller in scale than some of Ellis's big ensemble procedurals, but it has the same interest in capable people handling ugly situations under pressure.