The bridge is shut. The phones are down.

And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days before Christmas . . .

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She's the new Queen of the Cosy Mystery. He's Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. They hate each other's guts.

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. Then, under the cover of night, the weather turns - and in the morning Eleanor is gone.

This Christmas, rivals will have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor. Assuming they don't kill each other first . . .

Knives Out gets a rom-com twist in The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, a rivals-to-lovers Christmas mystery-romance from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

Praise for Ally Carter:

'Delightful, hilarious, unputdownable' - Ali Hazelwood, bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

'Brilliant banter, clever humor, and so many swoon worthy scenes' - Stephanie Garber, author of the Caraval series

'Ally is a rom-com genius!' - Sarah Adams, author of Practice Makes Perfect