User Reviews

It's Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas all rolled together. At a Christmas party the host, Cyrus McGowan, dressed as Santa Clause is murdered. Inspector Thomas Brackenreid cancels all time off until the killer is found; and worse has Kris Kringle arrested and thrown into jail as a possible murder suspect.

Constable George Crabtree is crushed as his aunts are off on a trip, and he is facing Christmas alone. Constable Henry Higgins won't be able to see his girl. Constable Jackson is having his Christmas spirit crushed as he won't be with his mother. And Brankenreid is being haunted by a Christmas monster: the Krampus, a monster who devours children.

The primary suspect, Cyrus Lynch turns up dead, frozen in a block of ice; and like McGowan , his neck was snapped. A neck, Inspector Brankenreid claims was snapped by the Krampus. Millicent McGowan suggests Murdoch visit Robert Kratchit in search of clues. And young chatty Mary Pickford, future silent film star, is upset that everyone in Toronto is in danger of losing their Christmas spirit. Even Dr. Julia Ogden seems upset that Kringle has been let out of jail by Constable Jackson. So who has murdered two men and stolen the presents that were meant for the orphans of Toronto? Is it possible the Christmas hating Krampus is out intent on ensuring everyone hates Christmas. He certainly has Brankenreid in his corner as he seems to hate what he sees as nothing but a disappointing holiday.

Things are bleak at the station house even as Brankenreid sends everyone home insisting they will start again as soon as Christmas day passes. Murdoch mistakenly invites George home which ruins the surprise gift Julia had for Murdoch: herself all wrapped up and ready to be opened. Murdoch attempts to make Christmas safe by inventing Christmas tree lights, but can't seem to control the illumination. (Hello Clark Griswold)

Brankenreid learns a lesson at home when he discovers his boys have taken their gifts to the orphanage so the poor children will have toys. A lesson that helps the Inspector forgive and grow in his heart.(Maybe three sizes) And Finally Murdoch is closing in on the killer. It seems that an embittered partner might be responsible: the accountant Rankin. Or could it be something else?

As the Krampus flees, Murdoch channeling Indiana Jones attempts to catch it and it turns out to be . . . . I could give away the ending but that wouldn't be much of a Christmas present. Let's say there are a few surprises but the guilty party (s) is caught.

And, of course, everyone gets their Christmas wish, finds their Christmas spirit, so to all a very, very Merry Christmas.

What's Christmas on Murdoch Mysteries without a murder mystery?

Obviously, a murder during this time of year seems a little dark. But all the many characters and other stories help to lighten things up. A rich benefactor is murdered at a Christmas play at a children's charity and all of the children's presents are stolen. Brackenreid thinks it Krampus. Lol. George also believes in the Krampus theory. Murdoch just kind of rolls his eyes at all of this.

Besides the murder, our quirky characters are having difficulties with all the usual humor and fun interactions with each other. George's Christmas plans with his Aunties get messed up and he's trying to figure out how to spend it with other people so he won't be alone. Unfortunately, everyone else has plans and George feels lonely about the whole thing. Poor George. Brackenreid hates Christmas based on some childhood drama as his family was poor and he saw Krampus as a little boy. Jackson embodies the Christmas spirit as he really wants to have a Christmas tree at the station and believes the real Santa s there.

Notable guest stars are Brendan Coyle from Downton Abby and the amazing Ed Asner who plays Kris Kringle(who Jackson thinks s the real deal). Notable historical character: Mary Pickford as a young girl who plays the Little Match Girl in the play.

George misinterprets a request from Murdoch as an invitation to spend Christmas with him and Julia and goes with him to Murdoch's residence for Christmas. Hilarious when Julia wraps herself up as a present for Murdoch in a saucy outfit. Both Murdoch and George are surprised as they get an eyeful. Made even funnier when Julia asks George if he wants a breast or a leg for his dinner, to which he replies whatever she thinks is appropriate. Lol.

Love the end when the gang, Murdoch, Brackenreid, Julia, and George, track Krampus/the killer through the giant maze.

This is a cozy Christmas-time murder mystery that is adventurous and fun because of the storytelling and the way they weave all the quirky characters and their fun interactions into the mix. Nice too, because it's a movie and is an hour and 25 minutes. I always watch all the Murdoch Christmas movies now every year. 10/10.