Mrs. Shullivan and I have a few TV series that always come through with good family entertainment and at the top of our list is Murdoch Mysteries. This extended 85 minute TV Christmas special will certainly get Murdoch fans right into the Christmas spirit and may remind some fans of their own childhood Christmas's where giving was more important than getting. Throw in actor Ed Asner as Kris Kringle and Downton Abbey's John Bates (Brendan Coyle) as the mean spirit Krampus and you now have another great murder mystery for William Murdoch to solve.

This episode is a must see for two reasons: 1. It is a Christmas themed episode 2. It is another great Murdoch "Mystery" that we the audience get to guess the "whodunit?"

I give it a perfect 10 out of 10 rating.

Review date 5/27/2019

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.

The special follows Detective Murdoch and the team at Station House No. 4 who are called to investigate when a rich philanthropist is murdered, which may result in many of Toronto's underprivileged losing Christmas after the presents he hands out every year go missing. As the investigation unfolds, Murdoch believes he has found the murderer in one Cyrus Lynch, but when he turns up dead and the presents are still missing, Murdoch and colleagues have to find out who killed him.

This is very entertaining. This is not your "Hallmark" film. So be aware of that. This is not an overly violent film for the image of a "Dead Santa" to children might be too much.

Now the story might be confusing at times but then again I was watching this late at night. What this special does have is "Christmas Spirit" . I loved the ending of this film. A MUST SEE

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.