The Greek Who Stole Christmas
Encyclopedia
The Greek Who Stole Christmas is a short Diamond Brothers
story by Anthony Horowitz
, first published in 2007. It tells the tale of the two Diamond brothers meeting a fictional pop star who is only referred to as "Minerva". It features an increased amount of the comedy from the other books and all of the usual work with homonyms. The title itself is a reference to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, a story by Dr. Seuss
.
At a meeting at her hotel, they learn that the death threat may have something to do with a cancelled concert that was meant to benefit a society called Overweight Albanian Kids (OAK). Minerva's husband, Harold Chase, is especially worried since Minerva will be appearing in public the following day, having been booked to turn on the Regent Street
Christmas lights. A box of crackers is sent to the room with a death threat inside. Tim and Nick are shocked to hear that Minerva hates Christmas and everything about it, but agree to be at the event to protect her.
At Regent Street the next day, someone fires two shots. In the ensuing commotion, Tim accidentally turns on the lights, spoiling the ceremony. However, now that they are on, Harold easily spots someone on one of the rooftops, holding what looks like a gun. Nick rushes to the rooftop via the store below, but only hears the supposed assassin say "I d-d-didn't..." before he runs away. Chase fires Tim.
The next day, the brothers hear that a man called Reginald Parker has been murdered, and Tim's card was found next to the body. Nick recognises him as the man on the roof. Nick realises that Minerva is still in danger and rushes Tim to Harrods
, where she is due to appear. When they get there, they find Minerva with an unopened present that the department store Santa gave her. Nick tells her it is a bomb, and passing Chief Inspector Snape proves him right. The group go inside the grotto
, where Nick reveals the Santa that gave her the bomb is Chase, her husband.
Then Nick explains that Chase wanted to kill Minerva due to her hatred of Christmas. He faked the death threat and to avoid suspicion, hired a private detective (Tim), while at the same time making sure that he was dumb and half-witted. Then, he paid Parker to go up on the rooftops, but fired some blanks from his pocket. Then, he killed Parker since he knew he was working as the Harrods Santa, Nick realises Tim's card fell out of his pocket during the fight. He took his place, and began waiting till Minerva would visit, then he would give her the bomb.
In the end, Nick and Tim get paid ten thousand pounds, and buy plane tickets to Australia so they can visit their parents.
The Diamond Brothers
The Diamond Brothers is a series of humorous children's detective books by Anthony Horowitz, the first of which was published in 1986. The books tell the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond, and his little brother, Nick Diamond, who is considerably more intelligent...
story by Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
, first published in 2007. It tells the tale of the two Diamond brothers meeting a fictional pop star who is only referred to as "Minerva". It features an increased amount of the comedy from the other books and all of the usual work with homonyms. The title itself is a reference to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, a story by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
.
Plot summary
Christmas is fast approaching and once again Tim Diamond and his younger brother Nick are flat broke. So when they are hired to investigate an anonymous death threat made to world-famous Greek pop singer and movie actress Minerva, they jump at the chance.At a meeting at her hotel, they learn that the death threat may have something to do with a cancelled concert that was meant to benefit a society called Overweight Albanian Kids (OAK). Minerva's husband, Harold Chase, is especially worried since Minerva will be appearing in public the following day, having been booked to turn on the Regent Street
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London's West End, well known to tourists and Londoners alike, and famous for its Christmas illuminations...
Christmas lights. A box of crackers is sent to the room with a death threat inside. Tim and Nick are shocked to hear that Minerva hates Christmas and everything about it, but agree to be at the event to protect her.
At Regent Street the next day, someone fires two shots. In the ensuing commotion, Tim accidentally turns on the lights, spoiling the ceremony. However, now that they are on, Harold easily spots someone on one of the rooftops, holding what looks like a gun. Nick rushes to the rooftop via the store below, but only hears the supposed assassin say "I d-d-didn't..." before he runs away. Chase fires Tim.
The next day, the brothers hear that a man called Reginald Parker has been murdered, and Tim's card was found next to the body. Nick recognises him as the man on the roof. Nick realises that Minerva is still in danger and rushes Tim to Harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
, where she is due to appear. When they get there, they find Minerva with an unopened present that the department store Santa gave her. Nick tells her it is a bomb, and passing Chief Inspector Snape proves him right. The group go inside the grotto
Santa's Grotto
- The Legend of Santa's Workshop :Santa's Workshop or Santa's Grotto, is the workshop where Santa Claus makes the toys and presents given out at Christmas. In Santa Claus mythology, the workshop is a sprawling complex located at the North Pole...
, where Nick reveals the Santa that gave her the bomb is Chase, her husband.
Then Nick explains that Chase wanted to kill Minerva due to her hatred of Christmas. He faked the death threat and to avoid suspicion, hired a private detective (Tim), while at the same time making sure that he was dumb and half-witted. Then, he paid Parker to go up on the rooftops, but fired some blanks from his pocket. Then, he killed Parker since he knew he was working as the Harrods Santa, Nick realises Tim's card fell out of his pocket during the fight. He took his place, and began waiting till Minerva would visit, then he would give her the bomb.
In the end, Nick and Tim get paid ten thousand pounds, and buy plane tickets to Australia so they can visit their parents.