The Christmas Appeal

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

5 sparkly stars! A favourite of the year! This is what I imagine the love child of “The Goes Wrong Show” and “Midsomer Murders” to look like. It's an utter delight!

The Fairway Players are back! And this time they are doing panto!

While The Appeal was slightly darkly humorous, this novella takes the funny up another notch. It is hilarious! In the most vicious, juicy and gossipy way imaginable!

Oh, and there's obviously going to be a murder that our two lawyers from the first book have to puzzle out!

All around amazing and I hope Janice Hallett writes more novellas to go in between her main books!

If you liked The Appeal, this is a great peek into the lives of the Fairway Theater players. It's is a novella sequel to the amazing first book. The format is in the same style, detectives are reading over emails of everyone involved in a mystery and trying to figure out what the mystery and its solution is.

This format is great because it makes you feel like one of the detectives, plus it's also really easy to read. At times it feels like reading a reality TV episode, since you get to hear everything they're up to, what they say behind each others' backs and so on.

Knowing that something will go wrong the whole time (since the detectives are told so at the very beginning) really puts you on edge to try to see when it's gonna happen. However, I do think this is focused on the interpersonal relationships and the troupe drama more than the mystery for most of the book. And there's plenty of drama! So much backstabbing, gossiping, ulterior motives, and everyone wanting to be in the limelight... It's all delicious!

I do wish the mystery was a bit more involved but I suppose it makes sense with the length of the book. As well as the cozy vibes.

This is the perfect fun Christmas read with a sprinkle of mystery and lots of drama, especially for fans of The Appeal or epistolary books.

Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for the eARC!

A fun and quick return to Lockwood and the Fairways Players, and another mystery to solve.

I think given how short this is, it's definitely worth reading The Appeal first. Although there's no link in the stories/mystery, knowing a bit about the town, the characters and the history of the drama club will be useful otherwise it could feel a bit underdeveloped.

Book Review: The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Stars

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett is a delightful and immersive holiday caper that follows the uproarious antics of the Fairway Players theater group as they endeavor to put on a Christmas play and unravel a murder mystery that threatens to derail their production.

Set in the festive atmosphere of Lower Lockwood, the story revolves around the amateur theater enthusiasts of the Fairway Players who are fervently rehearsing for their holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise funds for a new church roof. However, amidst the holiday cheer, tensions simmer among the group due to petty rivalries, a suspicious beanstalk, and perennially absent players.

The plot thickens with the discovery of a dead body onstage, prompting lawyers Femi and Charlotte to launch their investigation. As they delve into Christmas letters, scrutinize emails, and pore over police transcripts, they race against time to unmask the victim and the killer before it's curtains for their holiday production.

The book's cover is undeniably stunning, drawing readers into its festive world. Hallett's storytelling prowess shines through in this novel, eliciting frequent bursts of laughter from readers. The unique narrative style, conveyed entirely through emails and messages, adds an innovative twist to the storytelling, although it may require some adjustment for first-time readers. Nevertheless, the novella format makes it an accessible and enjoyable option for readers seeking a lighthearted yet engaging read.

In conclusion, The Christmas Appeal is a captivating and entertaining read that seamlessly blends humor, mystery, and holiday charm. With its engaging narrative style and uproarious plot, it is a perfect choice for those seeking a whimsical holiday-themed escapade. Hallett's adept storytelling ensures that this novella is a superlative choice for an enjoyable and laughter-filled read during the festive season.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️