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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
2.5 stars. Not like, in a bad way? But after the way I absolutely devoured the first book, The Appeal, loved all of its twists and turns and had soooo much fun sniffing out the clues and trying to suss out what was correct and what was important information... after that, this fell flat in a very noticeable way. It just wasn't as good! I've been trying to read this for weeks, and I kept putting it down to read other stuff. I figured that was just down to me being easily distracted, and not having the time to devote to a physical read. But now that I'm done... idk, maybe it was hard to get into because the story and mystery just wasn't as good. We've got some returning characters who I really like (Sarah-Jane does crack me up) but all in all, the interpersonal drama and bickering and jockeying for power within the Fairway Players wasn't as entertaining as I might have expected. The were some new characters, but no one super interesting. I loved the breadcrumbs aspect of The Appeal, and the way I could look back, after the solution, and see hints at stuff that would have pointed the reader in the right direction. That wasn't really the case there. There were little, clues, yeah, but I don't think this was something the reader could have solved. I really wish that we had gotten more insight into certain characters, stuff that would've given this more of an emotional hook. It did have one, but since we barely got to know those characters, it felt tacked on.
Also, I saved this for Christmas because, well, I expected it to be Christmassy, and I guess it was? It certainly did take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. But it didn't really give me the Vibes I wanted. I don't know, I might be being a little too harsh on this. There truly wasn't anything bad about this, at all. If you liked the first book, you might like this too! But after how much I LOVED the first book... meh! This was just okay.
Also, I saved this for Christmas because, well, I expected it to be Christmassy, and I guess it was? It certainly did take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. But it didn't really give me the Vibes I wanted. I don't know, I might be being a little too harsh on this. There truly wasn't anything bad about this, at all. If you liked the first book, you might like this too! But after how much I LOVED the first book... meh! This was just okay.
Super cute! Especially for anyone who is or has been involved in community theatre at any point in their lives.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meh? After coming right off The Appeal, which I loved, this felt a little half-baked. I get that it's a novella and it was intentionally short, I just wish we got a proper sequel with these characters instead. I still enjoyed it.
The Christmas Appeal is a really fun return to the world of the Fairway Players. Just like Janice Hallett's other books, it is a written as a compilation of letters, emails, interview transcripts, messages etc. It's a strange format to start with, but I have always found it very easy to sink into after just a few pages. The picture builds in a really engaging way as clues come together.
The Christmas Appeal is a short festive novella following the chaotic amateur theatre group from The Appeal. The characters are just as you might remember; full of wit, sarcasm, attempts at undermining each other, and an almighty talent for getting into the most ridiculous situations. Whilst this story does involve a dead body, it is much more light-hearted and humorous. The brilliant setting of a pantomime helps to increase the silliness and adds some levity.
Recommended for fans of The Appeal. Whilst you could read this without reading The Appeal first, you won't get as much out of it, so I recommend it as a fun followup.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Christmas Appeal is a short festive novella following the chaotic amateur theatre group from The Appeal. The characters are just as you might remember; full of wit, sarcasm, attempts at undermining each other, and an almighty talent for getting into the most ridiculous situations. Whilst this story does involve a dead body, it is much more light-hearted and humorous. The brilliant setting of a pantomime helps to increase the silliness and adds some levity.
Recommended for fans of The Appeal. Whilst you could read this without reading The Appeal first, you won't get as much out of it, so I recommend it as a fun followup.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun mystery with quirky document-style format. Having not read the appeal (original book) I initially struggled with amount of characters but the writer fleshed them out well and each had diverse fun personalities. Felt the ending and twist could’ve done a lot more, a little disappointed, and occasionally dialogue felt unrealistic eg ‘texting’ a big paragraph to another character purely to explain a plot point. A lighthearted Christmas read nonetheless.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
The story is told through a series of text messages, emails and police interviews. It was entertaining and I read the whole thing in one morning, but there were no unexpected twists to make me want to read it again. The characters all had distinct personalities, except for the two lawyers whose messages were too impersonal. A lighthearted read.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes