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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for the e-arc.
I really wanted to like this book, the idea/premise sounded super interesting; but it just fell very flat for me. None of the characters were fleshed out and the story was very predictable yet beyond complicated. Since most of the twists and surprises were revealed early on there was not anticipation for what was going to happen next as you read through the story. I did consider DNF'ing this book, but I pushed through and did complete it.
Overall this is a 2 star read for me, I think the premise was great, but the execution was severely lacking.
I really wanted to like this book, the idea/premise sounded super interesting; but it just fell very flat for me. None of the characters were fleshed out and the story was very predictable yet beyond complicated. Since most of the twists and surprises were revealed early on there was not anticipation for what was going to happen next as you read through the story. I did consider DNF'ing this book, but I pushed through and did complete it.
Overall this is a 2 star read for me, I think the premise was great, but the execution was severely lacking.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Murder, Pregnancy
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It does what it says on the tin. There is Christmas, there is murder, there is a game. I wanted a Christmas murder mystery, taking place in a traditional English country house, ideally snowed-in for an added complication.
My boyfriend and I made it our Christmas read, and the fact the main character was 21 weeks pregnant (while I was 18 weeks) definitely added to the experience and made it relatable. Except, of course, the fact that I luckily don't belong to an absurdly murderous family.
The plot started off decent but veered into the ridiculous quite sharply, as they do. The story didn't rock my world, but I'm not mad. My expectations weren't high, given it was a 99p Kindle offering.
My boyfriend and I made it our Christmas read, and the fact the main character was 21 weeks pregnant (while I was 18 weeks) definitely added to the experience and made it relatable. Except, of course, the fact that I luckily don't belong to an absurdly murderous family.
The plot started off decent but veered into the ridiculous quite sharply, as they do. The story didn't rock my world, but I'm not mad. My expectations weren't high, given it was a 99p Kindle offering.
The Christmas Murder Game was cheerful, festive crap.
I'm not sure how it managed to seem like a cheerful read when the cast were dropping like flies and most of the characters had been bereaved in truly horrible ways, but it still managed to sweep along as a festive romp.
Lily is invited back to her childhood home / mansion, Endgame House, to play one last Christmas Game. Her deceased Aunt Liliana has left clues that should spell out how Lily's Mum was brutally murdered (festive...) Also, whoever wins the game gets the house.
There are also anagrams for the reader to find, which may have distracted me from the ropy writing:
"There are so many secrets here, jostling like a pudding in a steamer."
"The Winter stars stand out like white dots on dominoes."
"...feeding her voice with compassion like a Christmas cake with whisky."
"A smirk runs under her lips like a rat beneath a red carpet."
Is death by simile possible?
Ah, who cares? I had good fun reading this. Even though the characters were one-dimensional, the plot plain ridiculous and the whole thing as subtle as a snowball to the face. (Or, if we're copying Benedict's signature simile style: "as subtle as an early 1990s Swingball racquet to the face.")
Ahh, I should be nicer. It is Christmas after all. I did quite like:
"The night passes slowly, as interminable as a Monopoly game."
We've all been there.
Anyway, don't expect a dazzling return to the Golden Age of crime and you may really enjoy this festive bloodbath.
I'm not sure how it managed to seem like a cheerful read when the cast were dropping like flies and most of the characters had been bereaved in truly horrible ways, but it still managed to sweep along as a festive romp.
Lily is invited back to her childhood home / mansion, Endgame House, to play one last Christmas Game. Her deceased Aunt Liliana has left clues that should spell out how Lily's Mum was brutally murdered (festive...) Also, whoever wins the game gets the house.
There are also anagrams for the reader to find, which may have distracted me from the ropy writing:
"There are so many secrets here, jostling like a pudding in a steamer."
"The Winter stars stand out like white dots on dominoes."
"...feeding her voice with compassion like a Christmas cake with whisky."
"A smirk runs under her lips like a rat beneath a red carpet."
Is death by simile possible?
Ah, who cares? I had good fun reading this. Even though the characters were one-dimensional, the plot plain ridiculous and the whole thing as subtle as a snowball to the face. (Or, if we're copying Benedict's signature simile style: "as subtle as an early 1990s Swingball racquet to the face.")
Ahh, I should be nicer. It is Christmas after all. I did quite like:
"The night passes slowly, as interminable as a Monopoly game."
We've all been there.
Anyway, don't expect a dazzling return to the Golden Age of crime and you may really enjoy this festive bloodbath.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very predictable
Mam co do niej totalnie mieszane uczucia. Pewne rozwiązania bardzo na plus, inne dość naciągane, stworzone na siłę i niezbyt wiarygodne. Od połowy bawiłam się całkiem nieźle i nawet już aż tak bardzo nie gryzły mnie literówki czy niespójności.
Niezła grudniowa poczytajka.
Niezła grudniowa poczytajka.