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A review by hannahmariebrankley
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
4.0
I am going to use the Goodreads synopsis for this book;
“The Christmas season has arrived in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise money for a new church roof. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking among the amateur theatre enthusiasts with petty rivalries, a possibly asbestos-filled beanstalk, and some perennially absent players behind the scenes. Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body onstage. Who could have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they investigate Christmas letters, examine emails, and pore over police transcripts to identify both the victim and killer before the curtain closes on their holiday production—for good.”
When trying to explain this book to people, I find it difficult. Which is why I used the synopsis. This is a book of emails, text exchanges, legal documents, and WhatsApp messages… all to tell the story. It is very strange to get into, even for such a short book.
I am on the fence with this book. I enjoyed the storyline, the twists and the unusual format. For me, not reading the first book, The Appeal, has thrown me off. There are mentions of what happened in the first book that kind of spoils it a little. Overall I would say it isn’t an overly Christmassy book. But this gives an overlooked insight into Christmas at the theatre. 3.5 stars.
“The Christmas season has arrived in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise money for a new church roof. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking among the amateur theatre enthusiasts with petty rivalries, a possibly asbestos-filled beanstalk, and some perennially absent players behind the scenes. Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body onstage. Who could have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they investigate Christmas letters, examine emails, and pore over police transcripts to identify both the victim and killer before the curtain closes on their holiday production—for good.”
When trying to explain this book to people, I find it difficult. Which is why I used the synopsis. This is a book of emails, text exchanges, legal documents, and WhatsApp messages… all to tell the story. It is very strange to get into, even for such a short book.
I am on the fence with this book. I enjoyed the storyline, the twists and the unusual format. For me, not reading the first book, The Appeal, has thrown me off. There are mentions of what happened in the first book that kind of spoils it a little. Overall I would say it isn’t an overly Christmassy book. But this gives an overlooked insight into Christmas at the theatre. 3.5 stars.