Janice Hallett has a unique way with her stories been transcripts. Lawyers Femi and Charlotte investigate letters, emails and police transcripts to identify the murder of the Fairway Players Christmas Pantomime. It can be a bit difficult to follow the characters talking due to the unique way of reading texts. Taken as a light Christmas mystery this is good for a winter read.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

Oh yes this is what Im here for - a brilliant Janice Hallett Christmas special, definitely one to read for that Christmas murdery fix!

Taking us back to the Fairway Players with some familiar faces and some newbies too, 'The Christmas Appeal' is an exemplary follow up to 'The Appeal'. Told in the same multi-media format as previously, we get transcripts of emails, phone calls, WhatsApps and of course the cringing Round Robin letter that sets the scene so perfectly.
This time the Fairway Players are staging their annual Christmas panto, under the leadership of a new Chair, Sarah-Jane. But the previous Chair is not taking it well, determined to subtly undermine Sarah-Jane at every opportunity. How far will she go? Our detectives Charlotte and Femi have been tasked with finding out what has happened to who, why, how and when!

It delivered everything I was hoping for and more, in one beautifully wrapped Christmas package. A festive five stars.

The cast of Janice Hallett's brilliant debut The Appeal put on a panto in this short sequel - and it goes exactly as well as you might expect. The Christmas Appeal is a ridiculous romp, packed with wordplay, clever clues and small-town drama both onstage and off. It's a festive farce for crime-lovers; a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I am a big fan of The Appeal and so I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read an early copy of The Christmas Appeal. Although the events follow on from The Appeal and features some familiar characters; it is a new story and would work as a stand alone.

For me the success of these books is the unique style. The book is written in a mixture of messages and emails, which not only help the story flow but also draws you in and you find it difficult to put down! This format makes the narrative accessible and familiar, adding a level of authenticity and humour. Despite only showing us the characters through their messages and emails; Janice Hallett is able to reveal a lot about them. I felt I knew them and had the measure of them.

On one level it’s a mystery story, the clues are laid down and the reader is challenged to work out the solution before the characters. On another level, it is a humorous glimpse into the workings of a small community group and although their exploits are exaggerated, the relationships and politics will be recognisable to a lot of readers.

I thoroughly enjoyed being back in Lower Lockwood and this felt like a perfect festive read. I thoroughly recommend immersing yourself in the antics of The Fairway Players over the Christmas season.

The Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, as the church roof needs attention.
They are not a happy bunch of players with many different ego's and Sarah-Jane is trying to get them all pulling in the same direction.
some are trying to ruin the production but then a body is discovered inside the large beanstalk.
Femi and Charlotte are lawyers trying to piece together all the emails, texts and conversations between the different members.
More importantly will the pantomime go ahead!!

I felt like the book too long to get started and it losing my attention. However the book did start did start picking up and I love when I get so invested that I play along.

Absolute joy to read from start to finish. I love Janice writing and the unique way she tells a story. She is fast becoming an autobuy author to me. If you liked the appeal by the same author pick this up.

The Fairway Players are back in this festive story and we see the drama involved when they produce their Christmas pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. Of course being a cosy crime mystery there happens to be a dead body with a puzzle to work out who the victim and suspect could be.

I enjoyed that this was written in the author’s signature style, in a series of transcripts, and found that I flew through it. I loved seeing all the characters come back, as unlikeable as some of them are! I especially enjoyed the added humour in this book and the petty dramas between the characters. Overall this was a lighthearted, fun novella and perfect for a quick Christmas read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy.

I really enjoyed reading this return to the Fairway Players. It was a great fun read that made me smile and try to puzzle out the mystery in equal measures. Janice Hallett is a great author who brings all the characters to life. A really great read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this festive novel.

Another great one from Janice Hallett!

We’re back with the Fairway Players and with all the excitement that goes into putting on a panto! As before with The Appeal, we’re given texts, emails and newspaper clippings to work out alongside Femi and Charlotte the whodunnit! I really like this way of setting out the story and slowly revealing all the twists and turns.

All in all a fab festive sequel!

5 ⭐️

The Christmas Appeal is a wonderful complement to Hallett's earlier book, The Appeal - and although I'd argue it can probably be read as a standalone, I think the most benefit would be received by those already familiar with the world of the Fairway Players.

Although only a novella, it is immediately engaging and throws you head first into the style of the book as well as the characters and all their little dramas. I was able to get through it very quickly and it definitely left me wanting more. Although the mystery isn't as good as that in The Appeal, mostly because it doesn't have the same amount of space to explore its central event, it was still a blast to read and very much gave us the same ingredients as Hallett's first book, but with a festive twist.

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early read!

In this festive follow-up to The Appeal, young lawyers Femi and Charlotte are again asked to read a bundle of emails, WhatsApp messages and other correspondence and present their conclusions about what has happened to Roderick Tanner KC. The action once again centres around amateur dramatic group the Fairway Players. now with a reduced cast and changed dynamics following the conclusion of The Appeal.

The Fairway Players, now chaired by Sarah-Jane MacDonald and her husband Kevin, are preparing for their annual panto. Sarah-Jane lacks the unquestioned authority enjoyed by her predecessors, and has Celia and Joel Halliday trying to undermine her at every turn in a bid to take over as chairs. The Christmas Appeal is much more outwardly humorous and altogether less serious than The Appeal, and there are lots of laughs to be found in the passive-aggressive communications between the two families.

This isn't just a 'whodunnit'; it's also a 'what has been done', and there are red herrings everywhere as Femi and Charlotte try to figure out what has happened and to whom.

The Christmas Appeal is a short, light-hearted mystery with plenty of warmth and humour, and a welcome chance to catch up with some of the characters from The Appeal.
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Of the many, many books I have read this year, The Christmas Appeal is absolutely one of my stand out favourites. If you're new to Janice Hallett's novels, the whole book is written as a series of emails and messages between the main characters, with a few solicitor conversations interspersed.

This style lends itself beautifully to the politics of a local amateur dramatics production of Jack and the Beanstalk. With the current co-chairs Sarah-Jane and Kevin Macdonald at war with the previous incumbents Celia and Joel Halliday, things get heated straight away. You won't be able to stop yourself giggling at the full on 'Karen' tone of some of the emails, plus the exchanges between teenager Harley and his parents are classic.

Whilst there are plenty of humourous moments, there's also a dark side to the panto, especially when a mummified Santa pops out of the (potentially asbestos laden) giant beanstalk!

This book is not the longest so it makes for a brilliant weekend read, you won't want to put it down!

I absolutely loved The Appeal, so I was excited to see that Hallett had written a follow-up. And not only that, but a festive follow-up too!

Written in the same style, chopping between email exchanges, text messages, and other correspondence as Femi and Charlotte return to piece this puzzle together, The Christmas Appeal is another gripping and unpredictable mystery, you really will struggle to put it down. And at only 200 pages long, you won't have to!

This is the perfect binge-able crime to get cosy with this festive season. The story keeps you constantly engaged and your theories ticking away, while the characters have you laughing and the twists add in a few shocks. At first, I thought the story was wrapping up too quickly, but I ended up loving how everything was tied together, and am yet again left impressed by Hallett's intelligent mind.

If you enjoyed The Appeal, you are guaranteed to love this one. If you haven't read anything by Hallett before, this will definitely get you adding all of her other books to your Christmas list!

An interesting plot with quirky characters. The book is however let down by the total use of email, text and other tech media to provide the story. As the book is short I stuck with it. Unlike proper prose, this format does not allow the reader to 'get into the book' but ends up as an onlooker on the outside.

“The Christmas Appeal” is a perfect festive read, amusing, atmospheric and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed being reacquainted with the Fairway Players through their somewhat farcical but meaningful adventures as they plan, rehearse and perform their yearly panto.

The law abiding characters in the book are caricatures of many you might find in local committees be it school council, am dram, kids clubs the list is endless well meaning, hard working folk but there are always those who gossip, hide secrets & longings and there are always people uncomfortable with change. As for the not so law abiding elements hopefully there are fewer of those scattered round the country hiding in villages and towns discreetly joining said committees and groups but they do make for wonderful reading material, mysteries, mayhem and gossip.

I love Janice Hallet’s unique style that lets the mysteries unfold through texts, e-mails, newspaper clippings and Whatsapp conversations. I was completely immersed in the world of the Fairway Players as seen through these snippets and correspondence between two young lawyers, Femi and Charlotte, as they try to sift through catty messages, gossip, round robin Christmas letters and more to see what and if there is an actual mystery or murder to be solved. The book is cleverly formatted and we see all the correspondence / documents just as Femi and Charlotte do and as we read we can surmise and investigate too.

By now I've read every Janice Hallett book and she's become a favourite author. The Christmas Appeal is no different. It was so good to go back to these characters in the aftermath of the events of The Appeal. Sometimes when authors revisit a popular story it can be hit or miss, but in this case I loved it. And that ending! always explosive.

3.5 stars rounded up.

The Appeal 1.5.

Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtains go up. Of course, there's also the matter of the dead body. Who could have possibly has the victim on the naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine emails and pour over police transcripts. Will the show go on?

There is just about as much drama off-stage as there is on it. It did take me a little while to get into the story, as there was no action for a good chunk of the story. I took off half a star for that reason. Once I got into the story, it was actually quite a pleasant and simple mystery. Like The Appeal, it's once again written mainly in emails. We also get a catch-up with some of the characters too. There is some humour in this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #SerpentsTailViperProfileBooks and the author #JaniceHallett for my ARC of #TheChristmasAppeal in exchange for an honest review.

Yes, I’ve done it, used the C-word in October! But only for a very special reason, you understand. To talk abuot The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett. This charming novella is an accompaniment and follow up to her best-selling murder mystery, The Appeal.

If you’re not familiar, The Appeal is a very clever murder mystery centred around the escapades (including a murder) of an amateur dramatic group, The Fairway Players. And, as it turns out, they are in a spot of bother again.

Like all of Janice Hallett’s books, The Christmas Appeal is structured as a modern epistolary novel, with the story told through primarily emails and texts. I had such a good time reading this. It’s just so very funny and tongue-in-cheek in tone, it absolutely does tip into slapstick territory at times but in the very best way. It embraces the very British sense of humour when it comes to small town passive-aggression, personal grudges and Christmas traditions.

The Fairway Players are putting on their Christmas pantomine and, as she is newly leading the group. Sarah-Jane wants it to be spectacular. She decides on a panto classic, Jack & the Beanstalk and hires a huge 3D beanstalk for the occasion. Imagine her horror when a dead body is found inside it… just who was the body, and how did it get there?

As this is not a full length novel, it isn’t a true sequel to The Appeal but there are lots of direct references and subtle hints to life since the events of that book.

If you want to put yourself firmly in the Christmas spirit, you must read this funny, touching mystery that’s all packaged up with some festive good cheer – what’s not to love? Bring on the mince pies.

This is a really short read that follows on from The Appeal. So you will need to read the original book before you read this one. To know what has passed before. I really like the writing style of this book and it was nice to revisit the characters from the previous book.