I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I devoured it in one sitting, it was a fabulous read that I will be recommending to everyone that I know.

Having read and loved The Appeal, this was a must read. The plot is presented in the same way as the original (text messages/ WhatsApp messages/ letters) and centres around another event with the Fairway players. Pacy, twisty and fun!

The eccentric cast of Hallett’s bestseller, ‘The Appeal’, return for this fun, Christmas novella. Whilst the mystery is certainly not as complex as its predecessor, it’s still a great, fun read. I read it in one sitting and loved every minute. This is definitely a must-read for Hallett’s die-hard fan base. I can’t wait to see what she releases next.

I absolutely loved Janice Hallett's debut, The Appeal, an original crime novel which first introduced the Fairway Players, an amateur dramatics group.
In the Christmas Appeal we are back with the Fairway Players as they prepare for the performance of their panto, Jack and the Beanstalk and we witness the rivalry between new Chair Sarah Jane and her predecessor Celia. Lawyers Femi and Charlotte are once again presented with whats apps, emails and police transcripts in order to solve the new mystery.
This was a wonderful novella that I raced through, it's a quick and easy read with an excellent plot and strong characterisation. The author brilliantly conveys the rivalries within the society and we get a real understanding of the characters. The plotting is tight and there are lots of twists and surprises. A skilfully told novella that I really enjoyed. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

I loved this novella. Janice Hallett brings back “The Fairway Players” for another mystery. I loved “The Appeal” and was very happy to see the characters again, along with new residents. This novella is written in messages and emails just like previous books and from the perspective of two police officers investigating the case.

I read this in one evening. An absolute page turner with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Janice Hallett at her best.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viper Books for the ARC

I think I let out a little squeal when I saw this read was available to me, after the huge success of the original read.

This one doesn't disappoint either.

Packed with just as much drama off the stage as on. As a member of a local am dram company this is scarily accurate and makes for fun reading.

It takes a while for the action to get going, which was surprising for such a short read. That being said it didn't put me off, and it was glorious being with characters with that sense of familiarity again.

A thrilling read, oh yes it is!

I absolutely loved this return to the antics of the Fairways Players. The perfect festive read that can be read as a standalone novel but has all the characters I enjoyed in 'The Appeal". I read it in one sitting and was chuckling and laughing out as I read the passive aggressive mesages and hilarious amateur dramatic pantomine of Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a really fun read with a clever mystery I enjoyed trying to unravel. I'm really impressed with the way the personalities of each character is conveyed so well eventhough this is a relatively short read. The perfect read to go in your Christmas stocking.

In her acknowledgements, Hallett refers to writing this book as meeting back up with old friends and that is definitely how it felt to me.

Anyone who has read The Appeal will be familiar with The Fairway Players and their internal politics. At just over 200 pages, this is a quickly devoured novella, and it reads much quicker given that the majority of the novel is told through emails, WhatsApps, transcripts etc.

If you enjoyed The Appeal, you will love this too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books, Viper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I raced through this book, there is something comforting about Christmas in August.
Once again Janice Hallet has written another stonker of a book. Seeing and reading about the Fairway Players’ and their past exploits always brings an unbridled joy. I read this book in less than a day, THAT’s how brilliant it is. I implore everyone to read it and love it!
Well done, Janice.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book long before publication. If I could award it a whole galaxy of stars ⭐️ I would. Such a fantastic achievement and book. Merry Christmas 🎄

Janice Hallett's 'The Appeal' is one of my favourite mystery novels ever - a hilarious, ingenious and unputdownable whodunnit set in the cutthroat world of amateur dramatics. In 'The Christmas Appeal', we once again meet the Fairway Players, as Roderick Tanner KC presents young lawyers Femi and Charlotte with another dossier of messages to investigate.

It is December 2022 and the Fairway Players are preparing for their Christmas pantomime - an 'authentic' production of Jack and the Beanstalk using a 1970s script. It doesn't take long to sense that there is discord between the 'power couple', co-chairs Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald, and their rivals Celia Halliday and her husband Joel (OBE). The MacDonalds are hoping the production will be a big success and raise lots of money to repair the church hall roof, but the Hallidays don't want anything to overshadow their own 'triumphant production' Glengarry Glen Ross.

Tanner keeps Femi and Charlotte guessing what the mystery will be - does it have something to do with the enormous beanstalk last used 30 years ago? Or the nice new couple who auditioned for parts in the panto and haven't been seen or heard from since? What about the rumours that a convicted murderer is on the loose in Lockwood? And why exactly is there so much correspondence about the sweets Sarah-Jane is trying to procure for Santa to give out?

As with all Hallett's novels, the solution, when revealed, is immensely satisfying and hinges on a number of clues which are cleverly planted earlier on in the story but easily missed. But this is only part of the pleasure of 'The Christmas Appeal' - I enjoyed it as much for the brilliantly observed communications between Hallett's memorable cast of characters. There are plenty of cringeworthy round robins, passive aggressive e-mails and two-faced WhatsApp messages to relish; Sarah-Jane's blunt replies to timewasters remain a highlight this time round, and I almost cheered out loud at the return of another favourite character from 'The Appeal' midway through this installment.

This is a quick read which I devoured in a single sitting and was a most welcome early Christmas present. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.