The Christmas Appeal

By Janice Hallett

What it’s about?

One dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth?

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 a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up. Of course there’s also the matter of the dead body. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list?

Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts.

Will the show go on?

What I think:

If you enjoyed The Appeal, then this is going to be the perfect festive read for you.

Back with the Fairway Players as they attempt to put on an ambitious pantomime.

There’s a power struggle going on, gossiping and snarky comments galore. There’s costume disasters, an enormous beanstalk that causes havoc, casting issues and rehearsal dramas.

Through emails and transcripts of WhatsApp conversations and texts, the conflicts and secrets of the Fairway Players are revealed.

The night of the performance arrives and it is chaotic and fun and a bit bonkers. And then Santa turns up! Who is he? And how has a body ended up in a beanstalk?

I think this will work better for a British audience who understand the humour and traditions of pantomime. It also probably wouldn’t work as a standalone – there’s definitely an assumption that the reader is familiar with Fairway world.

I really enjoyed this. It’s like meeting up with old friends. Janice Hallett can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned!

Thank you to Netgalley for my gifted digital copy of The Christmas Appeal.