Book Review | Happy Bloody Christmas

Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton, published for the rush that starts on 26 September this year, is a great seasonal read for crime fans. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC. Buy two copies, one for you, one for your best friend. Whether you keep them both is up to you.

Happy Bloody Christmas

by Jo Middleton

Agatha Christie meets Gill Sims in this Christmas murder mystery with a world-weary heroine, for whom getting rid of an unexpected dead body is just another thing to add to the bloody to do list…

And you thought burning the turkey was the worst that could happen…​ 

Christmas is all about lists. To do lists. Shopping lists. Lists to bloody Santa. And doesn’t Anna Johnson know it. Waking up on Christmas Eve after the annual Johnson party, she’s hungover, exhausted and really sick and tired of Christmas already. All she wants is to tick the last things off her endless list and sit down with the world’s biggest glass of wine. ​

But apparently that’s not going to happen any time soon because now her list looks like ​

• 1.Wrap the presents​
• 2. Peel the potatoes ​
• 3.Stuff the turkey​
• 4. Solve the murder of Santa 

A mysterious death in her home really is the last thing she has time for right now, but with police officers who could double as the Chuckle Brothers and a husband and two kids intent on watching Christmas films, it looks like it’s up to her to find out what the hell’s gone on. Oh – and figure out what to do with the body before her in-laws arrive.

Happy bloody Christmas indeed.​ (Goodreads)

My Review

It may seem strange to be reading and reviewing Christmas books in September, but plenty of other reviewers probably read it on the beach. It’s fun, witty, dangerous, and twisty, just great for a holiday read. In my case, it was a hospital read, and all the better for firstly, raising my spirits and second, for having lot of extra information coming in from co-opted sleuths so that a summary and progress report came along just when I needed it.

Jo Middleton must know my niece and her friends. I’m sure the main character is based on Leah, who runs The Spinney 53, our local waste reduction store. She has much the same vibrancy and zanyness, and probably the same approach to parenting: just keep your fingers crossed.

I loved this book. I am considering buying it for said niece and friend. Old fogies like me will recognise the stresses of modern life even if we don’t do everything on the phone. For me this was fresh, exciting, funny and intelligent. I mean, what would you do if you came downstairs to clear the dregs of your Christmas party, and found Santa, dead in your larder. I mean, how are you ever going to get the bloodstains out before your MIL arrives?

Brilliant priorities, so funny; kids and husband —and single again friends— typed to a t. Wonderful book. Don’t miss it (although UK readers may enjoy it most!). Probably also suitable for teens to read after listening to you chortle.

PS. no Christmas puddings were harmed in the making of this book