This novella is firmly for fans of the original Appeal as it revisits the Fairway Players from the original book as they try to stage a Christmas pantomime. Roderick Tanner, now retired, sends Femi and Charlotte a new series of documents detailing a mystery that has occurred with the same am-dram group as the previous story.

Janice Hallett is the master (or should that be mistress?) of the mixed media mystery, cleverly weaving together snippets of information from different characters to tell the tale whilst keeping you guessing. The humorous little bits of backstabbing, the snobbery and the underhanded tactics all sneak in to keep the story moving along whilst entertaining.

I've given this a 3.5, rounded up, as I felt that I was never guessing for very long and that took something away from the mystery for me. An enjoyable and quick read though, and one I'd recommend whether you've read The Appeal or not. It was nice to revisit The Fairway Players and Janice Hallett's books are quickly becoming some of my favourites.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in return for an honest review.

It’s been wonderful being back with the gang, the infamous Fairway Players.
The style of writing from Janice Hallett is so clever and just brings the different characters to life again. The little digs and snide remarks are captured so brilliantly in every message recorded,and the analysis by Femi and Charlotte as before, adds such depth to the story. Another masterpiece in good storytelling.

Brilliant! This story is fast paced and hilarious!

I whizzed through this story and thoroughly enjoyed being back with the fairway players. I love the style of writing which is so witty and proves that farce is certainly not dead!

What more could you want than a potential murder mystery wrapped up in a Christmas panto?!

Absolutely brilliant!

The Christmas Appeal is a really fun return to the world of the Fairway Players. Just like Janice Hallett's other books, it is a written as a compilation of letters, emails, interview transcripts, messages etc. It's a strange format to start with, but I have always found it very easy to sink into after just a few pages. The picture builds in a really engaging way as clues come together.

The Christmas Appeal is a short festive novella following the chaotic amateur theatre group from The Appeal. The characters are just as you might remember; full of wit, sarcasm, attempts at undermining each other, and an almighty talent for getting into the most ridiculous situations. Whilst this story does involve a dead body, it is much more light-hearted and humorous. The brilliant setting of a pantomime helps to increase the silliness and adds some levity.

Recommended for fans of The Appeal. Whilst you could read this without reading The Appeal first, you won't get as much out of it, so I recommend it as a fun followup.

This is just enormous fun. The Fairway Players, who you may remember from “The Appeal” are at it again. This time they’re putting on a panto “Jack and the Beanstalk”, to raise money for the church roof. Needless to say, there’s a murder in it, so it really shouldn’t be funny, but it made me laugh out loud.

Like “The Appeal” it’s written in emails, text messages, and begins with the most entitled round Robin letter I have ever read. The trainee lawyers, Charlotte and Femi, are back too, and their acerbic comments add to the fun.
It’s a jolly good seasonal treat and I hope it makes you laugh too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viper for the proof

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.