After my last read, I needed something really light and murdery, and well ‘tis the season, so I finally picked this one up. I knew it was going to be funny, but I did not expect it to be that funny - it’s absolutely brilliant. It felt like it was a really short book as I finished it quick, but on looking at the page count it would appear that I just flew through it. As the person who has the inlaws for dinner as well, I was having absolute palpitations over how much time they were wasting “faffing around” and going out, and they partied on pre-Christmas eve? What?! I could not cope…

Overall, loved it so much - an antidote to the Christmas stress!

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have to be honest—I didn’t enjoy this book. The story felt ridiculous; the idea of continuing with your day while there’s a body in the pantry was just too far-fetched for me. While I understand it was intended as dark humor, it simply didn’t resonate with me. Unfortunately, I got about 80% through the book and found myself losing interest, so I decided not to finish it. For these reasons, I won’t be reviewing it publicly, as I don’t feel I can recommend it.

Most of my go to Christmas reads are cosy romances, so this festive mystery was a refreshing change of pace!

It’s Christmas Eve, and Anna is nursing a hangover after last night’s party. With a house to clean before the in-laws arrive the last thing she needs is a dead Santa in her larder!

Anna enlists the help of her husband Oli, their teenage son, and her best friend Jennie to try and solve the mystery while still trying to pull off a perfect Christmas.

This book is witty and entertaining. Its engaging plot and lively characters make it an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a Christmas story that steps beyond the traditional.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
Enjoyable Christmas cozy murder mystery - a little predictable perhaps but no less fun for it. Something a bit like Bridget Jones meets Poirot - if you’re looking for the winter season equiv of a beach read, you’d do worse than picking this up.

‘Happy Bloody Christmas’ has the perfect mixture of murder mystery and comedy. The Christmas shenanigans are reminiscent of many families and added to the fun of the book!

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the arc to review.

Enjoyed reading this and was chuckling throughout 😁 definitely puts you off office parties although it did seem that Anna has found her new calling in life. I couldn't help feel sorry for her as she was trying to hold it all together for Christmas while trying to play detective in a bid to uncover a murderer - who could have been one of her nearest and dearest. Trying to do that when waiting for a monster in-law to descend on you and criticise your every effort adds to further stress that she could do without. She handles it all perfectly, with great humour and better than the police- all with time to spare for Christmas ⛄🎁

It's a fun read that really does have you laughing out loud at times. Lots of fun references too and you can't help identify with Anna at times.

Christmas Eve, and Anna wakes with a hangover and a huge to-do list before her in laws arrive for Christmas. Unfortunately she also finds the body of her boss in her larder, stabbed. She, husband Oli and best friend Jennie decide they need to find the murderer, particularly as they have got the most inept police in the world on their case - seriously, they walk over incriminating footprints, never interview the party goers including Oli, and disappear for Christmas nibbles with no further interest in the case.

The result is very funny in parts, although Anna is easily distracted and the reader becomes frustrated as time ticks on while she faffs about instead of preparing her home for the dreaded mother in law's arrival. However, the list of suspects is long and the alibis numerous, so its quite clever how it all falls into place.

Anna is a realistic mum in the modern world and apart from the unlikelihood of finding a body and not ringing the police instantly, as well as withholding evidence, it makes for a fun Christmas read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If playing Cluedo was more of an immersive family activity, than a board game, this lot would be the experts! Alongside, all of the stress, drama, chaos and pressure of organising the perfect family Christmas, there's the small matter of solving the mystery of the dead Father Christmas in the pantry.

Fabulous, funny, festive and guaranteed to make you appreciate your own holiday season.

Oh this was such a funny festive read. The characters were brilliant and the chaos in the house was so hilarious. I loved this one. It was warm and welcoming. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy.
Imagine if Motherland and Agatha Christie had a baby and then sprinkled on top a massive dose of relatability. This book had me giggling throughout and I really enjoyed the black humour. Anna as a protagonist is highly relatable, we've all dealt with challenging in laws!
I could imagine this as a "Carry On" style TV show. I loved it! Nice that it has a sprinkle of festive vibes too. Perfect for this time of year.

A laugh-out loud Christmas cracker!
Everyone should be able to relate to this book; maybe not the murder in the larder but definitely the Christmas Eve preparations and stresses and family dramas.
I loved this book which had me laughing out loud from the bubble writing to the marzipan fruits. Fabulous and funny!

Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton is a wickedly fun and darkly humorous take on the holiday season, blending festive cheer with a macabre twist. Middleton crafts a story filled with quirky characters, unexpected chaos, and a holiday celebration that quickly spirals into a wild and bloody affair. With its sharp wit and fast-paced plot, the novel balances humor and horror in a way that keeps readers both entertained and on the edge of their seats. Perfect for those who enjoy unconventional holiday stories, Happy Bloody Christmas offers a unique mix of festive joy and grisly surprises, making it a thrilling read for fans of dark comedy and holiday mayhem.

I knew I was going to enjoy this from the opening sentence: "There is a brief moment with a hangover, just after you wake up, when you think perhaps that everything is going to be okay. And then you move." I hadn't actually realised this was a murder mystery so that nice was a nice surprise. But it was the totally relatable and humorous element of a family Christmas that was the draw for me - and it didn't disappoint. I loved the family dynamics and banter throughout, with my favourite being Oli reporting that the neighbour "had a bat and was being very threatening" only for the kids to confirm that actually "Dad ran away from a man Crocs waving a baguette." So, in short I loved this and as it looks like there's going to be a sequel I can't wait to catch up with the family again soon.

Whilst this story has a credible murder mystery vibe, it is a very humorous book. It is family-centred and festive since Anna discovers a body on Christmas Eve. Much of the humour comes from Anna's introspection, but her interactions with her best friend, Jennie and her family are also often hilarious. It is the seriousness of finding a dead body contrasting with relatable family festivities that are so entertaining to read. I like the family's festive ethos, the murder mystery, and the irreverent humour.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This is one of the funniest and yet murderous books I've read in a long time and if I could award it six stars out of five, I would. I thought I'd take a punt reading what might be a funny Christmas murder story in September, and this is as good as it gets. The mixture between clever funny lines while dissecting everyone who attended a party to see who might be the murderer, was an excellent combination. Everyone was guilty at least during one stage of this novel and everybody was cleared as well until the guilty party was finally located and arrested. The wit and nature of this book may not appeal to everyone but it certainly did to me and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series, if there are any and certainly, as soon as I've finished writing this review, I’m off to see what books this person has written. Although many may decide that this story should be placed in the cosy category, that should not put you off if you also need an amusing novel with many laugh out loud moments. The way that the main character treats her friends. husband, children and parents in law is enough to keep you going to the very last page. The incompetence of the police is unbelievable, but that's what makes you read on each page as quickly as possible.

Am amusing Christmas mystery, it’s not groundbreaking but it’s familiar and the plot is a fun and comfortable read!
Good for Christmas time, especially if you like a little murder with your mistletoe.

I liked this but I didn’t love it. I found it amusing at times but nothing really kept me captivated, it’s fine for a Christmassy mystery though

Anna Johnson is waking up to a life that she's not totally in love with. So, normal. She's hungover, her husband is oblivious, and her kids are temperamental. In fact, her husband lets her start the day with something... odiferous. She's lamenting her life with a house to clean up after a party and her husband's judgmental family showing up in 26 hours. And it's all gotten worse. Not only was her cat locked into the larder, but so was a dead Santa Claus. And the dead Santa Claus was her boss who no one really liked.
I liked aspects of this story, it was quick, it take place over a day. Also, I enjoyed the fact that Anna and Oli seem to have a realistic marriage where they sometimes love each other and sometimes... eh. I didn't always get the comedy but I tried not to hold that against this book (that seems more like a me thing). I also didn't like how much Anna was actively interfering with the investigation. Note that this is not a "fairly clued" mystery as there is really only one hint as to who the killer is.

Three stars
This book came out September 26, 2024
ARC kindly provided by Avon Books UK and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Highly Amusing and Quirky*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

I decided to read Happy Bloody Christmas because of the plaudits and the précis and that it might prove to be a bit of "fun" with its Christmas allusions. All of those people must have been writing about a different book.

I struggled through 14% of the book and, with respect for my brain, stopped reading and am so pleased that I did.

It is very, very rare for me not to complete a book.

Regrettably I have not one good word to say about this one.