This was such a joyous, funny Christmas romp even if Santa did get murdered in the larder, amateur sleuths Anna and Jennie finding the murderer through some fairly unorthodox methods, mixed up with family and friends was truly enjoyable and I loved every minute

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

Anna wakes up Christmas Eve morning heavily hungover from the house-party she hosted the night before. She gingerly makes it down stairs, steps into her posh new walk-in larder and see's Santa, dead. What's worse is he has one of her favourite, expensive knifes sticking out of his belly.

The police arrive on the scene akin to the Keystone Cops! bumbling their way into the larder, trampling over the evidence, knocking pasta all over the dead body. The interactions with Detective Bacon and Simons are hilarious.

It's clear to Anna that these two bumbling officers of the law are never going to be able to figure their way out of a paper bag, let alone solve a murder. So, with the help of her husband, Oli, her son Ben and best friend Jennie, she begins to investigate, all whilst trying to prepare the house for the Christmas day visit with her in-laws.

Anna and Oli, put together a timeline of events from the previous nights drunken frivolity. A list of suspects for them to investigate with Means, motives and opportunities.

This book is laugh out loud funny. I found myself reading aloud excerpts to my wife, who would look at me with dismay.

The plot is well thought out and Anna's investigation takes a logical approach, following tried and tested methods from other works of fiction. When evidence is uncovered, her notes are updated and we receive a refresh of the timeline and list of suspects.

All of this is wrapped up with very funny situations and conversations which reminded me of the old British TV sitcom, 2 point 4 Children. I believe the family in that series would behave much the same as the Johnsons here.

All of the clues are there for you to be able to solve this, as any classic whodunnit should. And this is a classic whodunnit.

I would like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel. All opinions are my own

A really enjoyable black comedy murder mystery. Anna discovers her boss’s body in her larder the morning after a Christmas party. The police are more interested in their Christmas Eve party at the station than in the murder and so Anna, her husband, Oli, and her friend, Jennie, set out to solve it themselves. Anna is simultaneously trying to prepare for her in-laws arriving, i.e. her nightmare mother-in-law who makes Hyacinth Bucket sound reasonable! I can easily see this as one of those wonderful English black comedy films with a star cast. There were many laugh out loud moments and it’s a reasonable murder mystery too, although I’d worked out who the murderer was fairly early on. I’d happily buy this as a stocking filler this Christmas.

This is a quirky story that will have you laughing and sympathising with our world weary heroine. It’s written in such a way that you are absorbed from the start, it’s real with no heirs and graces and I loved it. Smart with some great one liners. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

This book, my gawd, this book is bloody brilliant!!!
I have never laughed as much while reading a book!
I've been through it all with this one from snorting sniggers while on the bus (apologies to the couple on the seat in front of me, who obviously thought I was laughing at them discussing their medical issues) to chuckling in the dark of night in bed (the dogs gave me a look which clearly said; me mam's bonkers, and walked off in disgust) to full blow belly laughs - this book is an absolute bloody corker (I am definitely going to buy a physical copy just to have it on the keeper shelf!)
Any woman can relate to every aspect of this (maybe minus the dead Father Christmas in the pantry, but each to their own!) Anna is every woman, she wants a normal Christmas, but everything that can go wrong does (always the case right?) The hangover from hell, kiddos don't give a chuff and best not be disturbed, husband still snoring, how dare he! The house looks like it's been through the apocalypse; where did all the mess come from....oh, yes she remembers! Inlaws on route for Christmas dinner...don't mention dinner, they'll be lucky to get a packet of crisps and oh yes nearly forgot; a dead Father Christmas in the pantry! Perfect!!
There is a single thing I didn't like about this, I flew through it within days (for me, that is astounding as I am the slowest reader). murder mysteries aren't always my go-to genre, but I was completely drawn into the blurb, I loved the sound of it and was so pleased I read it and will definitely read more from the author!!
The writing is so honest and incredibly funny, there is wit and good-natured humour on every page, Anna is a brilliant character, a real woman who has the world on her shoulders, a to-do list that never ends and a chaotic family and fabulous always there for her friends (good job too, there is a murder to solve!). I was completely hooked from the first page, I had no idea who the murderer was the writing is so crisp and clever that you're pondering and trying to figure it all out right up to the big reveal. I loved it, and will happily read it again and again!

I have read so many books that I laugh aloud or sniggered to myself. Never have I read a book that has appealed to my sense of humour like this book did. Happy Bloody Christmas has had me in fits of laughter, I mean tears streaming down my face, jaw achingly laughter. What I must have looked like sat in my car on the school run, tears running and wildly laughing to myself. The woman in the car next to me must have thought I was having some midlife crisis or breakdown!
As a woman in her mid-40s, this book was so relatable that it was like reading parts of my own life - minus the murder mystery bits, of course! I loved the plot, the pace of it, how I felt like I was a part of the team trying to solve the mystery. All the characters were fab, especially the best friend duo of Anna and Jennie. I haven't got a single thing I didn't like apart from it had to end. Bloody brilliant!!
I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a great festive murder mystery. I think it would appeal to anyone who's in their fabulous 40s. I found it hilariously good fun.

All Anna wants is the perfect Christmas day. After waking up christmas eve hungover and finding a dead body in her larder, things aren't looking good. With her in-laws' arrival for Christmas dinner the next day, what is she to do?

Thank you to Avon Books UK for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own

The writing was light, frank and very funny. It had me smiling and laughing out loud throughout which is very rare. I found it all very relatable, with the character going off on amusing tangents every so often and text messages being added in to bring it up to date. I was gripped from the beginning right through to the end. I wasn't completely sure who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end.

The chapters were quite long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. I did get very engrossed in what was happening and I didn't want the story to end.

There was a good pace to the story. Even though there were a few different suspects to go through and lots of different things to consider, I never got bored. There was quite a lot of chatter and thought processes from the main character, which were very amusing and entertaining to read. I never felt bogged down and managed to keep up with everything that was going on. There was a good flow to the story so everything ran smoothly together and made for an enjoyable read.

The characters were excellent. I loved the main character. She was amusing, relatable and a joy to read. I also enjoyed reading about the rest of the family and the way that her husband was always there to support her. There were also some interesting dislikeable characters which added an extra layer to the story.

Lastly the settings. They were only vaguely described as it was more a character focused story. Any setting that was integral to the story was given a bit more attention.

Overall a very funny Christmas murder mystery that I highly recommend.

Full of cosy festive vibes and humour. Jo’s writing is engaging and quirky in the very best way. A must read for Christmas 2024.

An absolute riotous Christmas cracker. Very funny, hugely enjoayble and (aside from the dead body in the larder) very relateable.

Highly recommend.

This book was fun and vibey for the holidays. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance. Definitely a good one to add to your list.

What a great ride this book was! From the first few pages I could tell this book was going to be a fun adventure.

I instantly loved it being in first person as Anna is a fabulous narrator! I also loved the rest of her family and they all had such nice personalities.

The plot was the perfect level of whodunnit mixed with cosy mystery and lots of comedy.

I really enjoyed a lot of the references and how very British they all felt!

The only reason this didn't quite hit a 5 star rating (my rating is actually a 4.5 rather than just a 4) was I did predict pretty early on who the culprit was but overall it didn't take away from the enjoyment as it was fun to see how the characters figured it all out!

All the Christmas elements were fab too! Not too over the top but festive enough to set it apart from a stand any time of year mystery. So whilst this is set on Christmas eve it's definitely a book you could read at any point during the year.

Definitely looking forward to reading more by this author in the future as I found the writing style easy to read and the humour really helped give the characters and story a strong voice!

Christmas murder mystery? Yes! Sign me up immediately! When Anna ventures out of bed the morning after night of heavy Christmas party drinking, she expects to find the coffee in the pantry, not a dead Santa.

This book is hilarious. A real mix of sarcasm, head in hands moments, and some utterly fantastic, spiralling internal monologue. The events in the book snowballed rapidly and I just kept thinking it couldn’t get any worse, but somehow it did! I really felt for poor Anna, with the entire family descending imminently for Christmas, it was the perfect snowstorm of unfortunate events.

Many thanks to and the publisher for this ARC. This absolute hoot of a book will be available 26th September, and it needs to be the first thing on your Christmas list this year!

A murder mystery at Christmas and a fun festive read.
When Anna wakes up Christmas Eve and discovers the dead body of her boss in the larder, mayhem ensues.
With the police being uninterested, Anna decides to solve the mystery and find the murderer all before In laws arrival on Christmas Day.
Cue fun escapades, revelations and a mad rush to get ready for Christmas.

A fun, enjoyable read, believable characters and plenty of laughs, I can highly recommend this Christmas whodunnit. and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday read that combines humour, chaos, and a pinch of mystery, look no further than "Happy Bloody Christmas" by Jo Middleton. I completely devoured this book, and let me tell you, it was one of the most enjoyable and hilarious experiences I’ve had this festive season!
From the get-go, I was a fan of Anna Johnson’s whirlwind life. Anna’s struggles only escalate when a mysterious death disrupts her already hectic holiday plans. Finding a dead Santa in her larder is the last thing she needs, especially with her disapproving in-laws on the way. The sheer absurdity of the situation had me laughing out loud—Anna’s witty internal monologue and her frantic attempts to juggle sleuthing with holiday preparations had me invested and rooting for her from page one.
The absurdity escalates as Anna begins her investigation into the death of her less-than-beloved boss, Colin. With the police's lacklustre response to the investigation, Anna, her husband Oli, their tech-savvy son Ben, and her charmingly quirky friend Jennie dive into the mystery themselves. I loved how their investigation intertwined seamlessly with holiday chores.
Middleton crafts a wonderfully relatable and humorous narrative. I found myself frequently cracking up at Anna’s thoughts on the absurdities of motherhood and holiday stress, especially in her interactions with the never-ending stream of family obligations. Plus, the characters are delightful and full of personality. Jennie’s “murder board” idea mixed with Pokémon characters had me grinning, and I couldn’t help but admire Anna’s determination to keep her home running smoothly, even as everything spiralled into chaos.
Middleton's sharp wit and snarky observations bring a fresh twist to the cosy mystery genre, making this story more than just a simple whodunit. I felt like I was experiencing the ups and downs of holiday madness right alongside Anna. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, there were twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
The cherry on top comes with the clever epilogue that hints at more sleuthing to come, which left me eagerly wanting a sequel. Anna’s adventures, while chaotic, resonate with anyone who’s ever survived the holiday season with a sense of humour intact.
In short, "Happy Bloody Christmas" is an absolute joy to read, a perfect blend of humour, heart, and a little holiday sleuthing. Grab a glass of your favourite drink, cosy up, and prepare for a delightful escape into Anna's world—it’s the kind of festive distraction we all need!

The morning after the Christmas house party, you come downstairs to find the body of your boss stabbed in your larder. The list of potential murderers is the guest list, family and friends.
Not having faith in the police and the in laws arriving the next day for Christmas.
Setting out to find out who killed her slimy obnoxious boss.
Best friend, husband and teenage son set out to eliminate suspects.
Full of humour and family life.

I hate to be the first one (maybe I’ll remain the only one) to rate this as a 3 star book, however, hear me out.
Anna holds a Christmas party at home, and on the day before the Christmas Eve, she discovers…
Jo Middleton’s writing’s extraordinary. What do I mean by that? She gives Anna a first POV that is authentic, hilarious and engaging. I was gripped from the get-go, and finished this book mostly for Anna’s voice, Middleton’s high quality writing and the other characters’ voices.
I enjoyed the premise, the setting, the modern and relatable vibes, as well as most of the characters.
This is a fun whodunnit for whodunnit lovers.
Now, why the 3 stars and not higher? Because of how it gripped me, I thought this was going to be a nearly flawless read. But, I was not buying Jennie’s reactions and the ‘let’s solve the murder mystery on our own’ premise and I kept wanting to see an element that justified the absurdity, the unbelievability - for the hilariousness - believability balance to work for me, I needed this to be shorter, and a back story, a slightly different story world where the absurd incidents happen because everything else is so absurd as well. I liked the sense of the family and the sub themes, and found the satirical elements to be very well done. The satire or the subtle criticisms and relatability made me question why the characters are doing what they are doing.
Yet, please ignore the above. I find it a duty to express my genuine thoughts about a read, especially for those who might think similarly. To sum up, this is a wonderful read for those who are looking for a festive-themed, relatable, modern and funny whodunnit.
3.5 stars.

I absolutely loved it such a fun Christmas read I read it in one sitting,
I laughed, I cried, the character were amazing!
The characters were so well written it was a great read

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Such a fun, festive read. You wouldn’t really think of a whodunnit being a good seasonal subject, but this author has nailed it.
Great plot, well written characters, just enough quirks throughout to be funny rather than eccentric.
Highly recommend!

It's Christmas Eve and Anna Johnson has a whole list of tasks and chores to get through before her in laws descend on her for Christmas Day. She is battling a hangover from her annual Christmas house party the night before, and trying to work out how she can involve her husband and two kids in the preparations to help. There are several tasks the children can help with, but one of them is definitely NOT the removal of the dead body dressed as Father Christmas in the larder. Anna wants Christmas to be perfect, and also to find out who on earth could have killed Santa, with one of Annas best kitchen knives, when, and why.
An entertaining read, this was a fun whodunnit with some laugh out loud moments. I loved it and would thoroughly recommend it.