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A review by caleighh
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
<b>➳ 4 stars ✰</b>
i read and thoroughly enjoyed <i>the appeal</i> last year, so when i saw this in my email i was so EXCITED.
and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
janice hallett’s books are so unique in that they’re mysteries, but they’re mysteries that really make you <i>think</i>. we’re given pieces of correspondence and solve the case alongside two detectives. i don’t think i could ever get tired of this format.
my complaint with <i>the appeal</i> when i read it was that it was too long. too drawn out. i got bored and eventually stopped caring. this one, though, is just over 200 pages and kept me invested the entire time. could it have been a bit longer? sure. but i’m glad it wasn’t 400+ again.
the author said writing this “felt like visiting old friends,” and that’s how i felt reading it as well. it was fun to read about how all the characters from <i>the appeal</i> were doing and what they were up to. the drama in this one was just as entertaining as the first. there were funny remarks and moments throughout that actually made me laugh. i will say there were still almost <i>too</i> many characters to keep track of, but i didn’t feel like that took away from the story.
overall this was a really fun time! it’s different, entertaining, and pretty quick. i read this during summer but if you pick it up closer to christmas the environment might add to the story.
do you have to read <i>the appeal</i> first? i wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary but you probably should. there’s mentions of what happens in that book in this one, and you’ll connect with the characters more.
thank you to netgalley + atria books for the arc! all expressed opinions are my own.
i read and thoroughly enjoyed <i>the appeal</i> last year, so when i saw this in my email i was so EXCITED.
and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
janice hallett’s books are so unique in that they’re mysteries, but they’re mysteries that really make you <i>think</i>. we’re given pieces of correspondence and solve the case alongside two detectives. i don’t think i could ever get tired of this format.
my complaint with <i>the appeal</i> when i read it was that it was too long. too drawn out. i got bored and eventually stopped caring. this one, though, is just over 200 pages and kept me invested the entire time. could it have been a bit longer? sure. but i’m glad it wasn’t 400+ again.
the author said writing this “felt like visiting old friends,” and that’s how i felt reading it as well. it was fun to read about how all the characters from <i>the appeal</i> were doing and what they were up to. the drama in this one was just as entertaining as the first. there were funny remarks and moments throughout that actually made me laugh. i will say there were still almost <i>too</i> many characters to keep track of, but i didn’t feel like that took away from the story.
overall this was a really fun time! it’s different, entertaining, and pretty quick. i read this during summer but if you pick it up closer to christmas the environment might add to the story.
do you have to read <i>the appeal</i> first? i wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary but you probably should. there’s mentions of what happens in that book in this one, and you’ll connect with the characters more.
thank you to netgalley + atria books for the arc! all expressed opinions are my own.