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Final 2023 Reads

ARCFT - So many Christmas Clichés! Was average at best

TCK - Fairly decent debut novel, did figure out the killer way too early though.

AMLMC - Christmas soft Porn 🤭
Did laugh quite a bit and did really like the LGBTQ+ and body positive aspects of this. Will read the next one next Christmas.

My first seasonal read of the year was a bit of a disappointment. The central character, DI James Walker, doesn‘t seem to be a particularly good detective, the dialogue is clunky, the characters rather flat. I‘ll give the author the benefit of the doubt for now, though, because the issues could be the result of poor narration on the audiobook.

#ChristmasInTheTitle #RushathonChristmasBingo @Andrew65

DI James Walker & wife, Annie, move to a sleepy Cumbrian village called Kirkby Abbey where Annie grew up as a child. They move there after James receives a threat from a recently released ex-con with a grudge against him. Life is quiet at first, but when James opens a Christmas present left on their doorstep, the gruesome contents & the attached card which warns of a season of ill-will with 12 murders to come. (continued)

My first festive book of the season… hopefully it‘s only up from here 😬 My main issues with this one we‘re the terrible, completely unrealistic dialogue, the very predictable conclusion, and also other predictable bits, and (one of my pet hates) the rushed ending. All round no from me! But I had some very enjoyable walks listening to it. Including seeing the most incredible halo moon last night.

Came across this one when @Andrew65 reviewed it. Classic "whodunit." I enjoyed the setting of the rural village with lots of questionable characters. Soft pic for me.

I hope the final book had a thorough edit. The ARC was rather clunky with stilted dialogue and grammar mistakes.

There is potential and this series has taken off, not sure I'll read the next book though. I figured out who the murderer was and why they did it very early on.

#WinterReadathon
@Andrew65 @DieAReader

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

I would say this gave me more of a cosy mystery vibe, which isn't really my thing. I was hoping for more isolated edge of my seat thriller and whilst I admit, I do go into a book with some pretty high expectations, this just didn't hit any of my markers. I wasn't invested in any of the characters or even how it was all going to end. I am sure there will be a lot of readers that this book hits the spot for, unfortunately, that just wasn't me. ⭐⭐

This is such a great idea! I wish everyone would do this 👍🏽

I made a mistake and was expecting a thrilling book. I am fine with cozy mysteries but this book wasn't tagged as one so it was confusing. I guessed the guilty immediately so there was no surprise for me so it was a bit shame.

#ChristmasBuddyReadathon #NewYearSpecial #20in4 #wintergames2021 #teamgamesleighers #AVeryMerryReadathon #ChristmasMyWay

On the road to start the Christmas festivities! Going to hunt for the Christmas Killer on the way. 😜

This was a very enjoyable read, a good writing style, a good investigate style of crime detection, and some interesting characters. Also a good reveal section with a surprise killer. I look forward to exploring more by this author. #ChristmasBuddyReadathon

23rd book finished for #WinterGames2021 #MistletoeManiacs

#ChristmasMyWay @GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader

#TheChristmasKiller #AlexPine #BookSpinBingo #ChristmasBuddyReadathon

DI James Walker of Kirby Abbey receives an early Christmas present - a promise of 12 days, 12 murders. The first body is found half frozen in the snow. Can he stop the killer before they get to 12? This is the first book of the series. I liked the author‘s writing which made for an easy read. The characters were plenty to choose from.

Staring the second book in our #ChristmasBuddyReadathon

Anyone welcome to join, enjoyed the opening three chapters which has set the book up nicely. Easy pace and style of reading.

This is a cute cozylike mystery set in a small town in Cumbria. The storyline is intriguing, and there are several solid, good characters in the book. The book should have been shorter, edited a bit more. I like the idea of a book of 12 days of Christmas - 12 deaths of sinners, but then the book came nowhere to that number. I felt that was a bit weird. With some improvements I think this could grow into a good series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wednesday 22nd Dec sees our second #ChristmasBuddyRead as part of the #ChristmasBuddyreadathon.

We will be reading The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine. All welcome to join, and it‘s a read at your own pace.

You can get a copy of the book cheaply at Kindle, 99p in the UK, or if you are on Scribd in the U.K. you can get a free copy of the book. Worth checking elsewhere.

Hope others will join us.

Perfect for #WinterGames2021 and Readathon points,

Watching Home Alone with my Matty and getting a jump start on this #christmasbuddyreads

Did not like this. I found it boring and obvious, and just lacking in actual story. Oh well, it‘s more points for #WinterGames2021 #TeamGameSleighers

Not what I would describe as a cosy mystery but a good armchair read. The story was well described and executed and was quite atmospheric. It ambled along at a sedate pace but was interesting enough to keep your mind active. The cover mentions that it will keep you guessing until the last page but I was about a quarter way through when I knew who the killer was and the reasoning behind it. It is an ideal holiday read in the run up to Christmas.

This book is a traditional whodunnit read set in a small village in Cumbria. Set in December it was a perfect seasonal mystery for me, although I did have my suspicions who the murderer was and I was correct, it‘s no Agatha Christie but is an easy enjoyable read. #thechristmaskiller #alexpine

Nearly half way through The Christmas Killer and so far really enjoying it! Small village mystery sort of reminds me of midsomer murders😆

This was amazing. I would definitely recommend this. Lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 40
#BooksToRead #TBRPile #TBRMountain

I had no clue who the killer was until right at the end. It was well written and kept me guessing. The story itself is well paced, building to a dramatic climax with a clever unmasking of the killer. The ending was brilliant and finished the story off just right. I want more from James. The plot was clever. #Netgalley
16pts #TeamSlaughter #scarathlon2020 @Clwojick

I have just ordered The Christmas Killer as a treat for myself. You could get if for £6.57 from W H Smith but by the time I paid the petrol to get there it was cheaper for me to buy it from 'A Great Read' for £7.16 and free delivery. Amazon was £7.03 plus delivery unless you upped the order to £10.00: Every little saving help in the run up to Christmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ You‘ll never think of the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in the same way again. A remote Cumbrian village, cut off by snow and a deranged serial killer is stalking the residents. Can DI James Walker catch the murderer before he completes his deadly task. A good and solid murder mystery, plenty of suspects to keep you guessing and a feel of Midsomer Murders in the insulated setting, plus lots of snow!

I enjoyed the book and was caught off guard by the killer! This isn‘t a super psychological mystery, nor is it filled with lots of gritty details; it reminded me a bit of Christie novels, so I liked it. I enjoyed the jump between husband and wife as it was nice to get the whole picture. Can‘t wait for book 2!