two short Christmas books

In the community of Lower Lockwood, it is time for the annual tradition of the Christmas panto ("a loud, fun, enjoyable musical comedy theatre production" - according to an in-the-know website). The community has its own group of dedicated thespians, known as The Fairway Players. But even a small theatre group can see its share of petty jealousies, divas, and dictator-like behavior. But when things start to go wrong, someone needs to step up and take charge, right?

The Christmas play this year is Jack and the Beanstalk. Since money is tight - tighter than usual - so they're renting a very old, slightly run down beanstalk. But a rumor starts to spread that the reason the old set piece is taped up is because it's made with asbestos. The truth, though, is much worse.  There's a body in there, well decomposed.

But what's a little mummification when there's a show that must go on? And how do you keep control over a cast that mistakes illegal drugs for the sweets intended for the children?

I am not familiar with author Janice Hallett, nor the first book in this series (The Appeal), but I was looking for something with a holiday theme, and as I've read some very good mysteries lately (even a few good cozy mysteries) I put this one on my Kindle. Unfortunately, it really didn't work for me.

First off is the style of storytelling.  This entire story is told through a variety of short communications - tweets, WhatsApp messages, incident reports, and interview transcriptions. I've seen this kind of method before and I rarely find it enjoyable.  It's very difficult to build to a climax when the method of telling changes (and it never builds here). Additionally, we have some odd timing issues.  The bulk of the story is told through flashback, bookended by legal memos in the present day.

Perhaps because I hadn't read the previous book, but I didn't ever feel that I knew who these characters were other than one or two of the main people, and they seemed to be caricatures, or at best, stereotypes of community theater leaders who take their work much too seriously.

This is a cozy mystery, and for me a reminder of the kinds of cozies that I don't enjoy.  The death of the victim is not part of the action of the book and in fact seems to be a minor part of the story. It's more a farce about keeping a play together when everything falls apart, but it wasn't funny or clever.

This didn't work for me.

Looking for a good book? Nothing appeals about The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

1-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

The Christmas Appeal

author: Janice Hallett

series: The Appeal #1.5

publisher: Atria Books

ISBN: 9781668035887

hardcover, 208 pages

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When you lump books together by genre, it can be a big mistake to say "I don't like urban fantasy books or I don't like cozy mysteries" when it's based on just a few experiences. I didn't think I liked cozy mysteries based on reading a number of books similar to The Christmas Appeal.  But on the other end of the cozy mystery spectrum are books like this, Gigi Pandian's The Christmas Caper.


Since the team at Secret Staircase Construction is taking some time off to celebrate the holidays, Tempest Raj has chosen to revive a family tradition and celebrate in Scotland. But once there, Tempest learns that the museum near to where she is staying was recently robbed. A painting was stolen, the museum was locked, and no alarms were ever set off.

A family friend, knowing that Tempest, with her illusionist skills, might be able to uncover the whodunnit behind this theft, brings her in, hoping Tempest can solve this locked room mystery.

I really like Pandian's work. She continues to find a gimmick for her mysteries that really works well. I liked her gargoyle series (The Accidental Alchemist books). I liked her Indiana Jones-like series (Jaya Jones).  And I'm enjoying her Secret Staircase series.

The Secret Staircase is a relatively new series (in conjunction with a new publisher) for Pandian, though Tempest is a minor character in some of the Jaya Jones stories. With her background in magic, she understands illusions and the art of misdirection. She's clever and can think outside the box (literally).

As with all of Pandian's writing, her characters are tremendously fun. They are unique but not unrealistic and they (Tempest, here) know themselves and use their talents efficiently. This seems like it should go without saying, but so often I've read books in which the main characters don't know themselves.

Now that I've gushed on Gigi Pandian's work, let me note two issues I had with this specific work.  First, it's too short.  Tempest is a character that deserves more page time than a short story allows. I've quoted before - "The short story is about things people do.  The novel is about people who do things" (I attribute this to Theodore Sturgeon who said this at a convention I attended in the 1970's) - and I'd rather read about Tempest doing something than something Tempest did.

But I also have to admit that I was hoping for a stronger Christmas connection rather than something that happens while our protagonist is on Christmas vacation. This could just as easily have been The Midsummer Caper or The Founder's Day Caper - any festive occasion that disrupts city-wide festivities.

This is well worth reading as part of the Tempest Raj Secret Staircase series, but not a great stand-alone story.

Looking for a good book? The Christmas Caper by Gigi Pandian is a brief diversion for character Tempest Raj within the Secret Staircase Mystery series.

3-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

The Christmas Caper

author: Gigi Pandian

series: Secret Staircase Mystery #1.1

publisher: Minotaur

Kindle edition, 83 pages

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