The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
aileron's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Confinement
Moderate: Murder and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
toofondofbooks_'s review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really enjoyed revisiting the world of The Appeal, which was one of my favorite books of 2022. Seeing the same quirky characters in a new mystery was very fun and a great way to distract myself while I've been sick. However, I did find the mystery itself to be kind of weak and I think that this author is much better than this novella makes her seem. I would've preferred a full length sequel where she could have taken her time and unraveled a murder mystery like in the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Death, Chronic illness, and Confinement
helena_chris's review
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Just a fun little read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Confinement and Domestic abuse
kirstym25's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism and Classism
creativelifeofliz's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
 A fun holiday take that returns us to the world of murder and the Fairway Players.
The Fairway Players are busy this holiday season rehearsing for their production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise funds for the new church roof. Of course, like in The Appeal, there are tons of petty rivalries and seemingly-minor backstage problems. Then a dead body shows up on the stage. Who is to blame? Lawyers Femi and Charlotte again investigate letters, emails, and police transcripts to identify the victim and the killer.
It was delightful to be back in the world of the Fairway Players. Everyone seems to be so enmeshed in petty drama and acts of sabotage. I enjoyed getting to figure out the mystery along with Femi and Charlotte. It's interesting to see how their interpretations varied from my own. I think the only real drawback of this story is that it's really only novella-length. I think getting a chance to explore all the corners of the story a bit more would have been fun.
Overall, if you're looking for a fun Christmas whodunit, I definitely recommend picking this one up. It's fast-paced and surprisingly emotional (both laughter and sadness). Take a look at the content warnings, as there are some tough topics discussed, but overall it's a lighthearted taste of chaos.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.Â
The Fairway Players are busy this holiday season rehearsing for their production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise funds for the new church roof. Of course, like in The Appeal, there are tons of petty rivalries and seemingly-minor backstage problems. Then a dead body shows up on the stage. Who is to blame? Lawyers Femi and Charlotte again investigate letters, emails, and police transcripts to identify the victim and the killer.
It was delightful to be back in the world of the Fairway Players. Everyone seems to be so enmeshed in petty drama and acts of sabotage. I enjoyed getting to figure out the mystery along with Femi and Charlotte. It's interesting to see how their interpretations varied from my own. I think the only real drawback of this story is that it's really only novella-length. I think getting a chance to explore all the corners of the story a bit more would have been fun.
Overall, if you're looking for a fun Christmas whodunit, I definitely recommend picking this one up. It's fast-paced and surprisingly emotional (both laughter and sadness). Take a look at the content warnings, as there are some tough topics discussed, but overall it's a lighthearted taste of chaos.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Classism, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Violence, and Domestic abuse
ramalam98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
4.25
Definitely one for fans of The Appeal as have the same setting (the theatre group) and some character overlap.Â
Interpersonal drama alongside a dead body, who knows something? This was nice and short, around half the length of The Appeal, and I read it in an afternoon. It has Hallett’s signature page-turning style and I massively enjoyed reading all the pettiness and drama unfold as the group attempt to put on, and sabotage, a christmas pantomime.Â
The ARC unfortunately had some formatting issues but this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
I found the ending slightly disappointing, but apart from that this was super enjoyable. The Appeal remains her best work though.Â
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book! This is my honest review.Â
Interpersonal drama alongside a dead body, who knows something? This was nice and short, around half the length of The Appeal, and I read it in an afternoon. It has Hallett’s signature page-turning style and I massively enjoyed reading all the pettiness and drama unfold as the group attempt to put on, and sabotage, a christmas pantomime.Â
The ARC unfortunately had some formatting issues but this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
I found the ending slightly disappointing, but apart from that this was super enjoyable. The Appeal remains her best work though.Â
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book! This is my honest review.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Classism
Minor: Death and Domestic abuse
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