All Olivia wanted was one last miserable Christmas with her husband’s awful family before moving to Australia. She didn’t expect a murder. Now the snow has cut them off and she’s stuck in a stately country house, with her increasingly deranged relatives and the rising suspicion that someone is picking them off one by one. As the bodies pile up and the festive façade starts to crack, Olivia must survive the season, or, at the very least, get through lunch without anyone else choking on a sprout.
12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas had all the ingredients for a sharp, darkly comic festive thriller, but for me it never quite delivered on its promise. The plot was predictable, with twists you can spot chapters ahead, and the writing often drifted into the pretentious, prioritising cleverness over clarity or genuine tension. There were far too many characters, none of whom I found especially likeable or compelling, which made it difficult to invest in anyone?s fate. Their voices blurred together, and I often found myself flipping back to remember who was who. That said, the idyllic setting was a highlight: atmospheric, cosy, and beautifully drawn. It almost felt like the backdrop belonged to a stronger story. Overall, it?s not without charm, but it left me feeling a bit flat. A decent read, but not one I?d rush to revisit. ? ? ? A fairly average read...
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