Murder for Christmas (Vintage Murder Mystery) by Francis Duncan

 

I really rather enjoyed this Christie-esque mystery with its oddball cast of characters, and a rather intriguing amateur detective, Mordecai Tremaine

 

The detective is appealing in a slightly eccentric Poirot way.

 

This Christmas themed crime novel from the late 40s is well-plotted, atmospheric and entertaining - just the kind of cosy crime novel you might want to read at Christmas in fact (as I did!)

Walking Backwards to Christmas: An Advent journey from light to darkness by Stephen Cottrell

           

The story is told with each chapter depicting a different perspective from the people involved, from the shepherds to King Herod to Mary, and several others.

It is a wonderfully engaging and unique re-telling of the Christmas story. It begins when Mary and Joseph are presenting baby Jesus if the temple and goes back to the prophesies of Isaiah and Moses. It's an interesting way of telling the story, but what is so great about it is the writing and the characters. 


I really enjoyed this. 

Christmas Carols: From Village Green to Church Choir by Andrew Gant

 

Having sung many of the carols numerous times, it is interesting to find out how they started.

He tries to place the words and music in historic context, to find the influences which have led up to today's carols, and to explore the social settings in which these songs were sung.

Some of it was a little dry and some parts were very interesting.

I think having the CD to listen to them whilst I read it would have improved the reading experience

Christmas at Thompson Hall: And Other Christmas Stories (Penguin Christmas Classics) by Anthony Trollope

Insightful and humorous depictions of the middle class and gentry of Victorian England at Christmas time.
Easy to read love stories

Frost At Christmas: (DI Jack Frost Book 1) by R. D. Wingfield

   

Having watched Frost on TV and then read the book, the TV adaptation is fairly faithful to the book.

I love the faults of Frost which are described brilliantly.
Not for Feminists.

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown

 

A Christmas love story.

Lightheated and easy to read.

There is quite a lot of padding and the ending is very obvious