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Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 21: Christmas Book Review pt 2: Murder Mystery 📚

Hi guys 👋🏻

Here is my second book review for blogmas. I have been trying my best to read as many Christmas books as I can throughout the season, and I thought I would review a couple for you.

Let’s take a look!

📚 Book Information

Title: The Christmas Clue

Author: Nicola Upson

Genre: Mystery/Detective

Pages: 192 pages 

Publication Date: 9 September 2025

Series: Stand alone book

🕯️ Why I Picked It Up

I walked past the display in my local waterstones and I just thought it looked so festive. It also sounded like a cool and unique festive read, a far cry from the usual romances.

🎁 Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Christmas Eve, 1943. Anthony and Elva Pratt arrive in a snowy English village to run a murder mystery game – and instead discover a real murder.

The Pratts had planned for festive cheer, despite the wartime shortages: with Elva’s map of the hotel and Anthony’s prop weapons to use as clues, the guests in their parlour game would move through the rooms to figure out whodunnit.

But when Anthony discovers the cook’s sister Miss Silver beaten to death, they instead find themselves investigating a shockingly real crime. The hotel manager Mr Browning is trying to keep the peace but the guests are agitated, Colonel Colman is about to take over the hotel for the war effort – and the mysterious Mrs Threadgold hasn’t been seen at all.

In games, there’s only one victim – but this is real life. Can the Pratts puzzle out this Christmas mystery before it’s too late?

❄️ What Could Have Been Better

I actually don’t know to be honest. I loved the Cluedo inspiration, the appearance of the real creators of Cluedo, the mystery element, the quaint setting, the Agatha Christie vibes. It did exactly what it said on the tin.

🎅 Christmas Spirit Rating


🎄🎄🎄.5 / 5 Christmas Trees

🧣 Who Would Enjoy This Book?

Fans of Cluedo, Fans of Agatha Christie and a well written murder mystery.

🎁 Final Thoughts

This was a great festive whodunit perfect for those who enjoy the board game Cluedo and love a good old traditional murder mystery. I love the different elements of Cluedo included in this story, featuring thr original makers of Cluedo. That was my favourite childhood board game and I loved this murder mystery written in amongst it.

4 days until Christmas!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: books, Celebrations, christmas, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 12: Christmas Book Review pt 1: Romance 📚

Hi guys 👋🏻

Here is my first book review for blogmas. I have been trying my best to read as many Christmas books as I can throughout the season, and I thought I would review a couple for you.

Let’s take a look!

📚 Book Information

Title: The Christmas Holiday

Author: Phillipa Ashley

Genre: Romance

Pages: 384

Publication Date: Nov 10th 2022

Series: Stand alone book


🕯️ Why I Picked It Up
I chose it because I loved the front cover, although its not conventional Christmas colours I do like pink and I like the cute Christmassy scene on the front.



🎁 Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Krystle didn’t have a normal childhood and longed for warm family Christmases with presents under the tree. Now she makes sure everyone else has the perfect Christmas she never had, bringing beautiful decorations to cheer as many people as possible.

With her festive business booming, she decides to celebrate by renting a secluded house in the Lakes, with a plan to make this the ultimate yuletide getaway.

But fate immediately throws a spanner in the works in the form of a broken-down car, a flooded river and Max; a man who despises Christmas.

Krystle becomes determined to show Max the joys of the holiday. She won’t take no for an answer.

Can she melt Max’s Grinch-like heart? And can he show her that life doesn’t need to go to plan to take you somewhere magical…


🌟 What I Loved

  • The festive atmosphere
  • The cute ‘Christmas Card’ cosy setting.
  • The characters were a nice mix without there being too many and it getting confusing.
  • Lots if interesting elements that added to the main story.



❄️ What Could Have Been Better

  • It did take me longer to read than other seasonal romances, it might have been the writing style, but I think it might be a me issue more than the book tbh 😂
  • Probably slightly predictable but most seasonal romances books are so 🤷🏼‍♀️



🎅 Christmas Spirit Rating


🎄🎄🎄.5 / 5 Christmas Trees


🧣 Who Would Enjoy This Book?

If you are a fan of a classic holiday romance, by authors such as Sarah Morgan, Heidi Swain, then you’ll love this.

Romance fans will enjoy this, its sweet and wholesome. It is a bit of a slow burn romance.

Fair warning, it is a little sad a couple of times due to a death mentioned.


🎁 Final Thoughts

Overall I really enjoyed reading it, the setting was super cosy, you could imagine being there for a magical, cosy ‘Picture postcard’ Christmas. The characters were very likeable and the story kept you interested.

13 days to go!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: books, christmas, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment