This book, my gawd, this book is bloody brilliant!!!
I have never laughed as much while reading a book!
I've been through it all with this one from snorting sniggers while on the bus (apologies to the couple on the seat in front of me, who obviously thought I was laughing at them discussing their medical issues) to chuckling in the dark of night in bed (the dogs gave me a look which clearly said; me mam's bonkers, and walked off in disgust) to full blow belly laughs - this book is an absolute bloody corker (I am definitely going to buy a physical copy just to have it on the keeper shelf!)
Any woman can relate to every aspect of this (maybe minus the dead Father Christmas in the pantry, but each to their own!) Anna is every woman, she wants a normal Christmas, but everything that can go wrong does (always the case right?) The hangover from hell, kiddos don't give a chuff and best not be disturbed, husband still snoring, how dare he! The house looks like it's been through the apocalypse; where did all the mess come from....oh, yes she remembers! Inlaws on route for Christmas dinner...don't mention dinner, they'll be lucky to get a packet of crisps and oh yes nearly forgot; a dead Father Christmas in the pantry! Perfect!!
There is a single thing I didn't like about this, I flew through it within days (for me, that is astounding as I am the slowest reader). murder mysteries aren't always my go-to genre, but I was completely drawn into the blurb, I loved the sound of it and was so pleased I read it and will definitely read more from the author!!
The writing is so honest and incredibly funny, there is wit and good-natured humour on every page, Anna is a brilliant character, a real woman who has the world on her shoulders, a to-do list that never ends and a chaotic family and fabulous always there for her friends (good job too, there is a murder to solve!). I was completely hooked from the first page, I had no idea who the murderer was the writing is so crisp and clever that you're pondering and trying to figure it all out right up to the big reveal. I loved it, and will happily read it again and again!

I have read so many books that I laugh aloud or sniggered to myself. Never have I read a book that has appealed to my sense of humour like this book did. Happy Bloody Christmas has had me in fits of laughter, I mean tears streaming down my face, jaw achingly laughter. What I must have looked like sat in my car on the school run, tears running and wildly laughing to myself. The woman in the car next to me must have thought I was having some midlife crisis or breakdown!
As a woman in her mid-40s, this book was so relatable that it was like reading parts of my own life - minus the murder mystery bits, of course! I loved the plot, the pace of it, how I felt like I was a part of the team trying to solve the mystery. All the characters were fab, especially the best friend duo of Anna and Jennie. I haven't got a single thing I didn't like apart from it had to end. Bloody brilliant!!
I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a great festive murder mystery. I think it would appeal to anyone who's in their fabulous 40s. I found it hilariously good fun.

All Anna wants is the perfect Christmas day. After waking up christmas eve hungover and finding a dead body in her larder, things aren't looking good. With her in-laws' arrival for Christmas dinner the next day, what is she to do?

Thank you to Avon Books UK for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own

The writing was light, frank and very funny. It had me smiling and laughing out loud throughout which is very rare. I found it all very relatable, with the character going off on amusing tangents every so often and text messages being added in to bring it up to date. I was gripped from the beginning right through to the end. I wasn't completely sure who the murderer was until it was revealed at the end.

The chapters were quite long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. I did get very engrossed in what was happening and I didn't want the story to end.

There was a good pace to the story. Even though there were a few different suspects to go through and lots of different things to consider, I never got bored. There was quite a lot of chatter and thought processes from the main character, which were very amusing and entertaining to read. I never felt bogged down and managed to keep up with everything that was going on. There was a good flow to the story so everything ran smoothly together and made for an enjoyable read.

The characters were excellent. I loved the main character. She was amusing, relatable and a joy to read. I also enjoyed reading about the rest of the family and the way that her husband was always there to support her. There were also some interesting dislikeable characters which added an extra layer to the story.

Lastly the settings. They were only vaguely described as it was more a character focused story. Any setting that was integral to the story was given a bit more attention.

Overall a very funny Christmas murder mystery that I highly recommend.

Full of cosy festive vibes and humour. Jo’s writing is engaging and quirky in the very best way. A must read for Christmas 2024.

An absolute riotous Christmas cracker. Very funny, hugely enjoayble and (aside from the dead body in the larder) very relateable.

Highly recommend.

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday read that combines humour, chaos, and a pinch of mystery, look no further than "Happy Bloody Christmas" by Jo Middleton. I completely devoured this book, and let me tell you, it was one of the most enjoyable and hilarious experiences I’ve had this festive season!
From the get-go, I was a fan of Anna Johnson’s whirlwind life. Anna’s struggles only escalate when a mysterious death disrupts her already hectic holiday plans. Finding a dead Santa in her larder is the last thing she needs, especially with her disapproving in-laws on the way. The sheer absurdity of the situation had me laughing out loud—Anna’s witty internal monologue and her frantic attempts to juggle sleuthing with holiday preparations had me invested and rooting for her from page one.
The absurdity escalates as Anna begins her investigation into the death of her less-than-beloved boss, Colin. With the police's lacklustre response to the investigation, Anna, her husband Oli, their tech-savvy son Ben, and her charmingly quirky friend Jennie dive into the mystery themselves. I loved how their investigation intertwined seamlessly with holiday chores.
Middleton crafts a wonderfully relatable and humorous narrative. I found myself frequently cracking up at Anna’s thoughts on the absurdities of motherhood and holiday stress, especially in her interactions with the never-ending stream of family obligations. Plus, the characters are delightful and full of personality. Jennie’s “murder board” idea mixed with Pokémon characters had me grinning, and I couldn’t help but admire Anna’s determination to keep her home running smoothly, even as everything spiralled into chaos.
Middleton's sharp wit and snarky observations bring a fresh twist to the cosy mystery genre, making this story more than just a simple whodunit. I felt like I was experiencing the ups and downs of holiday madness right alongside Anna. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, there were twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
The cherry on top comes with the clever epilogue that hints at more sleuthing to come, which left me eagerly wanting a sequel. Anna’s adventures, while chaotic, resonate with anyone who’s ever survived the holiday season with a sense of humour intact.
In short, "Happy Bloody Christmas" is an absolute joy to read, a perfect blend of humour, heart, and a little holiday sleuthing. Grab a glass of your favourite drink, cosy up, and prepare for a delightful escape into Anna's world—it’s the kind of festive distraction we all need!

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Such a fun, festive read. You wouldn’t really think of a whodunnit being a good seasonal subject, but this author has nailed it.
Great plot, well written characters, just enough quirks throughout to be funny rather than eccentric.
Highly recommend!

I absolutely loved it such a fun Christmas read I read it in one sitting,
I laughed, I cried, the character were amazing!
The characters were so well written it was a great read

It's Christmas Eve and Anna Johnson has a whole list of tasks and chores to get through before her in laws descend on her for Christmas Day. She is battling a hangover from her annual Christmas house party the night before, and trying to work out how she can involve her husband and two kids in the preparations to help. There are several tasks the children can help with, but one of them is definitely NOT the removal of the dead body dressed as Father Christmas in the larder. Anna wants Christmas to be perfect, and also to find out who on earth could have killed Santa, with one of Annas best kitchen knives, when, and why.
An entertaining read, this was a fun whodunnit with some laugh out loud moments. I loved it and would thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

Anna has thrown a pre-Christmas party which probably wasn't her best idea ever, because she wakes up with a stonking hangover and has only a day to prepare for husband Oli's parents to arrive to a sumptuous meal she hasn't begun to prepare yet. The presents haven't been wrapped, the tablescape isn't done yet and there, between the spelt flour and the Pop Tarts, is a dead Santa in her larder. Sorry, rewind, there is what?

It is so inconvenient when you have a Christmas to-do list as long as your arm and now have to add "solve Santa's murder", "buy a replacement Sabatier knife" and "remove bloodstains in grouting with toothpaste" onto your list!

Enraged by the police's general disinterest and bumbling incompetence when securing the crime scene, Anna and Oli begin to sleuthe themselves, supported by teenage son Ben and delighted BFF Jennie who, wine glass in hand, immediately starts creating a "murder board" like in Death in Paradise, but with Pokémon characters instead of photos of the suspects.

The dead man is Anna's boss Colin, and due to him being an awful human being, it seems there are as many motives to kill him as there were guests. Luckily, Ben is a tech whizz and accesses the Ring doorbell app and the cat tracker like a pro. But that is only the beginning.

Here we have a murder mystery in a strong domestic setting with Christmas preparations - people incorporate the sleuthing into housework like discussing theories while putting on a load of washing or unloading the dishwasher. It's very relatable - of course we want to find the murderer but there is still the downstairs loo to clean and the potatoes to be prepped!

The snarky and hilarious story is told brilliantly - characters are frequently more concerned about the Sabatier knife than the knifed or what the disapproving mother -in-law will say to all this.

This is incredibly entertaining, with a fun cast of characters and a funny cover. I read it in one go and frequently laughed myself silly, especially about the keen observations of an overworked wife and mother at Christmas who needs to find ways that all this isn't noticed by the precocious 7 year old daughter, which makes this more than just a light-hearted whodunnit.

The epilogue sends strong "there'll be a sleuthing sequel" vibes and I'm all here for it. But first, another bottle of crémant, please, as the mother-in-law has just uttered a rare compliment about the gravy!

I really identify with the main character - not the murder bit but the debilitating hangover and Christmas panics. Read this in the hottest day of the year but it still made me shiver with the thought it Christmas and that work we have to do. But the story of a dead Santa made me roll over laughing. Brilliant book!

So Hugely Enjoyable!…
What a blast this is. Meet Anna, her family and friends. It’s Christmastime and Anna has thrown a party. Waking with a hangover on Christmas Eve, together with the party aftermath strewn throughout the house, may not be the best start to the day - but, it’s about to get much, much worse. With a very dead Santa in her precious larder, how on earth is Anna going to cope? As she draws upon her inner Poirot, Anna may well just find some answers. Hugely entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable lighthearted whodunnit with a keenly observed and credible cast of characters. Escapism at its finest.

A drunken house party on December 23rd isn't the best idea, especially when your in-laws are coming for Christmas. You've got a nuclear hangover, the house looks like a war zone, and then there's the small matter of a dead body in the larder. Dressed as Santa. And with one of your best knives sticking out of his chest...

This really is what Anna doesn't need, especially when the officers sent out are more concerned with getting back to the station for the Christmas knees-up than preserving the crime scene.

So it's down to Anna, aided and abetted by husband Oli, son Ben (but emphatically not seven year old daughter Lily) and best friend Jennie to get this solved before her in-laws arrive.

Brilliant

A very funny mystery with an appealing amateur detective. Set at Christmas time. A woman finds a party guest dressed as Father Christmas stabbed to death in her larder. Overcoming numerous obstacles (including her mother-in-law) she solves the murder in time for a festive family Christmas. This could easily become a series

I shouldn't like this book. It's not credible, it's annoying, and most of the characters are scatterbrained .... but I LOVED it.

It's funny, lighthearted, well, as lighthearted as you can get with a body in your pantry. With in the in-laws due the next day, not only has she a murder to solve, but she needs to ready herself for Christmas.

It was a really fun read that would be perfect to read over the Christmas season

Well written, funny and keeps you involved while trying to solve a murder. Loved every minute of this. I highly recommend for a fun read. Will definitely look for some more books by this author.

Loved this. It was the perfect mix of mystery, fun with added Christmas spirit. I really recommend all of Jo's work

A fun Christmas read, very cheesy in places, took a while to get into it but the light hearted murder mystery was very enjoyable in the end. Loved the homely Christmas touches and message about family, made me nostalgic for the a season
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review

Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton is a darkly funny and chaotic festive mystery that had me hooked from the start. Anna Johnson just wants a peaceful Christmas, but when she finds a dead body in her larder, things spiral hilariously out of control.

The mix of murder, family drama, and holiday stress makes for a brilliantly entertaining read. Anna’s inner monologue is sharp and relatable, and the sheer absurdity of her predicament had me laughing out loud. The tension builds nicely as she scrambles to solve the mystery before her in-laws arrive, keeping me turning the pages.

While the plot is fun and fast-paced, some moments felt a little over-the-top, and I occasionally wanted a bit more depth to the mystery itself. But overall, this is a perfect festive read for anyone who enjoys humour with their crime fiction. A wonderfully witty and unpredictable Christmas caper!

Happy Bloody Christmas was a throwback to classic murder mysteries such as those by agatha christie but for a more modern audience. The plot was a little unrealistic but that didn't matter one bit. The characters were wonderful and so relatable. Families, Christmas, murder and humour all feature in the book. There so were many laugh out loud moments and a few good twists and turns. Would recommend this book. Thanks to Jo Middleton, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Jo Middleton's Happy Bloody Christmas offers a delightfully chaotic take on the classic holiday season, mixing the traditional stress of Christmas preparations with a darkly comedic murder mystery. Anna Johnson is a relatable protagonist whose hungover discovery of a dead body in her larder sends her already overwhelming Christmas Eve spiralling into madness. The book’s witty humour shines as Anna tries to juggle solving the murder, managing her dozy yet endearing husband, and preparing for her judgemental in-laws’ arrival—all while keeping her kids blissfully unaware of the grisly turn of events.

What makes this festive whodunit stand out is its seamless blend of cosy mystery elements and laugh-out-loud humour. Middleton’s writing is fast-paced, full of sharp dialogue, and peppered with relatable family dynamics. While the mystery itself isn’t overly intricate, the twists and turns are satisfying, and the slightly absurd tone makes it impossible to put down. Themes of embracing imperfection and prioritising joy add a layer of depth to the humour, making Happy Bloody Christmas both entertaining and unexpectedly heartwarming.

This book wasn't what I expected from a Christmas story but I absolutely loved it. Chaotic and fun with a bit of a mystery into the bargain. I can't wait for the next instalment.

This was so much fun to read – I adored it. A hilariously entertaining festive whodunnit, I read this in a matter of days. Get this on your festive reading pile!!

4⭐️

A laugh out loud festive whodunnit! 🎄

This was a thoroughly entertaining Christmas read, that was more moreish than Christmas sweet treats!

Anna’s Christmas Eve To Do List:
1. Wrap the kids’ presents
2. Peel the potatoes
3. Get rid of the dead body?!
Hungover and exhausted after her family’s annual party, all Anna wants for Christmas is to finish her to-do list and finally sit down with the world’s biggest glass of wine. But when she stumbles across a dead body in her larder, her plans are well and truly buggered. A mysterious death in her home really is the last thing she needs, but with her judgemental in-laws arriving in less than twenty-four hours, turning her house into a crime scene is not an option. If she’s going to save Christmas, it’s up to Anna to find out what the hell’s gone on. Oh – and figure out what to do with the body before one of the kids finds it. And you thought burning the turkey was the worst that could happen…

I haven’t read any book like this in a while and I loved it. Packed with hilariously honest truths, it was easy to inhale and was a very cosy read.

I loved Anna’s character, her quick wit, and all the constant glimpses we received into what she was thinking. She had one hell of jam packed Christmas Eve and it was so her luck. I loved how she took on the investigator hat and what she deduced with the evidence available.

I quite liked the secondary characters too and how this book shines a light on the chaos of Christmastime and pleasing all those picky guests - we all know a Pamela! I really enjoyed how family orientated this read was too with Anna’s children frequently appearing.

I had no idea how the bow would be unravelled in this cleverly wrapped Christmas mystery and I enjoyed the reveal at the end.

A huge thank you to @avonbooksuk, @jomiddletonauthor and @netgalley for this ARC of Happy Bloody Christmas which I urge everyone to check out. 😍

After all, we all deserve a laugh at Christmas! ❤️💚

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

this book is a very different christmas story not romantic but being a detective is the case to find santa in your larder with a knife through his stomach the morning after in your house following a christmas party and a dirty great big hangover its now up to you to read and solve the case of who stabbed santa in my larder

I really enjoyed this festive murder mystery and it was a nice change from all the festive romcoms available this time of year.

I loved MC Anna and thought her comedy timing was brilliant. I belly laughed a couple of times at her antics in finding the culprit.

I think this will appeal to a multitude of readers who are looking to escape reality for a bit.

I look forward to book 2!

This was such a brilliant read. I read it on Xmas eve which is when it takes place. A fast paced read which has loveable characters that are integral to how the story develops. I loved the humour and laughed out loud on more than one occasion.

I loved Happy Bloody Christmas - fast paced and very funny. The only criticism was at one point it felt that there were a lot of ‘suspects’ to remember the connection of everyone, however I got over this quickly. I guessed the ending/killer midway through, but this didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the book. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes a festive mystery!

My thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a copy of “ Happy Bloody Christmas “ for an honest review.

I always save some festive books to read for the run up to Christmas , this was the final one on my list and I definitely saved the best for last !
This was a really humorous book despite the fact that “ Santa “ has been killed in Anna’s kitchen larder.
The characters were all really well written and believable , except for the strange police procedures, or lack of them This was a laugh out loud read., but as well as that there was a really suspenseful “whodunnit “ at the heart of the book
A real gem of a book , and I’ve just seen Jo Middleton is releasing a follow on book for next year so that’s on my Christmas list for 2025 !

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. This was an entertaining, light - hearted comedy. It owned its silliness meaning the persistent need to suspend disbelief didn't matter. I enjoyed the characters and the plot, and the sneaky Thursday Murder Club reference. The story was wrapped up a bit quickly, and I'm not quite sure how Anna reached the right conclusion, but ultimately, it was a fun festive read.

I love a good Christmas/holiday mystery. Add in a good dash of humor and it’s a recipe for success. I had a really good time with this book and found myself constantly laughing. Absolutely recommend for anyone who loves a fun mystery!

I am a little bit 'bah humbug' when it somes to Christmas books as I can't be doing with all the schmaltzy, fluffy ones! But this one was right up my street!

After hosting a brilliant Christmas party, Anna was expecting a horrendous clean up the morning after, but a dead Santa in her larder is a step further than her hungover head can deal with! When the police finally show up, they seem more concerned about getting back to the station in time for their Christmas party, so Anna and her husband Oli decide to try and solve it themselves, before the imminent arrival of the in-laws!

Brilliant, dark comedy that made me laugh out loud several times. Perfect if you like your Christmas reads on the non-lovey-dovey side!

The run up to Christmas is stressful enough but when Anna wakes up on Christmas Eve after a festive party at home with friends and work colleagues the last thing she expects is to find her boss dead in her larder and he's dressed as Santa!

With the police more interested in rushing back to their own Christmas party than looking for suspects Anna decides to look for clues herself. It must have been one of their friends, but who would want to kill Colin and use one of her favourite knives (from an expensive set) to stab him as well!

As well as turning detective she also needs to find the time to clean and decorate the house for the impending arrival of the judgy inlaws, whilst shielding her 7 year old from discovering Santas demise...

A very funny book that keeps you guessing to the end! It will appeal to the stressed 40 something mum at Christmas!

Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Jo Middleton for the eArc of Happy Bloody Christmas.
Olivia Mace (Narrator)

This is my first book that I have read by Jo Middleton and I loved it! Her writing style with the cosy, comical whodunit edge had me engaged throughout the book. I loved the MC, Anna, her family and her closest friend characters which felt realistic and well rounded. The humour that is weaved throughout the narrative really tickled me. It's well placed and light so I had some great laugh out loud moments. There is some great foreshadowing and even though some might think it was predictable, I still really enjoyed the finale. I'll be looking out for more books by this author.

I also had the pleasure of listening to part of the audiobook when I didn't have time to sit and read. Olivia Mace has a wonderful voice for this type of genre and also portrayed the humorous side of the book really well.


4.5 for Storygraph, 5 for other review sites.

Oh what an hilarious book!
I was already hooked from seeing the cover and knew this was going to be a good one!

Anna wakes up on Christmas Eve with a big hangover and a house to clean after the party her family threw the night before for her friends and co-workers. She has only a few hours to clean and prepare for the in-laws for Christmas Day and she’s already dreading it. When she goes downstairs and opens the pantry, to her shock, her boss Colin has been stabbed and is dressed as Father Christmas dead on the floor. She rings her best friend Jennie and they start collecting some evidence and start the detective skills that everyone wishes they could do just once!

Absolutely loved the writing style, it was so easy to read and I managed to finish it so quickly!

Definitely recommend for a hilarious Christmas read.

A very enjoyable murder mystery, investigating the stabbing of Father Christmas. When the police seem to be incompetent, Anna with her family and friends set about solving the mystery and identifying the killer. Light-hearted and fun story.

When Anna wakes up on Christmas Eve with a hangover, the last thing she expects is to find a body in her larder.
But the next twenty-four hours will be her busiest yet, not only is she getting ready for her in-laws to stay over and preparing the Christmas dinner, but she's also solving a murder.

This novel was outrageously funny, and I found myself laughing out loud at certain scenes. I loved the devotion Oli has for Anna, and this is definitely 'Couple Goals' relationship vibe. I also adored the best friend, Jennie, who was a little quirky but who constantly had Anna's back.

This novel truly showed us not to mess with this female main character as she really can do it all.

This book was a bit of a god send for me. I could feel myself slipping into a bit of a book slump and this brought me back from the brink! I love a bit of a murder mystery, and with the added Christmas theme, the chaos of incoming in-laws and the addition of a hangover, it just made the whole thing even better! I found myself giggling at some points, it was very UK centred which I love as the references were completely on point and I just found it really comforting. Thank you to the team at @avonbooks for sending me a copy - I’m well and truly in the Christmas spirit now… just without the murder part 😉

I thought this was a fun read, full of real people in unreal circumstances as well as caricatures such as the police officers . You had to suspend belief but I really enjoyed it.

If you are looking for a light, funny but dark read for December then pick this one up!

After my last read, I needed something really light and murdery, and well ‘tis the season, so I finally picked this one up. I knew it was going to be funny, but I did not expect it to be that funny - it’s absolutely brilliant. It felt like it was a really short book as I finished it quick, but on looking at the page count it would appear that I just flew through it. As the person who has the inlaws for dinner as well, I was having absolute palpitations over how much time they were wasting “faffing around” and going out, and they partied on pre-Christmas eve? What?! I could not cope…

Overall, loved it so much - an antidote to the Christmas stress!

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Most of my go to Christmas reads are cosy romances, so this festive mystery was a refreshing change of pace!

It’s Christmas Eve, and Anna is nursing a hangover after last night’s party. With a house to clean before the in-laws arrive the last thing she needs is a dead Santa in her larder!

Anna enlists the help of her husband Oli, their teenage son, and her best friend Jennie to try and solve the mystery while still trying to pull off a perfect Christmas.

This book is witty and entertaining. Its engaging plot and lively characters make it an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a Christmas story that steps beyond the traditional.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC

‘Happy Bloody Christmas’ has the perfect mixture of murder mystery and comedy. The Christmas shenanigans are reminiscent of many families and added to the fun of the book!

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the arc to review.

Enjoyed reading this and was chuckling throughout 😁 definitely puts you off office parties although it did seem that Anna has found her new calling in life. I couldn't help feel sorry for her as she was trying to hold it all together for Christmas while trying to play detective in a bid to uncover a murderer - who could have been one of her nearest and dearest. Trying to do that when waiting for a monster in-law to descend on you and criticise your every effort adds to further stress that she could do without. She handles it all perfectly, with great humour and better than the police- all with time to spare for Christmas ⛄🎁

It's a fun read that really does have you laughing out loud at times. Lots of fun references too and you can't help identify with Anna at times.

Christmas Eve, and Anna wakes with a hangover and a huge to-do list before her in laws arrive for Christmas. Unfortunately she also finds the body of her boss in her larder, stabbed. She, husband Oli and best friend Jennie decide they need to find the murderer, particularly as they have got the most inept police in the world on their case - seriously, they walk over incriminating footprints, never interview the party goers including Oli, and disappear for Christmas nibbles with no further interest in the case.

The result is very funny in parts, although Anna is easily distracted and the reader becomes frustrated as time ticks on while she faffs about instead of preparing her home for the dreaded mother in law's arrival. However, the list of suspects is long and the alibis numerous, so its quite clever how it all falls into place.

Anna is a realistic mum in the modern world and apart from the unlikelihood of finding a body and not ringing the police instantly, as well as withholding evidence, it makes for a fun Christmas read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If playing Cluedo was more of an immersive family activity, than a board game, this lot would be the experts! Alongside, all of the stress, drama, chaos and pressure of organising the perfect family Christmas, there's the small matter of solving the mystery of the dead Father Christmas in the pantry.

Fabulous, funny, festive and guaranteed to make you appreciate your own holiday season.

Oh this was such a funny festive read. The characters were brilliant and the chaos in the house was so hilarious. I loved this one. It was warm and welcoming. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy.
Imagine if Motherland and Agatha Christie had a baby and then sprinkled on top a massive dose of relatability. This book had me giggling throughout and I really enjoyed the black humour. Anna as a protagonist is highly relatable, we've all dealt with challenging in laws!
I could imagine this as a "Carry On" style TV show. I loved it! Nice that it has a sprinkle of festive vibes too. Perfect for this time of year.

A laugh-out loud Christmas cracker!
Everyone should be able to relate to this book; maybe not the murder in the larder but definitely the Christmas Eve preparations and stresses and family dramas.
I loved this book which had me laughing out loud from the bubble writing to the marzipan fruits. Fabulous and funny!

Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton is a wickedly fun and darkly humorous take on the holiday season, blending festive cheer with a macabre twist. Middleton crafts a story filled with quirky characters, unexpected chaos, and a holiday celebration that quickly spirals into a wild and bloody affair. With its sharp wit and fast-paced plot, the novel balances humor and horror in a way that keeps readers both entertained and on the edge of their seats. Perfect for those who enjoy unconventional holiday stories, Happy Bloody Christmas offers a unique mix of festive joy and grisly surprises, making it a thrilling read for fans of dark comedy and holiday mayhem.

I knew I was going to enjoy this from the opening sentence: "There is a brief moment with a hangover, just after you wake up, when you think perhaps that everything is going to be okay. And then you move." I hadn't actually realised this was a murder mystery so that nice was a nice surprise. But it was the totally relatable and humorous element of a family Christmas that was the draw for me - and it didn't disappoint. I loved the family dynamics and banter throughout, with my favourite being Oli reporting that the neighbour "had a bat and was being very threatening" only for the kids to confirm that actually "Dad ran away from a man Crocs waving a baguette." So, in short I loved this and as it looks like there's going to be a sequel I can't wait to catch up with the family again soon.