Alex Pine

Yikes! I thought I would try one of the many 'Christmas murder' style novels, as an antidote to Christmas romances, and this was free on Prime Reading - but I obviously picked the wrong author as an introduction to the sub-sub-genre. Alex Pine is a dreadful writer, and I have no idea (a) how he persuaded a well-known publisher to take on his debut novel, and (b) why he's receiving so many positive reviews and being encouraged to churn out sequels! From the clunky narrative and the stilted show more dialogue - brought to you by the abbreviations 'hon' and 'guv' - I thought I was reading teenage fiction on Wattpad.

The plot is supposed to be a violent, if not altogether original, murder mystery set in a claustrophobically small village during a blizzard, but Pine has sucked all of the personality, pacing and tension out of his own narrative. James Walker, the hotshot detective from the Met who moves to Cumbria with his whining wife, is both bland and useless. It's a good job that various other characters regularly comment on his professional prowess, because Walker acts like every day is his first day on the job. I had to laugh when the killer, while standing over the detective's wife with the murder weapon in hand, took the time to feed his ego one last time: ‘I underestimated you, Detective,’ he said. ‘And that was a mistake.' Meanwhile, Annie, Walker's non-entity of a wife, seems to spend her time either crying or drinking. She has a bit of a backstory, but she is just so flat and one dimensional that I didn't care. And that goes for the murders too.

The whole twelve murders for the twelve days of Christmas schtick, which Pine exposits like a Wikipedia summary, if handled by Agatha Christie or an American author like Jeffrey Deaver, could have been really disturbing - I was imagining each murder connected to a line in the song, like the gold rings could have represented the first victim - but no. Walker receives a dead partridge and a Christmas card warning that twelve people in the village 'deserve' to die - but we only get the first three victims, and they all die the same way. I had my fingers crossed that Annie would the fourth, however! And oh my word, but the investigation is plodding and repetitive, with lots of aimless wandering - or wondering, as Pine's editor would have it - and harassing the same handful of suspects. Walker also asks the postman to guard one murder scene and needs a junior officer to suggest covering another body with a tarpaulin, not so clever dick that he is.

Nothing about the characters or the story worked for me. The only other string to Annie's bow is that she's desperate to have a baby and feels guilty about 'her inability to conceive' (is she the Virgin Mary?) She waltzes into town and offers her services as a supply teacher - of course women who don't have children must work with them instead - and the mothers ask her advice about how to tell their children about the murders, like she's some kind of expert. She also frets over her estranged uncle, the giant red herring, who comes across as slightly sinister but don't worry, folks, he just has dementia. And then there are the italic chapters, told in first person from the victim's perspective, which drove me mad - 'Oh no, now there is a knife in my stomach, I am in so much pain'.

Needless to say, I won't be moving onto the second or third books in the series, and I'm glad I didn't pay for this honour, but I hope for the sake of other readers that Pine improves with practice. show less

After moving his family to the quiet village of Kirkby Abbey, DI James Walker is hoping for a equally quiet Christmas. But, as the snow begins to fall, he finds a parcel on his doorstep containing a gruesome 'present' as well as a macabre promise - twelve days, twelve murders. Walker hopes this is someone's idea of a practical joke being played on the new DI but shortly after, a body is found frozen in the snow. As the snow continues to accumulate, isolating the village from the outside show more world, Walker must discover if this is just a coincidental accident or if the inhabitants of Kirkby Abbey are trapped here with a determined murderer and this is just the first of many murders.

Ok, I know it's a little early to be thinking of Christmas even in books but I am a sucker for a good Christmas cozy mystery and The Christmas Killer is definitely that. It is the first in a series of murder mysteries by Alex Pine and I was pulled me in from the first page and fully engaged throughout. There's plenty of red herrings and twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. For fans of cozy mysteries, especially those set during the Christmas season, this one's for you.

Thanks to Netgalley & Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review show less

DI Walker and his wife Annie have moved to Kirby Abbey, Cumbria to a house her mother left her. A move instigated because of the possible threats to them from released convicted killer Andrew Sullivan. The courts having decided after thirteen months in prison that he was wrongly convicted when another man confessed.
But as Christmas approachs they receive a parcel containing a dead bird and a threatening message inside a Christmas card. Threats that there will be twelve deaths during the show more twelve days of Christmas, deaths of twelve people who deserve to die.
Unfortunately I did determine who was the killer, and I really didn't care much for the character of Annie Walker.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book to review.

A Charming Twist on Tradition

Night Before Christmas" by Alex Pine is a delightful reimagining of the timeless holiday classic that captures the magic of the season while infusing it with a fresh and modern perspective. Pine's writing style effortlessly combines the charm of the original story with a contemporary twist, creating a heartwarming and engaging read for readers of all ages.The story follows the show more familiar structure of the original poem, with a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

However, Pine introduces a cast of diverse and relatable characters that breathe new life into the narrative. Through clever storytelling, the book explores themes of friendship, family, and the spirit of giving, making it relevant and appealing to today's audience.

One of the book's strengths is Pine's ability to evoke vivid imagery, painting scenes that transport readers to a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The author's attention to detail adds depth to the story, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere.

While staying true to the essence of the original poem, "Night Before Christmas" also surprises readers with unexpected twists and turns that keep the story engaging and unpredictable. This reimagined version maintains the poetic rhythm and lyrical quality of the original while infusing it with a sense of modern sensibility.

In conclusion, "Night Before Christmas" by Alex Pine is a delightful and heartwarming holiday read that successfully pays homage to the classic while adding its own unique flavor. With its captivating storytelling and fresh interpretation, this book is sure to become a new seasonal favorite for readers looking to experience the joy and magic of Christmas in a whole new way. show less