The Last Noel

This book reads like Home Alone where the villains are so enamoured with Christmas they are willing to risk their future for a turkey dinner. There are some unexpected twists in an otherwise unmemorable story. I'm not sure I'd recommend it even for light entertainment but it definitely fits the Christmas theme.

I am not familiar with Heather Graham, so I didn't know if I would like this audio book or not. I chose it because I wanted to have something to listen to while Christmas shopping, running to the grocery etc...something about the holidays that wouldn't be too gory. This audio book fit the bill perfectly, hence my four-and-a-half star rating -- not because it was exceptionally well written - it wasn't - but because it was an engaging story of a somewhat typical family being held hostage over Christmas Eve-Day by a trio of desperate, armed thieves ... or are they all criminals? Anyway, it was an engaging book, and I like what it's view of family very much. Don't think I would have cared for the book at all if I hadn't read it, or listened show more to it rather, over Christmas. show less

During a fierce blizzard in Western Massachusetts a trio of burglars bungle a heist in an antique store killing the elderly shopkeeper. While fleeing the scene their car plows into a snowdrift leaving them stranded in the bitter cold. Seeing the lights in a nearby home the men ring the doorbell telling the homeowners that they have been in an accident and need shelter from the storm. The family, the O'Boyle's, have gathered together for the Christmas holiday and welcome the 3 strangers, Quintin, Scooter and Craig into their home. Quintin quickly pulls his gun terrorizing the family and hinting that once the storm is over they will be leaving but there will be no witnesses left alive. The O'Boyle's daughter, Kat, immediately recognizes show more Craig the handsome man she had given her heart to when they were attending college. They were inseperable and desperately in love until one day Craig told her he never loved her and disappeared from her life. Kat had never introduced him to her family so they have no idea that the young man was once someone so important in their daughter's life. Kat is disgusted to see that Craig has apparently turned to a life of crime but something just doesn't ring true. Is he really one of the criminals or does he have an ulterior motive that not even the other 2 felons are not privy too.

On the whole this was a suspenseful story and a pretty good read. I felt parts of it were just a bit too easily dealt with and things were tied up too neatly. I would read another book by this author in the future. show less

A story about a typical family that has their holiday celebration (in a remote vacation home) high-jacked by a trio of thieves that get caught in a snow storm as they are fleeing their latest crime scene. The characters weren't really that well developed and the plot had quite a few holes in it. Overall a quick, mindless read.

You know how you just click with some authors? Heather Graham is does just the opposite for me. I have tried to read a couple other of her books, even tried an audio and can't seem to warm up to her. I have no clue as to why.

As far as this book goes, it lacks believabilty. In the previous books I attempted, I didn't get that far. And trust me, if it hadn't been for the Suspense & Thrillers Group at Shelfari.com, I would have closed the book up and not finished it.

Another good Heather Graham book. This is about some jewelry theives that hold a family hostage Christmas Eve. Good interesting characters.