Blogmas Day Eleven: A Harry Potter Christmas Tree βš‘οΈπŸŽ„

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸΌ

So every year we have two Christmas trees (because why have one when you can have two!!)

I have already posted about our regular, lounge Christmas tree but, we also have a very special Christmas tree in our bedroom…

**Drum roll***

It’s a Harry Potter themed tree!

(What a suprise 🀣)

Originally I used bits of memorabilia to decorate my tree with a Sorting Hat topper, but as more and more Harry Potter stuff has become available (thanks Warner Bros and Primark!!) I have built up quite an extensive collection of baubles.

Most of them are from Primark sets but a couple are from the Studio Tour in Watford, as are the ribbons.

Without further ado, lets take a look at the different stages I went through to create my awesome Harry Potter themed tree.


First up…

Lights

They have had a little upgrade this year… but what could be more magical than star shaped fairy lights in the four house colours (nothing, exactly!)

After that…

Tinsel

I go for red and gold as although all Hogwarts Houses are represented on the tree anything like tinsel or bows are very much in a Gryffindor colour scheme.

Next…

Baubles

As I said, alot of the sets come with a bauble for each house, so all are represented… but more heavily represented are mine (Gryffindor) and my husbands (Hufflepuff) favourite houses.

I bought two new sets of baubles this year (from Primark)… the top one is from a set of four and each bauble is clear with cute, thin tinsel inside to correspond with its Hogwarts House… the tinsel also has lots of tiny little stars in it. The house emblem and name is also written on the front in the same colour font.

These are my favourites so far. They are so pretty.

I also picked up another set with four baubles. Each one says something from the series, eg: ‘Platform 9 3/4, Lumos, Forbidden Forest & Golden Snitch’

Then..

Ribbons

Gryffindor themed of course!

And Finally…

The topper

I bought this in the sale last Christmas time. I think I got it just after Christmas so it was a bargain.

This is the first year I will have used it. It looks great.


Here is the final tree! – Looking super magical if I do say so myself πŸ˜‰


How is your decorating going?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

14 days Until Christmas!

What have I read so far… 2022 edition πŸ“š

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

We are halfway through 2022 (HOW!?!) So I thought I would do a halfway round up of what I have read so far…

So far…

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone: Minalima Illustratred edition

I know what you’ve done by Dorothy Koomson

Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer

22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Her majesty the Queen investigates… The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett

Trust me by T M Logan

The Sanitorium by Sarah Pearse

The Land of Stories: An Authors Odyssey by Chris Colfer

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Love, Locked down by Beth Reckles

Nalas World by Dean Nicholson

This was a man by Jeffrey Archer

Midnight is a lonely place by Barbra Erskine

Walking on Sunshine by Giovanna Fletcher

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

The Summer Fair By Heidi Swain

The Baby is not mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite

The Donor by Clare Mackintosh


1. My Favourite book so far: ‘Wrong Place, Wrong Time’

This is an absolutely fantastic book. It had me at the synopsis – never have I sent a synopsis to so many people because it sounds SO good. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I didn’t want to put it down. The characters and their relationships were lovely and it was a great reading experience.

2. The most gripping so far: ‘Wrong Place, Wrong Tim’ & ‘The Hunting Party’

These were both brilliant books for making you say ‘Just one more page’. There was lots of drama, lots going on and lots to keep enticing you to the end.

3. My Least Favourite so far: I know what You’ve done.

Simply because I didnt find it as gripping as Dorothy’s other books and I found the characters less likeable. It did have a good few twists though.

4. Easiest to read: ‘Love Locked Down

It was weird reading a book about the madness that was the beginning of the pandemic but it was quite cool reading about something that you’ve actually been through in a relatively light hearted way. I liked the variety of characters.

5. One I would recommend: ‘Wrong Place, Wrong Time.’

The time loop and just the sheer depth of the plot ans suspense made it a fantastic reading experience. I really enjoyed her writing style.


What have you been reading recently?

What has been your favourite book so far?

Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

#Blacklivesmatter How you can help πŸ‘ŠπŸΏπŸ‘ŠπŸΎπŸ‘ŠπŸ½πŸ‘ŠπŸΌπŸ‘ŠπŸ»

#blacklivesmatter

➑️ https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/


Racism destroyed in one minute

This lady speaks the truth and this is the change that we need to see.

‘Be the change that you want to see in the world.’ -Mahatma Gandhi

My 2025 book list

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

Another day, another bookish post! This is my complete 2025 list of booms that I read. So if you are looking for any recommendations, look no further.

I’ve added a little code to sort the books a little and represent the variety of formats I have read in and why I chose certain books.

Colour code:

  • Green: One of my ’25 books for 2025′
  • Red: Book Club Books
  • Blue: Borrowed Library Books
  • Bold: my favourite book that month

DNF – means ‘did not finish’

I have put either ‘Audible’ or ‘Spotify’ next to my audiobooks, so if you see that its the audio version.

DISCLAIMER: ’25 books for 2025′ was a little challenge I set myself – I almost read half of the books I needed to but, I did trail off a little towards the end of the year keeping up with Book Club Books and my seasonal reads. But 11 isn’t bad.


January

It’s a wonderful life: Illustrated Edition

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

I died on a Tuesday By Jane Corry

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

Sleep by C L Taylor

This year’s for you and me by  Emily Bell DNF


February

The Other Tenant by Lesley Kara

A Company Of Liars by Karen Maitland (Audible) 1/2

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding (Re-Read)

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (Re-Read)

Friends Forever by Danielle Steele

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon


March

With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher

A Company Of Liars by Karen Maitland (Audible) 1/2

The Doctors Wife by Daniel Hurst

Ward D by Freida McFadden

The Wake Up Call by Beth O Leary


April

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden

Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara

The Girls by Lisa Jewell

I haven’t been entirely honest with you by Miranda Hart (Audible)

The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini


May

Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

The Boy Who Lived by David Holmes

(Audible)

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

Return to the Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

(Audible)


June

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

(Audible)

The Split by Sharon Bolton

Traitors Gate by Jeffrey Archer


July

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

Book Boyfriends by Lucy Vine

Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer 1/2 (Spotify)

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley


August

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

Little People, Big Dreams: Lenny Henry

Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins (Quick Read)

Hotel AvocadoΒ  by Bob Mortimer 1/2 (Spotify)

A Gypsy in Auschwitz by Otto Rosenberg

The Story Spinner by Barbra Erskine (Audible)

Blackout by Emily Barr (Quick Read)

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Strange Houses by Uketsu


September

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose (Novella)

The Crash by Freida McFadden

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis

A Slow Burning Fire by Paula Hawkins

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch


October

Future boy by Micheal J Fox (Audible)

The Intruder by Freida McFadden

All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain

Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow by Victoria Walters


November

The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan (Audible)

The Christmas Holiday by Phillipa Ashley

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore (Spotify)

The Cinnamon Bun Bookshop by Laurie Gilmore (Spotify)

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Harry Potter and the Philosophers StoneΒ by J K Rowling – Full Cast Audio Edition (Audible)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling (Audible) 50%

The Christmas Clue by Nicola Upson


December

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling (Audible) 50%

All We Want For Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore (Spotify)

Not another Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton


Total no of Book Club Books: 8

Total completed books of my ’25 for 2025′ challenge: 11

Total no of books altogether: 63


A great year of reading! Here’s to more in 2026 πŸ˜ƒπŸ“š

Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

My 2025 cinema list πŸ“½πŸŽž

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

Here is my 2025 cinema list using my Unlimited card ✌🏼

Safe to say I got my moneys worth again!


January

Mufasa: The Lion King

With Mum, Tim, Noah, Casey & Dan


Better Man

With Sarah & Tim


Secret Screening: Companion

With Sarah


February

The Sloth Lane

With Tim, Noah & Casey


The Monkey

With Sarah


Heart Eyes

With Sarah


Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

With Charlotte D


March

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

With Mum & Sarah


The Woman in the Yard

With Sarah


April

The Penguin Lessons

With Tim


Flow

With Noah & Casey


Drop

With Sarah


May

Warfare

With Tim


Sinners

With Sarah


Hallow Road

With Tim


Final Destination: Bloodlines

With Sarah


June

Clown in a Cornfield

With Sarah


Lilo & Stitch: Live Action

With Noah & Casey


The Salt Path

With Sarah & Tim


July

28 years later

With Tim and Sarah


Jurassic World: Rebirth

With Tim


UNLIMITED 25: LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring

With Tim


I know what you did last summer

With Sarah


The Wild Robot: Family films for Β£1

With Noah & Casey


Fantastic Four

With Tim


August

The Naked Gun

With Tim


Weapons (4DX)

With Sarah


September

The Roses

With Charlotte


The Smurfs

With Sarah, Noah & Casey


SECRET SCREENING: I Swear

With Tim


Dead of Winter

With Tim


The Long Walk

With Sarah & Christy


October

Night of the Zoopocalypse

With Sarah, Noah & Casey


Horror Double Bill

The Fog: 45th Anniversary

With Sarah


Horror Double Bill

The Strangers: Chapter Two

With Sarah


I Swear

With Mum & Sarah


Black Phone 2

With Sarah


November

SECRET SCREENING: The Running Man

With Tim


Regretting You

With Sarah


Christmas Karma

With Noah, Casey, Evie & Tim


December

45th Anniversary Screening: The Shining

With Sarah


Silent Night, Deadly Night

With Sarah


It’s A Wonderful Life

With Sarah & Tim


Fackham Hall

With Tim


Total number of Visits:

44


Favourite films I saw in 2025:

The Shining

The Sloth Lane

The Monkey

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

The Naked Gun

I Swear

It’s A Wonderful Life


Worst film I saw in 2025:

The Strangers: Chapter 2


Top film (imo) that I saw in 2025:

The Naked Gun


What was your top cinema pick from 2025?


Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

My top 6 fave books of 2025

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

Happy New Year πŸŽ‰ and welcome to 2026!

I thought I would make my first post of 2026 a book one! These are my top 6 (because I couldn’t choose just 5 πŸ˜‚) that I read in 2025.

I have put them in order from, so my top book for 2025 was…

1. Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

A absolute hilarious read, and a brilliant sequel to his first novel ‘The Satsuma Complex’. He writes brilliantly and they are so easy to read, witty and fun.

I listened to Hotel Avocado on Spotify and it was brilliant as it was narrated by Bob Mortimer himself, as well as some other hilarious comedians such as Paul Whitehouse and Sally Phillips.


2. Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain

I always enjoy Heidi’s books and this was no exception. I enjoyed revisiting Wynmouth by the sea and this story introduced lots of new and very likeable characters, I enjoyed it alot.


3. The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

This was a very different choice for me but I loved the ideas and imagination in this story. It was the beautifully colourful front cover that first drew me to it. I have never read translated fiction before so I didn’t know what to expect, but it was full of such interesting ideas and fun. This was one of my choices for our book club in 2025. Everyone really enjoyed this book.


4. The Boy Who Lived by David Holmes

Honestly, this was pretty harrowing in places and a tragic story in many ways, but it was a also a story of amazing strength, perseverance, bravery and friendship. It was a poignant and heartfelt look into the often unseen world of the stunt man working on one of the biggest film franchises to ever be created.

I listened to this in Audible and it was read by David Holmes himself.


5. The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini

This was a brilliant thriller that just kept you guessing constantly. This was one of my choices for our book club in 2025. Everyone really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and very gripping.


6. All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain

Another Heidi Swain and an exciting one as this was her first Autumn themed novel. Back in the cosy town of Wynbridge but in the ‘ber months, it was great to revisit this cosy little town. It was like revisiting old friends. The perfect seasonal read.


What was your top read of 2025?


Recommendations always welcome!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

2025 memories – 12/12

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

So, I had an idea to document some more memories on my blog. I used to do a lot more of these sort of posts before I started posting more book/reading content, and when I had more time haha, life seems to be busy these days!

Here is my fourth and final quarterly memories update to capture 2025, we made it!!

These are the final three months of the twelve of 2025!

Let’s take a look.


October

October was a fun month of pumpkin picking, autumn reads, football, trips to London to see Ruth Jones & James Corden at the Palladium and to see my uni friends – all topped off with a Halloween wedding.

The inaugural Ipswich Book Festival was a highlight of October β€οΈπŸ“š I went along on the Saturday and spent the whole day enjoying the talks, I went to three in total, visited my local bookshops, read, had some yummy food and bought some books. A brilliant day.

This was my highlights- meeting my favourite author Heidi Swain. Me and my Mum went along to her event at the Norwich Book Festival. It was so cool! She was lovely and she even recognised my Instagram!! Such a great evening that I won’t forget


November

November saw firework night, the start of the festivities. Lots of christmas lights, decorating, wreath Making, Christmas reads, Christmas nails and the first of the season 5 Stranger Things releases.


December

A super fun and festive month!

Christmas really has begun, even at the start with more decorating, at home and at work, we went to two Christmas light trails, including our usual trip to the Enchanted Light trail at Colchester Zoo. I went to a Christmas tree festival, did festive baking, Christmas reading. Christmas nails and lots of wrapping whilst watching Christmas films. 

Christmas itself was great with lots of family time, present opening, yummy food, laughs, games and relaxing. Perfect.


I hope you’ve had a happy 2025! Here’s to another good year in 2026 – let’s see what it brings.

Happy New Year πŸŽ‰πŸ₯‚

Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

December Reads πŸ“š βœ¨οΈ

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

Let’s take a look at this months books.

The final month, Month 12 – let’s go!


‘Not Another Bloody Christmas’ by Jo Middleton
‘All We Want For Christmas’ by Phillipa Ashley
‘The Christmas Tree Farm’by Laurie Gilmore
‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ by JK Rowling

Total reads:

3 and a half


Favourite book:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets


Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas 2025⛄️ 10 years of Blogmas!

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

As promised, here is a special post to mark me doing 10 years of Blogmas.

Blogmas is a festive blog post everyday throughout December, leading up to Christmas day! 25 days, 25 posts.

Here are some of my favourite memories from Blogmas over the years.


2015

My first blogmas! Here are some pictures of us decorating our flat. This was only our second Christmas together in our flat.. and our first one engaged ❀️


2016

2016 was our first Christmas as a married couple, which is the reason I started my blog, (to document our wedding planning and the wedding).

One of our favourite Christmas traditions, that is always covered in Blogmas, is our trip to our local Rock N Roll Panto.


2017

2017 was the first year that I had a Harry Potter themed tree in our flat (in addition to our main tree) I love it.

I also did a ‘Winter themed’ photo collaboration in 2017. People sent me their amazing winter photos and alongside my own I show cased them on my blog page.


2018

In 2018 me and my husband won his work ‘bake off’ competition with this epic and surprisingly easy, but effective Rocky Road Christmas Pudding dessert.

This was the year myself and my oldest nephew put together a Shoebox for the appeal. He did a great job choosing things that he thought a little boy would like.


2019

This was the first year that I had a Harry Potter Lego Advent Calendar. This was epic and I loved seeing what I would get each day to add to the Great Hall Scene.

Me and my university friends visited Winter Wonderland that year. This was really special in hindsight as a few months later, into the new year Covid turned our worlds upside down.


2020

What a year! A very strange one but we made the most if it the best we could. There were restrictions and rules in place but you were allowed out at certain parts of the year.

One of the things we did was go to ‘Hogwarts in the snow’ at the Warner Bros studio tour.Β  We (me and my twin sister) have always wanted to go (obv) but especially in the snow. It was so magical ✨️


2021

2021 was a crisp, wintery affair. We were still enjoying lots of lockdown and post lockdown walks so lots of lovely photography from those.

Me and My twin sister went to a concert st our local theatre – The Magical Music of Harry Potter. The actor who plays Percy Weasley was there, which was cool. He spoke of memories on set as well as introducing various songs throughout the performance.


2022

2022 was the first Christmas after me and my sister joined our book club. I love book club!

I made a cool book themed present for everyone, a book baubles filled with the books we’d read together that yeat. 

In this video is a post I shared stating all of my favourite Christmas books, written by my favourite author Heidi Swain.

Books have become an increasingly big part of my blog over the years and you’ll see manyΒ  Blogmad posts including book lists/reviews/hauls.


2023

I love celebrating and chatting about different Christmas traditions, these are a firm favourite Blogmas post from year on year.

This year we also started doing a few more festive activities. This was us in London, with my Husband andy Uni friend, and her family. We went on a bus tour of the Christmas lights in London. Very impressive.


2024

Again, traditions are a big part of Blogmas and its content. This is my list of ‘Wishes’ for Christmas day, most being pretty much what we do each year.

Me and my Nephews love the cinema and watching films together at ‘RoRo’s Cinema’ this was a special festive screening complete with festive snack boxes and treats. We watched ‘That Christmas’ on Netflix.


2025

This year has been brilliant so far! More to follow 😊


Blogmas Cover Photos

Here are my Blogmas front covers from the last 6 years. I didn’t do them before 2020.


Which is your fave cover?


I hope you’ve enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. It’s been a fun 10 years.

Thank you for following Blogmas 2025 – another year done βœ”οΈ


Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 24: Homemade Christmas Cards

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

IT’S CHRISTMAS EVE!!! WOOHOO

The penultimate Blogmas Day 😱

Each year I love to have a go at making my own Christmas cards and I try out lots of different designs and techniques.

I thought I would share a few designs with you from this years collection. I have predominantly gone for a hand drawn vibe.

Let’s take a look.


I love the hand drawn vibes, especially of the baubles, with the little gems to add a bit of detail and sparkle.

I love having a go at writing in different fonts too, I need to do a calligraphy course or something. That would be cool.


HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

πŸŽ…πŸ»

He’s on his way!


Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 23: Festive Cinema πŸŽ₯

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

Happy Christmas Eve, Eve

Me and my twin sister LOVE going to the cinema, its literally one of our most favourite things to do and we’ve had our Unlimited cards since we were 18/19! Love that thing.

My husband even got himself an Unlimited card when we got together because I liked going so much so he thought he might as well too haha.


There have been a couple of festive films out this season as well as their usual showings of old classics and family faves.

I’ll leave a link here to Blogmas Day 9 , where I reviewed ‘Christmas Karma’ the new Christmas themed musical comedy – drama based on ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. I watched that with my nephews and niece at the end of November and it was really good.

Christmas Karma

Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 9: Christmas Karma


I’ve also watched two other Christmas films at the cinema…

Silent Night, Deadly Night

I actually really enjoyed this film. I know in the grand scheme of horror films it was a bit random and less highly publicised but it was enjoyable to watch. They didn’t drag it out like some films do, it had a good flow. It was an interesting story idea that I haven’t seen before and it had quite a few surprising moments that kept it interesting.

My husband isn’t a horror fan so it was just me and my twin sister for this one.

I’d give this a solid 7/10.


It’s a wonderful life

This is my favourite Christmas film, I love it. I will never forget the first time I watched this film, it was so far from what I expected and it blew my mind at how lovely and brilliant it is.

I love how cleverly the story us weaved and portrayed to us. The characters are very likeable and its just so lovely to watch.

I love the message of the film… at the heart of it, it just makes you, the ordinary man or woman, want to squeeze out every bit of life you are given.

I love it and they usually show it at the cinema so I try and go if I can. My twin sister and husband came along to this one too. 

It’s a wonderful life gets an 11/10


My favourite Christmas films are:

  1. It’s a wonderful life
  2. Elf
  3. Deck the Halls
  4. The Snowman
  5. The Grinch
  6. Love Actually
  7. Last Christmas
  8. That Christmas
  9. Jack Frost
  10. The Holiday

Have you been to the cinema to see a festive film?

What have you been to see?


Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 22: Christmas Nails πŸ’…πŸ» πŸŽ…πŸ»

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

The end of Blogmas is in sight! I’m going to miss the festive fun, but we still have a few days of festivities to go!

I have done a few festive nails over the second half of November and into December, and I thought I would share them with you.

I am by no means a nail artist but I enjoy having my nails painted and I like giving different designs a go! Especially Halloween and Christmas nails πŸ’…πŸ»

So let’s have a look at the three sets I’ve done 😊

First up are a simple set that I did in the middle of November. These are just a little festive intro to Christmas nails haha. I used a new red cat eye that I’d bought and I really love the cat eye effect.

The second set are probably my favourite although it is a close call. These are super festive. I tried out a hard gel this time and loved the sort of nudes colour so I kept that as my base. I then drew on some little festive adornments to each nail.

The candy cane are my fave. 🍬

This is my last festive set and will see me through to the big day and those special festive days afterwards. This is a close second as I like the glitters I’ve used and I also just think my nails look better because they’ve got a bit of length (thanks to the hard gel!)

I did a selection of glitters and cat eyes in festive colours. I then used this whitey/Gray toned cat eye as a base for the nails with nail art on. I couldn’t resist one last bit of festive nail art (and I had to include another candy cane haha)

I also did my twin sisters nails ready for Christmas. I used the same sheer white/silver cat eye as a base for all her nails. I then hand painted a candy cane and Holly on each middle finger as a little festive touch.


I think I’ll probably do another glittery set to start 2026 as whenever I use it I remember how much I love it on my nails.

Hope you like them πŸ˜ŠπŸ’…πŸ»


What nail designs have you had?


3 days to go!!


Until Next Time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas 2025 ⛄️ Day 21: Christmas Book Review pt 2: Murder Mystery πŸ“š

Hi guys πŸ‘‹πŸ»

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!


πŸ“š Book Information

Title: The Christmas Clue

Author: Nicola Upson

Genre: Mystery/Detective

Pages: 192 pages 

Publication Date: 9 September 2025

Series: Stand alone book


πŸ•―οΈ 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.

πŸŽ… Christmas Spirit Rating


πŸŽ„πŸŽ„πŸŽ„.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 πŸ™‚