ShortBookandScribes Christmas Novellas – Christmas at the Keep by Marcia Willett and The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
In case you are looking for some last minute Christmas reading inspiration, these two novellas won’t take up too much of your time if you’re still frantically buying/wrapping/decorating.
Both books were my own purchases.
The moving and uplifting festive novella . . .
Nestled in the Devon countryside, the Keep has always been a refuge for the Chadwicks, even Ed, the black sheep of the family. When Ed finally returns to the Keep after ten years living in the USA, his strange, secretive behaviour means that he often clashes with his relatives. But as the autumn draws to a close and a sprinkling of snow dusts the moors, could the promise of a family Christmas at the Keep be enough to ease tensions and soothe the sting of a long-buried secret?
Now with a new collection of short stories . . .
There are ghosts and friends from the past here; restless wives and surprising romances; gifts from lovers old and new. Full of life and love, this new collection of short stories is the perfect treat for the festive season.
When I was hunting around for Christmas novellas I was pleased to see Christmas at the Keep by Marcia Willett. I read some of Willett’s books many years ago and enjoyed them, and I thought this short read sounded right up my street. I was correct, right from the point when I spotted the comprehensive family tree and then when I followed the Chadwick family from October to December as they navigated new arrivals, annoying so-called friends and the upcoming festive season at the Keep.
I didn’t realise that the Chadwicks had appeared in four full-length novels. Had I read them then this book would have been a lovely catch-up but I haven’t read them and now I want to! Sadly, Christmas at the Keep was Willett’s final book but she’s left a wonderful back catalogue to be explored. I thought this novella was a delight.
Marcia Willett‘s early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist – a decision she never regretted.
She lived in a beautiful and wild part of Devon, and her surroundings inspired many of her novels.
Marcia passed away in June 2022. She leaves behind a son and two grandchildren.
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When Ashley Smith – a bright-eyed but lonely American studying in London – is invited to spend Christmas with her classmate’s family at their Cotswolds manor house, it seems like a perfect country idyll.
And for Ashley – who records it all in her diary – there’s the added romantic potential of her friend’s twin brother, Adam, who she thinks could be her wildest dream come true.
But is there something strange about the old house, both stately and rundown? What could the motives of the mysterious Chapman family be? And what holiday horrors might be lying in wait?
The Christmas Guest is a modern day country house murder mystery. Ashley Smith is invited to spend Christmas at her university friend’s home. Whilst there, she writes a diary documenting her time there and her feelings for her friend’s twin brother. This is quite a dark Christmas read. It doesn’t appear it at first but as the story progresses Ashley finds that her festive season may not be so merry and bright after all.
It’s a quick read but there’s still plenty packed in, with a couple of unexpected curveballs too. I think the novella’s length worked well, keeping up the pace and maintaining my interest. I was surprised by a lot of what happened. It’s not the most plausible storyline but it is an engaging read.
Peter Swanson’s novels includeย The Girl With a Clock for a Heart, nominated for anย LA Timesย book award,ย The Kind Worth Killing, a Richard and Judy pick and the iBooks store’s thriller of the year in 2015;ย Rules for Perfect Murders,ย the 2020 Richard and Judy Pick; and most recentlyย Nine Lives. He lives with his wife and cat on the north coast of Massachusetts.
