Last Christmas by Maria Frankland Published by Bookouture on November 10, 2023
Genres: Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thrillers
Pages: 298
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
The doorbell cuts through the sound of the howling wind outside. Snowflakes from the freezing December air whirl into the house as I open the front door to the police. The look on their faces says everything. My husband is dead. Did one of my family kill him?
Only a few hours ago we were all celebrating by the fire, Christmas lights twinkling on the tree. Now my husband is gone forever. I’ll never get the chance to say I’m sorry our last words were so angry. And as I sob into my mother’s arms I have to face the terrible truth. We’re not the loving family we seem.
My younger sister has always been difficult. Why won’t she look me in the eye?
My brothers-in-law never liked my husband. Would they have taken it that far?
And my older sister’s drinking is out of control. But can she really not remember anything from last night?
As devastating accusations are thrown my world falls apart in front of my eyes. Because everyone in my family – everyone I trusted – has been hiding secrets. Are we also hiding a killer? And how far will I have to go, to discover the truth about what happened to my husband?
My Thoughts
“Last Christmas” by Maria Frankland is a page-turning psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Frankland masterfully weaves a complex web of suspense, mystery, and chilling twists, leaving you guessing until the last page.
The characters in this novel are brilliantly crafted, each with secrets and hidden agendas. Frankland’s ability to create such well-developed and intriguing characters is genuinely commendable. As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn deeper into their lives, relationships, and darkest secrets.
The plot is gripping and filled with unexpected turns. When you think you have everything figured out, Frankland throws another curveball that will leave you guessing and questioning everything you thought you knew.
Simply put, wow, Frankland’s book was fantastic, in my opinion. It is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and domestic thrillers. Prepare to be enthralled, captivated, and thoroughly entertained by this gripping tale of secrets, lies, and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review this book.
About Maria Frankland
The domestic thrillers I write shine a light into the darkness that can exist within marital and family relationships. I have been no stranger to turbulent times myself, and this has provided some of the raw material for my novels.
I am a born ‘n’ bred Yorkshirewoman, and a mum of two grown up sons. I graduated from Leeds Trinity University with an MA in Creative Writing in 2015 and married for the second time just before the pandemic, finally finding my ‘happy ever after.’
This is not something you will find in my novels though! I think that we thriller writers are amongst the nicest people you could meet because we pour all our darkness into our books – it’s those romance writers you’ve got to watch…
I welcome all feedback through reviews and messages – good, bad or indifferent, and hearing from readers always makes my day!
