Last Christmas by Maria Frankland

*** Review ***

Maria Frankland’s Last Christmas defies expectations, presenting a family drama with a coating of thriller intrigue. The title and cover may suggest a Christmas mystery, but the story delves into the complexities of family relationships and personal struggles. Neil and Sacha, the central couple, are grappling with issues of depression, infertility, unemployment, and alcoholism. When they are compelled to spend Christmas with Sacha’s family, tensions rise, and the holiday season becomes a crucible for their troubled lives. As alcohol flows and long-held resentments simmer, a tragedy unfolds, raising the question of whether it’s an accident or if there’s a killer within the family’s midst.

The book’s title and cover may lead readers to anticipate a Christmas-themed thriller, but Last Christmas surprises by being more of a family drama than a traditional thriller. The initial setup is intriguing, with Neil and Sacha facing a barrage of personal challenges, including clinical depression, infertility, and the strain of being unemployed. When they agree to spend Christmas with Sacha’s family, the stage is set for a family gathering fraught with tension and dysfunction.

The narrative is a slow burn, with the first half of the book taking place at Sacha’s parents’ house. While this may feel somewhat tedious, it effectively establishes the familial dynamics and the growing discontent within the group. Neil’s struggle with depression, compounded by his infertility, leads to self-destructive behavior, including heavy drinking, which sets the stage for the impending tragedy.

The plot, while engaging, does fall short of delivering a truly thrilling experience. Predictability plagues the storyline, making it relatively easy to guess the unfolding events and the responsible parties. The supporting characters are deeply flawed, and their lack of likability can be off-putting. It’s challenging to find any character to root for or sympathize with, even in the face of their personal struggles.

The story is enriched with delicate exploration of difficult topics such as terminal illness and depression, offering a sensitive portrayal of these issues. Despite the anticipation of a Christmas-themed plot, the holiday atmosphere and festive elements are minimal, present mainly in the first third and the epilogue of the book.

In the end, Last Christmas is a quick and solid read, but it might not satisfy readers looking for a traditional Christmas thriller or a captivating psychological suspense novel. The character interactions lack subtlety and nuance, with constant and overt nastiness among the family members, which can be overwhelming. Even Neil, who could elicit sympathy due to his mental health struggles, comes across as a whiny and self-absorbed character.

In summary, Last Christmas offers a unique blend of family drama and suspense, but it might not deliver the full-throttle thriller experience some readers expect. It delves into complex family dynamics and personal issues, with a Christmas backdrop that provides a different perspective on the holiday season. While not a traditional Christmas thriller, it still offers a thought-provoking exploration of relationships and struggles within the context of a family gathering.