J. F. Burgess's VIP newsletter
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| Hello,
Welcome to November’s newsletter!
Love it or hate it, it's time to consider turning our attention to... Christmas. That’s right, folks! According to the media, the Christmas countdown has officially begun, and with it comes the onslaught of glittering ads and Mariah Carey anthems we can’t escape from—even in the supermarket.
Just this morning, I watched my first celebrity ad. Marks & Spencer's are straight out of the gate with their festive M&S food ad. Starring a double helping of national treasure Dawn French, who plays both the Christmas fairy and herself.
Setting the mood with cozy fires, snow-dusted branches, and familiar jingles designed to pull at our holiday heartstrings (and wallets). So, brace yourselves: for the next 49 days, it’s a sensory overload of aftershave, perfume, and irresistibly staged food.
I know it can be a bit much, but there’s something strangely comforting about the whole show.
Now, in the run-up to Christmas, I like to fully immerse myself in seasonal reads that bring wintery chills to life. From snow-covered manors tucked away in remote landscapes to Dickens classic tales of Victorian hardship or nail-biting Edwardian mysteries, nothing beats a good seasonal crime anthology.
The cold and frost outside make these tales feel that much more deliciously sinister! Reading these every year in the build up to Christmas has become a personal tradition, inspiring my own writing year after year.
In fact, back in 2022, I was so inspired that I decided to write A Murderous Christmas— my own take on a Cosy Christmas crime thriller! You can still grab that for just 99p from the link below.
But enough about me— I'd love to hear from you! What are your favorite seasonal reads? Do you have any Christmas mysteries or winter anthologies you’d recommend to keep the chill at bay while we hunker down with a hot drink? There’s no better time to swap recommendations, so please share!
Until next time, stay warm, cozy, and crime-curious. 🎄🔎 |
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Stranded by a blizzard. Hunted by a killer.
Widowed Detective Tom Blake and his daughter Isabel receive an invitation to stay with his eighty-nine-year-old uncle Archie over Christmas. Tom is concerned as the old man indicates he has something life-changing to tell them.
When they arrive at Thorpe Dale village, Lord and Lady Bainbridge invite them to Larkstone Manor, their isolated home. But when a blizzard descends over the Peaks surrounding the house, they are cut off from the outside world.
Archie disappears early on Christmas Eve. Unable to raise help, Blake and his daughter embark on a dangerous journey over freezing, desolate moors to search for him.
The bludgeoned body of Larkstone’s gardener is found in a haunting pine forest linked to stories of ghostly black hounds. Could Archie be next?
Still cut off from the outside world, Blake, assisted by Isabel, investigates and uncovers a historical scandal far darker than they could imagine.
They quickly discover they’re among treacherous strangers concealing long-held grudges.
Will they uncover the deadly truth about Larkstone Manor and find Archie before a devious killer with a thirst for vengeance picks them off one by one in this inhospitable landscape?
Curl up in your favourite chair and unwind this Christmas with A Murder Mystery, which puts a twist on the traditional Agatha Christie-style whodunit. This gripping tale pairs a festive setting with suspense and intrigue, making it the ideal companion for a cosy night by the fire with your favourite tipple. Dive into a Christmas crime story that will keep you on edge and guessing until the final reveal!
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Thank you once again for being one of my VIP readers. Your support means the world to me, and I really couldn't do it without you!
Enjoy the rest of your week. Very best wishes
Jonathan
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