New books to read this week

Fiction

Let the Bells Ring Out by Milly Johnson is published in hardback by Simon & Schuster UK

Christmas novels are often about romance. Girl meets boy, boy doesn’t know what to do about girl, girl wins boy over with tinsel, a mince pie and some mulled wine, the end. Milly Johnson’s latest novel, albeit set at Christmas, doesn’t fall into that trope. The weather in Yorkshire is thick, the roads are becoming impassable, and people need to get to their families for Christmas. Sleeper train The Yorkshire Belle is ready to welcome her guests for a festive treat and strangers Vincent, Elizabeth, Roo, Jane, Frank and Grace step on board. But soon the weather gets the better of the lines, and the train gets stuck. Johnson has crafted a gloriously emotional story, with all the best bits of Christmas past and present. As they bond inside their well-stocked carriage over a four-day period, friendships are formed between the passengers, relationships saved and mysteries solved. A perfectly paced, emotional train ride.

All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan is published in paperback by HQ

The Balfours are gathering for their annual family Christmas in snowy Northumberland, with plenty of dramas and revelations to come. Told from the perspectives of four different women in the family, with individual chapters narrated in turn from their points of view, all the characters are thoroughly likeable and very relatable, which leaves you rooting for a happy ending. Morgan has written plenty of excellent Christmas reads and this latest book again ticks all the festive boxes. A perfect romance that will entertain and put you firmly in the mood for Christmas.

Murder at Mistletoe Manor by FL Everett is published in paperback by Penguin

A blizzard leaves a group of strangers making polite small talk when they become stranded in a faded country hotel just before Christmas. When one guest is found dead, it becomes more like a deadly game of Traitors with nobody sure who they can trust and who is telling lies. Journalist and former agony aunt Flic Everett builds the tension as feature writer Nick turns detective in an attempt to make sure he can get home alive for Christmas. Murder at Mistletoe Manor will face obvious comparisons with Agatha Christie’s classic mystery thriller And Then There Were None and, while not quite as chilling, it just about holds its own. It is a gripping read with plenty of plot twists and keeps readers guessing until the big reveal.

One New York Christmas by Mandy Baggot is published in paperback by Penguin

A bad break-up prompts Lara to leave her sleepy English village home for a trip to New York with her best friend Susie. Lara has barely left Appleshaw before but is soon enjoying the city sights with dashing actor Seth on her arm after a message on social media gets a surprising response. Baggot’s latest romance is ideal for those who dream of visiting New York or want to revisit fond memories of previous trips. It is enjoyable, easy-to-read escapism which features many of the popular tourist sights and a strong female lead who’s more likely to be climbing trees than worrying about her appearance.

Children’s book of the week

Ten Little Elves (Little Squishies) by Roger Priddy is published in hardback by Priddy Books

Ten Little Elves is a festive way to develop numeracy skills alongside reading and language skills. It has fun illustrations with a wide variety of Christmas related animals appearing alongside a diverse cast of squishy headed elven characters, as well as the usual cast of famous Christmas faces. The ‘story’ sees the elves undertake a series of Christmas related activities with their animal and, sometimes otherworldly, friends, slowly reducing in number from 10 to one, until they finally re-group to enjoy the finest that Christmas has to offer. The book is suitable for all ages and sure to provide an engaging reading experience.