Last Christmas
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?
Perfect for fans of Daniel Hurst, Mark Edwards and K.L. Slater, this is an utterly absorbing psychological thriller with the most unexpected of twists.
What readers are saying about Maria Frankland:
'Wow what a book! This is the perfect whodunnit ... full of suspense and many twists and turns!... One of the best domestic thrillers I have ever read! It had it all, love, hate, tension, remorse, sadness. I loved every minute...!' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Captivating... A riveting tale of murder and mayhem... Brace yourselves for a genuine page-turner!... A thrilling ride from start to finish... Gripping!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A page-turning psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat... Simply put, wow... fantastic... a must-read...' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A brilliantly written and addictive read. I need to let my nails grow back... eek! Very much recommended.' Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wow, wow, wow!! What an excellent, gripping read this is! One of my favourite books this year.' Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I started reading this after my tea, big mistake! I couldn't go to bed until I had discovered everything!... I almost inhaled this book - the story was that good. And the twists!...' Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pages: 282
ISBN: 9781835250389
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2 ratings
Carina P.
Centered around Sacha and her husband's untimely death during the holiday season, the story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, leaving readers eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.
When Neil's lifeless body is discovered at the bottom of a cliff, the question of whether it was suicide, murder, or a tragic accident looms over the story.
Each character is flawed, complex, and harbors their own secrets, making them both relatable and suspicious at the same time.
Maria's ability to create a sense of unease and mystery is outstanding, making this book a perfect choice for those seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
Cheyenne Joy .
Last Christmas by Maria Frankland
This had me doing that thing where I tell myself “just one more chapter” and then suddenly it’s 11 pm and I’m emotionally invested in a family that isn’t even mine. Classic me.
I’ll admit it: in the beginning it felt a little slow, like Maria was warming up the Christmas lights one bulb at a time. But once they started glowing? Oh boy. I was sucked straight into this family drama like the honorary relative who shows up uninvited but somehow ends up helping with the dishes.
The emotions in this book are everywhere—in the air, between the characters, dripping off the pages. There’s tension wrapped in tinsel, old wounds dusted with glitter, and those beautifully messy family moments where everyone pretends they’re fine while absolutely not being fine. The author truly knows how to make you feel like you’re standing in the living room with them, catching every glance, every unspoken thought, every tightening jaw over a supposedly innocent Christmas conversation.
And the story? It’s not really about who did what or solving some big mystery. It’s about the why behind people’s actions, the hidden truths simmering at the edges, the lies that stick to your shoes like old pine needles. The kind of stuff every family has, but hopefully with slightly fewer emotional landmines.
What kept me turning pages wasn’t suspense in the traditional sense—it was the way these characters lived and breathed and broke and healed. I couldn’t close the book because I wasn’t done being part of their world yet.
Christmas, as it turns out, really is the season for all of it: blessings, secrets, lies, truths, love… and the occasional miracle. And this book delivers every single one of those, with just enough heart to make you feel something and just enough realism to make you nod like, yeah, family can be like that.
A slow start, but a beautiful, emotional ride.