Last Christmas

By: Maria Frankland

Narrated by: Shayna Armond

It was supposed to be a family Christmas to remember. But I never thought it would end with one of us dead…

As I walk into the pine-scented air of my seaside childhood home, gripping my husband Neil’s hand tight, I have a brief moment of hope. Maybe this Christmas will be different — for once my family might get on fueled by mulled wine and festive cheer.

But the sound of happy carols are replaced by my older sister Christy’s over-loud laugh and slurred words. Rebecca, my younger sister, stalks out of the room as soon as I enter, as though I’m the Grinch here to steal Christmas. And their husbands, brash and arrogant, slap Neil’s back in a way that promises torment rather than welcome. My dream shatters. I know it’ll be the same as always.

The day continues as badly as I feared, forced cheerfulness turning to rolled eyes, and when a wine-fuelled argument swirls out of hand Neil can’t take it anymore. I don’t blame him when he storms out of the house. But he never returns…

When my gentle husband is found dead at the beach we loved, my whole world collapses. But it’s even worse than a nightmare – because Neil has been murdered. By someone in my family.

I knew we had our differences, but I never thought it would end like this. And as my heart hammers in my chest I know I’m running out of time. Because whoever killed Neil must know what I’m really hiding. And if I don’t figure out who in my fractured family really did it, I know I will be next…

©2021 Maria Frankland (P)2023 Maria Frankland

H. E. R. performance was awesome

Good story, great performance , wish there was mor details of how the girls were raised together. This would give us more insight between siblings animosity

The narration was just not good

I just could not get over the voice. I feel I would have enjoyed the story much more with a different narrator.

My ears still hurt

Once I start a book, I’m
Committed. Whether reading or listening, I know that so many books start slow and can have amazing endings. With this book, it was tha narration that I had to get through. Horrible horrible horrible. And unfortunately, the ending did not make up for it. Had I read it, I may have given it 4 stars.

Horrible naration

Interesting story and knowing a twist was coming was the only thing that kept me listening. The narrator was hard to listen to.

terrible narration

terrible narration, really hard to listen to. the story was also just randomly throwing in twists and not building up to it intriguingly, yet was somehow also very slow. Not sure if the narration is what is making me feel that way or if it was the story. The ending was not bad.

Many surprises. Good character development.

The story was a page turner and was well written. I wish I had bought the hard copy as the voices were very hard to enjoy.( The acting was fine but the thick accent and tone of voice was not what I’m accustomed to hearing).

Good story, bad audio

Great story, but narrator used the same whiney voice for both sisters through the whole book. Really took away.

No Likable Characters

Honestly the story would be okay if I felt any sympathy or even empathy towards any of the people involved. Every single character was a horrible person in their own way and left me not wanting to see any of them survive.

Very bad narrator

The narrator is really dull and lacks emotion, fluency in reading, and engagement with the story. It made it almost impossible to finish the book. The story itself lacked interest as well.

There’s just one thing…

The computerized British robot-sounding narrator is un listenable. I switched to an e-reader version and absolutely LOVED it! I’m sad I wasted a credit on Audible though 😔