Christmas Appeal

by Janice Hallett

Genres: Holiday books

Synopsis

This immersive holiday caper from the “modern Agatha Christie” (The Sunday Times, London) follows the hilarious Fairway Players theater group as they put on a Christmas play—and solve a murder that threatens their production.

The Christmas season has arrived in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise money for a new church roof. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking among the amateur theater enthusiasts with petty rivalries, a possibly asbestos-filled beanstalk, and some perennially absent players behind the scenes.

Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body onstage. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they investigate Christmas letters, examine emails, and pore over police transcripts to identify both the victim and killer before the curtain closes on their holiday production—for good.

Release date: October 24, 2023

Publisher: Atria Books

Print pages: 192

Sample

The Fairway Players present Jack and the Beanstalk

The Fairway Players present Jack and the Beanstalk
First performed at The London Palladium in 1978

All proceeds in aid of the Church Hall Roof

Cast

(In order of appearance)

Jack Trott

Emma Crooks

Dame Trott

Joel Halliday

“Simple” Simon Trott

Harley MacDonald

Callous Hands the Wage Snatcher

John O’Dea

Mr. Ugly the Village Idiot

Matthew Dexter

Daisy the Cow

Nick and Barry Walford

Fairy Godmother

Beth Halliday

Mr. Bean Dealer

Mick Payne

Buxom Betty

Carly Dexter

Princess Jill of Cloud Land

Fran Elroy-Jones

King of Cloud Land

Mick Payne

Queen of Cloud Land

Celia Halliday

The Giant’s voice

Kevin MacDonald

Nonspeaking villagers and fairies, etc.

Karen Payne, Marianne Payne, Denise Malcolm, Joyce Walford, Dustin Perez, Myra Briggs

Director

Sarah-Jane MacDonald

Producer

Kevin MacDonald

Music

Harley MacDonald

Costumes and makeup

Marianne Payne, Denise Malcolm

Refreshments

Joyce Walford

Set building and stage management

Joel Halliday

Join The Fairway Players

If you picture yourself sweeping down a golden staircase, sweeping an adoring audience off its feet, or just plain sweeping up, The Fairway Players needs YOU. We are a well-established, friendly group committed to delivering quality entertainment to the local community. We stage two theatrical productions a year, as well as our annual pantomime, in this church hall, and we’re always keen to welcome new members. Contact Celia Halliday for details.

Now & Zen

Yoga with Emma

Bend, stretch, breathe, let it go

John O’Dea

Retired accountant

Help with tax, VAT, etc.

Motto: “It all adds up”