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Cherringham #25
Secret Santa
Bill Vokes has played Santa at the children's Christmas show for years. But with the show just hours away, he vanishes with no explanation. The whole village is baffled. Did something bad happen to loveable upstanding citizen, churchgoer, life and soul of the party and the holiday season? Jack and Sarah are on the case - and soon discover there are secrets about this Santa that no one could have imagined...
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 3, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Don't just look, see."
Secret Santa is the first of the long running Cherringham cozy stories that I have read and, with 24 previously published mystery shorts, it looks like I will have a lot of catching up to do. No, not because this is not a completely stand alone story - it is - but this was just such a pleasure to here. Preceded by a brief burst of scene setting music and bird song, the story takes place in the beautiful Cotswold countryside, in a picture postcard pretty village of Cherringham. The snow is deep and crisp on the ground when the big pre Christmas ritual of the turning on of the village lights arrives. But when the moment comes for Santa, a well disguised Bill Vokes, to push the button, he's disappeared. And is still missing the next morning.
Time for Sarah and her ex-N.Y.P.D. friend, Jack, to investigate.
The story is well written, with colourful imagery and chatty local villagers. Yes, the plot is predictable, but fun, and set in the lifelike comfort of the pub and the charity shoot, plus invitations to delicious tea and cake. It's a less gruesome version-in-brief of an episode of Midsummer Murders and is read, most appropriately, by actor Neil Dudgeon, Midsummer's later Inspector Barnaby. Mr.Dudgeon fits the text perfectly, his pleasantly relaxed and rounded, warm English accented voice well articulated and intoned. All of the characters are also given individual and appropriate voices. A one man cast of many, effortlessly performed.
Secret Santa is not high drama. It is not a fast paced thriller. It is not a deep psychological thriller, either. It is just a fairly short, deliciously nostalgic pleasure to be enjoyed by anyone with a nice little mystery to keep the villagers guessing.
Recommended.
"Don't just look, see."
Secret Santa is the first of the long running Cherringham cozy stories that I have read and, with 24 previously published mystery shorts, it looks like I will have a lot of catching up to do. No, not because this is not a completely stand alone story - it is - but this was just such a pleasure to here. Preceded by a brief burst of scene setting music and bird song, the story takes place in the beautiful Cotswold countryside, in a picture postcard pretty village of Cherringham. The snow is deep and crisp on the ground when the big pre Christmas ritual of the turning on of the village lights arrives. But when the moment comes for Santa, a well disguised Bill Vokes, to push the button, he's disappeared. And is still missing the next morning.
Time for Sarah and her ex-N.Y.P.D. friend, Jack, to investigate.
The story is well written, with colourful imagery and chatty local villagers. Yes, the plot is predictable, but fun, and set in the lifelike comfort of the pub and the charity shoot, plus invitations to delicious tea and cake. It's a less gruesome version-in-brief of an episode of Midsummer Murders and is read, most appropriately, by actor Neil Dudgeon, Midsummer's later Inspector Barnaby. Mr.Dudgeon fits the text perfectly, his pleasantly relaxed and rounded, warm English accented voice well articulated and intoned. All of the characters are also given individual and appropriate voices. A one man cast of many, effortlessly performed.
Secret Santa is not high drama. It is not a fast paced thriller. It is not a deep psychological thriller, either. It is just a fairly short, deliciously nostalgic pleasure to be enjoyed by anyone with a nice little mystery to keep the villagers guessing.
Recommended.
January 23, 2022
Listened to in audio format.
Secret Santa was a charming cosy mystery reminiscent of Midsomer Murder.
Although Secret Santa is the 25th episode of the series. I dipped into this first because it is December, and I enjoy Christmas books at this time of year.
I actually have the compendium of episodes 1-3. After listening to Secret Santa, I want to know how US cop Jack came to live in a sleepy Cotswold village.
This was a perfect story to just listen to by the fire. I enjoyed the story but I thought the ending was unrealistic. However I can forgive this because it was only a short story.
This was a nice short story for Christmas.
Secret Santa was a charming cosy mystery reminiscent of Midsomer Murder.
Although Secret Santa is the 25th episode of the series. I dipped into this first because it is December, and I enjoy Christmas books at this time of year.
I actually have the compendium of episodes 1-3. After listening to Secret Santa, I want to know how US cop Jack came to live in a sleepy Cotswold village.
This was a perfect story to just listen to by the fire. I enjoyed the story but I thought the ending was unrealistic. However I can forgive this because it was only a short story.
This was a nice short story for Christmas.
September 6, 2023
The new case of missing Santa was pulling and enjoyable, but I missed information about Jack's daughter, who was critically injured in a car accident in the previous book. Jack even left Cherringham at the end. Sarah even ended her thought's with "how long will Jack need to come back to Cherringham" or if he will come back at all. But in this book Jack is already back and a reader doesn't get any information about that part. WEIRD!!
December 17, 2019
Audible version: A short Christmas listen and my first in the lengthy series. I don't know how much it mattered that this was #25 and I hadn't listened to the rest. I bought #1 as well, and I liked this enough to start at the beginning. Again, perfect holiday time listen!
December 30, 2018
Enjoyable but very predictable. I wanted an easygoing Christmas story and that's what I got :)
November 3, 2023
1.5 ☆
*YAWN*
Boring & Predictable.
The only good thing in this was the Christmas atmosphere and the festive description of the town (reason for why it's not a 1 star).
*YAWN*
Boring & Predictable.
The only good thing in this was the Christmas atmosphere and the festive description of the town (reason for why it's not a 1 star).
February 3, 2017
INHALT
Bill Vokes spielt alljährlich den Weihnachtsmann in Cherringham und beschenkt die Kinder. Auch dieses Jahr soll er wieder in diese Rolle schlüpfen. Aber kurz vor seinem Auftritt verschwindet Bill spurlos. Können Jack und Sarah den Fall aufklären und Bill wiederfinden?
MEINUNG
Ich habe erst später festgestellt, dass dieser kurze Krimi Teil einer Serie ist. Daher fand ich es gut, dass man dennoch der Geschichte folgen konnte - auch ohne die Serie zu kennen. Dann habe ich bei der Rezension versucht, objektiv zu bewerten. Denn eigentlich mag ich Krimis ja nicht so. ;)
Bei dem Hörbuch von Audible fand ich die Sprecherin zwar angenehm, aber nicht herausragend, wenn ich ehrlich bin. Für mich persönlich hat sie einige Stellen zu stark betont, sodass es stellenweise irgendwie etwas zuuu britisch klang für meinen Geschmack. ^^
Die Figuren schienen mir eher stereotyp zu sein und an mancher Stelle musste ich dann doch mit den Augen rollen, weil das Verhalten oder die Aussage jeweils soo typisch waren. Nichtsdestotrotz bot die Geschichte einige spannende Fragen für den Leser bzw Zuhörer, sodass ich nicht sagen könnte, es wäre langweilig oder so gewesen.
FAZIT
Die Geschichte an sich hatte ihre interessanten Stellen - auch wenn sie meiner Ansicht nach ziemlich das Schema F verfolgte. Weil der Krimi kurzweilig und alles in allem interessant rüberkam, vergebe ich 3 ☆☆☆. :)
Bill Vokes spielt alljährlich den Weihnachtsmann in Cherringham und beschenkt die Kinder. Auch dieses Jahr soll er wieder in diese Rolle schlüpfen. Aber kurz vor seinem Auftritt verschwindet Bill spurlos. Können Jack und Sarah den Fall aufklären und Bill wiederfinden?
MEINUNG
Ich habe erst später festgestellt, dass dieser kurze Krimi Teil einer Serie ist. Daher fand ich es gut, dass man dennoch der Geschichte folgen konnte - auch ohne die Serie zu kennen. Dann habe ich bei der Rezension versucht, objektiv zu bewerten. Denn eigentlich mag ich Krimis ja nicht so. ;)
Bei dem Hörbuch von Audible fand ich die Sprecherin zwar angenehm, aber nicht herausragend, wenn ich ehrlich bin. Für mich persönlich hat sie einige Stellen zu stark betont, sodass es stellenweise irgendwie etwas zuuu britisch klang für meinen Geschmack. ^^
Die Figuren schienen mir eher stereotyp zu sein und an mancher Stelle musste ich dann doch mit den Augen rollen, weil das Verhalten oder die Aussage jeweils soo typisch waren. Nichtsdestotrotz bot die Geschichte einige spannende Fragen für den Leser bzw Zuhörer, sodass ich nicht sagen könnte, es wäre langweilig oder so gewesen.
FAZIT
Die Geschichte an sich hatte ihre interessanten Stellen - auch wenn sie meiner Ansicht nach ziemlich das Schema F verfolgte. Weil der Krimi kurzweilig und alles in allem interessant rüberkam, vergebe ich 3 ☆☆☆. :)
May 28, 2017
It was so boring -_-
Stopped listening to the audiobook about half into the book.
Stopped listening to the audiobook about half into the book.
December 26, 2022
Vorhersehbar bis langweilig, aber immerhin nicht unangenehm
Ich hatte das Hörbuch meiner Erinnerung nach als Goodie von Audible/Amazon bekommen - gekauft hätte ich es zurückgegeben, verschenken würde ich es nicht einmal harmlosen älteren Damen (es gibt bessere Krimis, die nicht blutrünstig sind).
Okay, dieser Band 25 der Reihe heißt im Original "Secret Santa" und in allen Cherringham-Büchern geht es um die beiden Protagonisten Jack und Sarah, die wohl ein Paar sind oder befreundet - so ganz klar wurde mir das nicht. Hygienisch wie ein 50er-Jahre-Film. Jack war im früheren Leben Polizist in New York - warum er aufgehört hat, wird nicht erklärt (der Klappentext zum sicherheitshalber in der Onleihe ausgeliehenen Buch - ich mag korrekt geschriebene Namen in Rezis - erklärt: nach dem Tod seiner Frau, und er war bei der Mordermittlung). Sarah wohnt in ihrem Heimatort (hier erklärt der Klappentext im Buch, sie und die Kinder seien von ihrem Mann verlassen worden und sie ist Webdesignerin - das Buch zeigt nur an, sie habe Ahnung von Computern. Übrigens, Wahnsinn: was sie für die Ermittlungen tut, ist, im Internet recherchieren. Im Sinne von googeln, nicht im Sinne von Hacken. Dafür braucht man ja auch Kenntnisse als Webdesignerin, dringend). Die beiden ermitteln zusammen, anscheinend regelmäßig - professionell oder Hobby, das kommt nicht so ganz raus. Ansonsten kann man das Buch vermutlich wohl unabhängig von der Reihe lesen - ich möchte aber gerne "mein Personal" vorgestellt bekommen, das fehlt hier (Buch: Jack Brennan und Sarah Edwards).
Es ist kurz vor Weihnachten im Buch und man wird als Leser zuerst in die kuschelige Atmosphäre des Ortes Cherringham in den Cotwald's geführt, begleitet dann den Dorfbewohner Bill Vokes dabei, sich für seinen alljährlichen Auftritt als Weihnachtsmann vorzubereiten. Als er direkt vor seiner Auftritt verschwindet, ermitteln Jack und Sarah. Doch warum weiß niemand etwas über Vokes und wovon lebt er eigentlich?
Die Auflösung ist etwas fragwürdig - man muss sich nicht um Konsequenzen einer Tat kümmern, wenn die Versicherung zahlt?? Ernsthaft? Was irgendwie ein "red herring" ist, ist dass einige Dörfler Vokes nicht mögen. Hier wird viel angedeutet und letztlich nichts aufgelöst. Hohoho, ist doch alles kuschelig. Und welcher Depp geht zu bekannten Kriminellen einfach rein ohne Rückendeckung oder Waffe? Jack macht's.
Dazu bringt die deutsche Übersetzung so Schwachsinn mit hinein wie das tolle deutsche Zeug für Weihnachten, Stollen. Ja klar.
Muss man nicht lesen. Und auch die anderen Bände werden nicht den Weg zu mir finden. Das zweite Hörbuch mit Weihnachts-Thema dieser Tage - und der zweite Flop, wenn auch nicht ganz so schlimm wie der andere (Peter Lundt von Arne Sommer, ein anderes audible - goodie)
2 Sterne
Ich hatte das Hörbuch meiner Erinnerung nach als Goodie von Audible/Amazon bekommen - gekauft hätte ich es zurückgegeben, verschenken würde ich es nicht einmal harmlosen älteren Damen (es gibt bessere Krimis, die nicht blutrünstig sind).
Okay, dieser Band 25 der Reihe heißt im Original "Secret Santa" und in allen Cherringham-Büchern geht es um die beiden Protagonisten Jack und Sarah, die wohl ein Paar sind oder befreundet - so ganz klar wurde mir das nicht. Hygienisch wie ein 50er-Jahre-Film. Jack war im früheren Leben Polizist in New York - warum er aufgehört hat, wird nicht erklärt (der Klappentext zum sicherheitshalber in der Onleihe ausgeliehenen Buch - ich mag korrekt geschriebene Namen in Rezis - erklärt: nach dem Tod seiner Frau, und er war bei der Mordermittlung). Sarah wohnt in ihrem Heimatort (hier erklärt der Klappentext im Buch, sie und die Kinder seien von ihrem Mann verlassen worden und sie ist Webdesignerin - das Buch zeigt nur an, sie habe Ahnung von Computern. Übrigens, Wahnsinn: was sie für die Ermittlungen tut, ist, im Internet recherchieren. Im Sinne von googeln, nicht im Sinne von Hacken. Dafür braucht man ja auch Kenntnisse als Webdesignerin, dringend). Die beiden ermitteln zusammen, anscheinend regelmäßig - professionell oder Hobby, das kommt nicht so ganz raus. Ansonsten kann man das Buch vermutlich wohl unabhängig von der Reihe lesen - ich möchte aber gerne "mein Personal" vorgestellt bekommen, das fehlt hier (Buch: Jack Brennan und Sarah Edwards).
Es ist kurz vor Weihnachten im Buch und man wird als Leser zuerst in die kuschelige Atmosphäre des Ortes Cherringham in den Cotwald's geführt, begleitet dann den Dorfbewohner Bill Vokes dabei, sich für seinen alljährlichen Auftritt als Weihnachtsmann vorzubereiten. Als er direkt vor seiner Auftritt verschwindet, ermitteln Jack und Sarah. Doch warum weiß niemand etwas über Vokes und wovon lebt er eigentlich?
Die Auflösung ist etwas fragwürdig - man muss sich nicht um Konsequenzen einer Tat kümmern, wenn die Versicherung zahlt?? Ernsthaft? Was irgendwie ein "red herring" ist, ist dass einige Dörfler Vokes nicht mögen. Hier wird viel angedeutet und letztlich nichts aufgelöst. Hohoho, ist doch alles kuschelig. Und welcher Depp geht zu bekannten Kriminellen einfach rein ohne Rückendeckung oder Waffe? Jack macht's.
Dazu bringt die deutsche Übersetzung so Schwachsinn mit hinein wie das tolle deutsche Zeug für Weihnachten, Stollen. Ja klar.
Muss man nicht lesen. Und auch die anderen Bände werden nicht den Weg zu mir finden. Das zweite Hörbuch mit Weihnachts-Thema dieser Tage - und der zweite Flop, wenn auch nicht ganz so schlimm wie der andere (Peter Lundt von Arne Sommer, ein anderes audible - goodie)
2 Sterne
January 2, 2019
I've just discovered the Cherringham cosy crime series which is made up of novellas released every couple of weeks.
It's set in a village in the English Cotswolds and features a pair of amateur sleuths: Sarah Edwards a web designer, who has moved back to Cherringham with her two children after her divorce and Jack Brennan, former NYPD detective who, together with his dog Riley, lives on a canal boat in Cherringham in honour of his dead wife's long-cherished plan to retire to the UK.
I dived in at #25 because I needed something short and Christmas themed that my wife and I could listen to in the car. Something 170 minutes long that deals with Santa going missing just before he's scheduled to turn on the Cherringham Christmas lights seemed a good fit. When I saw it was narrated by Neil Dudgeon who plays my favourite Inspector Barnaby in the most recent seasons of "Midsomer Murders". it became ideal.
It lived up to my expectations, providing a light but crunchy plot with a soft feel-good centre that wasn't too sweet. Neil Dudgeon gets all the accents right. The pace worked well and it didn't matter that I'd missed the first twenty-four episodes.
At first, I was surprised to find that no US/UK cultural clangers were dropped. Then I looked up the authors and learned that Neil Richards is a Brit scriptwriter and producer and Matt Costello is an American scriptwriter based in NYC and they've been writing TV scripts together since the late 1990s.
I'll be going back to Cherringham regularly for small slices of entertainment. I've bought the first two compilation books which cover the first six novellas.
It's set in a village in the English Cotswolds and features a pair of amateur sleuths: Sarah Edwards a web designer, who has moved back to Cherringham with her two children after her divorce and Jack Brennan, former NYPD detective who, together with his dog Riley, lives on a canal boat in Cherringham in honour of his dead wife's long-cherished plan to retire to the UK.
I dived in at #25 because I needed something short and Christmas themed that my wife and I could listen to in the car. Something 170 minutes long that deals with Santa going missing just before he's scheduled to turn on the Cherringham Christmas lights seemed a good fit. When I saw it was narrated by Neil Dudgeon who plays my favourite Inspector Barnaby in the most recent seasons of "Midsomer Murders". it became ideal.
It lived up to my expectations, providing a light but crunchy plot with a soft feel-good centre that wasn't too sweet. Neil Dudgeon gets all the accents right. The pace worked well and it didn't matter that I'd missed the first twenty-four episodes.
At first, I was surprised to find that no US/UK cultural clangers were dropped. Then I looked up the authors and learned that Neil Richards is a Brit scriptwriter and producer and Matt Costello is an American scriptwriter based in NYC and they've been writing TV scripts together since the late 1990s.
I'll be going back to Cherringham regularly for small slices of entertainment. I've bought the first two compilation books which cover the first six novellas.
December 11, 2018
I had to go to a Christmas luncheon out of town for work and was trying to pick something to start listening to for my ride back home. (Lunch, by the way was at The Twisted Olive in Green, OH – delicious!) Around town I’ve been listening to holiday music, but on trips over say 15 minutes when I’m by myself, I prefer listening to books. I always enjoy the Cherringham novellas, and Secret Santa has been on my to-read list since last Christmas.
Santa is missing. Bill Vokes always plays Santa, but this year, after donning his costume, he steps outside for a cigarette and just disappears. Sarah’s dad is worried, so she and Jack start looking around. Sarah and Jack make a formidable team. He’s former NYPD and she’s smart, curious, and good on a computer. And there are a lot of deaths/crimes in Cherringham for them to solve. For a small town in the Cotswalds, it’s a dangerous place, right up there with St. Mary Mead and Cabot Cove.
Bill and his wife have enough money to live comfortably without working, but no one knows for sure where the money came from. And Sarah can’t find anything on the internet about Bill. Obviously, he has some secrets, but what are they and are they the reason he disappeared?
Sarah and Jack find some clues, talk to some people, and of course solve the case. It’s a light mystery – no one even gets killed, and I like that Sarah and Jack are still friends, close friends, but there’s not that will they/won’t they nonsense, at least not in this one.
I will always keep the Cherringham novellas in mind when I want a fun, quick read
Santa is missing. Bill Vokes always plays Santa, but this year, after donning his costume, he steps outside for a cigarette and just disappears. Sarah’s dad is worried, so she and Jack start looking around. Sarah and Jack make a formidable team. He’s former NYPD and she’s smart, curious, and good on a computer. And there are a lot of deaths/crimes in Cherringham for them to solve. For a small town in the Cotswalds, it’s a dangerous place, right up there with St. Mary Mead and Cabot Cove.
Bill and his wife have enough money to live comfortably without working, but no one knows for sure where the money came from. And Sarah can’t find anything on the internet about Bill. Obviously, he has some secrets, but what are they and are they the reason he disappeared?
Sarah and Jack find some clues, talk to some people, and of course solve the case. It’s a light mystery – no one even gets killed, and I like that Sarah and Jack are still friends, close friends, but there’s not that will they/won’t they nonsense, at least not in this one.
I will always keep the Cherringham novellas in mind when I want a fun, quick read
December 24, 2019
Świetny, krótki, zwięzły kryminał. Otrzymałem go w prezencie od sklepu internetowego gdzie regularnie kupuję audiobooki. To bardzo miłe, kiedy sklep internetowy dba tak dobrze o swojego klienta. Przesłuchałem rzutem na taśmę. Całość trwa około trzy i pół godziny.
Opowieść kryminalna utrzymana w klimacie świątecznym. W małym miasteczku Cherringham znajdującym się w malowniczej okolicy Cotswolds, w centralnej Anglii dochodzi do zagadkowego zniknięcia świętego Mikołaja, a w zasadzie starszego poczciwego obywatela tegoż miasteczka, który od lat wciela się w postać Świętego Mikołaja. W momencie kiedy Święty Mikołaj miał zacząć swój obchód po miasteczku, zagadkowo znika i to w dodatku w stroju Mikołaja. W pomieszczeniu gdzie się przebierał pozostawił wszystkie swoje ubrania, rzeczy osobiste. Nikt nie może zrozumieć dlaczego zagadkowo zniknął, nawet żona. Zaangażowana obywatelka miasteczka Sara oraz emerytowany policjant Jack rozpoczynają od razu śledztwo aby nie tracić czasu. Cała opowieść trzyma mocno w napięciu. Dowiadujemy się coraz to nowych, nieoczekiwanych rzeczy o przeszłości Świętego Mikołaja. Na sam koniec zagubiony Święty Mikołaj się odnajduje, zarazem dowiadujemy się dlaczego zniknął. Opowieść ma spokojny, świąteczny koniec, mimo pewnego dramatyzmu który pojawia się w scenie końcowej.
Ciekawe, że seria kryminałów "Cherringham" nie została przetłumaczona na język polski. Niniejsza opowieść to 25 tom całej serii kryminalnej "Cherringham".
Opowieść kryminalna utrzymana w klimacie świątecznym. W małym miasteczku Cherringham znajdującym się w malowniczej okolicy Cotswolds, w centralnej Anglii dochodzi do zagadkowego zniknięcia świętego Mikołaja, a w zasadzie starszego poczciwego obywatela tegoż miasteczka, który od lat wciela się w postać Świętego Mikołaja. W momencie kiedy Święty Mikołaj miał zacząć swój obchód po miasteczku, zagadkowo znika i to w dodatku w stroju Mikołaja. W pomieszczeniu gdzie się przebierał pozostawił wszystkie swoje ubrania, rzeczy osobiste. Nikt nie może zrozumieć dlaczego zagadkowo zniknął, nawet żona. Zaangażowana obywatelka miasteczka Sara oraz emerytowany policjant Jack rozpoczynają od razu śledztwo aby nie tracić czasu. Cała opowieść trzyma mocno w napięciu. Dowiadujemy się coraz to nowych, nieoczekiwanych rzeczy o przeszłości Świętego Mikołaja. Na sam koniec zagubiony Święty Mikołaj się odnajduje, zarazem dowiadujemy się dlaczego zniknął. Opowieść ma spokojny, świąteczny koniec, mimo pewnego dramatyzmu który pojawia się w scenie końcowej.
Ciekawe, że seria kryminałów "Cherringham" nie została przetłumaczona na język polski. Niniejsza opowieść to 25 tom całej serii kryminalnej "Cherringham".
December 18, 2018
Bill Vokes has been the Cherringham Santa Claus for years, an important part of a happy community celebration. This year, though, he changes into his Santa costume--and disappears. At first there is more puzzlement and annoyance than alarm; Bill has a habit of disappearing for short periods, though doing so in the hour or so prior to his scheduled appearance as Santa seems atypical.
By the next morning, though, some people are growing concerned, and Jack and Sarah are asked to look into his disappearance, since there is not yet enough basis for the police to do so.
They soon find that Bill Vokes seems to have no existence prior to the time, years ago, when he and his wife Emily arrived in Cherringham. And although he seemingly has a comfortable income, everyone has a different story about where he got his modest wealth.
What's going on, and what does it have to do with Bill's disappearance?
This is a clever and interesting Christmas short story. I really liked Jack, Sarah, and their friends.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
By the next morning, though, some people are growing concerned, and Jack and Sarah are asked to look into his disappearance, since there is not yet enough basis for the police to do so.
They soon find that Bill Vokes seems to have no existence prior to the time, years ago, when he and his wife Emily arrived in Cherringham. And although he seemingly has a comfortable income, everyone has a different story about where he got his modest wealth.
What's going on, and what does it have to do with Bill's disappearance?
This is a clever and interesting Christmas short story. I really liked Jack, Sarah, and their friends.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
November 25, 2019
This is my first read from the Cherringham series, though there are a lot more preceding it (24 to be exact!). It is a standalone cosy crime though. Add that to Christmas and I was looking forward to reading.
The Santa of Cherringham (Bill Vokes) has mysteriously gone missing, and locals Jack & Sarah are (unofficially) on the case. I found them likeable as characters and they connected well to each other, and me as a reader. I was introduced to some of the other locals too, and places within the village.
The storyline was steady, but got to the point quickly. I sort of figured out what had happened before they did, but it didn't stop me reading. The authors really set the scene for Christmas too, and Cherringham sounds like a lovely place to be during the season!
I enjoyed reading this and will definitely look out for more from the series.
The Santa of Cherringham (Bill Vokes) has mysteriously gone missing, and locals Jack & Sarah are (unofficially) on the case. I found them likeable as characters and they connected well to each other, and me as a reader. I was introduced to some of the other locals too, and places within the village.
The storyline was steady, but got to the point quickly. I sort of figured out what had happened before they did, but it didn't stop me reading. The authors really set the scene for Christmas too, and Cherringham sounds like a lovely place to be during the season!
I enjoyed reading this and will definitely look out for more from the series.
February 12, 2023
Well, that was disappointing. When ‘A Death in the Family’ #24 in the series ended with Jack rushing to a hospital in the states to get to his injured daughter, I was sure ‘Secret Santa’ would begin there or at least mention the situation. Other than a fleeting comment about winter and Christmas, there was no more mention of her.
Unfortunately, this is one of the Cherringham’s where a week later you will have forgotten the plot. All I can remember is the usual friendship between Jack, Sarah, and Grace, Sarah’s assistant, who finally gets involved in an investigation and reveals Bill’s past and why he disappeared. I did enjoy Grace and hope she makes more of an appearance in future novellas.
Unfortunately, this is one of the Cherringham’s where a week later you will have forgotten the plot. All I can remember is the usual friendship between Jack, Sarah, and Grace, Sarah’s assistant, who finally gets involved in an investigation and reveals Bill’s past and why he disappeared. I did enjoy Grace and hope she makes more of an appearance in future novellas.
December 31, 2017
What do you do when Santa disappears minutes before he is supposed to switch on the Christmas lights and hand out presents? Well the mayor and police chalk it up to his lust for a pint and carry on without him. But locals know playing Santa was very meaningful and not something he would miss. His wife asks a retired NYPD Detective and his unofficial partner to find him, and the hunt is on.
Although short, the book carries a message of priorities and not always judging a book by it's cover. It was interesting and a good addition to the series.
Although short, the book carries a message of priorities and not always judging a book by it's cover. It was interesting and a good addition to the series.
April 4, 2018
When Cherringham's local Santa disappears into the cold night, disappointing children and adults alike, people are concerned. Some believe the worst of the man, thinking he's some kind of dodgy character. Others admit they don't know him well but they are seriously concerned with his welfare. Jack and Sarah are asked to look into the case. The longer they look, the less they seem to find out. Who is Bill Vokes? Has he done a runner? Or is he the victim of a kidnapping. As usual, Jack and Sarah uncover many secrets as they investigate the missing Santa.
January 2, 2019
I read this on my Kindle, over a couple of evenings, during the Christmas period.
I was looking for a gentle, 'easy-going', Christmas Mystery - without blood/gore - which is precisely what I found in 'Secret Santa' ........................... it could, just as easily, been titled 'Santa's Secret'.
Why would Santa just disappear into thin air, immediately before his 'big moment' of switching on the Christmas Lights in the Cotswald Village of Cherringham? Jack and Sarah are quickly onto the trail - but where do you start, when Bill Vokes proves to be illusive as Santa himself?
I was looking for a gentle, 'easy-going', Christmas Mystery - without blood/gore - which is precisely what I found in 'Secret Santa' ........................... it could, just as easily, been titled 'Santa's Secret'.
Why would Santa just disappear into thin air, immediately before his 'big moment' of switching on the Christmas Lights in the Cotswald Village of Cherringham? Jack and Sarah are quickly onto the trail - but where do you start, when Bill Vokes proves to be illusive as Santa himself?
July 22, 2018
If you do a bit of short journey travelling, these short audio books can become a bit addictive in the style of MidSomer Murders, where a remarkable number of deaths occur in a small village community. They are cosies, intellectually undemanding, nothing too macabre happens, and there's a lot of "common sense". I like the way Neil Dudgeon handles the narration, and also the development of the main characters Jack and Sarah.
October 28, 2022
I read a couple of these short stories, and felt sort of meh about them. They seem to be trying to combine a British cozy mystery with more gritty-crime vibe, and it doesn't work for me. I would prefer straight-up cozy. Since these are labelled "cozy," I think it will confuse others like me who take them at their word, and people who enjoy the grittier vibe will pass these stories by because they don't know they're not all that cozy.
December 18, 2018
Interesting
This is the first book I have read in the series and hope to read more. A bit different than I expected but in a good way. A fan of British mysteries, this one did not disappoint. A missing Santa, a long ago crime, a series of lies for protection and the makings of a story that keeps one's interest. Twists, turns, in a short story cozy format, what's not to like.
This is the first book I have read in the series and hope to read more. A bit different than I expected but in a good way. A fan of British mysteries, this one did not disappoint. A missing Santa, a long ago crime, a series of lies for protection and the makings of a story that keeps one's interest. Twists, turns, in a short story cozy format, what's not to like.
March 21, 2017
Love The Village of Cherringham
ALL the books in the Village of Cherringham were the best reads. I've read each one and never wanted either of them to end. I'm hooked and I feel like I met new friends. Each story keeps you interested and how each story I Love the English Village and History and all the details these both Authors have, I feel, Mastered the art of Story telling and wording it just so perfectly for us readers. Thank you Both very much. Please keep these coming. I am feeling sad I'm not going to have another to start. Loved them very much
ALL the books in the Village of Cherringham were the best reads. I've read each one and never wanted either of them to end. I'm hooked and I feel like I met new friends. Each story keeps you interested and how each story I Love the English Village and History and all the details these both Authors have, I feel, Mastered the art of Story telling and wording it just so perfectly for us readers. Thank you Both very much. Please keep these coming. I am feeling sad I'm not going to have another to start. Loved them very much
December 29, 2017
Interesting book
I enjoyed this book. The characters were very realistic. The English setting and traits were great seen through an Americans eye. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were very realistic. The English setting and traits were great seen through an Americans eye. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
January 5, 2018
Good read
Good read. Good plot. Great characters. Immaculate Conception does not mean becoming pregnant without having sexual intercourse... it refers to Mary being conceived without 'original sin'.
Good read. Good plot. Great characters. Immaculate Conception does not mean becoming pregnant without having sexual intercourse... it refers to Mary being conceived without 'original sin'.
January 19, 2018
Cheesy und wenig spannendes Weihnachtskrimi, das neben einer belanglosen Story mit unsäglichen Dialogen und sterotypischen Namen sowie Verhalten aufwartet. Hinzu kommt noch die sehr überzogene Vorleserin der Audiobuch Fassung.
December 16, 2018
Very enjoyable.
A quick holiday read. The author left plenty of clues about what happened to 'Santa' so while Sarah and Jack were busy solving the case, the readers were waiting for the sleuths to catch up.
I'd definately read more Cherringham mysteries.
A quick holiday read. The author left plenty of clues about what happened to 'Santa' so while Sarah and Jack were busy solving the case, the readers were waiting for the sleuths to catch up.
I'd definately read more Cherringham mysteries.
December 18, 2018
This was a quick read, very festive..enjoyed the story too..although feel it could have been padded out a little. Will look out for others in the series to see if the main characters are more developed.
December 28, 2018
I must confess that I chose this audiobook because of the beautiful cover and cute title. Secret Santa is number 25 in the Cherringham series, but you do not have to read the books in order to enjoy the story; it was good as a stand alone. Very cute!
December 30, 2018
GÄHN. Das war letztes oder vorletztes Jahr ein Audible Freebie.
Mir fehlen noch ein paar Bücher für meinen diesjährigen Goodreads Challenge, und es ist kurz.
Das ist so ziemlich das einzig positive, das ich über das Buch sagen kann.
Die Erzählerin war in Ordnung.
Mir fehlen noch ein paar Bücher für meinen diesjährigen Goodreads Challenge, und es ist kurz.
Das ist so ziemlich das einzig positive, das ich über das Buch sagen kann.
Die Erzählerin war in Ordnung.
November 28, 2022
I enjoyed this novella. The plot i easily followed, the characters quite interesting, making the reader want to know more, and the story is a good one. Sometimes you just don't know everything about your neighbors. I do recommend this novella though.
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