EXCERPT: As Ruth approaches, the security light flares into life, almost shockingly bright, and Ruth sees a figure silhouetted against her front gate. The figure, looming out of the swirling snow, looks sinister in the extreme, cloaked and hooded like the grim reaper, but Ruth finds herself smiling in mingled exasperation and pleasure. Cathbad.
ABOUT 'RUTH'S FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE': It is three days before Christmas and a bitter wind is blowing across Norfolk.
Until her daughter was born, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway didn’t do Christmas, but now that Kate is a year old, she wants it to be special.
She must get a tree, shop for food, clean the house, buy presents, including one for her new boyfriend—who she isn’t even sure is her boyfriend—and remember to get the turkey out of the freezer.
But time is rushing by and the best-laid plans don’t always work out …
MY THOUGHTS: A delightful way to spend half an hour or so. I love this series, but didn't know about the existence of this brief novella/short story, which I discovered quite by accident.
Unless you have read or are reading this series, this short story won't make much sense to you falling, as it does, between the 4th and 5th books of the Ruth Galloway series, and featuring the regular cast of characters.
Ruth's plans for a Christmas tree seem to be thwarted at every turn and Ruth attends a party she really doesn't want to go to and in doing so solves a mystery and perhaps saves a life.
I love this series and greatly enjoyed this Christmas outing.
As a bonus, there is a sample chapter from the 5th book in this series, A Dying Fall, and also a sample chapter from Elly Griffiths stand alone mystery, The Stranger Diaries, both of which I have read previously and loved.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#RuthsFirstChristmasTree