Certain things instantly make me feel Christmassy. The smell of a warm mince pie, the glimpse of a string of fairy lights flashing in a window, the sound of a children's choir singing Christmas carols under the Christmas tree in the middle of town, ... For the last few years, there has been a new festive trigger, helping to get me into a Christmassy mood - reading a couple of chapters of the latest Christmas in Newfoundland book.
This third instalment arrives like a perfectly gift-wrapped present. Instead of a sparkly bow and well-chosen wrapping paper, the book is tucked away inside a feel-good festive cover. Complete with snowy streets, front doors festooned with holly wreaths, passers-by, wrapped in thick coats and scarves, walking dogs and children, a lighthouse and old-fashioned street light reflected in the icy water and a frosty moon and stars highlighting Santa and his sleigh flying over the town. It's a festive work-of-art !
The book itself is equally heartwarming, looking at Christmas traditions in Newfoundland past and present. While Winston Windflower gets tied up in his usual policing, his family and friends get gaily involved in festive pastimes. Many of them reminded me of my own childhood memories - festive baking, preparing pies and cookies to leave out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve (and to munch on ourselves in front of the TV), visiting friends and family to exchange presents, ... Other traditions are more local to the Newfoundland setting, such as mummering, where people dress up to hide their identities then visit from house to house, singing, dancing and telling tales, before eating Christmas fayre and waiting to see if their hosts can guess their identities.
Whether the book reminds you of things from your own Christmas memories or shows you a glimpse of festive traditions in other parts of the world, this sneaky peek into the lives of the familiar characters from Grand Bank will leave you reflecting on the most important things at this time of year : family, togetherness and little moments of fun and laughter to look back on throughout the coming year.
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £19.95
- Publisher : Ottawa Press and Publishing Mystery
- Publication date : 27 Oct. 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 152 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1990896340
- ISBN-13 : 978-1990896347
- Item weight : 286 g
- Dimensions : 15.24 x 0.97 x 22.86 cm
- Book 3 of 3 : A Sgt. Windflower Christmas Mystery
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