Her Last Christmas
Emma is a total outsider when she joins her boyfriend Michael for a "Friendmas" getaway in the Swiss Alps. Surrounded by an elite circle of privileged friends, she’s determined to fit in despite the clannish atmosphere. But as a blizzard traps them inside, a night of wild partying turns dark, unearthing buried secrets and old grudges. On Christmas morning, the festivities end when a member of the group is found dead. With the snow burying the evidence and the group turning on the "new girl," Emma must unmask the killer before she becomes the next holiday casualty.
- Emma - Michael’s girlfriend
- Michael - Emma’s boyfriend
- Cameron - Nicola’s partner
- Nicola - Cameron’s partner
- Spencer - Danielle’s husband
- Danielle - Spencer’s wife
- Susanna - Michael’s deceased wife
- Emma, Michael and four of Michael’s friends travel to Cameron and Nicola’s ski chalet to spend Christmas skiing.
- Everyone except Emma starts doing drugs.
- Emma sees Michael and Danielle kissing.
- Danielle is found dead in the hot tub on Christmas morning.
- They are snowed in with no cell service.
- Emma’s necklace is found at the scene.
- Spencer was going to divorce Danielle after Christmas.
- Nicola had files on each of them containing their deepest secrets.
- Nicola killed Danielle because she thought Danielle would interfere with Nicola securing a multi-million pound NHS contract for her healthcare company.
- Michael was in on it with Nicola.
- Michael had Susanna killed because she was threatening to expose his affair with Nicola during their divorce.
- Michael knocks Nicola out and urges Emma to escape.
- Emma skis down the mountain to get help.
- Three months later: Michael is the new chancellor.
- Everyone sticks to the same story that Danielle’s death was a tragic accident.
- Nicola paid everyone to say Danielle's death was an accident.
- Emma knew that if she told the truth and all the friends stuck together she would not be believed, so she agreed to tell Nicola’s story.
- Emma plans to dig up dirt on Nicola and take her down.
It takes about halfway into this book to really get into the thriller territory, but it remains an interesting read the whole way through. The character development is good for a shorter book. Emma is really easy to sympathize with, and I was rooting for her as things got progressively weirder at the isolated chalet.
When the killer is finally revealed, it doesn't deliver that big shock and awe moment regarding who did it or why which you expect in a thriller. The whole story reads a lot more like a mystery or suspense novel rather than a high-octane thriller. Regardless, I still enjoyed it and found it to be entertaining. Being cut off from the outside world with a murderer is always a great setup.
Overall, it is a solid, quick read that delivers a great claustrophobic atmosphere. It is definitely worth picking up if you want a cozy but creepy winter mystery.
- Danielle - Dead - Drowned in the hot tub by Nicola
- Michael - Alive - Appointed Chancellor
- Emma - Alive - Planning to ruin Nicola’s business and life
- Susanna - Dead - Killed by men hired by Michael and Nicola
- Murder
- Drug use
- Alcohol abuse
- Blackmail
- Infidelity
- Domestic abuse
Publisher: Audible Originals
ISBN: 9781662536519
Publication Date: November 20, 2015
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
