Book Review: Ruth's First Christmas Tree by Elly Griffiths

This is a sweet Christmas story.

Ruth's First Christmas Tree
(Ruth Galloway #4.5)
by Elly Griffiths

File Size: 11359 KB
Print Length: 29 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (December 11, 2012)
ASIN: B00AFDUN72
Genre: Holiday, Traditional Detective
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

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 …

Review:
Ruth is a forensic archaeologist living in a bleakly cold and secluded cottage in Norfolk. Her career skills have her working closely with the DCI to help solve murders. During one of her earlier forays to help the police, she ended up getting pregnant. Now she has a precious child, Kate, and Ruth wants to have her first true Christmas to share with Kate.

Ruth is rushing to get everything ready especially since she has a new friend – maybe boyfriend -- coming to celebrate with her and Kate. When the cat and Kate get to the decorated tree, things look to be tumbling. Ruth is lucky to have a close friend, Cathbad, step in to help make Christmas really special and even Kate's father makes an unexpected appearance.

I like forensic characters and was curious about this series. The story is cute but I found the reading difficult. The author presents the work in third person, present tense which makes it a little awkward. I very much like Ruth’s unusual friend, Cathbad, but had some concerns about the affair with the married inspector that led to Ruth’s child.

I might try one of the full novels to see if I could adjust. I recommend this as a cute Christmas story that introduces the reader to the characters and the author’s writing style.

Source: 2012 free Kindle. This qualifies for 2019TBR goal and #HoHoHoRat.