Review: A "Christmas mystery" with a PG-13 rating
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 27, 2013
This is a short story which seems to be written for kids in the 7-13 year range. Sort of a combination of Halloween and Christmas, this tale involves the plight of a young family struggling to make ends meet and the helpful spirit which enables them to succeed. I'm a little torn here as this "Christmas mystery" involves not only a corrupt police chief but spousal abuse, bootlegging, and not one but two murders. Add that littany of crimes to the other situations which befall this family and you have a fairly depressing read. It's kind of a shame that the author went this route with a Christmas story, but hey, how many kids got video games and are now sitting in front of the TV or computer happily blowing apart virtual humans by the thousands? It kind of speaks to today's sick reality of who we are and what we are becoming as a society. I certainly didn't love it, nor did I hate it (although the ending left much to be desired), so I am giving it three stars.