{"product_id":"mistletoe-malice-9780571378265","title":"Mistletoe Malice","description":"\u003cb\u003eA dysfunctional family reunites for the Christmas holiday from hell in this rediscovered festive classic with fangs for fans of Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Taylor and Stella Gibbons.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Literary comfort and joy.\" \u003cb\u003eMeg Mason\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eSorrow and Bliss\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe fire is on, sherry poured, presents wrapped, and claws are being sharpened. In a seaside cottage perched on a cliff, one family reunites for Christmas. While snow falls, a tyrannical widowed matriarch presides over her unruly brood. Her niece tends to her whims, but fantasizes about eloping; and as more guests arrive, each bringing their secret truths and dreams, the Christmas tree explodes, a brawl erupts, an escape occurs - and their \"midwinter madness\" climaxes...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKathleen Farrell\u003c\/b\u003e was born in London in 1912 and educated at a convent school. Her first book, \u003ci\u003eJohnny's Not Home from \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003ethe Fair\u003c\/i\u003e (1942), was written while working for the wartime secretary-general of the Labour party, after which she founded a prestigious literary agency, eventually sold to a rival firm. Farrell lived in Hampstead for twenty years with her partner Kay Dick - reviewer, editor and author of \u003ci\u003eThey\u003c\/i\u003e (1977) - in a literary circle including Ivy Compton-Burnett, Stevie Smith and Olivia Manning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Faber \u0026 Faber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50614768304402,"sku":"9780571378265","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_626ea3e6-4ce1-4ebd-91ac-0418a577a25d.jpg?v=1732461766","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/mistletoe-malice-9780571378265","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}