Lost Christmas by David Logan

I get goose bumps just thinking about this book. I couldn’t read it fast enough, when I wasn’t reading it I wanted to be. I’m immensely jealous of people who get to discover this story for the first time, but I’m equally desperate for others to read it so I can talk about it.

Logan writes in a 3rd person narrative, diving in and out of quite a few different characters lives. All of whom are grieving the loss of something very important to them. Yet they are all intricately linked through the effect of one little boy’s actions – Goose. We’re introduced to this boy on Christmas Eve in Manchester; he receives an early gift from his parents, a dog called Mutt. Logan's writing prepares you for the sudden tragedy that follows. Tension builds and strikes a blow as his parents are called away and killed in a car accident. 

Fast forward a year and we meet Goose again, although he’s not the same boy. He’s turned to petty crime and only has his Godfather Frank, Mutt and senile Nan for support. That is until the mysterious Anthony appears. Anthony seems to know everything about the characters but nothing about himself. Can he help mend their damaged souls?

Each character has a heartbreaking story. I felt aching sorrow for them all, especially Helen. A mother tormented with grief over the death of her little girl. Yes, this book is full of sadness, but I can assure you, it is remarkably uplifting at the same time. I haven’t felt like this about a book in a long time, I want everyone to read it. I want everyone to meet Goose, Mutt, Frank and Anthony. It may sound cheesy, but I want everyone’s heart to be warmed through this ever impending winter. 

This is already being adapted into a Major BBC TV drama so I’m sure it is going to be impossible to ignore. Not that you’d want to! The tag line on the front of this book reads ‘It’s a Wonderful Life meets modern Manchester: a story that will tingle your spine and warm your heart this winter’. It does just this.