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I think it’s the right time to start my Christmas reading and get into the holiday season, and it’s easy to do that with Scott Mehno’s book, Shorte List, an imaginative and unique look at the legend of Santa Claus. See my review, a bit about the author, and purchase links below.
Book Review
In Townlee, New Jersey, Bailey Hatchell has invented a marvel—a holographic Charles Dickens. This Dickens can converse, move about freely, and throw out an insult as well as if the real author had returned. The town is counting on this invention, but greedy investors might have other plans, and they want a meeting on Christmas Eve. At the same time, his daughter Hayley, who is nine, is attempting to hold onto her belief in Santa Claus, and Hayley’s Mom, Lellie, is trying to care for their neighbor, Cecil Cleef, who is dying. All of this together threatens the Hatchell family plans. Then Bailey meets the real Santa Claus, and he says he knows where to find the real Charles Dickens.
The clever, witty, and highly descriptive writing won me over immediately. Bailey is convincing as an inventor with a development plan who is perplexed with the marketing and investment side of things, and as a Dad who loves his family but doesn’t always say the right thing. Hayley’s search for truth is the tipping point for this story, and the answers tie everything together. The description of Santa Claus (Santee), without giving too much away, is absolutely fantastic, whimsical, and better than I could have imagined. If I were able to choose a real Santa, it would be him.
Then there’s the Shorte List, a list of those who know he’s real, and the people on that list will surprise you! There is also a hero in this story who works quietly, without fanfare, to help others, and it reminds us there are so many humble people out there, working for others with no reward.
My only slight criticism is that the large number of characters overwhelmed me at first. Happily, there is an index of characters at the front of the book that helps immensely.
I highly recommend this Christmas novel, which brings the future and the past together with a little bit of magic, technology, science, love, and tears.
My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.
About the Author
Scott Mehno has been writing for artists and companies in the entertainment industry for well over two decades. A New Jersey husband and dad with two kids, he is a true believer in the Dickens adage that a joyful Christmas only requires ‘heart, love, and family…’ It’s the universal family dynamics on display in nearly every small-town Christmas Eve that inspired him to write Shorte List
Scott’s Social Media: Website | Instagram
Purchase Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Apple Books | Google | Kobo
Before You Go…
Remember if you read Shorte List, please leave a review on Amazon or wherever you buy books. Reviews are so important to Indie authors. Your review does not have to be a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make an author’s day. Also remember to share this post with your social media followers, which will help this book and all Indie books in a positive way.
It’s nice to read your great review of Shorte List by Scott Mehno and learn about him, Bonnie. I’m glad you posted it. 😍
Thank you Tim. It was really good.
My pleasure, Bonnie. It sure sounds good to me.