Kindle Price: $0.00

Save $0.99 (100%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

F.R. Jameson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Diana Christmas: Blackmail, Death and a British Film Star (Screen Siren Noir Book 1) Kindle Edition

by F.R. Jameson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
See all formats and editions
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU READ A NAIL-BITINGLY TENSE BRITISH NOIR?

He’s been threatened, beaten and broken – but still he doesn't regret meeting the actress who disappeared…

Michael, a young film journalist, is sent to interview the reclusive movie star Diana Christmas. Twenty years prior, the red-headed starlet suddenly abandoned her career, leaving her fans shocked and a whiff of scandal. Their attraction is instant. Between the sheets, Diana tells him of the blackmail and betrayal which drove her away. And how – even now – she’s being tormented by underworld figures.

Emboldened, Michael sets out on a mission to track down a compromising roll of film. Soon he’s tangling with aged pimps, teenage thugs and a film director intent on turning real life into one of his own lurid thrillers. But ahead lies even deadlier peril.

Can Michael save Diana from her past? Or will the secrets which crushed her life destroy them both?

Diana Christmas: Blackmail, Death and a British Film Star is a must-read for all fans of hard-boiled crime and film noir. If you love the thrillers of Megan Abbott, Guy Bolton and James Ellroy, then you’ll adore Diana Christmas!

PRAISE FOR DIANA CHRISTMAS: BLACKMAIL DEATH AND A BRITISH FILM STAR

“FR Jameson's characters come vividly to life in a highly enjoyable slice of British noir.” “From the very first chapter I was sold. The descriptions and detail that Jameson used throughout this book made it very difficult for me to put it down.”

“This is a fabulous story. Full of great characters, and a plot that I really enjoyed. I like a story that can keep me guessing.”

“The author weaves seduction, blackmail, and cruelty throughout the story. If you are a fan of noir, the twists and turns are classic.”

“Diana Christmas truly is a thriller fit for the silver screen itself.”

“I couldn't put the book down. What more can I say? If you enjoy a suspenseful thriller I highly recommend this book.”

“I’d recommend it to anyone who likes noir, crime, or Hollywood biographies.”

“Diana Christmas written by F.R. Jameson could be a movie on TCM... This new book takes the reader into a time that most of us don't remember - it is gritty but vivid, sullen but snappy, and most of all just a good old fashioned mystery.”

“This is a fabulous read... Whilst I'm not normally a great fan of noir, I absolutely loved this novel!”

“This novel is written in classic form. It contains snappy dialogue, intriguing characters who find themselves in desperate situations, and climactic scenes. It’s original and will leave readers appreciating how this sort of writing panache can still be found in authors today.”


GET YOUR COPY TODAY AND ENTER THE WORLD OF SCREEN SIREN NOIR!
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Screen Siren Noir
  2. Print length
    214 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    March 21, 2018
  6. File size
    5797 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
All 4 for you in this series See full series
See included books
Total Price: $2.97
By clicking on above button, you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use
More like Diana Christmas: Blackmail, Death and a British Film Star (Screen Siren Noir Book 1)
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  1. Warren Lane
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  5. A Storm Does This Way Come
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  15. DoGoodR: A Tanto Thriller
    Kindle Edition
    $2.99
  21. AESOP: A Matti Baker Thriller
    Kindle Edition
    $0.00
  25. Green Shoots
    Kindle Edition
    $1.99
  26. Glitter
    Kindle Edition
    $0.99
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviews from Amazon
"Jameson combines the elements in a way to make them freshand the story compelling. And, most of all, he accomplishes what he set out todo, to turn Diana Christmas into a classic femme fatale in a story that's avery good noir. For fans of the genre or mystery or film buffs in general,"Diana Christmas" is an early present from F.R. Jameson to his readers."

"Michael's narration so beautifully crafted that it felt asif he were telling me the story as we sat having a drink somewhere. I couldn't put the book down."

"A thoroughly entertaining novel, and well worth a read."

"From the captivating opening to the shattering climax,Jameson spins a dark tale of sin, corruption and murder... Fans of noir fictionand British mysteries should not miss this excellent effort."

"Mayhem, mystery and murder with several surprises along theway."

"This novel is written in classic form. It contains snappydialogue, intriguing characters who find themselves in desperate situations,and climactic scenes. It's original and will leave readers appreciating howthis sort of writing panache can still be found in authors today."

"Recommend it to anyone who likes noir, crime, or Hollywoodbiographies."

"The story is captivating and interesting, I like classicnoir movies and books and this one holds its own and moves along at a decentpace. The suspense was enough to keep me turning the pages, I was able to readthe book in one afternoon. Trying to figure out who was manipulating who andwhat could possibly happen next kept me entertained until the end."


"I read this story in one sitting. I needed an old-fashionedtale that gave me an occasional laugh and offered a cinematic take on what theauthor calls his Screen Siren Noir Series. I eagerly await the next one."

From the Author

I hope you enjoy Diana Christmas. Should you wish to find out more about my work, you can find me at frjameson.com, where I talk about my fiction, post book reviews and (the occasional) film review.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B078ZGWZGV
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 21, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5797 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
F.R. Jameson

F.R. Jameson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

F.R. Jameson was born in Wales, but now lives in London with his wife and young daughter. He writes both historical thrillers and supernatural thrillers.

His books are, at the moment, mostly sorted into two different – but complementary – series. The first is disturbing and scary, and lives under the moniker: ‘Ghostly Shadows Anthology series’. There are seven volumes published: 'Death at the Seaside', 'Certain Danger', 'Won't You Come Save Me', 'Call of the Mandrake', ‘The Hellbound Detective’'; ‘Terror of Breakspear Hall’ and 'The Caller'. Each book is its own disturbing piece of brilliant British horror.

The second series is entittled ‘Screen Siren Noir’ and currently comprises of three novels: ‘Diana Christmas’, ‘Eden St. Michel’ and ‘Alice Rackham’. All of which tell the stories of beautiful British film stars caught up in Noir tales of blackmail, obsession, scandal and death.

He is claustrophobic and has a grave aversion to olives, but in real life is probably not as dark and twisted as his fiction would lead you to believe.

You can follow him @frjameson on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and find him on Facebook.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
99 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ralph E. Vaughan
5.0 out of 5 stars British Noir
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
It's always a pleasure to come across a new well-written noir novel (which "Diana Christmas" is) , authored by someone who understands the genre (which F.R. Jameson does), and especially pleasing when it's set in England (because British noir is more rare than it should be). From the captivating opening to the shattering climax, Jameson spins a dark tale of sin, corruption and murder. He sets his story against a background of British cinema history, adroitly mixing fictional movie stars with real luminaries, film that were made and films that should have been. Fans of noir fiction and British mysteries should not miss this excellent effort.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
John H. Manhold
4.0 out of 5 stars this is the story of a still ravishingly beautiful former British actress who walked away from her rapidly ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Diana Christmas, a noir novel published, copyright and written by F. R. Jameson.
Briefly, this is the story of a still ravishingly beautiful former British actress who walked away from her rapidly ascending career twenty years before and of the naïve young reporter who attempts to help her to return. Michael Mallory, the young issue of a late marriage between small town school teachers has been coddled by his mother from birth, but now has decided to expand his life. He moves to London, gains a job at the Classic Cinema Monthly which reports on Cinemas and stars who performed in these ‘Oldies’. Since the journalist assigned to interview Diana is drunk at the time, Michael is given the assignment. Shortly after arriving, he finds himself in bed with her and quite quickly hopelessly in love. Gradually he learns the cause of her unanticipated withdrawal and that the perpetrators of the cause still exist and occupy seemingly prominent positions. Totally enamored and not aware of his naiveté, he decides to rectify the situation and be able, as her hero, to return to his blissful situation. From this moment forward, the story evolves into the noir tale promised with the young journalist being severely beaten, hospitalized and returning to mother, while the lovely Diana and her still prominent acquaintances in the cinema industry proceed successfully. However, the young reporter recovers, returns to the fray and the story progresses to a most interesting climax.
Discussion: The author has set forth, as promised, a tale about a “Screen Siren Noir” accompanied by other characters typical of the genre. The story gradually evolves from a point where this still beautiful woman of another era seduces a naïve young man to aid her return to prominence while attempting simultaneously to use these other characters as all proceed to work their way through an industry well-known for its corruption, duplicity, deceit, treachery and the constant need for proper ‘connections’. The results - mayhem, mystery and murder with several surprises along the way. Specifically characterized, all of the individuals are psychologically compromised and credible as such. The extent of Michael’s naiveté is a ‘bit-of-a-stretch’ but also largely acceptable as part of the tale.
Summary: A well-written noir tale probably more enjoyable for British readers, but interestingly peopled with characters believably manipulative and presenting surprises till the very end.

4* Noir mystery/murder tale, interestingly told with surprises.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Deborah
3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2*
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
Good writing, great characters and the story was entertaining. Set in England. The descriptions were so good you could actually imagine the film stars at their parties. It is a bit dark.
Helpful
 Report
Jo D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love story with a dark twist.
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
Geeky journalist gets the opportunity to interview a sultry movie actress. To his surprise he not only gets the story but the woman herself. When she asks him for a favor, his life takes a dark and twisted direction.
Helpful
 Report
Garoldine Waggoner
4.0 out of 5 stars Diana Christmas
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
I liked the story for the most part. However every time Diane cozied up to a male, I was silently yelling to him, “Run!”.
Helpful
 Report
David Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great book
Helpful
 Report
spyglass
1.0 out of 5 stars Scam Promotion
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book in Kindle format is promoted as "FREE" on Bookzio for today only. But it's not on sale for free.

The content of the book aside, I don't like being scammed, so won't read the book and will request a refund.
Helpful
 Report
Making Good Stories
4.0 out of 5 stars Destructive Dame
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2018
An aging yet still stunningly beautiful former British star walked away from potential Hollywood fame and the reason for her disappearance is uncovered years later by a young journalist in Diana Christmas by F.R. Jameson.

A young film journalist, Michael Mallory, is tasked with interviewing Diana Christmas, of whom he's a fan, twenty years after the height of her fame. After arriving at her suburban home, Michael finds himself in a more intimate situation than he ever anticipated. As told to him from between the sheets of her bed, Michael learns about the blackmail that prevented Diana from pursuing a Hollywood career. After learning that those who've been coercing her still have the means to do so, Michael, in his enamored state, is determined to help Diana escape their clutches - but he doesn't know how deeply this goes or how much he needs to do.

A quick, intriguing read using familiar tropes and characters of the noir genre, this story contains obsession, seduction, and viciousness to captivate and entertain. The story weaves together elements of the glamour, corruption, and power in an industry rife with the necessity of having the right connections, and the writing evokes a visceral sense of the desperation and need that befalls some of the players. While an idealistic character, Michael exhibits some fantastical naiveté with respect to his perception of his relationship with Diana, which I found to be beyond the realm permitted through suspension of disbelief - he's a journalist, so he should have some critical thought and skepticism about someone's motivations for their behavior despite the desire clouding his head.

Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

cari
4.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in Canada on November 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
exactly as advertised
Report
Lyndsey O'Shea
5.0 out of 5 stars Suspense, Mystery, Murder
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Having availed of a free download of Diana Christmas last year, I'm disgusted with myself for not reading the book sooner. From the moment I started I was hooked- suspense, mystery, murder. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it and what would happen next. I can usually foretell what will happen in a story, but F.R. Jameson has the wicked ability to stump me! A thoroughly good book.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Todd Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Story
Reviewed in Australia on May 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a fabulous story. Full of great characters, and a plot that I really enjoyed. I like a story that can keep me guessing, and F.R. Jameson has certainly achieved this for me, especially with some of the unexpected surprises, which I loved. Michael Mallory is a very easy character to like, and he’s one of the standouts in this book.
Michael Mallory was quite excited about interviewing a movie star he quite admired. Working for Classic Cinema Monthly gave him the opportunity to interview the beautiful Diana Christmas. He was blown away that so many years later after finishing her movie career, she was still a stunning woman. Of course, he never thought in a million years that he would become romantically involved with her. He didn’t consider himself anything special, and definitely not a lady’s man. Diana has a secret which she has kept from the general public, and she would love Michael to help her out. Even though he hadn’t spent very long with Diana, he jumped at the chance to help her. However, he had no idea how dangerous this little task was going to be. This is a thoroughly entertaining novel, and well worth a read. 5/5 Star Rating.
Report
C
4.0 out of 5 stars You know everything's going to go wrong...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book manages to invoke 1970s England, dark street you should not go down, the film scenes of several different eras, and also what it was like to run fan-aimed magazines at the time. The plot itself starts off being obvious if you've ever seen or read _a_ noir, you know our lead is being easily manipulated and Diana's nuts, but this works to the book's advantage because while we're expected to know that, Michael is too young, naive, and lust-blinded to realise he's wading in the deep end. We're waiting for the shoe to drop,

And it does
One person found this helpful
 Report
Janet Cunningham
3.0 out of 5 stars Took a while
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Took a while to get into it then it was ok
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report