Customer Reviews

Anne Perry's Christmas Mysteries: Two Holiday Novels

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, I adore the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series set in the Victorian era so naturally I was eager to read side stories set in that same era that delved deeper into some of the characters in that series. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was because I felt that 'A Christmas Guest', while still good, was a bit weak. Given the sour nature that Grandmama Ellison's character has always had in the Pitt series, her character in this book did not feel entirely believable to me as her personality seems to evolve at much too rapid a pace for such a short story (and time frame). In addition, the mystery aspect held little intrigue or suspense and the ending was not too surprising. However, it was still enjoyable. In contrast, I absolutely loved 'A Christmas Secret'. Perry reveals a depth and freshness to the character of Dominic Corde and how much he has matured since his first marriage to Charlotte's sister Sarah. In this story Dominic, along with his new wife Clarice, strive to solve a mystery in a small English village. The country scene at Christmas makes for a lovely setting. The plot is full of intrigue with startling twists and turns and an added dash of spookiness makes this a delicious read that I couldn't put down. I plan to re-read this story again and would highly recommend it to mystery fans. I believe that even those who have never read any of the books in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series would find this story enjoyable and easy to follow. All in all these two holiday novels are quick reads best savored slowly like hot cocoa on a cold winter's eve.

In later years Agatha Christie typically published in time to catch the Christmas sales--thus giving rise to a publishing tradition of murder mysteries as a seasonal event. Anne Perry has followed suit with a number of novels that are not only published at Christmas but which feature the holiday season, an atmosphere that is sweetened by Perry's use of Victorian period and which plays upon our largely false notions of "a good old fashioned English Christmas." Published in 2008, ANNE PERRY'S CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES consists of two works, A CHRISTMAS GUEST, originally published in 2005, and A CHRISTMAS SECRET, originally published in 2006. Neither are particularly memorable.

A CHRISTMAS GUEST is the weaker of the two novellas. Trapped with unliked relatives over the Christmas holiday in the dismal St. Mary's In The Marsh, ill-tempered Grandmama Ellison is further annoyed by the arrival of Maude Barrington--at least until Maude is found dead in her bed, at which point Grandmama Ellison begins to pity her as a possible murder victim. As in many Perry stories, the family and social relationships are extremely complicated. Often this is part of Perry's charm, but where A CHRISTMAS GUEST is concerned it tends to read as complication for the sake of complication, and the story contains considerable filler in the form of Grandmama's musings. That aside, and although the motive is somewhat obscure, the killer is easily spotted from the way in which the story is constructed, so there's very little mystery at all.

A CHRISTMAS SECRET is considerably better, the story of Rev. Dominic Corde and wife Clarice, who are summoned to the isolated village of Cottisham to fill in for a vicar who has unexpectedly chosen the Christmas season as vacation. Much of the story passes in bits of village scandal that cumulate when Clarice discovers the vacationing vicar has never left the village at all. Although the plot device is as old as publishing itself, Perry does manage to put a few new pins in it here and there, and her gift for atmosphere and her ability to recreate Victorian England is particularly in evidence here.

Both titles are fairly short. A CHRISTMAS GUEST runs about one hundred fifty pages; A CHRISTMAS SECRET runs just under two hundred pages; and the print is large and the lines doublespaced. Either or both can be easily read in a single sitting, and indeed I would describe both more as substantial short stories than as novellas. Although neither are among Perry's most interesting work, there are worse ways to pass the time. Mildly recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

It was an enjoyable book. Both were set in the late 1800's. I would read more Anne Perry books. It was light reading and very well written.

Anne Perry's latest Christmas story. I like that she picks secondary characters from longer books, and tells something else about them or finishes their story, with a Christmas lesson added. Worth reading.

Anne Perry is outstanding because there is always a tight plot (as in this case) in her mysteries. This is a wholesome Christmas gift for someone who enjoys the genre.

Plot was not great rather weak. I am not sure if I will read her works again.