Monday, December 31, 2018

Review - A Christmas Revelation

Author:  Anne Perry
Series:  Christmas Stories #16
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:   Ballantine Books
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  173
Date of Publication:  November 6, 2018
My Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
In this intriguing, uplifting holiday mystery from bestselling author Anne Perry, an orphan boy investigates a woman's kidnapping--and discovers there's more at stake than a disappearance.

It wouldn't quite be Christmas without a holiday mystery decorated with all the Victorian trimmings as only New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry can render it. Now the tradition continues as mayhem is once again found under the mistletoe, and intrigue stalks the cobblestone streets and gaslit parlors of old London Town.


Formerly a river urchin living on the banks of the Thames, nine-year-old Worm has never experienced a family Christmas. But thanks to a job at Hester Monk's clinic in Portpool Lane, he's found a makeshift family in kindly Miss Claudine Burroughs and curmudgeonly old bookkeeper Squeaky Robinson.


When Worm witnesses the abduction of a beautiful woman by a pair of ruffians just days before Christmas, he frantically turns to Squeaky for help. A one-time brothel owner, Squeaky knows the perils of interfering in nasty business, but he can't bear to disappoint Worm--or leave the boy to attempt a rescue on his own. What neither of the would-be saviors expects, however, is that the damsel in distress already has her dilemma well in hand . . . and is taking steps to bring her captors to justice for crimes far worse than kidnapping. But the rogues, as cunning as they are deadly, are not to be underestimated. The aid of cynical old Squeaky and hopeful young Worm just might make the difference between a merry triumph over evil and a terrible yuletide tragedy.


MY THOUGHTS:

Worm is a nine-year-old boy who is an orphaned street urchin living at Portpool Lane Clinic. Worm becomes embroiled in a mystery that turns quite dangerous when he witness a beautiful woman, Eloise, being abducted. Worm goes to Squeaky, who is the clinic's bookkeeper and is also a former brothel owner.

More than familiar with seediest type of life and some nefarious people, Squeaky doesn't want to run into anyone of that sort, so he is reluctant to help Worm. As it turns out, Eloise's abduction is part of a bigger situation and the danger is real. Should Squeaky or Worm try and help the woman, things could get really ugly.

As we read the story, we learn more about Worm, and how Squeaky really is a good guy. Also, we are able to understand Eloise's situation and motives. I love the relationship between Worm and Squeaky. There is a lot of intrigue, and this was a very quick read. The story is very warm and is just a perfect read for this season. 

A Christmas Revelation is loosely connected to the William Monk series.

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is a British historical novelist.

Juliet took the name "Anne Perry," the latter being her stepfather's surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical murder mysteries and detective fiction. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger. As of 2003 she had published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories. Her story "Heroes," which first appeared the 1999 anthology Murder and Obsession, edited by Otto Penzler, won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Short Story.


Recently she was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies/One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.



1 comment:

  1. This is my favorite Anne Perry Christmas book yet! The mystery was centered around two wonderful characters from the Monk series, Squeaky and Worm. I really enjoyed learning more about them and the mystery was very good. I loved it.

    Luzia
    Ketterman Rowland & Westlund Lawyers

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