TITLE: A Christmas Revelation
AUTHOR: Anne Perry
PUBLISHER: Ballantine
PUB. YEAR: 2018
SETTING: Victorian London
FORMAT: - library
RATING: 4/5 stars
FORMAT: - library
RATING: 4/5 stars
"Worm" is a 9 year old river urchin who has never experienced a real Christmas. As luck would have it, a couple of kind-hearted people let him work at a clinic on Portpool Lane so that he is not alone. There's a grumpy old bookkeeper, Squeaky Robinson, a former brothel owner and Miss Claudine, a volunteer at the clinic who helps Worm learn about Christmas and miracles. Ruby the maid and Mrs Bellflower the cook help to get ready for a special Christmas which includes a festive dinner, a nativity complete with wisemen, camel and of course a baby.
When a few days before Christmas Worm witnesses what he believes is the abduction of a beautiful woman, he seeks out Squeaky's help.
This was a nice Victorian era Christmas mystery. The book part of a series but, can certainly be enjoyed as a stand alone. I loved the setting, the characters and the circumstances felt real as well. A nice story of hope and redemption, this one was a nice short read to welcome and celebrate the magic of Christmas.
I thought that the characters didn't sound modern until I saw your setting stating that it was a Victorian mystery. Sounds like another good read for the holidays. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWe can all use hope and redemption!
ReplyDeleteThus sounds like it would be a good mini series on PBS!
ReplyDeleteI have never read anything by Ann Perry, but this one might be a good way to see if I like her writing. She has quite a backlist to choose from, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Ann Perry. I hope you've had a great holiday season. It all feels like one big holiday until after the 1st doesn't it?
ReplyDelete