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A Christmas Visitor (The Christmas Stories) by Anne Perry
It is mid-December and Henry Rathbone travels to the Dreghorn family manor house near Ullswater. But despite the festive season and the beautiful surroundings, this is not a happy occasion; he is going to comfort the family following the death of his friend, the master of the house [Judah Dreghorn]. It seems that Judah Dreghorn slipped while crossing a stream on the grounds of the estate in the middle of the night, and drowned. And when Henry arrives, he finds that there is more than a widow's grief to contend with.Ashton Gower, recently released from jail, is slandering Judah's name, claiming that he was wrongfully imprisoned for forging the deeds to the estate that the Dreghorns now own. Gower insists that his family rightfully owns the estate and that the deeds were genuine. It seems preposterous to Henry that Judah, a judge in the local court, could be accused of sending an innocent man to prison and blackening his reputation in order to steal his inheritance. To Henry and the two remaining Dreghorn brothers, also returning to the Lakes for Christmas, Judah's mysterious death and Gower's outrageous claims seem inextricably linked. Is Gower a murderer as well as a liar? Or could the life-long idolisation of a close friend and older brother be blinding them all to the truth?
Hardcover
First published October 31, 2004
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About the author
Anne Perry
360 books3,375 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 362 reviews
December 25, 2017
A family’s estate and holdings come under peril when the investigation of a death begins to unravel an old court case that had been settled more than a decade previously.
As the family gathers together for Christmas from the far corners of the world – Palestine, Africa, and the United States – there is a great deal of emotional turbulence that could not just unravel their lives but put them in danger as well.
Henry Rathbone, as a family friend and godfather, takes on the task of trying to keep everyone level-headed and at the same time, search out the truths of both the past and the present. The more pieces of the puzzle that come to light, the more confusing the issues become.
Is the death really a murder? Was the forgery of documents everything it appeared to be or something else entirely? When the truth comes to light, who will benefit and who will lose out? And is loss what it seems or a doorway to something even better?
Once again, Anne Perry deftly handles a complex plot within this novella’s shorter length. This will be my last of her Christmas Stories for this holiday season, but I will definitely be reading more of them in December of next year!
As the family gathers together for Christmas from the far corners of the world – Palestine, Africa, and the United States – there is a great deal of emotional turbulence that could not just unravel their lives but put them in danger as well.
Henry Rathbone, as a family friend and godfather, takes on the task of trying to keep everyone level-headed and at the same time, search out the truths of both the past and the present. The more pieces of the puzzle that come to light, the more confusing the issues become.
Is the death really a murder? Was the forgery of documents everything it appeared to be or something else entirely? When the truth comes to light, who will benefit and who will lose out? And is loss what it seems or a doorway to something even better?
Once again, Anne Perry deftly handles a complex plot within this novella’s shorter length. This will be my last of her Christmas Stories for this holiday season, but I will definitely be reading more of them in December of next year!
April 9, 2019
I'd like to dedicate this review to the wine I drank. You made this book tolerable.
A Christmas Visitor was definitely one of those books that I read for a specific challenge.. because someone said to. I completely regret that decision on my part.. but thankfully I had wine to help me out. So, thank you pinot!
Now I do tend to love murder mystery books.. but this one fell flat for me. Especially since it's around freaking Christmas - which is my damn jam. I love that day - don't ruin that day for me. In it, you will meet Henry.. and he's just a sad character to invest in. He's telling horrible news to a family about a death. Which just screams CHRISTMAS, right?
Other than that, this book was weird. I'm glad it was so short because then I would've been hating Christmas instead of this thing.
A Christmas Visitor was definitely one of those books that I read for a specific challenge.. because someone said to. I completely regret that decision on my part.. but thankfully I had wine to help me out. So, thank you pinot!
Now I do tend to love murder mystery books.. but this one fell flat for me. Especially since it's around freaking Christmas - which is my damn jam. I love that day - don't ruin that day for me. In it, you will meet Henry.. and he's just a sad character to invest in. He's telling horrible news to a family about a death. Which just screams CHRISTMAS, right?
Other than that, this book was weird. I'm glad it was so short because then I would've been hating Christmas instead of this thing.
January 26, 2016
Do not believe the descriptors! "On the heels of the success of A Christmas Journey comes this festive mystery." "In this delightful Christmas tale . . ."
Part of my 2015 Christmas marathon, the only reason I didn't abandon this is that it was so short. I struggled through the last hour and in the end I had no idea of what had happened to cause the death of the murder victim whose name I cannot remember. What I do remember is that poor Henry Rathbone, godfather of the murder victim's wife, had to tell the victim's siblings one-by-one as they arrived from far and wide at the family estate for Christmas. Festive and delightful . . . hmmm.
Part of my 2015 Christmas marathon, the only reason I didn't abandon this is that it was so short. I struggled through the last hour and in the end I had no idea of what had happened to cause the death of the murder victim whose name I cannot remember. What I do remember is that poor Henry Rathbone, godfather of the murder victim's wife, had to tell the victim's siblings one-by-one as they arrived from far and wide at the family estate for Christmas. Festive and delightful . . . hmmm.
December 18, 2020
When I think "Christmas stories", I think "share the love", "be a better person", warm and fuzzy, cosy reading, a bit gooey. This is not the case here.
This particular novella is rather depressing ! It begins with a traditional family reunion in awful circumstances : one of the brothers has died recently, his morality is questioned, he left a widow and a young son. So the story is laced with mourning, gloom, resentment, anger and violence.
Some parts were repetitive : poor Henry Rathbone has to go to the station to pick three members of the family who, of course, arrive one by one and each time, he has to tell them the bad news - only the reactions are different. My other problem is with the murderer : he's only a means to an end. Can't tell you more without spoiling.
I can see what the author did, and I can see the Christian spirit in here. It's impossible to tell more without spoilers but basically, it's about what you would/should prefer : live your dream apart from everyone with the freedom that money gives, or live with less money, but together. It was too realistic for me : give up on what you 'd love to do to do the right thing instead is all too familiar.
My major problem with all this was that it was not what I expected, but if it had been brought up together with better skill, I would have loved it even if it was depressing. By the way, I love Anne Perry, I have read a great many of her books so I won't be giving up on her sometime soon.
This particular novella is rather depressing ! It begins with a traditional family reunion in awful circumstances : one of the brothers has died recently, his morality is questioned, he left a widow and a young son. So the story is laced with mourning, gloom, resentment, anger and violence.
Some parts were repetitive : poor Henry Rathbone has to go to the station to pick three members of the family who, of course, arrive one by one and each time, he has to tell them the bad news - only the reactions are different. My other problem is with the murderer : he's only a means to an end. Can't tell you more without spoiling.
I can see what the author did, and I can see the Christian spirit in here. It's impossible to tell more without spoilers but basically, it's about what you would/should prefer : live your dream apart from everyone with the freedom that money gives, or live with less money, but together. It was too realistic for me : give up on what you 'd love to do to do the right thing instead is all too familiar.
My major problem with all this was that it was not what I expected, but if it had been brought up together with better skill, I would have loved it even if it was depressing. By the way, I love Anne Perry, I have read a great many of her books so I won't be giving up on her sometime soon.
November 4, 2019
Entretenida. Lo que más me ha gustado es la personalidad de la detective (alejado del cliché de hombre divorciado con vicios). en está ocasión quien resuelve el misterio de un asesinato es una anciana viuda gruñona.
December 6, 2020
While the book isn’t as Christmasy as I had hoped, I’ve really come to enjoy the coziness of these Christmas mysteries.
December 30, 2020
Una novela corta con una ambientación navideña donde los hermanos se reúnen por Navidad, y a raíz del fallecimiento de uno de ellos empiezan a sospechar que ha sido un asesinato, sin darte cuenta te arrastra al final, con muchísimas conjeturas por el camino, muy bien escrita pero fatalmente rematada.
Demasiados personajes, demasiados hilos que seguir para dar con el culpable.
Esta novela la leí en una lectura conjunta y los comentarios sobre el final han sido muchísimo más provechosos que el que le ha dado la autora, para mí que se le acabaron las ideas y de una manera muy rápida dice quién es el asesino y ya está.
Vaya manera más tonta de estropear una novela.
Demasiados personajes, demasiados hilos que seguir para dar con el culpable.
Esta novela la leí en una lectura conjunta y los comentarios sobre el final han sido muchísimo más provechosos que el que le ha dado la autora, para mí que se le acabaron las ideas y de una manera muy rápida dice quién es el asesino y ya está.
Vaya manera más tonta de estropear una novela.
December 30, 2010
Well, I'm not sure why this one is hailed as a Christmas story. It's about a murder, and spends an inordinate amount of time focusing on poor Henry Rathbone having to tell the victim's siblings, one by one, the bad news as they arrive for the holiday visit. The descriptions of the weather, the food, the setting, and even the detecting are interesting and rich, but every so often I would think, "Wait a minute: uplifting Christmas story? HUH?" Perhaps this is an example of marketing actually putting a valid work at a disadvantage.
January 13, 2019
Another highly satisfying novella in Perry's Christmas Stories series. The shorter format allows Perry to tell some unconventional stories. This one explores honesty and integrity, and how far a man will go to set right the errors of the past.
December 29, 2021
3.5 stars. This is an unusual Christmas story that isn’t very Christmasy until end. It is, though, an interesting mystery. The narration was okay, but I do get distracted when what I’m hearing conjures up an image of spittle flying. Isn’t there some kind of microphone cover or screen that is supposed to prevent that?
December 13, 2021
Not overtly Christmas but this story definitely embraces the essence of the holiday. It's an intriguing mystery set in the Victorian era at an English manor house with all kinds of interesting characters with subtle hints of backstory. Perry packs a lot into this novella! The ending definitely embraces peace and goodwill. I once again listened to the audible edition narrated by Terrence Hardiman. He's done an excellent job with this whole seres (or the ones I have read so far.)
December 17, 2020
This story is set in Ullswater in Cumbria in the depth of a cold, snowy Victorian winter. There has been a lot of bad blood between Ashton Gower and the Dreghorn family and when one of the Dreghorn brothers is found dead, Gower is the natural suspect. As luck would have it, Henry Rathbone (famous for his roles in Perry's William Monk series) is a family friend and also a godfather to one of the Dreghorns and he is on hand to help out with the dreadful task of informing the remaining Dreghorn brothers and widowed sister in law of the death of their brother. The murder investigation part of the story is quite interesting but it is a very drawn out and miserable tale. I got really bored with the amount of time spent by Rathbone going back and forth to the railway station in the horse and buggy fetching all the different characters from their respective trains. Most of the conversations took place in the buggy in freezing cold temperatures and driving snow, I felt sorry for the driver and horse. Also, we had to listen to Rathbone impart the sad news over and over again to the various members of the family on their return from foreign parts.
By the end I was feeling cold and less than cheerful, not at all filled with the Christmas spirit.
By the end I was feeling cold and less than cheerful, not at all filled with the Christmas spirit.
November 30, 2017
I listened to this book as an audio book and it was very well narrated. I felt that some things were repeated too many times. For example, we didn't know why Jude went out for a walk so late at night. People kept saying it over and over until I got tired of it! However, it was still a good story with a surprise ending that redeemed it for me.
December 16, 2019
As the Dreghorn family gathers for a Christmas reunion in England's Lake District, members discover that one of their own has met with an accidental death. Struggling to come to terms with this, they are further shocked when evidence points to murder. Anne Perry does a great job of unraveling this murder with a surprising ending. Her writing skill also demonstrates a concise, but effective use of description. Two brothers have traveled a great distance to be together, one from Palestine and the other from Africa, and Perry gives the reader a vivid taste of what has drawn each of them to these faraway places.
I discovered Anne Perry's Christmas mysteries about six years ago and look forward to the new one each year. This is one of her earliest ones, which I have made it a point to seek out. Each mystery is a quick and easy read, complete in itself. They are also very different from each other and a pleasure to read.
I discovered Anne Perry's Christmas mysteries about six years ago and look forward to the new one each year. This is one of her earliest ones, which I have made it a point to seek out. Each mystery is a quick and easy read, complete in itself. They are also very different from each other and a pleasure to read.
September 4, 2007
A CHRISTMAS VISITOR (Historic Mystery-England-1850’s) - VG
Anne Perry – Standalone
Ballantine Books, 2004- Hardcover
Harry Rathbone is off to spend Christmas with his newly widowed goddaughter, Antonia Dreghorn, and her family. But when he finds her husband’s death may not have been accidental, he decides to find out the truth.
*** This is the second year Ms. Perry has taken one of the secondary characters from her main series and given them their own Christmas mystery novella, which is wonderful. It’s a tradition I hope she continues. There is no one who creates a sense of time and place, as does she. The story contains a message of the true spirit of Christmas, wrapped in a very good mystery. If you’re either a Perry fan or one who loves period mystery, I highly recommend it.
Anne Perry – Standalone
Ballantine Books, 2004- Hardcover
Harry Rathbone is off to spend Christmas with his newly widowed goddaughter, Antonia Dreghorn, and her family. But when he finds her husband’s death may not have been accidental, he decides to find out the truth.
*** This is the second year Ms. Perry has taken one of the secondary characters from her main series and given them their own Christmas mystery novella, which is wonderful. It’s a tradition I hope she continues. There is no one who creates a sense of time and place, as does she. The story contains a message of the true spirit of Christmas, wrapped in a very good mystery. If you’re either a Perry fan or one who loves period mystery, I highly recommend it.
January 13, 2021
What an intriguing Christmas mystery -- all because alleged forgeries and false documents -- and a little matter of a mysterious death, of course. It all comes together in a rather intriguing way.
As every chapter unfolded, I was reminded of an Agatha Christie plot. It was great!
Recommended for: Adults
Suitable for: 12 and up
As every chapter unfolded, I was reminded of an Agatha Christie plot. It was great!
Recommended for: Adults
Suitable for: 12 and up
November 14, 2020
The ambience of a wintery Lake District is beautifully portrayed as is the spirit of Christmas and the arrangements within a family house for the festive season as Henry Rathbone, the best friend of the head of the family Judah Dreghorn and godfather to Judah's wife Antonia, makes his way to the Dreghorn family mansion near Ullswater to celebrate the holiday. It is to be a family occasion
as also expected are two Dreghorn brothers, Benjamin and Ephraim, and the wife of a third who had died abroad.
However, it turns out not to be the happy occasion anticipated as Rathbone immediately learns that Judah is dead, having apparently fallen into a stream late at night when going out for a walk. Henry has to relate this incident to the brothers when he picks them up separately at the nearby Penrith station. But questions about the tragic event turn into whispers of possible murder, sending shock waves through the Dreghorn clan, who haven't seen each other in ten years. And a certain Ashton Gower, recently released from prison for allegedly forging documents relating to the estate that the Dreghorns now own, comes under suspicion.
Rathbone sets out to investigate the circumstances of not only Judah's death but also the forging of the documents and in doing so he meets with a variety of circumstances that leave him highly puzzled. The family are at pains as to what to do but Rathbone convinces them on a course of action that not only reveals the killer but also resolves the worrying forged documents situation.
With a host of very believable characters 'A Christmas Visitor' bristles with excitement and intrigue from first page to last.
as also expected are two Dreghorn brothers, Benjamin and Ephraim, and the wife of a third who had died abroad.
However, it turns out not to be the happy occasion anticipated as Rathbone immediately learns that Judah is dead, having apparently fallen into a stream late at night when going out for a walk. Henry has to relate this incident to the brothers when he picks them up separately at the nearby Penrith station. But questions about the tragic event turn into whispers of possible murder, sending shock waves through the Dreghorn clan, who haven't seen each other in ten years. And a certain Ashton Gower, recently released from prison for allegedly forging documents relating to the estate that the Dreghorns now own, comes under suspicion.
Rathbone sets out to investigate the circumstances of not only Judah's death but also the forging of the documents and in doing so he meets with a variety of circumstances that leave him highly puzzled. The family are at pains as to what to do but Rathbone convinces them on a course of action that not only reveals the killer but also resolves the worrying forged documents situation.
With a host of very believable characters 'A Christmas Visitor' bristles with excitement and intrigue from first page to last.
January 13, 2025
3.5 stars
I read this after loving A Christmas Journey in December, but it didn't live up to it.
I was, first, a bit disappointed not to find Vespasia, the main character of the previous volume - but that was just me and my expectations. Despite that, I was glad to get the same "formula": a cosy aspect (being inside the house, the snow outside, Christmas approaching) even though someone died. Here, it's a bit different as there is an investigation:
Even though it felt a bit like the first volume, I didn't get the charm of A Christmas Journey and I didn't like the writing-style as much as I did the first time around.
Finally, the ending was way too abrupt for me; it would have benefitted from a slower treatment, maybe. It felt a bit rushed when the development of the plot was quite slow.
So, not really as good as the first one in the Christmas series, a bit of pace-wise, but I'll go on with the third book, A Christmas Guest .
I read this after loving A Christmas Journey in December, but it didn't live up to it.
I was, first, a bit disappointed not to find Vespasia, the main character of the previous volume - but that was just me and my expectations. Despite that, I was glad to get the same "formula": a cosy aspect (being inside the house, the snow outside, Christmas approaching) even though someone died. Here, it's a bit different as there is an investigation:
Even though it felt a bit like the first volume, I didn't get the charm of A Christmas Journey and I didn't like the writing-style as much as I did the first time around.
Finally, the ending was way too abrupt for me; it would have benefitted from a slower treatment, maybe. It felt a bit rushed when the development of the plot was quite slow.
So, not really as good as the first one in the Christmas series, a bit of pace-wise, but I'll go on with the third book, A Christmas Guest .
November 29, 2025
Enjoyable, not-too-heavy mystery with a Christmas setting.
December 29, 2022
I love the way Anne Perry writes.
The end of this story was honorable, yet not pleasing to my tastes. Lol
The end of this story was honorable, yet not pleasing to my tastes. Lol
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: The Dreghorn family is gathering for an anticipated reunion in the Lake District of England. The blissful tranquility of the snowbound estate, however, is soon shattered by what appears to be an accidental death. The victim’s distraught wife, Antonia, summons her godfather, distinguished mathematician and inventor Henry Rathbone–one of the most beloved characters from Perry’s bestselling William Monk series. But questions about the tragic event turn into whispers of murder, sending shock waves among members of the Dreghorn clan, who haven’t seen each other in ten years.
Now Rathbone must put his analytical and creative capacities to the test as he assumes the role of an amateur investigator. But while searching for clues and mulling over potential motives, he cannot help but wonder: Will another poor soul meet the same untimely end–and be silenced like the night?
REVIEW: I love English mysteries and this was one of the better ones. A cast of eccentric characters all from the Dreghorn family and each with their own particular strengths bans together with a close family friend to determine whether the eldest child died an accidental death or was murdered. I really liked the twist on the ending which gave a wonderful emphasis on the theme that materialistic goods and fulfilling all your wishes isn't the true spirit of Christmas. I also like how the family worked together to gather the clues and each pursued the thread that best fit their skills and strengths. Yet the family friend, with his years and wisdom, is the one that puts all the pieces together to determine the only conclusion that fits the facts.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "It's still Christmas.....We must not forget or ignore that. Without Christmas, there would be no hope: wild, unreasable, against all the logic that man can have, things only God can do."
"Even the most intelligent people can behave idiotically once in a while when their passions are in control..Being intelligent is not always the same thing as being wise--or honest."
"If you trust your live and your love to someone, you need to admire their courage....But if you are going to live with them every day, not just the good ones, but the bad ones as well, the difficult ones when you fail, make mistakes, feel bruised and afraid, you need to be certain of their kindness. You need someone who will forgive you when you are wrong, because you will be wrong sometimes."
Now Rathbone must put his analytical and creative capacities to the test as he assumes the role of an amateur investigator. But while searching for clues and mulling over potential motives, he cannot help but wonder: Will another poor soul meet the same untimely end–and be silenced like the night?
REVIEW: I love English mysteries and this was one of the better ones. A cast of eccentric characters all from the Dreghorn family and each with their own particular strengths bans together with a close family friend to determine whether the eldest child died an accidental death or was murdered. I really liked the twist on the ending which gave a wonderful emphasis on the theme that materialistic goods and fulfilling all your wishes isn't the true spirit of Christmas. I also like how the family worked together to gather the clues and each pursued the thread that best fit their skills and strengths. Yet the family friend, with his years and wisdom, is the one that puts all the pieces together to determine the only conclusion that fits the facts.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "It's still Christmas.....We must not forget or ignore that. Without Christmas, there would be no hope: wild, unreasable, against all the logic that man can have, things only God can do."
"Even the most intelligent people can behave idiotically once in a while when their passions are in control..Being intelligent is not always the same thing as being wise--or honest."
"If you trust your live and your love to someone, you need to admire their courage....But if you are going to live with them every day, not just the good ones, but the bad ones as well, the difficult ones when you fail, make mistakes, feel bruised and afraid, you need to be certain of their kindness. You need someone who will forgive you when you are wrong, because you will be wrong sometimes."
January 3, 2020
The Christmas Visitor is a quick read, and somewhat entertaining. But the solution to the mystery of who murdered Judah Dreghorn is predictable from the start. Judah's family pins the blame on the wrong man. But there's no evidence, so they can't hang him. Once the real murderer is revealed to be the person the reader always knew he was (but the family didn't), then we shouldn't mind that there was no evidence to convict him....no evidence at all. But since he was indeed the real murderer, he went to prison.
Judah's family is left penniless, but they are good people and willing to endure the end of their privileged and exciting lifestyles. An outlandish solution is presented so at least they won't be homeless. But they will still suffer a less lavish quality of life....but maybe they will suffer happily since they are good people. (And this is supposed to be an inspirational Christmas story.)
I think that someone told Anne Perry...or maybe she decided herself...that this book could only be two hundred pages (just like her other Christmas mystery), so she dispensed with the need for a lot of the necessary logic that you find in most murder mysteries. It's pretty unforgiveable since Anne Perry does know how to write a proper murder mystery.
Judah's family is left penniless, but they are good people and willing to endure the end of their privileged and exciting lifestyles. An outlandish solution is presented so at least they won't be homeless. But they will still suffer a less lavish quality of life....but maybe they will suffer happily since they are good people. (And this is supposed to be an inspirational Christmas story.)
I think that someone told Anne Perry...or maybe she decided herself...that this book could only be two hundred pages (just like her other Christmas mystery), so she dispensed with the need for a lot of the necessary logic that you find in most murder mysteries. It's pretty unforgiveable since Anne Perry does know how to write a proper murder mystery.
December 25, 2021
This was definitely not a Hallmark Christmas story. It was set in England where there is a death of Henry's friend. The widow, Antonia is distraught because a man, Ashton Gower, is making it known that Judah put him in jail because his deed was forged and Judah's estate really belongs to him. Judah's brothers and family come from great distances for a reunion and try to figure out if their brother was murdered by Ashton. The plot is fairly engaging, but they drink a lot of tea and tramp through snow and warm themselves by the fire a bit much. In the ending we find not a Christmas celebration but something deeper and meaningful portraying some of the aspects of the season. It was worthwhile.
December 29, 2010
This is a short story and though it was enjoyable enough most of the time I felt there was too much left out or maybe I just missed bits.
Judah Dreghorn dies in mysterious circumstances and his wife Antonia calls on her godfather Henry Rathbone to come to her aide after his death. There are also her husband's brothers Benjamin, Efrim and her sister in law Naomi. They have all come home for Christmas and it is left to Henry to tell them the sad news about their older brother and the claim that their property was gained wrongly. There is also another mystery afoot - I was lost a little in that mystery.
Judah Dreghorn dies in mysterious circumstances and his wife Antonia calls on her godfather Henry Rathbone to come to her aide after his death. There are also her husband's brothers Benjamin, Efrim and her sister in law Naomi. They have all come home for Christmas and it is left to Henry to tell them the sad news about their older brother and the claim that their property was gained wrongly. There is also another mystery afoot - I was lost a little in that mystery.
October 4, 2016
Me habría gustado darle más puntuación, porque me gusta cómo esta autora ambienta sus novelas, pero el final para mi gusto ha sido demasiado precipitado y todo lo ha arreglado demasiado deprisa. El asesino, al final no es el que te esperas, pero pronto sabes quién es y te quedas un poco pillada, pensando que no puede ser tan sencillo..y lo es. De todas formas, seguiré con esta autora, porque me gusta mucho como lleva estos temas en la época victoriana.
December 27, 2015
More of a Murder Mystery than a Christmas story.
February 25, 2019
A nice little mystery with a heavy dose of moralizing at the end. A very old-fashioned book.
December 15, 2020
This old-fashioned Christmas mystery is a cross between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Gaskell. A lovely, light winter read
December 4, 2019
This is a deeply spiritual book, not your average Christmas mystery. Having followed Anne Perry for years, I can see her own personal faith in the plot and its ending.
For those who are already Anne Perry fans, it's a very enjoyable read, full of her usual descriptions of England's landscapes but without any of the usual society trappings. The story, the kind of story that we would probably have read as young people many years ago, concerns a man, Henry Rathbone, who journeys from London to Cumberland to help his goddaughter whose husband has just tragically died in a mysterious accident. Making things worse for his goddaughter, Antonia, is that her husband, Judah, had been accused shortly before his death of cheating a man out of his land and sending the man to prison. Judah was a man of unimpeachable integrity, the charge must be totally false. Judah's two brothers, who arrive from Jerusalem and from South Africa, as well as his sister-in-law, who comes from the Southwest U.S.--it had been expected to be a joyous Christmas reunion--all determine that the man accusing Judah be brought to heel, especially when it becomes apparent that Judah's accident was actually murder. Henry helps the family with the search for truth and the ending had echoes for me of many byegone Christmas lessons which ring as true now as they did then. Hard but true.
The mystery is a good one and mystery readers should enjoy it. It's a very short read, I literally read it in a few hours. However, some readers might find the spiritual side of the book not to their taste. It isn't about "religion" but still, Perry IS preaching and it might not to be some people's liking. (less)
For those who are already Anne Perry fans, it's a very enjoyable read, full of her usual descriptions of England's landscapes but without any of the usual society trappings. The story, the kind of story that we would probably have read as young people many years ago, concerns a man, Henry Rathbone, who journeys from London to Cumberland to help his goddaughter whose husband has just tragically died in a mysterious accident. Making things worse for his goddaughter, Antonia, is that her husband, Judah, had been accused shortly before his death of cheating a man out of his land and sending the man to prison. Judah was a man of unimpeachable integrity, the charge must be totally false. Judah's two brothers, who arrive from Jerusalem and from South Africa, as well as his sister-in-law, who comes from the Southwest U.S.--it had been expected to be a joyous Christmas reunion--all determine that the man accusing Judah be brought to heel, especially when it becomes apparent that Judah's accident was actually murder. Henry helps the family with the search for truth and the ending had echoes for me of many byegone Christmas lessons which ring as true now as they did then. Hard but true.
The mystery is a good one and mystery readers should enjoy it. It's a very short read, I literally read it in a few hours. However, some readers might find the spiritual side of the book not to their taste. It isn't about "religion" but still, Perry IS preaching and it might not to be some people's liking. (less)
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