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Anne Perry's Silent Nights: A Christmas Beginning / A Christmas Grace
Here are two holiday mysteries set in remote, snow-covered regions of Victorian Britain–where the nights are indeed silent but all is not calm, and where some will sleep in eternal peace.
A CHRISTMAS BEGINNING
While spending Christmas on the island of Anglesey off the coast of Wales, Superintendent Runcorn of Scotland Yard, a lonely bachelor, stumbles upon the lifeless body of the vicar’s younger sister in the village churchyard. Everyone insists that only a stranger to the island could have committed the heinous crime, but the evidence proves otherwise. Intending to uncover the identity of the ruthless killer, Runcorn never dreams that the case may also, miraculously, open the door to a new future for himself.
A CHRISTMAS GRACE
With Christmas just around the corner, Thomas Pitt’s sister-in-law, Emily Radley, is suddenly called from London to be with her dying aunt on the western coast of Ireland. Emily soon discovers that painful memories of an unsolved murder haunt the lonely Irish town and sets out to unmask the culprit. When a lone shipwreck survivor washes up onshore, he brings with him not only the key to solving the terrible crime but the opportunity for the townspeople to make peace with the past–and with one another.
A CHRISTMAS BEGINNING
While spending Christmas on the island of Anglesey off the coast of Wales, Superintendent Runcorn of Scotland Yard, a lonely bachelor, stumbles upon the lifeless body of the vicar’s younger sister in the village churchyard. Everyone insists that only a stranger to the island could have committed the heinous crime, but the evidence proves otherwise. Intending to uncover the identity of the ruthless killer, Runcorn never dreams that the case may also, miraculously, open the door to a new future for himself.
A CHRISTMAS GRACE
With Christmas just around the corner, Thomas Pitt’s sister-in-law, Emily Radley, is suddenly called from London to be with her dying aunt on the western coast of Ireland. Emily soon discovers that painful memories of an unsolved murder haunt the lonely Irish town and sets out to unmask the culprit. When a lone shipwreck survivor washes up onshore, he brings with him not only the key to solving the terrible crime but the opportunity for the townspeople to make peace with the past–and with one another.
402 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
126 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
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 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 26, 2016
This book contains two of Perry's Victorian Christmas novellas--numbers five and six in the series. The first, A Christmas Beginning, has Superintendent Runcorn enjoying a Christmas holiday on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. He is charmed by its remoteness and peacefulness. But that peace is shattered when he stumbles over the bloodied body of the vicar's sister in the graveyard. His expertise is called upon to help the local constabulary solve the case. The mystery is intriguing, with just a few suspects to choose from.
But my favorite thing about this story was the hopeful ending. Perry's dedication points the way: "To all those who dream impossible dreams." Don't come to Christmas mysteries expecting a nice, cozy Christmas-themed story. For the most part, the only thing 'Christmasy' about them is the time of year in which they are set. But you may find hope and love...
I made note of a favorite line: "[She claimed] a heritage back to Norman days. Which is slightly absurd, since if you think about it, we must all have a heritage back to Eve, or we wouldn't be here."
The second novella, A Christmas Grace, is dedicated to "All those who long for a second chance." It is 1895 and Emily Radley is preparing for the joyous Christmas season of parties and festivities with her family in London when she is summoned to be with her dying aunt on the west coast of Ireland. She goes reluctantly--this aunt has been estranged from the family for years for marrying a Catholic. Once there, she realizes that one of the reasons her presence was requested is to try to solve the mystery of a young man's death. He was a shipwreck victim who insinuated himself a bit too much in other people's business. Who among the villagers committed the murder? Fear and guilt has been slowly tearing the small community apart. Very atmospheric, with the wild weather of the sea coast being very much part of the story.
#2016-aty-reading-challenge-week-44: a book you're embarrassed to read in public. Well, perhaps I'm not really 'embarrassed'; it's more like a guilty pleasure for me. I like nothing better than having a good Christmas mystery to read over the holidays--sitting by the fire with an afghan, a mug of hot chocolate and some cookies, watching the snow fall. Ahhh, bliss.
But my favorite thing about this story was the hopeful ending. Perry's dedication points the way: "To all those who dream impossible dreams." Don't come to Christmas mysteries expecting a nice, cozy Christmas-themed story. For the most part, the only thing 'Christmasy' about them is the time of year in which they are set. But you may find hope and love...
I made note of a favorite line: "[She claimed] a heritage back to Norman days. Which is slightly absurd, since if you think about it, we must all have a heritage back to Eve, or we wouldn't be here."
The second novella, A Christmas Grace, is dedicated to "All those who long for a second chance." It is 1895 and Emily Radley is preparing for the joyous Christmas season of parties and festivities with her family in London when she is summoned to be with her dying aunt on the west coast of Ireland. She goes reluctantly--this aunt has been estranged from the family for years for marrying a Catholic. Once there, she realizes that one of the reasons her presence was requested is to try to solve the mystery of a young man's death. He was a shipwreck victim who insinuated himself a bit too much in other people's business. Who among the villagers committed the murder? Fear and guilt has been slowly tearing the small community apart. Very atmospheric, with the wild weather of the sea coast being very much part of the story.
#2016-aty-reading-challenge-week-44: a book you're embarrassed to read in public. Well, perhaps I'm not really 'embarrassed'; it's more like a guilty pleasure for me. I like nothing better than having a good Christmas mystery to read over the holidays--sitting by the fire with an afghan, a mug of hot chocolate and some cookies, watching the snow fall. Ahhh, bliss.
December 24, 2020
These little Victorian Christmas novellas from Anne Perry are such a treat as holiday reads. Each story focuses on a secondary character from one of her long-running and popular series. These characters are removed from the comfort of their London existence at Christmas and instilled in some foreign and often rural and remote locale. Far from home they become involved in murder and learn much about themselves, their inner strength and resilience, in the process. In true Perry fashion, she transports you completely to that time and place as you experience the raw and awesome beauty of these isolated locations with these beloved characters and travel on their journey of inner awareness with them. Silent Nights is a collection of two of these stories: one featuring Inspector Runcorn, William Monk’s old nemesis and now friend and the other Emily Radley, Charlotte Pitt’s privileged and precocious sister. In “A Christmas Beginning”, Runcorn encounters the brutal murder of a young woman and also true love on a remote island off Wales. “A Christmas Grace” places Emily in a remote coastal village in Ireland where she’s gone to be with an aunt who is ill and dying. She senses the village is dying of a slow toxicity due to the stain of an unsolved murder from seven years ago and commits to her Aunt’s dying wish to solve the heinous crime once and for all. For cozy mysteries at Christmas, this little Christmas series of Anne Perry’s cannot be beat.
January 15, 2016
This book has two stories about characters from each of two of her Victorian series, set in new locations. I enjoyed the first one, A Christmas Beginning, better than A Christmas Grace because the setting had a logic (Sup. Runcorn going to Anglesey for Christmas to go somewhere new and free his friends from a possible perceived obligation to entertain him) that the other lacked (a long ignored and now dying aunt wants someone to solve a 7 year old mystery in a Connemara village and calls on a niece - Emily, not Charlotte - to solve it before the aunt dies.) The Welsh characters in the first book seem comprehensible in action and motivation (mostly, not sure about those upper class types) but the Irish ones seem rather stereotypical even when they are denying it, although at least they don't use all those stereotypical phrases comics use to mock rural Irish and they speak standard English, even if they mightn't have at the time. What I think I really preferred in the first one was the more or less logical progression of the story where the second one seemed to fumble around a lot - as opposed to the author fumbling around, which didn't happen
September 3, 2021
I've never been a fan of mysteries, but I am becoming a fan of Anne Perry. So far I've only read some of her Christmas novels and Tathea, a fantasy. I enjoy the Victorian settings of her Christmas stories and I like the way she writes. A Victorian mystery is going to have drama of course, but she doesn't go overboard, at least not in the ones I've read. I'd like to get started on one of her series, which include a series about Detective William Monk and another about Detective Thomas Pitt, both also set in the Victorian period. She has eight Christmas novels of which I've read three, a series of World War I novels, two fantasy novels and several others set in various times and places. She first published in 1979.
A Christmas Beginning
For me this was a "relief" book. I'm also reading "Empire Of Illusion", a very serious look at the decline of North American civilization. It's both fascinating and alarming and I'm only digesting one chapter at a time. A Christmas Beginning is the book I turn to when I've finished a chapter of "Empire". It's light reading, well written and just plain enjoyable. I do so enjoy a story in which people treat each other, and speak to each other, with respect and thoughtfulness.There just isn't a whole lot of that going around these days, so it's a great escape from reality when I need it.
The characters are fairly well written. There isn't a lot of time to develop them in a novella, but I find Perry's characters quite believable. They have strengths and flaws to round them out and we do learn a bit more about them as the story proceeds.
The story itself is about a London Detective who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation on a small island off the coast of Wales. His "city" ways are not always appreciated, but local authorities have never dealt with a crime of this magnitude before so they enlist his help. I won't reveal any more of the plot except to say that it's called "A Christmas Beginning" because it takes place at Christmas time and the story does end with a new beginning for some of the characters. It's not really a Christmassy book in the way other stories might be. The mystery and the characters are the focus, not Christmas.
A Christmas Grace
Of the two stories contained in the book this one is my favorite, probably because it's set in Ireland. I've never been there but that doesn't stop me loving it and even sometimes longing to be there. Not so much the cities, but the countryside, the cliffs, the pounding surf and salt spray. I do love wild places and everything I read about Ireland makes me think I'd find lots of wild and windy places there.
This story is about a young woman who, while preparing Christmas for her husband and children, gets a letter asking her to go to the bedside of her dying aunt in Ireland. She goes reluctantly, and her experience there changes, and matures, her. She becomes friends with some of the local people and uncovers a mystery that needs solving, which of course she will do in the nick of time.
I find Anne Perry's mysteries a bit anti-climatic. There is a good build up to keep the reader guessing, but once the truth is uncovered it all comes to a quick end. There is no surprise or "aha" moment. At the end of one of these stories, I had to go back to find out who the criminal was; I had read it but the story was wrapped up so quickly I wasn't sure what had happened.
I will read lots more of Anne Perry's books because sometimes I just want something easy. I love the language of her books. I find it difficult to find books that are easy to read, yet written well, using a decent vocabulary. I'm looking forward to many more.
A Christmas Beginning
For me this was a "relief" book. I'm also reading "Empire Of Illusion", a very serious look at the decline of North American civilization. It's both fascinating and alarming and I'm only digesting one chapter at a time. A Christmas Beginning is the book I turn to when I've finished a chapter of "Empire". It's light reading, well written and just plain enjoyable. I do so enjoy a story in which people treat each other, and speak to each other, with respect and thoughtfulness.There just isn't a whole lot of that going around these days, so it's a great escape from reality when I need it.
The characters are fairly well written. There isn't a lot of time to develop them in a novella, but I find Perry's characters quite believable. They have strengths and flaws to round them out and we do learn a bit more about them as the story proceeds.
The story itself is about a London Detective who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation on a small island off the coast of Wales. His "city" ways are not always appreciated, but local authorities have never dealt with a crime of this magnitude before so they enlist his help. I won't reveal any more of the plot except to say that it's called "A Christmas Beginning" because it takes place at Christmas time and the story does end with a new beginning for some of the characters. It's not really a Christmassy book in the way other stories might be. The mystery and the characters are the focus, not Christmas.
A Christmas Grace
Of the two stories contained in the book this one is my favorite, probably because it's set in Ireland. I've never been there but that doesn't stop me loving it and even sometimes longing to be there. Not so much the cities, but the countryside, the cliffs, the pounding surf and salt spray. I do love wild places and everything I read about Ireland makes me think I'd find lots of wild and windy places there.
This story is about a young woman who, while preparing Christmas for her husband and children, gets a letter asking her to go to the bedside of her dying aunt in Ireland. She goes reluctantly, and her experience there changes, and matures, her. She becomes friends with some of the local people and uncovers a mystery that needs solving, which of course she will do in the nick of time.
I find Anne Perry's mysteries a bit anti-climatic. There is a good build up to keep the reader guessing, but once the truth is uncovered it all comes to a quick end. There is no surprise or "aha" moment. At the end of one of these stories, I had to go back to find out who the criminal was; I had read it but the story was wrapped up so quickly I wasn't sure what had happened.
I will read lots more of Anne Perry's books because sometimes I just want something easy. I love the language of her books. I find it difficult to find books that are easy to read, yet written well, using a decent vocabulary. I'm looking forward to many more.
December 31, 2010
The first story is much better than the second. With storylines much thinner than her novels these tales move quickly over the surface, but with characters you may know from her other novels they manage to hold up.
January 3, 2017
A little slow moving
This was an easy read that was entertaining. It moved a little slow, taking a while to get to the mystery and any real clues. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't call it a page turner
This was an easy read that was entertaining. It moved a little slow, taking a while to get to the mystery and any real clues. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't call it a page turner
December 11, 2015
Two stories in one book. Enjoyed the first story especially.
December 15, 2020
I liked A Christmas Grace more than the first- I like the scenery more, I suppose. They were really quick reads without a lot of substance, but fun.
February 18, 2018
This is not the best that Anne Perry has to offer. I am a big fan of her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, however. I could not visualize some of these characters, especially the main character, Mr. Runcorn. This was set in the 1800's, and everyone is a suspect, from the dead woman's brother, the vicar, to her sister-in-law, to the numerous men who fell in love with her, the ones whom she rejected because she wanted to have a freer life. She didn't want to be pigeon-holed into a marriage where she was to be dutiful, to bear lots of children and to hide her dreams. She wasn't happy with that. How do you convince someone, especially a woman, to meet you in the cemetery on a cold winter night?
The second story, I think, is much better. Our main character, Emily, who is the sister of the aforementioned Charlotte Pitt and has helped her and her brother-in-law solve several crimes. She has to travel from London to "the ends of the earth" which is a very small town in Wales at Christmas time to be with her estranged aunt who is nearing the end of her life. There is a shipwreck just off the coast of this small town and a young man is rescued from the frigid waters. He is eerily similar to another person who washed up on their shores 7 yrs. prior. That young man was found dead later and Emily feels that she can solve the mystery that no one in the village is willing to talk about.
The second story, I think, is much better. Our main character, Emily, who is the sister of the aforementioned Charlotte Pitt and has helped her and her brother-in-law solve several crimes. She has to travel from London to "the ends of the earth" which is a very small town in Wales at Christmas time to be with her estranged aunt who is nearing the end of her life. There is a shipwreck just off the coast of this small town and a young man is rescued from the frigid waters. He is eerily similar to another person who washed up on their shores 7 yrs. prior. That young man was found dead later and Emily feels that she can solve the mystery that no one in the village is willing to talk about.
November 19, 2023
Persistence
In the first of the two tales, Runcorn is on holiday to Anglesey for Christmas when he becomes involved in solving the murder of the vicar’s sister, and coming to terms with his feelings for Melisande, who had been involved in one of his previous cases. Pursuing the truth will not only provide satisfaction, but enable him to release some of his personal fears of failure and inadequacy.
In the second tale, Emily goes to her aunt’s bedside in Ireland, helping her make peace with her past before her illness takes its course. She becomes involved in helping to solve an old murder and release the villagers from the poison of suspicion, while recognizing ways she takes things for granted in her own home.
In the first of the two tales, Runcorn is on holiday to Anglesey for Christmas when he becomes involved in solving the murder of the vicar’s sister, and coming to terms with his feelings for Melisande, who had been involved in one of his previous cases. Pursuing the truth will not only provide satisfaction, but enable him to release some of his personal fears of failure and inadequacy.
In the second tale, Emily goes to her aunt’s bedside in Ireland, helping her make peace with her past before her illness takes its course. She becomes involved in helping to solve an old murder and release the villagers from the poison of suspicion, while recognizing ways she takes things for granted in her own home.
December 15, 2023
These were certainly some adorable and cozy little mysteries! I liked how easy it was to get invested in the characters and just allow them to take me on their journey and solve their mysteries. I did enjoy Christmas Grace far more than Christmas Beginning just because the soft Irish village was a very cozy setting. I'm not sure if I'll read this genre again, but this was a very good and cozy time for the fact I got this book for free from a library giveaway.
January 4, 2025
Anne Perry does an excellent job creating a story that gives the reader a pause for reflection based on a secondary character’s dilemma usually surrounding a mystery. The reader is left with a sense of peace and reflection at this time of Christmas in a beautiful way generally changing the character and themselves for the better.
This book is a collection of two Christmas novellas by Anne Perry both providing a quick, reflective, relaxing Christmas read that will leave the reader inspired.
This book is a collection of two Christmas novellas by Anne Perry both providing a quick, reflective, relaxing Christmas read that will leave the reader inspired.
December 23, 2016
These stories are not very Christmassy if a reader is looking for a cozy, festive book. Both stories do, however, take place during Christmas time. Beautiful descriptions of both locations, one in Anglesey and the other on the west coast of Ireland.
January 8, 2017
the first story had no 'life' in it. it was drab. i can usually get visuals when i read, but this one was lacking. the second story was better. i could definitely form scenes in my mind. they story itself, although better than the first, was just O.k. for me.
January 19, 2025
The first part was so… anticlimactic. I found it hard to identify with the characters, and the “happy ending” was lacking in development.
The second part was better, which is why I could give it three stars. It read easier and the characters were a little deeper.
The second part was better, which is why I could give it three stars. It read easier and the characters were a little deeper.
March 8, 2018
First book by Anne Perry. Will be reading more of them
November 20, 2018
Determined that I really do not like Anne Perry's style of writing. I won't go this route again.
November 24, 2020
Two excellent short stories. I fell in love with Anene Perry and her characters over 30 years ago...still enjoy every tale invoving them!
December 19, 2020
Really liked the first story, but found the second easy to read but just not that interesting. Average to 3 stars.
Read
November 10, 2021Very enjoyable.
November 11, 2021
I usually enjoy Anne Perry's mysteries, but with these short Christmas mysteries, the endings seemed rushed & a little too unbelievable.
September 14, 2022
Slow starting with this book in the series,I had a problem separating the characters,but I did enjoy the book and looking forward to the next one in the series,,,,
January 2, 2023
a lovely Christmas read
December 31, 2023
I now know why this was on deep discount at the book store.
September 30, 2024
Both of these Christmas tales were performed by Terrence Hardiman
February 10, 2017
Two more Victoria Christmas stories from Anne Perry though neither of them are particularly uplifting.
A Christmas Grace takes place in Ireland with Emily Radley (who is Perry's Thomas Pitt's sister-in-law) attending her dying aunt who had been estranged from the family. There is a shipwreck with one survivor who turns the villagers in on themselves, stirring up old memories and suspicions about a survivor from a wreck a few years before, a survivor who later on died, probably at the hand of one of the villagers. Emily seeks to find out the truth of the former survivor's death for her aunt's peace of mind before she dies.
A Christmas Beginning finds Superintendant Runcorn in North Wales, Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey. He discovers the murdered body of the sister of the vicar and offers his help to the investigation.
A Christmas Grace takes place in Ireland with Emily Radley (who is Perry's Thomas Pitt's sister-in-law) attending her dying aunt who had been estranged from the family. There is a shipwreck with one survivor who turns the villagers in on themselves, stirring up old memories and suspicions about a survivor from a wreck a few years before, a survivor who later on died, probably at the hand of one of the villagers. Emily seeks to find out the truth of the former survivor's death for her aunt's peace of mind before she dies.
A Christmas Beginning finds Superintendant Runcorn in North Wales, Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey. He discovers the murdered body of the sister of the vicar and offers his help to the investigation.
December 16, 2014
Thought these were supposed to be Christmas stories but really weren't except for the time of year being December. The first story was like a bad game of Clue; hard to muddle through. The second story build up was more interesting.
BUT, these were "Victorian" in setting and in each story there was an awkward two or three sentences of one character asking if another was homosexual... what was that about?!
BUT, these were "Victorian" in setting and in each story there was an awkward two or three sentences of one character asking if another was homosexual... what was that about?!
December 1, 2013
Okay, I didnt finish it. I simply couldnt get interested in the first story. it seemed to involve the lead character doing a lot of walking all over the place and referring to a character in one of the author's other series (which I did not read) so the reference was completely lost on me.
I did enjoy the first 4 in the series so I might try some of the later books another time.
I did enjoy the first 4 in the series so I might try some of the later books another time.
May 19, 2011
I liked these stories; the outcomes made sense and very romantic too. The bad guys... and so on.
July 31, 2012
I'm a big Anne Perry fan and these Christmas novellas have an air of redemption and Grace about them, which makes them one of my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews