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pauline_b's review
1.0
1.5 stars. For the historical setting. The plot seems like a rip-off of Conan Doyle's The Man with the Twisted Lip and the characters are kind of soulless. I just didn't care what would happen to them. A pity...
DNF after 70%... By then, I didn't see any of the Christmas that is mentioned in the title of this novella.
DNF after 70%... By then, I didn't see any of the Christmas that is mentioned in the title of this novella.
thebrainlair's review
3.0
Not quite the Christmas story I was expecting, though it did have a happy ending. Puzzled about Niccolo and Rosa still.
tobyyy's review
3.0
This was... very dark (unexpectedly so) and not very Christmassy. I enjoyed the character of Squeaky Robinson — his internal dialogue was the thing that saved this book from being a 2/5 or lower.
I’d recommend this if you are a diehard Anne Perry fan, but I definitely wouldn’t suggest this to anyone new to her books. Far too grim and dark for someone looking for a Christmassy story.
I’d recommend this if you are a diehard Anne Perry fan, but I definitely wouldn’t suggest this to anyone new to her books. Far too grim and dark for someone looking for a Christmassy story.
git_r_read's review
5.0
My holiday tradition for book reading is to choose mysteries that take place during that holiday, especially Christmas. It makes for an edgy holiday treat for me.
Anne Perry does the same, except she writes the Christmas mystery. Set usually in the same timeframe as her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series. Each of this particular series takes place during the Christmas holiday.
Victorian England had a dark underbelly. Here it's the disappearance of the son of a wealthy man, James Wentworth. He asks his friend Henry Rathbone, a mathematics professor, to find his wayward son, Lucien. Lucien does not want to be found and has successfully evaded all efforts thus far.
Henry reluctantly agrees and finds help along the way from a man named Squeaky, a 'doctor' Crow who works in the slums of London. They are his guides through the vast scummy backstreets and bars where Lucien was last seen.
The reason I enjoy Anne Perry's writing, besides the outstanding mystery and suspense, is how she draws me into this era. It's like she had a past life there and she's channeling it, she writes it so vividly.
I know I would have a difficult time of it if someone asked me to go looking in the opium dens for the son of a wealthy man who doesn't want the police involved because of the societal scandal.
This is what makes the book so enjoyable, the era's mores, the characters' interactions, and the mystery.
Definite recommend.
Anne Perry does the same, except she writes the Christmas mystery. Set usually in the same timeframe as her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series. Each of this particular series takes place during the Christmas holiday.
Victorian England had a dark underbelly. Here it's the disappearance of the son of a wealthy man, James Wentworth. He asks his friend Henry Rathbone, a mathematics professor, to find his wayward son, Lucien. Lucien does not want to be found and has successfully evaded all efforts thus far.
Henry reluctantly agrees and finds help along the way from a man named Squeaky, a 'doctor' Crow who works in the slums of London. They are his guides through the vast scummy backstreets and bars where Lucien was last seen.
The reason I enjoy Anne Perry's writing, besides the outstanding mystery and suspense, is how she draws me into this era. It's like she had a past life there and she's channeling it, she writes it so vividly.
I know I would have a difficult time of it if someone asked me to go looking in the opium dens for the son of a wealthy man who doesn't want the police involved because of the societal scandal.
This is what makes the book so enjoyable, the era's mores, the characters' interactions, and the mystery.
Definite recommend.
bak8382's review
3.0
In her 8th Christmas novel featuring secondary characters from both her historical mystery series [a:Anne Perry|6331|Anne Perry|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1216671529p2/6331.jpg] once again features Henry Rathbone. It is ten days before Christmas, and Henry’s friend has asked him to find his son Lucien who has disappeared into London’s underworld. Rathbone is joined by Squeaky Robinson and Crow, who along with Henry are well known from the William Monk mysteries.
While the story may begin with Henry it really becomes more about Squeaky as parts of his past are revealed, and the reader can see how far he’s come. As for the mystery everything is wrapped up just in time for the holiday. It also feels as if Perry is feeding information to her characters as the characters jump to a few correct conclusions without almost any evidence. Still it's enjoyable to spend time with familiar characters.
While the story may begin with Henry it really becomes more about Squeaky as parts of his past are revealed, and the reader can see how far he’s come. As for the mystery everything is wrapped up just in time for the holiday. It also feels as if Perry is feeding information to her characters as the characters jump to a few correct conclusions without almost any evidence. Still it's enjoyable to spend time with familiar characters.
chrissireads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book which was incredibly quick and easy to read. The characters are developed well and some so different from one another. I think this is well worth a read. I'd be interested to read something else from Anne Perry!
bibliobethreads's review
3.0
I quite enjoyed this little victorian mystery novella by anne perry. Loved the range of characters and the darkness of the london underworld which was written beautifully. Would definitely read more by this author.
k_lee_reads_it's review
3.0
The prodigal son story. It is really dark. Hated the way they got him out.