by Anne Perry
Series: Christmas Stories #16
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
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.
When Worm, a young orphan boy who works at the local clinic, sees Eloise being kidnapped by two men in the days leading up to Christmas, he immediately recruits Squeaky Robinson to help rescue her. But as they track Eloise down, they're surprised to hear that she does not, in fact, wish to be rescued. Instead, Eloise intends to bring the kidnappers, who drew her father into their shady business deals and then murdered him, to justice. The kidnappers are skilled illusionists, and after they try their tricks on Worm and Squeaky, the friends are determined to help Eloise with her plan--and they might just be able to use the kidnappers' tricks against them.
We are in the middle of the #HoHoHoRAT at Caffeinated and sharing holiday and winter recommendations with you. Today, Sophia Rose is here to share a review for, In A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry. Grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy…
Sophia Rose’s Review
Combining the nostalgia of Victorian Era Christmas and the grit and grime of the author’s usual historical mystery world, readers of the authors’ regular mystery series are treated to a holiday mystery novella each year.
In A Christmas Revelation, sixteenth of the Christmas stories collection, Worm and Squeaky, minor characters from the William Monk series, get their time to shine.
Worm, a waif from the streets, has no understanding of Christmas, and little understanding about family. Against the odds, he still has a little child-like belief left in goodness. He spots a woman he sees as a pretty angel get dragged away off a street and he wants to help her. He pulls in old, cantankerous and barely reformed Squeaky Robinson to be his reluctant partner.
I felt sad, but also slightly amused as tough ex-crook and someone who grew up without family trying to explain Christmas to Worm as they go about decorating the Portpool Lane clinic and work to find the woman and discover what troubles her.
Worm watches and tries to learn from those around him. He might be a child, but he has an eye for truth and falsehood and those who are truly good from those who pretend. He enjoys Squeaky’s stories and appreciates that he’s willing to help Worm on his quest. Meanwhile, this holiday mission of Worm’s drudges up too many bad or empty memories for Squeaky and he reflects back on where his life has been and what he thinks about the reformed life he lives now. He knows he went wrong through most of his past, but now, he is able to use his shady connections to help Worm even though he fears, and rightly so, that Worm’s ‘lady’ is not as good as her smile and that her trouble is of her own making.
The tale combines long introspective moments set against the era’s Christmas time, steady tracking of clues, and an exciting grand finale. I enjoyed it, but those introspective moments got long at times. The ending did make up for a lot of that, though. I enjoyed getting to know Worm and Squeaky better, particularly Squeaky who has been a fixture in the William Monk series for quite some time.
In A Christmas Revelation was a fast-read and an engaging historical mystery that fans of the author and her series will appreciate while newcomers can get a heartwarming and thoughtful Christmas mystery on the dark streets of London.
In A Christmas Revelation was a fast-read and an engaging historical mystery that offers a heartwarming and thoughtful Christmas mystery on the dark streets of London. #SophiaRose #HoHoHoRAT Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia Roach
I don’t read seasonally usually, but all these Christmas recommendations have had me thinking twice about that. Especially this review because I love historical fiction and always want to read it more 😀
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
Everyone is in the holiday kickoff and I am reading horror. I am a few months behind I guess. This sounds good tho. I will have to add this one to my list. I guess I will be reading Christmas books in February.
Mary
Greg
I read a few of Anne Perry’s Christmas novellas a few years ago but I guess I’ve gotten out of the habit. I like them though- she seemed to always pack a nice story into the page length. This one sounds great too! I always love those covers too- they’re usually very Christmasy. 🙂
Sophia Rose
I love most of them and I agree about how much story she can pack into these. Whoever does her covers does a fabulous job. So holiday and cozy. 🙂
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I do love a good mystery and Worm sounds like a sweet character. I’d feel bad for anyone who had to survive on the streets of historical London, especially in the winter! It’s cold! Glad to hear you enjoyed the story overall, Sophia Rose. 🙂
Sophia Rose
I agree. That would be a hard life. I was glad that two street kids have found good homes in this series. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
I’ll have to check out this series, Sophia, if only so I can meet Worm. Your description of him makes me want to hug him! 🙂 I also like books set against the Victorian era. You know I don’t read mysteries very often but I think I might really like this series. 🙂
Sophia Rose
He is a cute kid and I loved how my favorite characters in the William Monk series gave him a home. 🙂 Hope you like the main mystery series if you get the chance, Brandee!
Laura Thomas
I’ve begun watching a bunch of holidays movies and so in the mood now. This sounds wonderful and I enjoyed your review. And the cover would be a beautiful Christmas card!
Sophia Rose
I’ve watched a couple holiday movies, but I’ll probably get to more of them around the Thanksgiving break.
It was a nice one for getting me in the holiday mood. I think the cover is gorgeous and nostalgic, too. Though, just between you, me, and the lamppost, it has nothing to do with the story. LOL
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I’m working on my second HoHoHoRAT read right now, but A Christmas Revelation will be my next read. I’m glad to hear it’s a good one.
Sophia Rose
Hey, that’s great, Suzanne! Clipping right along with the readathon.
Hope you like it when you get into reading it. 🙂
Lorna
I feel sorry for the boy who doesn’t understand Christmas. How sad. This does sound different to me as far as a Christmas novella. I’ve not read this author before. I’m glad you enjoyed it except for the long introspective moments. I don’t think I would like that either!
Sophia Rose
It comes across as sad the way I explained it and it is a little, but he’s actually an upbeat and energetic kid who is well pleased to finally have a home and friends to enjoy Christmas with.
But, yes, I did crave a little more action. LOL
Heidi
A different type of Christmas novel. I like that it is set in Dickens era. Worm and Squeaky sound interesting too.
Sophia Rose
Yes, it has the feel of a Dickens classic without his style of writing. 🙂
Angela Adams
This past weekend I started making a dent in my stack of Christmas reads. After reading your review, I just added another title to my list. Thanks for the post.
Sophia Rose
Oh man! I know the feeling. It’s one book off the pile and two books on. LOL
I hope you like this one, but just in case you sense the feeling that lots have gone on before it, this is a side story in her William Monk series. 🙂
Anne
Hmm this sounds like a great option to all the romances I have been reading. It does sound a bit Little Match Girl though. I don’t enjoy children left on the street., I enjoy her Thomas Pitt mysteries. Anne – Books of My Heart
Sophia Rose
Yes, this is a good holiday option that doesn’t have any romance in it. 🙂 I need a break now and then, too. LOL
Worm was the Little Match Girl type, but during the regular series he got taken in by the ladies at the clinic and he has a home there now so he’s no longer a street kid. I think you’d like the William Monk series, too. Love the Pitts and this new spinoff where their son is the new lead character. 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I went through a spell where I collected all of Anne Perry’s books only to discover that I didn’t really care for them! I’m about to start this one as I’ve never tried her Monk books so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it despite the somewhat long introspective moments.
Sophia Rose
That’s funny! I’ve done the collecting thing with series I haven’t read yet, too. Just to let you know. These Christmas novellas are a different style then the main series books. These get nostalgic where those are more action. The William Monk series has been my favorite of all her series. Hope you like them, Katherine.
Tracy Terry
I can’t say I’m a big fan of this author but, oh my goodness, what a wonderfully festive cover; I’ve come over all Christmassy
Sophia Rose
LOL! It’s funny you mention the cover. I do love it, but in truth it has little to do with the story. It hit the spot since I’ve been craving Christmasy reads since Halloween was over. 🙂
sherry fundin
Great review and you make it sound like a good read for Christmas.
Sophia Rose
Yes, this one definitely fit the bill for my Christmas mood needs. Thanks, Sherry!
Barb (boxermommyreads)
This sounds like a good read. Going to have to check it out eventually!
Sophia Rose
Yes! If you like Victorian era murder mysteries her William Monk series is fab and these novellas are great side stories. 🙂
Melliane
Oh Christmas story, it’s fun that the’yre doing many like that
Sophia Rose
I love that she does this with a different side character in the lead role each year. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Awe this sounds really good Sophia Rose 🙂 and I want it for Christmas
Sophia Rose
I love these Christmas novellas she does. I’m spoiled and my hubby buys me the new one each year. Hope you like it if you get the chance, Debbie. 🙂
Nick
Introspective moments can definitely take away from my enjoyment of the book too. It does sound like a good read for this time of the year though. Glad you liked it overall! 🙂
Sophia Rose
Thanks, Nick! I did enjoy it as a holiday read. Her regular mysteries are not quite as introspective so I could tolerate a little of it for this one. It made sense, too, since Worm’s questions about Christmas force Squeaky to think back.
But, yeah, get on with the action. LOL
Ailyn Koay
After reading your review, I kinda wish that Santa would send some happy thoughts to Worm and Squeaky’s way… that is such a sad background. Not really sure about the girl angel though
Sophia Rose
Yes, they deserved to have a happy and warm holiday.
You are right to be suspicious of Worm’s ‘Angel’. 😉
RO
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve been watching way more Christmas programs on The Hallmark Channel, Amazon Prime and Netflix than reading about them(lol), but I still love a really good Christmas read too. Glad you enjoyed this one and it sounds pretty interesting! Hugs…RO
Sophia Rose
Nothing to be ashamed about there, Radiant Ro. Tis the season for Christmas movies. 🙂 I’ve been trying to do both.