Anne Perry’s latest Christmas novella follows Charlotte Pitt’s mother, Caroline, as she travels up the Yorkshire coast with her husband, Joshua Fielding, and his troupe of actors. Their destination is Whitby, the famed landing site of Count Dracula in Bram Stoker’s tale; the brooding, windswept fishing village is home to theatrical “Angel” Charles Netheridge.
Cleverly playing upon the idea of evil as something one has to invite in, Anne Perry delivers another thrilling, ultimately heart-warming tale just in time for Christmas.
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"This was a fun, quick read that even had a bit of Dracula in it. I enjoy these little books that show us a different side of some of the minor characters in Anne Perry's books. I hope she'll write one on Charlotte's little maid who married the policeman."
— Phyllis (4 out of 5 stars)
“There’s loads of atmosphere, plenty of Gothic steam, and a clever trick ending.”
— Globe and Mail (Toronto)“Perry’s fine ninth Victorian Christmas mystery takes Caroline Fielding, the mother-in-law of Inspector Thomas Pitt of Scotland Yard (the lead of Perry’s main series), to the town of Whitby, in York, where Dracula came ashore in Stoker’s recently published horror novel…Caroline proves herself an astute sleuth in this challenging whodunit.”
— Publishers Weekly“Background on staging a play, plenty of vampire lore, and the personal story of Caroline’s attempt to fit in with her much-younger husband’s colleagues add to the appeal of this engaging locked-room mystery.”
— Booklist“With careful attention to the nuances of character, Perry offers a tale worthy of mulling over by the fireplace.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I enjoy Anne Perry's books and this is no exception. Creepy and very hard to put down. "
— Laura, 2/19/2014" Mediocre mystery novel. "
— Linda, 2/17/2014" I always enjoy Anne Perry's books. "
— Arlene, 2/12/2014" Oh please....nothing more to say than ugh! "
— Martha, 2/11/2014" Enjoyable, quick read. I thought the Dracula twist added to the snowy, Christmas setting. Clash of good and evil fits nicely. I like the thought that evil only comes in if you invite it. "
— Deshay, 2/5/2014" This was a quick read and an entertaining Christmas mystery that ended rather abruptly! "
— Roberta, 1/31/2014" Loved it! I had so missed reading Anne Perry's books. "
— Maria, 1/23/2014" A good story, even if the murder diddn't happen until 60% of the waya through the story. 8-) "
— Mary, 1/20/2014" I didn't understand this book, it was terrible! The book involved a group of actors who meet at a location to create and perform a play, and then there is a murder in which they suspect a vampire. Random storyline for sure. "
— Tiffany, 1/1/2014" I feel compelled to read each of these as it appears for the holidays, but this was a weak addition to the series. "
— Cece, 12/29/2013" I would not advise anyone who wants a Christmas story to read this book. The only time Christmas is mentioned is that the actors are there to perform a play based on Bram Stoker's Dracula for Christmas. This would have made a better Halloween story in my opinion. "
— Pat, 12/25/2013" Yikes. I don't know why it's called "A Christmas Homecoming". It should be called "A Christmas Eve Murder". "
— Deborah, 12/14/2013" Not your typically Christmas story "
— Noel, 12/14/2013" I liked the story but not the ending. "
— Wendy, 12/3/2013" More of a murder mystery than I expected from the title. But it was a fun book to read... reminded me of Agatha Christie. "
— Carolyn, 9/14/2013" I liked the pacing of this story and that it was built around the Darcula story. I think that I am going to have to read Stoker's story this next year. "
— Naomi, 9/11/2013" Much better than Christmas Odessey from last year but still not equal to the first 4 or 5 Christmas books. "
— Scott, 7/25/2013" loved reading this at Christmas--I forget how much I love her books--she has a way of making even a mystery deep and life-reflecting "
— Char, 7/23/2013" A nice addition to the Christmas series. This one is a "locked-room" mystery and uses characters and popular literature of the time (1898). "
— Merle, 6/23/2013" Felt more like an essay on Dracula than a murder mystery "
— Rachel, 2/27/2013" I always enjoy Anne Perry's books.<br/> "
— Arlene, 11/5/2011" Much better than Christmas Odessey from last year but still not equal to the first 4 or 5 Christmas books. "
— Scott, 11/1/2011" I love Christmas books so I picked this up on a whim! Ho Hum but I am going to finish it because I am waiting for other books to come in at the library. "
— Patti, 10/30/2011Anne Perry (1938-2023) was an English author of historical detective fiction, mysteries, young-adult fantasy, and young-adult fiction, and holiday novels, with several making the New York Times bestsellers list. Her novels were set in Victorian England, the Ottoman empire, and in Europe during WWI and WWI.
Terrence Hardiman has worked extensively in theater. He began at the Old Vic, went on to repertory at Bristol, and then spent five years as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He played the title role in BBC TV’s The Demon Headmaster, while his other television appearances include major parts in Secret Army, Miss Marple, Hannay, and Inspector Morse. Among his film credits are Mask of Murder, Loophole, and Gandhi.