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A Christmas Odyssey Audiobook
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(2.98) - 397 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Henry Rathbone is called by an old friend whose son has gone missing just before the Christmas holiday. Now in his early twenties, Lucien has known trouble for some time and has often fallen victim to the vices of drugs, alcohol, and women. His father now fears the worst. Their old friend, Squeaky Robinson, volunteers to help as well. Henry agrees and, joined by Crow, a young doctor at the clinic, the pair trawls the pubs, brothels, and opium dens of the West End in search of clues.
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"I have been reading Anne Perry's Christmas novellas since she started bringing them out. I always enjoy them because they offer wonderful vignettes of Victorian Christmases in colourful settings. This book is certainly different than the previous ones. It is set right in London around Christmas time. It is not a simple little murder mystery since we don't find any bodies until almost the end of the book. What we do get is an up close and personal look at the Victorian England Underworld. And now I know where that word came from as the people in this book are truly in the underworld as they live and conduct their business and follow their sexual fantasies underneath London in subterranean tunnels. We have Oliver Rathbone's father Henry and his motley group trying to find Henry Rathbone's friend's son who has disappeared into this world for a number of weeks. I really enjoyed the book as I do all of Anne Perry's work. I recommend these little books to anyone who enjoys holiday mysteries."
— Shirley (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Anne Perry is definitely visiting Dickensian territory here, as there was no other writer better at depicting the dark side of London life coupled with the plight of human redemption than Charles Dickens. A Christmas Odyssey is a dark tale that will guide readers to the light via the strength of human spirit that each of Perry’s characters possesses.”
— BookReporter.com
A Christmas Odyssey Listener Reviews
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" This was the first of Anne Perry's Christmas stories i didn't really enjoy. Too much psychology of why people do dark things and secrets inside outwardly normal people. That's one of her favorite themes ... whited sepulchers all the way, I guess! "
— Mary, 2/16/2014 -
" This was Discuss It Book Group's Christmas 2011 main book. As a group we rated it 3 out of 5. "
— Maria, 2/11/2014 -
" Not as well written as most Anne Perry books. Where was her editor? "
— Teresa, 2/6/2014 -
" I enjoy reading Anne Perry and was not disappointed in this novel dealing with the darker side of Victorian England. James Wentworth is not feeling the Christmas joy this year. His son, Lucien, has been lured into the world of drugs and sex. He asks his friend, Henry Rathbone, to help him locate his son. With the help of Squeaky Robinson, a reformed brothel keeper and Crow, a mysterious slum doctor, he finds himself in a London that he knows nothing about dealing with people has sunk so low that they don't want to get out of the gutter. "
— Janet, 1/23/2014 -
" Always great to see redemption, courage and character in all of her books. "
— Mary, 1/20/2014 -
" Far more gruesome than her other Christmas stories. "
— Lewestover, 1/19/2014 -
" Page-turning - bit short on the ending, but I shall read all the other Christmas books. "
— Annie, 1/18/2014 -
" Quick read. Not much substance to the story or character development. "
— KSMary, 1/13/2014 -
" Well written, but just too depressing for me for a book with a lovely Christmas scene on the cover. It concerns searching for a friend's son in the "pubs, brothels, and opium dens of the West End" in Victorian England. "
— Vicki, 12/26/2013 -
" Tending towards the over dramatic but good descriptions, not very Christmassy but an okay, light read. "
— Lisa, 12/18/2013 -
" 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. "
— Elizabeth, 12/7/2013 -
" I really enjoyed the book, but it is NOT a Christmas story! "
— Melanie, 11/3/2013 -
" I always like to read books set at Christmastime during December and found six--make that eight, I found two more-- all short(100-200 pages) mysteries set in Victorian Britain, by Anne Perry. Fun, easy reads for whiling away the cold hours 'til Christmas. "
— Melissa, 10/29/2013 -
" A rather ghastly tale of a search for a man who has sunk to the depths of depravity in the underbelly of Victorian London. Very sordid. The only thing Christmasy about it is the title and minor references to the season. A too-tidy ending that is not so realistic. Not one of her best. "
— Linda, 7/18/2013 -
" A somewhat dark and disturbing Christmas story--one which drags you through the vilest and most depraved parts of Victorian London in search of redemtion and salvation of one man. The character of Henry is fascinating and noble (if a bit naive). "
— Donna, 3/5/2013 -
" Not the best in this series. The logic of what they were doing was not always apparent. By the same token, I find her descriptions of Victorian life incredibly interesting. "
— Phyllis, 12/3/2012 -
" Fair - interesting story detailing the underbelly of Victorian England during the 1800's. Lots of drugs, sex, etc. Not much of a Christmas book. "
— Helen, 8/28/2012 -
" Darker than the other Christmas Stories, but still good to read. Almost could have been a longer novel with all the detail that was in it. "
— Jennifer, 8/21/2012 -
" Not my favorite of the Christmas books. "
— Scott, 6/5/2012 -
" I wasn't too interested in this one which was about the seedy underworld of Victorian England. Very repetitive and not very Christmasy either. A bit of a waste of time, ink and paper, imho. "
— Beverly, 3/26/2012 -
" I love Anne Perry! This mystery was not one of my favorites though. I found it a little contrived. I hope her new book is better! "
— Johanna, 1/24/2012 -
" Very good fast read, love her Monk characters, even the fringe ones in this novel. "
— Mary, 12/23/2011 -
" An unusual Perry Christmas book. A tie-in to the Monk, rather than the Pitt series, and a very slim tie=in at that. But the search through the slums and drug dens is exciting, if not very Christmassy. "
— Marilyn, 6/3/2011 -
" Victorian England. I like more of the Monk's and less of the Rathbones. "
— Mary, 4/8/2011 -
" Less substance the the regular books, but I like these little Christmas stories. "
— Margaret, 3/18/2011 -
" This was the first of Anne Perry's Christmas stories i didn't really enjoy. Too much psychology of why people do dark things and secrets inside outwardly normal people. That's one of her favorite themes ... whited sepulchers all the way, I guess! "
— Mary, 1/11/2011 -
" First of all, I think the author could have picked a more fitting title for the book. Second, the story was different, but not really that entertaining. A few good parts, but not enough to recommend to anyone. "
— Tina, 1/11/2011 -
" Quick read. Not much substance to the story or character development. "
— KSMary, 1/2/2011 -
" Fair - interesting story detailing the underbelly of Victorian England during the 1800's. Lots of drugs, sex, etc. Not much of a Christmas book. "
— Helen, 1/1/2011
About Anne Perry
Anne 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.
About Terrence Hardiman
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.