On the heels of the success of A Christmas Journey comes this festive mystery. The joyful tranquility of a snowbound estate in the Lake District of England is overturned in a moment by a shocking murder. Renowned mathematician and inventor Henry Rathbone—long known to readers of Perry's bestselling Victorian series featuring William Monk—must put his analytical and creative capacities to the test as he assumes the role of an amateur investigator. In this delightful Christmas tale, he rescues the holiday with a grace that would impress William Monk himself.
Download and start listening now!
"A triangle of family members have planned to return to their hometown Ullswater for the Christmas holidays. While returning are all struck by a real sadness, and now together they with a close friend of the family, precede solving the death of their beloved one single-handedly without much help."
— Arthur (5 out of 5 stars)
“Anne Perry’s new Victorian thriller unspools deep in the English Lake District, shrouded in the gloom and chill of winter…Satisfyingly dark and suspenseful.”
— Entertainment Weekly“Terrance Hardiman narrates this Victorian cozy with such aplomb that we know we’re listening to a powerful tale about forgiving the unforgivable and facing what we most fear. It takes a bitter test, he reminds us, to learn just how honorable we are.”
— AudioFile" Henry Rathbone (Sir Oliver's father in the Monk series) solves a mystery. Quite unrealistic ending though. "
— Mayakda, 2/8/2014" Death before dishonor -- nothing before coffee! "
— Sallie, 2/6/2014" This story took a long time to get to the point and I didn't like the ending. But, I supose that is the point of making a point....you don't always get what you wanted. "
— Cindy, 1/24/2014" I thought it was cute for what it was. It has the holiday spirit and a little mystery wrapped up in one. It was a nice easy read to get into the Christmas season, but not anything especially impressive. It would be nice entertainment for a snowy afternoon. "
— Anne, 1/21/2014" This was a pretty good story. I found it to be much more of what I expect from an Anne Perry Suspense/Mystery. It also had a great underlying theme of being human, honest, and doing good by others as well as yourself. "
— Lianne, 1/2/2014" The narration was fine but this book was like a small firework that fizzles instead of exploding. When we finally learn who the murderer is there's still a question about if it really is the person they think and it ends kind of strange, no great reveal. Not my favorite Anne Perry. "
— Carolyn, 12/15/2013" Short read. I 've read a couple of other mysteries by this author and enjoyed them. This was no exception. "
— Kristin, 11/24/2013" A thought-proking mystery about one person--and his family's--sense of integrity. "
— Donna, 11/11/2013" Most likely the best of the Christmas novels, some really nice twists and turns. Good use of Henry Rathbone. He doesn't get enough play in the Monk series. All is well at the end, but not without changes for many involved. "
— Donna, 11/7/2013" Another Christmas story featuring one of the secondary characters in Perry's mystery novels. Nice to see these characters developed further in a good story. "
— Janice, 10/12/2013" This book is a light historical early-Victorian murder mystery, and a morality tale. A quick read; I wish it had been longer! "
— Briansmom, 9/14/2013" Another short Christmas mystery novella. The main character is a minor character in the Monk mystery series. "
— Beverly, 9/3/2013" This was a quick read & a little dry for my liking. "
— Melissa, 8/10/2013" This was a mystery. Not really very much about Christmas really. The setting is in England. To me the whole meaning of the story was about integrity, which is a great message. There are a few lines in there that I should add here...when Christmas is over! "
— Kathleen, 8/1/2013" ok, not much of a mustery, not much of an anything really. "
— Christa, 6/10/2013" Gets better every time I read it "
— Scott, 9/5/2012" One of Anne Perry's yearly Christmas outings for a minor character from one of her Victorian mysteries. More of a novella than a novel, so it's good for reading during the busy Christmas season. "
— Nikki, 8/9/2012" I enjoyed this tale. "
— Linda, 4/7/2012" I have read the first 3 books in this series. They are nice for a quick read. Good plot line, but not too difficult. "
— Andrea, 12/13/2011" The second in her Christmas series...I really enjoy these! They're entertaining and a great escape. This one featured Henry Rathbone, Oliver Rathbone's father, and his efforts to assist his friend's family after a murder and a huge family legal mistake. Very nice to escape with! "
— Nancy, 11/10/2011" SPOILER ALERT*** Honestly I was looking for a good holiday mystery but this book is SO depressing and it ends horribly, without really ending. "
— Alyse, 10/1/2011" A murder mystery. Love Anne Perry. "
— Joann, 6/12/2011" A great little story. "
— Lavanche, 6/4/2011" I always like to read books set at Christmastime during December and found six this year-- 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, 5/28/2011" I like Henry Rathbone in the Monk series, but he doesn't seem a strong enough character to base a story on. Perhaps this book indicates why most mysteries are long...otherwise the "detecting" seems to move too quickly and wrap up too soon. "
— Donna, 5/1/2011" A quaint, warm, and charming holiday novella. A quick read. "
— Sergey, 4/11/2011" Another Christmas story featuring one of the secondary characters in Perry's mystery novels. Nice to see these characters developed further in a good story. "
— Janice, 1/18/2011" One of 5 Christmas titles I read for 'Christmas challenge' "
— Nancy, 1/12/2011" I always like to read books set at Christmastime during December and found six this year-- 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, 12/31/2010" I like Henry Rathbone in the Monk series, but he doesn't seem a strong enough character to base a story on. Perhaps this book indicates why most mysteries are long...otherwise the "detecting" seems to move too quickly and wrap up too soon. "
— Donna, 12/30/2010" Historical Christmas Mystery <br/> <br/>A family gathers for Christmas in England only to discover one of their loved ones has recently died, and murder is suspected. I enjoyed this short Christmas mystery. "
— Ladiibbug, 12/22/2010" I am sooner or later going to take the time to write some of this author's moral of the story--always poignant, inspiring and thought provoking. "
— Bonnie, 12/20/2010" This seemed to have more to it than the first Christmas one I read by Anne Perry. "
— Ngdecker, 12/14/2010" Well-written, as always. Not the kind of ending I had expected, but it fit. "
— Elaine, 11/29/2010" A quaint, warm, and charming holiday novella. A quick read. "
— Sergey, 11/25/2010" A murder mystery. Love Anne Perry. "
— Joann, 5/11/2010" Henry Rathbone (Sir Oliver's father in the Monk series) solves a mystery. Quite unrealistic ending though. "
— Mayakda, 3/2/2010" SPOILER ALERT*** Honestly I was looking for a good holiday mystery but this book is SO depressing and it ends horribly, without really ending. "
— Alyse, 12/8/2009" ok, not much of a mustery, not much of an anything really. "
— Christa, 9/21/2009Anne 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.