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robinlovesreading's review against another edition
3.0
Please follow my reviews on my blog at https://www.robinlovesreading.com.
Worm is a nine-year-old boy who is an orphaned street urchin living at Portpool Lane Clinic. Worm becomes embroiled in a mystery that turns quite dangerous when he witness a beautiful woman, Eloise, being abducted. Worm goes to Squeaky, who is the clinic's bookkeeper and is also a former brothel owner.
More than familiar with seediest type of life and some nefarious people, Squeaky doesn't want to run into anyone of that sort, so he is reluctant to help Worm. As it turns out, Eloise's abduction is part of a bigger situation and the danger is real. Should Squeaky or Worm try and help the woman, things could get really ugly.
As we read the story, we learn more about Worm, and how Squeaky really is a good guy. Also, we are able to understand Eloise's situation and motives. I love the relationship between Worm and Squeaky. There is a lot of intrigue, and this was a very quick read. The story is very warm and is just a perfect read for this season.
A Christmas Revelation is loosely connected to the William Monk series.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
Worm is a nine-year-old boy who is an orphaned street urchin living at Portpool Lane Clinic. Worm becomes embroiled in a mystery that turns quite dangerous when he witness a beautiful woman, Eloise, being abducted. Worm goes to Squeaky, who is the clinic's bookkeeper and is also a former brothel owner.
More than familiar with seediest type of life and some nefarious people, Squeaky doesn't want to run into anyone of that sort, so he is reluctant to help Worm. As it turns out, Eloise's abduction is part of a bigger situation and the danger is real. Should Squeaky or Worm try and help the woman, things could get really ugly.
As we read the story, we learn more about Worm, and how Squeaky really is a good guy. Also, we are able to understand Eloise's situation and motives. I love the relationship between Worm and Squeaky. There is a lot of intrigue, and this was a very quick read. The story is very warm and is just a perfect read for this season.
A Christmas Revelation is loosely connected to the William Monk series.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
karynhansen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mythyagain's review against another edition
2.0
I was sent this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Set in England around Christmas 1870, this is a mystery surrounding a former pimp, now an accountant at a shelter for ill, poor, "working" women, and an orphan who resides at the shelter, Worm. Worm is approximately 9 years old and observes a woman being taken away by two men and against her will. Thus begins the mystery as Worm recruits Squeaky, the accounts manager to help him locate and help the mysterious woman. This is a novella and there really wasn't time for the characters to be developed to the point where the reader cared about them. Although there's a happy ending, there are many questions still hanging. The mystery itself wasn't captivating enough to make it a page turner.
christinem's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
amothersmusings1's review against another edition
3.0
“A Christmas Revelation” is the 16th novella in the ‘Christmas Stories’ series written by Anne Perry.
Each novella is based on the historical murder mystery or detective fiction genre and often feature a number of recurring characters.
I happily enjoyed reading this book and the nice thing is, they can be read in one sitting where you totally immerse yourself in the intriguing and genuinely endearing characters and their story. ‘Worm’ and ‘Squeaky’, the two main people in “A Christmas Revelation” were truly mesmerising and the way Squeaky took control of Worms concerns, regarding a ‘lady with light in her hair’ who was in potential danger, was just wonderful.
All in all an easy and entertaining read with a Christmas message at its heart, that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I would be happy to recommend this author and her series of Christmas Stories.
3.5 stars
Each novella is based on the historical murder mystery or detective fiction genre and often feature a number of recurring characters.
I happily enjoyed reading this book and the nice thing is, they can be read in one sitting where you totally immerse yourself in the intriguing and genuinely endearing characters and their story. ‘Worm’ and ‘Squeaky’, the two main people in “A Christmas Revelation” were truly mesmerising and the way Squeaky took control of Worms concerns, regarding a ‘lady with light in her hair’ who was in potential danger, was just wonderful.
All in all an easy and entertaining read with a Christmas message at its heart, that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I would be happy to recommend this author and her series of Christmas Stories.
3.5 stars
melissajayne's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay; story for the most part was okay, but felt that the author could have used a few more breaks in the book, especially towards the end.
missjenniferlowe's review against another edition
3.0
When 9-year-old Worm, a street urchin who has found a home in the free medical clinic run by wealthy Christine Burroughs and former pimp Squeaky Robinson, sees what he believes to be a kidnapping, he can’t let it go. Squeaky tries everything to distract the boy from this problem and ends up creating a very warm and cozy (not to mention expensive!) Christmas celebration at the clinic. Although bringing joy to everyone at the clinic, the Christmas plans fail to distract Worm and Squeaky knows he has no alternative but to try to help the lady who was taken against her will (or was she?).
I am a big fan of the Christmas mysteries from Anne Perry. To me, one of the best parts about Christmas is that people can be, and try to be, their best selves and this is what this series focuses on. The fact that she takes characters that are bit-players in her series and gives them their own stories appeals greatly to me. It’s kind of like she’s writing her own fan fiction. The books are told from the point of view of these minor characters, giving us a glimpse of inside their minds and letting their voices really shine, albeit briefly. Clearly, Perry fully inhabits the world that she has created and to her none of the characters a minor. They are all fleshed out and fully-imagined, ready to tell their stories. While I have not enjoyed all of the stories, I have found most of them to be pleasant holiday reading and even loved a few (A Christmas Beginning is my favorite). A Christmas Revelation will be enjoyed by new and returning readers alike.
I am a big fan of the Christmas mysteries from Anne Perry. To me, one of the best parts about Christmas is that people can be, and try to be, their best selves and this is what this series focuses on. The fact that she takes characters that are bit-players in her series and gives them their own stories appeals greatly to me. It’s kind of like she’s writing her own fan fiction. The books are told from the point of view of these minor characters, giving us a glimpse of inside their minds and letting their voices really shine, albeit briefly. Clearly, Perry fully inhabits the world that she has created and to her none of the characters a minor. They are all fleshed out and fully-imagined, ready to tell their stories. While I have not enjoyed all of the stories, I have found most of them to be pleasant holiday reading and even loved a few (A Christmas Beginning is my favorite). A Christmas Revelation will be enjoyed by new and returning readers alike.
leighannsherwin's review against another edition
4.0
Another addition to Anne Perry's Christmas Mysteries. As always a short quick read. This one had more of a Christmas feel to it than the others. It revolves around former street urchin Worm, now living with nurse Claudine Burroughs and about to experience his first real Christmas. Curmudgeonly Squeaky while trying to stay distant from the nine year old Worm, but after the boy witnesses a young woman with light in her hair supposedly being abducted both will be drawn into a situation neither expected. A decent enough story, I loved the interactions between Worm and Squeaky, which were very much like father and son, but there were a few points that were a little far fetched like the fact that Squeaky bore a strong resemblance to another character thought to be murdered five years previously. I get it tgat it was necessary to move the plot along but it did stretch the imagination a bit. Otherwise it was a fast and enjoyable holiday read as usual.