Scan barcode
shinylightblue's review against another edition
3.0
Fun story, less of a mystery and more fantastical and philosophical than I expected. I will have to think about and reread it at some point. Might not be for everyone because of that as well as the Christian topics discussed.
It's not my favorite kind of story but I would consider it to be a solid one.
It's not my favorite kind of story but I would consider it to be a solid one.
maxandrambo's review against another edition
3.0
This made my head hurt. I'm still not sure what I just read. This was probably my least favorite of all of Anne Perry's Christmas novels, but was still enjoyable enough.
leighannsherwin's review against another edition
3.0
Really 2.5 stars. Mildly entertaining some suspense but most of the time I had no clue what was going on and what the point of this book was by the end of it, it was also quick another bonus. This time around Victor Narraway and his wife Vespasia are on a journey to the holy land at Christmastime. They encounter a fellow traveller, one who Vespasia suspects is being followed. Then the traveler is found murdered and Victor discovers a piece of parchment in his pocket with a note asking them to deliver it to a bakery in Jerusalem before Christmas. Then the story takes a turn into what the. . . Huh? And moments of dullness as the characters ponder their own religious views. A six hour train journey is plagued by two major incidents, and leaves without insuring all passengers are on board. Then there are the other characters we encounter, a weirdo on the train who talks in riddles and you're not sure if he's stupid or very wise, the murderer who is never given a name but appears to have several lives as he is repeatedly knocked out and beat up and comes back to attack again as if nothing happened to him. The ending is abrupt and is sort of a non ending. There is a lot of pondering of religious beliefs and at least it's not overly preachy. I wouldn't recommend it to an atheist though. The parchment kept me reading and while the message of it was a nice one I failed to see why it was so important to get it to that place by Christmas. It was an ancient document that should be kept safe but the fate of humanity wouldn't or shouldn't rely on it, but still another quick Christmas read from Anne Perry. I'm realizing these books are hit and miss, this one more of a miss, but still not the worst of these I've read.
skullfullofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I was not expecting the religious centric book for some reason. It was well written in diction and syntax but the actual execution of the plot left me wanting more. It is a book that is dialogue heavy, and action sparse in areas.
wyrmbergsabrina's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, that was heavy.
Less of a Christmas mystery story that I’m used to, and more of a journey of faith, asking big questions of the characters and readers. There’s something very magical in these pages.
Less of a Christmas mystery story that I’m used to, and more of a journey of faith, asking big questions of the characters and readers. There’s something very magical in these pages.
More...