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3.04 AVERAGE
3.04 AVERAGE
This was my absolute first Anne Perry novel so I felt a little bit out of touch. There were characters that had obviously been introduced in previous novels of whom I had no knowledge. The first part of this Christmas novella takes place at Applecross, country mansion as "friends" gather together. This was the most confusing section because of the wide array of unfamiliar characters whose dialogue and storyline are thrown in quickly. We are introduced to Lady Vespasia the lead character, ultimate aristocrat and likely heroine. After going to bed, they all wake up to find a guest has thrown herself over to her untimely death. Soon one woman, Gwendolen is partly blamed and ostracized and the only way she will be able to redeem herself in the eyes of the dinner party and society is to deliver the departed's letter to her mother.
Vespacia decides to take on this treacherous journey with Gwendolen into Scotland finding out more about herself, the victim as well as her friendship. It is in insight into the noble English lifestyle as well as this long ago time. I do wish it had more of a Christmas setting as there was ample availability, and as I listened to it as an audiobook, wished Perry had chosen a female narrator as the majority of the characters and storylines centered primarily on women. I believe this was my first historical holiday mystery and did enjoy that change, anticipating more of Perry's Christmas stories in my future. I do believe I would have rated it to 4 if the characters and storyline had been more explained in the beginning (as the series is set up as a Christmas series and not specified as a continuation of her regular ones).
Vespacia decides to take on this treacherous journey with Gwendolen into Scotland finding out more about herself, the victim as well as her friendship. It is in insight into the noble English lifestyle as well as this long ago time. I do wish it had more of a Christmas setting as there was ample availability, and as I listened to it as an audiobook, wished Perry had chosen a female narrator as the majority of the characters and storylines centered primarily on women. I believe this was my first historical holiday mystery and did enjoy that change, anticipating more of Perry's Christmas stories in my future. I do believe I would have rated it to 4 if the characters and storyline had been more explained in the beginning (as the series is set up as a Christmas series and not specified as a continuation of her regular ones).
This was okay as an audio book, but the story left a lot more questions than it answered. But at least it was short. I don't think there was enough depth to the story to be any longer.
Lord help me. I need a short, season themed book.
2.5 stars
Sort of a Victorian Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with a mild Christmas-adjacent theme. Apparently Perry's Christmas novellas incorporate characters from her other books. So I felt a bit out of the loop having never read any of them. Otherwise, okay.
Sort of a Victorian Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with a mild Christmas-adjacent theme. Apparently Perry's Christmas novellas incorporate characters from her other books. So I felt a bit out of the loop having never read any of them. Otherwise, okay.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm not sure this book was particularly festive, but it was interesting. It starts with a "friends weekend away" in the English countryside during Jane Austen's era.
During dinner, a scathing remark is made towards one of the widower women, and that night she goes out to the lake and drowns herself.
The group decides that the person who made the comment needs to atone in some way. So, she is "forced" to travel all the way to far northern Scotland to deliver the news of her daughter's death to her mother.
At the end of the book, it is rather humbling realizing that everyone has there own problems, and everyone should be nicer to each other.
During dinner, a scathing remark is made towards one of the widower women, and that night she goes out to the lake and drowns herself.
The group decides that the person who made the comment needs to atone in some way. So, she is "forced" to travel all the way to far northern Scotland to deliver the news of her daughter's death to her mother.
At the end of the book, it is rather humbling realizing that everyone has there own problems, and everyone should be nicer to each other.
Oh the problems of the Victorian rich. But really this was a nice little Christmas story. I would read another from the series.... maybe next Christmas.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am a huge fan of stories set in the Victorian Era, and was looking for a novel to get me into the holiday spirit. Unfortunately, I was disappointed on both accounts.
Most of the novel focuses on speculation of events that have happened, rather than the characters experiences. Based on the title, I thought this would help get me in a holiday mood but the spirit of Christmas is only briefly mentioned at the very end of the novel.
It was interesting and included some fun twists and turns. This was definitely a one-sitting book for me. I’m glad I didn’t spend more time on it, and I’ll be looking for another book to get me in the holiday spirit.
Most of the novel focuses on speculation of events that have happened, rather than the characters experiences. Based on the title, I thought this would help get me in a holiday mood but the spirit of Christmas is only briefly mentioned at the very end of the novel.
It was interesting and included some fun twists and turns. This was definitely a one-sitting book for me. I’m glad I didn’t spend more time on it, and I’ll be looking for another book to get me in the holiday spirit.
This book feels very rushed almost as if it is a small novella part of a bigger series. The characters have no development. Many events that do not take place in the book are referenced but not fully explained.