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Anne Perry Christmas Mysteries

Customer Rating:
First of all, I adore the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series set in the Victorian era so naturally I was eager to read side stories set in that same era that delved deeper into some of the characters in that series. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was because I felt that 'A Christmas Guest', while still good, was a bit weak. Given the sour nature that Grandmama Ellison's character has always had in the Pitt series, her character in this book did not feel entirely believable to me as her personality seems to evolve at much too rapid a pace for such a short story (and time frame). In addition, the mystery aspect held little intrigue or suspense and the ending was not too surprising. However, it was still enjoyable. In contrast, I absolutely loved 'A Christmas Secret'. Perry reveals a depth and freshness to the character of Dominic Corde and how much he has matured since his first marriage to Charlotte's sister Sarah. In this story Dominic, along with his new wife Clarice, strive to solve a mystery in a small English village. The country scene at Christmas makes for a lovely setting. The plot is full of intrigue with startling twists and turns and an added dash of spookiness makes this a delicious read that I couldn't put down. I plan to re-read this story again and would highly recommend it to mystery fans. I believe that even those who have never read any of the books in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series would find this story enjoyable and easy to follow. All in all these two holiday novels are quick reads best savored slowly like hot cocoa on a cold winter's eve.