I love Anne Perry's books and this did not disappoint. I saved it to read over Christmas which was just right.

Hi Karen,
My next review is:-
"A Christmas Return:Christmas Novella 15", written by Anne Perry and published in hardback on the 19th October by Headline Books. 192 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1472234254

As the festive season approaches, Charlotte Pitt's grandmamma, Mariah Ellison, is facing Christmas alone. However, when she receives an unexpected gift, memories are sparked of a Christmas in Haslemere, Surrey long ago, when her beloved friend Cullen Wesley died and a local villager was brutally murdered, with no killer brought to justice.

The unsolved case has resurfaced and Cullen's grandson, Peter, begs for Mariah's help to solve the crime that led to his grandfather's death. Mariah can't resist a friend in need and she returns to Haslemere to investigate the murder and heal old wounds. But evil still lurks in the picturesque village and she'll need all her wits about her to see that justice is done.

The very atmospheric background to this nineteenth century story which the author has thoroughly researched shouldn’t fail to impress the modern reader.

The brevity of this story loses none of the gripping historical mystery excitement that one associates with the authors much longer books, Even though Anne Perry is a very prolific author there is a freshness to her writing that always keeps me gripped to her books until the final thrilling page.

I was very impressed with this book and must look out for the previous Christmas novellas, which I believe, are mainly intended for the US market. Strongly recommended.

Best wishes,

Terry Halligan
(To be published on eurocrime.co.uk in due course)

Having had Anne Perry's historical crime fiction recommended to me, I was keen to read this novella.

The story follows elderly Mariah Ellison who picks up the investigation of a 20 year old murder. Along with her friend's grandson, she tries to solve the old murder case and bring the true criminal to justice.

The story was well-written and engaging - in particular, the descriptions of the Christmas and rural scenes were beautifully and vividly done. I also liked the character of Mariah who was tough and spirited, drawing on her own tragic past. My only criticism was that it lacked pace in places - I wasn't desperate to turn the next page, which was a shame. I think the fact it was an old case made it somehow seem less compelling.

I'd recommend this to fans of Anne Perry and historical crime - it's a light read and an entertaining one.