"For countless readers, Christmastime means a delicious new holiday mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry. A Christmas Escape, her thirteenth noel to the season, transports us to the Mediterranean island of Stromboli for an unconventional Yuletide adventure--and an unforgettable volcanic encounter. Lonely Charles Latterly arrives at his small hotel hoping that the island's blue skies and gentle breezes will brighten his spirits. Unfortunately, there's no holiday cheer to be found among his fellow guests, who include a pompous novelist, a stuffy colonel, a dangerously ill-matched married couple, and an ailing old man. The one charming exception is orphaned teenager Candace Finbar, who takes Charles under her wing and introduces him to the island's beauty. But the tranquility of the holiday is swiftly disrupted by a violent quarrel, an unpleasant gentleman's shocking claims of being stalked, and the ominous stirrings of the local volcano. Then events take an even darker turn: A body is found, and Charles quickly realizes that the killer must be among the group of guests. Captivating in its depiction of untamed nature in all its awesome power, and of the human heart in the throes of transformation, A Christmas Escape gifts readers with Anne Perry's talent for making the season brighter--and more thrilling. Praise for the Christmas novels of Anne Perry "Perry's Victorian-era holiday mysteries [are] an annual treat."--The Wall Street Journal A New York Christmas "A thoroughly enjoyable mystery set against the wonderful historical backdrop of 1904 New York City at Christmastime."--Library Journal (starred review) A Christmas Hope "Very much recommended. a wonderful story."--Historical Novel Review A Christmas Garland "In Anne Perry's gifted hands, the puzzle plays out brilliantly."--Greensboro News & Record A Christmas Homecoming "Could have been devised by Agatha Christie. [Perry is] a modern master."--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A Christmas Odyssey "[Perry] writes with detail that invades the senses."--Lincoln Journal Star"--
"The thirteenth Anne Perry holiday mystery follows James Latterly, Hester Monk's brother, as he travels to a lovely, remote island off the north coast of Sicily in the attempt to escape the numbing grief and overwhelming sense of loneliness that has overtaken him since his wife's recent death. But when things take a turn for the deadly at the isolated hotel where he is staying, the reluctant James finds himself trying to unmask a mysterious killer and save the small band of guests before tragedy strikes again--and in doing so, he finally manages to save himself"--
Reviews with the most likes.
Yet another winner from Anne Perry. I'm always impressed by how thoroughly she draws me into the scenes she writes of. In this unusual Christmas mystery, a volcano plays so large a part as to nearly become a character in its own right. The murder does not happen until late, but the story is so good I didn't mind.
This story has just the right amount of foreshadowing to make the murder and its solution believeable, but I wasn't sure if my guess was actually going to be right for a while. And the descriptions! The volcano “making noises like Bailey does when he sleeps” was one of my favorites.
And I loved this excerpt: “...The recipe for a perfect speech is to begin at the beginning, go through the middle, come to the end, and then for heaven's sake stop!” Definitely brought some long-wonded speakers to mind.
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