A Christmas Journey

Author: Anne Perry
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christmas / Christmas Mysteries Series
Publisher: Random House, 2004
Pages: 192
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Featuring Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould - one of the most memorable characters from the Thomas Pitt series - appears here as a lively young woman, the ultimate aristocrat who can trace her blood to half the royal houses in Europe.

It's Christmas and the Berkshire Countryside lies wrapped in winter chill. But the well-born guests who have gathered at Applecross for a delicious weekend of innocent intrigue and passionate romance are warmed by roaring fires and candlelight, holly and mistletoe, good wine and gorgeously wrapped gifts. It's scarcely the setting for misfortune, and no one - not even that clever young aristocrat and budding sleuth Vespasia Cumming-Gould - anticipates the tragedy that is to darken this light-hearted holiday house party. But soon one young woman lies dead, a suicide, and another is ostracized, held partly responsible for the shocking turn of events.

To expiate her guilt, Isobel Alvie, sets out for the Scottish Highlands, hoping to explain to the dead girl's mother the circumstances surrounding the sorrowful act - and to bring her back to England for the funeral. Isobel's sole companion of this nightmarish journey is Vespasia. As Vespasia learns more about the victim and the ugly forces that shaped her desperate need, she understands the heartbreaking truth of the tragedy.

Review: I don't get into reading Christmas novel like a lot of my friends, but this one sounded like it might be different. 

This is not a Hallmark movie in print, but it's good. I enjoyed it, and it's short - a good thing, since I just picked up a stack of 16 books from my library.