What do you think?
Rate this book
Anne Perry's Christmas Mysteries: A Christmas Guest / A Christmas Secret
Two holiday novels provide the perfect combination of mystery and murder mixed with a generous helping of Yuletide cheer.
A CHRISTMAS GUEST
When her daughter and son-in-law plan a Christmas vacation to Paris sans hers truly, Grandmama Mariah Ellison travels to the chilly, windswept Romney Marshes to spend the holiday with old friends. But when the body of a fellow guest is found lifeless in bed, Grandmama senses foul play and takes it upon herself to assume the role of amateur detective–uncovering startling truths about the victim . . . and herself as well.
A CHRISTMAS SECRET
Dominic Corde is thrilled to “fill the robe” as substitute vicar in the village of Cottisham while the Reverend Wynter is away on a Christmas holiday. Upon arrival, Dominic and his wife, Clarice, wonder how they will be received by the congregation. But the Cordes soon discover that they have more dire matters to worry about. It turns out that the Reverend Wynter isn’t on holiday at all–and that something very sinister has transpired.
A CHRISTMAS GUEST
When her daughter and son-in-law plan a Christmas vacation to Paris sans hers truly, Grandmama Mariah Ellison travels to the chilly, windswept Romney Marshes to spend the holiday with old friends. But when the body of a fellow guest is found lifeless in bed, Grandmama senses foul play and takes it upon herself to assume the role of amateur detective–uncovering startling truths about the victim . . . and herself as well.
A CHRISTMAS SECRET
Dominic Corde is thrilled to “fill the robe” as substitute vicar in the village of Cottisham while the Reverend Wynter is away on a Christmas holiday. Upon arrival, Dominic and his wife, Clarice, wonder how they will be received by the congregation. But the Cordes soon discover that they have more dire matters to worry about. It turns out that the Reverend Wynter isn’t on holiday at all–and that something very sinister has transpired.
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2008
About the author
Anne Perry
367 books3,410 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 11, 2018
These two short mysteries feature protagonists experiencing snowy English Christmasses in unfamiliar places, each with a mystery to resolve. The characters’ psychology is thoughtfully developed, but the mystery solutions are stumbled into, rather than deduced.
December 8, 2024
Just what the doctor ordered! Two cozy Christmas mysterious set in Victorian England! Quick reads, slightly predictable, but both warm the heart like a freshly brewed cup of Earl Grey tea! Highly recommend!
February 22, 2019
Read during Feb 2019 visit to Tampa - grandchildren and ECS cruise!
A fun read - good characters - good mysteries. Although murders occurred it was light reading and very enjoyable.
I recommend.
A fun read - good characters - good mysteries. Although murders occurred it was light reading and very enjoyable.
I recommend.
December 7, 2021
Two English Christmas mysteries in one book.
Read
February 20, 2022Have read only A Christmas Guest
Read
January 3, 2024Like mysteries and Christmas. A good combination. Just Fun.
September 30, 2024
A Christmas Guest was read by Terrence; I read a Christmas Secret in hard copy.
December 13, 2024
Two delightful Christmas cozy mysteries. Easy quick reads perfect by the fire with a hot chocolate.
December 15, 2015
It’s been a few year since I’ve read anything by Anne Perry, but I really enjoyed the first Christmas Mystery I read by her (featuring Vespasia Cumming-Gould from the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries) and I was in the mood for Christmas stories. I got these two as a single Nook book because the two were cheaper together than the one I was interested in, A Christmas Secret, featuring Dominic, the brother-in-law from the first Thomas Pitt mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed both of these stories. I read A Christmas Secret first and liked not only Dominic, but also his wife, Clarice. The village was interesting. I almost had it figured out by the end. It left me wanting to re-read Burnswick Gardens, the book that introduced Clarice to Dominic. It also left me wanting to see more of Dominic and Clarice in future stories.
I was very pleasantly surprised by A Christmas Guest. It featured Mariah Ellison, the Grandmother of Charlotte Pitt. She has never been a favorite character as she is a sharp tongued old woman. This story redeemed her somewhat and makes me a little curious if her change of heart (for lack of a better word) spills over into the Pitt mysteries written after this story (I’m a little behind on my Anne Perry’s).
The mysteries themselves were a bit anti-climatic, but still very enjoyable. I’d recommend these books to anyone who likes historical fiction and a nice little mystery. These are basically stand-alone stories, so one does not need to have read any of the Charlotte and Thomas series to enjoy these mysteries.
I thoroughly enjoyed both of these stories. I read A Christmas Secret first and liked not only Dominic, but also his wife, Clarice. The village was interesting. I almost had it figured out by the end. It left me wanting to re-read Burnswick Gardens, the book that introduced Clarice to Dominic. It also left me wanting to see more of Dominic and Clarice in future stories.
I was very pleasantly surprised by A Christmas Guest. It featured Mariah Ellison, the Grandmother of Charlotte Pitt. She has never been a favorite character as she is a sharp tongued old woman. This story redeemed her somewhat and makes me a little curious if her change of heart (for lack of a better word) spills over into the Pitt mysteries written after this story (I’m a little behind on my Anne Perry’s).
The mysteries themselves were a bit anti-climatic, but still very enjoyable. I’d recommend these books to anyone who likes historical fiction and a nice little mystery. These are basically stand-alone stories, so one does not need to have read any of the Charlotte and Thomas series to enjoy these mysteries.
December 28, 2011
In “A Christmas Guest,” the suspicious death of an unexpected guest leads one woman on a quest to prove that it was murder. In the process, Mariah Ellison (Grandmama) discovers something about herself, as well as the meaning of Christmas. The gorgeous setting of a Victorian family Christmas is an ironic backdrop for the dark and ugly family secrets that come to light. “A Christmas Secret” is a much more sinister and foreboding story than the first. But there is also happiness and light found in the beautiful love between Dominic and Clarice Corde. I enjoyed both of these mysteries and will definitely be reading more Anne Perry novels in the future.
Favorite quotes: “The world is more terrible and beautiful than we can possibly imagine, or believe, even after one has seen great stretches of it. There are always new shocks and new miracles around each corner.” – Maude Barrington, “A Christmas Guest”
“Good held a mirror to other people’s hearts, and the reflection was too often unflattering. People could hate you for that more than for almost anything else.” (“A Christmas Secret”)
“Sometimes being handsome was not a blessing. It led people – women – to hope for more from one than one could live up to; it ignited dreams that were too big for the reality of what any man could be.” (“A Christmas Secret”)
Favorite quotes: “The world is more terrible and beautiful than we can possibly imagine, or believe, even after one has seen great stretches of it. There are always new shocks and new miracles around each corner.” – Maude Barrington, “A Christmas Guest”
“Good held a mirror to other people’s hearts, and the reflection was too often unflattering. People could hate you for that more than for almost anything else.” (“A Christmas Secret”)
“Sometimes being handsome was not a blessing. It led people – women – to hope for more from one than one could live up to; it ignited dreams that were too big for the reality of what any man could be.” (“A Christmas Secret”)
October 2, 2013
I have only read the Monk series of Anne Perry's so far, so I was not familiar with the character Mariah Ellison. However, Christmas Guest is complete in its introduction of Mariah and her transformation into almost a different person. I especially enjoyed the "accusation" scene near the end of the book which showcased Perry's talent for writing great speeches by her characters.
A Christmas Secret was fairly enjoyable, but I had a hard time believing the relationship between the two main characters--too saintly for me. However, in this book, the scene setting was marvelous--I felt very cold just reading the descriptions of the snow, wind, ice, and cold water. I'm not sure it gets that cold in England anymore so it is good to be reminded of the severity of winters previous generations endured.
I will probably read others in this series because I do enjoy Anne Perry's writing so much, and these are short enough to be read when there is not time for one of her longer, more-detailed works.
A Christmas Secret was fairly enjoyable, but I had a hard time believing the relationship between the two main characters--too saintly for me. However, in this book, the scene setting was marvelous--I felt very cold just reading the descriptions of the snow, wind, ice, and cold water. I'm not sure it gets that cold in England anymore so it is good to be reminded of the severity of winters previous generations endured.
I will probably read others in this series because I do enjoy Anne Perry's writing so much, and these are short enough to be read when there is not time for one of her longer, more-detailed works.
March 17, 2013
Two short, sweet mysteries.
One of the stories is about a character we havemet through her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books — Charlotte's grandmother in a totally different light and in a story where she reflects on how she judges and behaves with others. Instead of spending the holidays with one of Charlotte's sisters, she is sent to a country home with his daughter-in-law and her second husband, a younger man and an actor. Grandmama is not happy, especially when a distant cousin joins them. But when the cousin dies, she is determined that it is murder and sets out not only to solve the two mysteries — why her family sent her away and who hated her enough to kill her.
The second is the story of a new minister and his wife sent to serve a village while their regular reverend is on a Christmas holiday, only they find that the good Reverend Wynter isn't on holiday and have to find who killed him.
Both are good stories and interesting reading
One of the stories is about a character we havemet through her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books — Charlotte's grandmother in a totally different light and in a story where she reflects on how she judges and behaves with others. Instead of spending the holidays with one of Charlotte's sisters, she is sent to a country home with his daughter-in-law and her second husband, a younger man and an actor. Grandmama is not happy, especially when a distant cousin joins them. But when the cousin dies, she is determined that it is murder and sets out not only to solve the two mysteries — why her family sent her away and who hated her enough to kill her.
The second is the story of a new minister and his wife sent to serve a village while their regular reverend is on a Christmas holiday, only they find that the good Reverend Wynter isn't on holiday and have to find who killed him.
Both are good stories and interesting reading
January 1, 2009
I enjoyed these separately the first time around and it was nice to revisit them. The characterizations are quality and the stories interesting and enjoyable, even if not particularly earth-shattering. I think they support Perry's bigger mystery series very well, without feeling like they interrupt or distract the flow of the "main" novels.
My favorite of the 2 is "A Christmas Secret". For some reason, I really liked Clarice as a character, wanted to know more about her and went back to the Thomas Pitt novels where she first appears. Her new marriage, trying to find her feet with Dominic's calling in the church, etc...just makes her a little more interesting.
In fact, Anne Perry, if you're listening, I would love more of Clarice and Dominic and their new life in Cottisham! I'm just saying...
My favorite of the 2 is "A Christmas Secret". For some reason, I really liked Clarice as a character, wanted to know more about her and went back to the Thomas Pitt novels where she first appears. Her new marriage, trying to find her feet with Dominic's calling in the church, etc...just makes her a little more interesting.
In fact, Anne Perry, if you're listening, I would love more of Clarice and Dominic and their new life in Cottisham! I'm just saying...
December 4, 2010
It was ok. Neither story was as complex as I like mysteries to be, so it was a pretty easy read, altho Christmas was really just the excuse that put the main character in the first story where she was in order for the mystery to unfold, and I can't really think how Christmas played into the second story at all!
June 11, 2011
I got this book for my mom and then didn't give it to her. (I will, I promise!) At Christmas I thought, why not, I'll try it. I was very surprised to find myself quite charmed by these stories. They aren't great mysteries, and definitely on the cozy side, but they were lovely, and I will read them again at Christmas.
November 11, 2013
I just love the way Anne Perry writes. She makes the scenes so vivid and, though these stories are short mysteries, you still learn so much about the characters' personalities. This was my last Christmas Mystery left in the series to read and I'm saddened that there aren't any more to have with my Christmas puddin'.
Read
January 2, 2010I think I need to read some of her other books about Pitt before I try this again. It's like jumping in the middle of a story where everyone else knows what's going on.... I did get all the way through "A Christmas Guest."
February 12, 2011
I've read one of these two stories before and I still enjoyed both immensely. It's truly a gift to be able to make such simple stories and brief character sketches speak to the frailties of the human heart.
December 9, 2009
Good victorian stories....easy read.
November 27, 2013
simple stories but one can tell they are written by a quality author and not a fly-by- as so many mysteries are these days. I enjoyed the first story much better than the second.
December 12, 2014
2 novellas in one book. Both were pretty good. I like Christmas mysteries in the Victorian era.
April 4, 2015
Grand mama was of the chains!
June 24, 2016
Fun to read in the Summer. Each novella takes place with snow falling.
October 15, 2011
Perhaps I need a break from Anne Perry.
Read
January 2, 2017Quick and fun Christmas stories murder mysteries. I enjoyed them for that they are....
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews