Review copy was received from Library, NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Christmas Legacy by Anne Perry Narrator: Susan Lyons
Series: Christmas Stories #21
Published by Ballantine, Recorded Books on November 7, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Pages: 320
Length: 4 hours, 36 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, accepts her longtime friend Sadie’s gracious invitation to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation. Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with during the holiday season, she begins investigating Sadie’s disappearance.
Mariah’s uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, Mariah’s questions reveal more about the villagers themselves than about her friend’s whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie’s neighbors, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side, and her ability to love.
I’ve always enjoyed the books by this author and for a few years I have been devouring the Christmas series. I listened to first few through Audible plus, and found more at the library. I’m not quite finished but the books are unrelated to each other and mostly not heavily connected to the various series. A Christmas Vanishing is related to the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series, as the main character is Mariah, Charlotte’s grandmother.
All of the Christmas stories are a bit shorter, about a half book size but longer than what I consider a novella (under 100 pages). Regardless, the development of the world and characters is exquisite. I felt the characters as real people and their emotions connected to me. I could smell and taste the food, feel the fabrics cottons, wools and silk fabrics of items, and the chill of the winter air.
Mariah goes to visit a friend she hasn’t seen in 20 years in a town where she knows various people. Her friend, Sadie, isn’t there when she arrives. Mariah is worried and with the help of the friend who offers her lodging spur the moment, and a few others in town, she investigates to try to find Sadie. In the process, they try to figure out why as well as who. Did she go away on her own to put herself in the spotlight? Is she hiding because she is afraid of someone? Did she meet up with a friend / lover willingly? Or has she been abducted for some reason?
Mariah and her new friends talk to people and learn what they can. During the process though, Mariah works to show the kinder side of herself because she has changed over the years also. She struggles a bit with her temper, but is really quite fair and thoughtful.
A Christmas Vanishing was a lovely, comfortable read because it was so well written and interesting. I recommend it and all the Christmas stories I have read. I’m sad since I am afraid this is the last one.
Narration:
I believe this is my first time with this narrator and her first Christmas story. She is the narrator for the author’s Elena Standish series though. I was very comfortable with her voice and felt the emotion she brought to the characters.  I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Anne Perry
Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is a British historical novelist.
Juliet took the name “Anne Perry,” the latter being her stepfather’s surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical murder mysteries and detective fiction. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger. As of 2003 she had published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories. Her story “Heroes,” which first appeared the 1999 anthology Murder and Obsession, edited by Otto Penzler, won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Short Story.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I am glad you enjoyed this one so much.
All of these Christmas stories are gems. They build out side characters from the series.
I loved seeing Mariah really make changes in her life. I didn’t like her in the regular series, but she won me over here. 🙂
I love how these stories further develop support characters from the different series.
You’ve really had great Christmas reading experiences this season. Glad this was one of them, too, Anne💜
I love these little Christmas mysteries SO much.
May have to try her xmas stuff someday
You should! They are quite short and easily read as standalones although they provide depth to the long running series for their supporting characters.
I’ve seen Sophia’s praise for Perry and have wanted to try her. At some point I’ll fit her in. Glad to hear the Christmas novella was a hit, with the transformation of an unlikable character.
I have enjoyed Anne Perry’s books but somehow have not managed her long series though I am sure to love them. I’ve read a few. But these Christmas mysteries are quite short and work well as standalones. I say this as that is how I have read them. But they only make me want to read the series more.
So is it always Christmas there? Or do the books jump ahead every year to the next Christmas?
These Christmas novellas are written as little standalone mysteries for the last roughly 20 years about supporting characters from her various long running series. They are not labeled as part of the long running series but as standalones. I’ve read them that way, as standalones. I really want to read the long running series but only managed a few about 40 years ago. But I do plan to read them and am sure I will love them. I’ve read most all of these and really enjoyed them.