Member Reviews

A Christmas Deliverance by Anne Perry is a stand-alone novella, that is set in her mystery series, William and Hester Monk.  The story starts off with Dr. Crowe attending the wounds of a young girl, Mattie, as he fixes her damaged finger. Crowe operates a free medical clinic, mostly for the poor in its vicinity; with people paying mostly for the service with food, as well as occasional donations that help Crowe to purchase the medicines and equipment needed.  His assistant Scuff, has been learning everything about medicine, to help Crowe, his mentor, in handling the many patients that cannot afford to pay.  Scuff is the adopted son of William and Hester Monk (the other series), and he plays a major role in this story.

One day, Crowe arrives at a scene where a young woman is trapped under a carriage with a severe injury to her leg.  He manages to get her to his clinic to treat and cleanse the injury.  The young woman is Ellie Hollister, who is the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Her father is not pleased she is in this clinic for the poor, but with advice from his doctors, he allows her to remain for a few days.  Crowe was enamored by Ellie, but understands that she is out of his class.  A year later, he sees Ellie from a distance, having an argument with another man, who ends up slapping her.  Crowe comes to her rescue, and is shocked to discover that the man is her fiancée.  Crowe decides he needs to investigate why would Ellie would want to marry a man that abuses her.

With Crowe out of the office a lot to investigate the wealthy men Dolan and Hollister, Scuff is left to run the clinic mostly on his sown.  Young Mattie brings her kitten to Scuff, who realizes that Mattie is homeless, and offers her a warm place to stay with her kitten, Rosie, as well as give both of them food.  Mattie also helps out Scuff, with cleansing tools, and together they fend off the police, who are suspicious about Crowe’s investigations

What follows is Crowe using his connections throughout the town to learn more of why Ellie is being forced to marry Paul Dolan, an evil and abusive man. He learns about a fire, a dead man and the Dolan family possibly blackmailing Ellie’s father. As we race to the finish, Crowe visits Inspector Monk, to explain his findings, with an exciting dangerous finale.  A Christmas Deliverance was a well written mystery by Anne Perry.

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A Christmas Deliverance by Anne Perry was an interesting mystery story. I cannot imagine saving someone life like the doctor did in this story. The doctor also helped his lost child helper to become a doctor. Read the story I think you will like the mystery and romance and kindness shown by the doctor to his patients.

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A courageous doctor and his apprentice fight to save London’s poor—and discover that the hearts of men can be colder than a winter chill. This is another of Anne Perry’s many Christmas stories. This one comes as an outgrowth of the Monk series of books.

I wasn’t quite as drawn to this story as I am some of her books. Crowe spends a bit too much time in his head and not enough in action. Most of the action was left to Scuff. I do realize this was a novels. However, there were some things that happened without much of a prelude including the warehouse scene. Still I did like reading the book.

I received a copy of the book. Comments are all my own

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Every year, Anne Perry can be counted on to write a Christmas novella. These shorter books make for nice gifts to her fans. They offer an absorbing read for when something short and seasonal is needed.

This year’s book brings back Scuff. He is now studying medicine and holding things together at the clinic while Doctor Crowe is distracted. Crowe is concerned about what he has seen happening to a rich patient whom he treated in the past. He fears that Ellie is being forced into a marriage. What is the truth?

At the same time, Scuff has his own girl to watch out for. She is Mattie and she needs to feel cared for. Scuff will do his best to be sure that nothing bad happens to her or to Doctor Crowe.

Because this is a seasonal story, readers can feel confident about how things will work out. The joy is in following the people and the plot as they turn the pages.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

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Scruff is studying medicine at a free clinic run by Dr Crowe. In this, Scruff has come a long way from his early life. But lately, Crowe is distracted by a former patient named Ellie, who seems to be treated badly by her fiancé. He sets out to get to the truth of Ellie’s situation, leaving Scruff to run the clinic on his own.

This was a cute, hallmark-esque story. It had a small town feel and love of like able characters. It was a good Christmas story to start off the holiday reading season.

Thank you to Netgalley, Anne Perry and Randomhouse/Ballentine for the ARC! This book is out now.

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Christmas on the river’s edges!

At last a story about our favourite medico in the poor areas around the docks—Dr. Crowe, and how he gains a family in spite of the dangers he finds himself in. After all family comes in all shapes and sizes and maybe a chosen one has other special qualities.
Will Monk (known as Scuff), Hesta and William Monk’s son, is studying medicine and being mentored by Crowe. He realizes that he now thinks of Crowe’s practice as his home. We meet a small girl with no name, a survivor on the streets who pays Crowe with a kitten. Oh, and helps him eat some soup! This was all so loveable, sweet and tragic at the same time. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. A young woman, Ellie Hollister, whose life Crowe saved a year ago comes back into his life, and now it looks like Crowe’s trying to save her again. This time from a fiancé she doesn’t want. A Christmas story that gives new hope as Crowe finds a family forming around him, despite the unsavoury conditions and challenges of the area he’s chosen to reside in. There’s also kindness and information for the Doc who saved so many. The inhabitants of those riverfront slum areas don’t forget!

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

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I really enjoyed this story. It is good to see a more grown-up Scuff. Scuff is working for Dr. Crowe now. He is doing well and learning so much. Dr. Crowe has had a crush on a woman that he saved after an accident and when he sees her on the street with a man abusing her, he knows he has to do all in his power to save her from such a brute. As Dr. Crowe investigates the man and her father, what he finds fills him with dread. It will soon be Christmas and she is supposed to be married right after. Can he find out enough to stop her from having to marry the man? Dr. Crowe knows that she is a lady and not for the likes of him, but at least he can help free her from a life of abuse. One bright spot in all of it is a little girl with a kitten. How can Scuff turn away a little girl and her kitten at Christmas?

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I've read many of Anne Perry's Christmas books, and this is one of my favorites. I particularly liked the connection to William and Hester Monk; in fact, William is one of the characters, and the son they took in was one of the two main players.

Dr. Crowe, who mostly treats those who are less fortunate has taken Will Monk, aka Scruff in as an apprentice. The doctor is very attracted to a patient, a young girl, Ellie. A short time later, he witnesses another man, introduced as her fiance, mistreating her. It's obvious she is frightened of him. Crowe can't stand the thought of her having to live with someone who will make her unhappy so he sets out to find out why she feels like she HAS to marry the jerk. Some excitement follows while he makes his discoveries.

So far I have posted a review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5090239609.
I tried to enter a review at Amazon and received this message: "This item is not eligible to be reviewed." I will keep trying and also attempt to post on Bookbub. I appreciate the chance given me to read so many of
Anne's books.

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Randomhouse Ballantine Books for my copy of A Christmas Deliverance by Anne Perry in exchange for an honest review. It publishes on November 8, 2022.
Is it really Christmas if you don't read Anne Perry's Christmas book? I would go so far as to suggest it isn't! This has become quite the holiday tradition for me, and I can remember where I was, what I felt, and how I enjoyed each book over the years!
I may not always know who the characters are, in fact, I usually don't, but Perry does a good job of giving decent backstories for each character. If you're looking for a historical medical Christmas novella, look no further!

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In this charming Christmas novella set in Victorian London, Dr. Crowe serves London's poor in his free clinic. Shortly before Christmas, he encounters Ellie, a wealthy young woman he'd treated some time ago, with her new fiance. It immediately becomes clear to him that she fears her fiance--with good reason, as Crowe sees the young man slap Ellie.

As he investigates the real reason behind this unhappy pairing, he leaves his young apprentice, Scuff, alone to run the clinic. Scuff takes in a homeless young girl and kitten and deals expertly not only with patients but with police sent to intimidate him.

As Crowe gets closer to learning the truth behind an arson and murder, he treads carefully. But he doesn't realize how dangerous to his own safety his inquiry will become. #AChristmasDeliverance #NetGalley

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Thanks to Netgalley for an e ARC of this book.
Thought I would give a Christmas story another chance. While I really enjoy most of the author's novels, the Christmas ones are still a busy. Feeble story that is not about Christmas except that it is set at that time of the year. Hope I remember to pass on the next one.

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I guess I never read one of the Christmas stories by Anne Perry. When I started I thought I had downloaded the wrong book. If this is what all the Christmas stories are like it was ok, just not what I expected. Dr Crowe must have been in prior books because I kept waiting for his back story, and his apprentice Scruff, has one as well. I must say I did like Mattie and Rosie the best. I have read books about the poverty from that timeframe but to read about the little one and her cat being cared for was the best part of story.

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Anne Perry delivers a Christmas story full of hope and second chances. These are hard won, and deeply felt. Dr. Crowe and Scuff manage to give an orphan hope for a new life, and rescue Dr. Crowe's love interest from a wicked fiance. Dr. Crowe's medical clinic is a haven and help for the needy, but this Christmas it is the doctor himself and a former patient who need a Christmas miracle. Along the way we meet a sweet little child and her kitten, and a cameo appearance of William Monk. Highly recommend!

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“A Christmas Deliverance” by Anne Perry
A Mystery NOT to be MISSED ! !
Will Dr.Crowe save the Day, or the Lady, or Both !! Another great suspense/romance spell-binding story by Anne Perry. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Scruff and some of his back-story, too. And, then there is the adorable Mattie. This is a worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.

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I love this engrossing Victorian mystery set just days before Christmas. Dr. Crowe is disturbed when he sees a man mistreating a former patient Ellie Hollister. Crowe has never forgotten the wealthy young woman that he saved after a carriage accident. It bothers Crowe that Ellie dislikes and is afraid of the man that she is with. Crowe decides to investigate the man leaving his apprentice Scuff to run the clinic. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This story contains the sweet and the suspenseful. Crowe's investigation brings plenty of suspense and an exciting end to the story. The sweet is Mattie the five year old orphan little girl and her kitten that Scuff brings into their home and clinic.

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Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Scuff works at a clinic with his mentor. He has learned so much by watching him. When his mentor becomes entailed in some drama, scuff is left to manage the clinic. I have read most of Anne Perry's book and I cant wait to read her next one.

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I always love getting to know some of the side characters from Perry's full-length novels a little better when they get the spotlight in these novellas. I love that William Monk, who isn't the main character, still makes an important contribution to a sweet, cozy ending. His adopted son Will Monk, known as Scuff, is one of the two main characters and the parts of the story told from his point of view are my favorites. I like the character of Dr. Crowe, but unfortunately his chapters moved very slowly for me. I was also disappointed that a book called A Christmas Deliverance didn’t really have a lot about Christmas about it. As a fan of the William Monk series, I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't my favorite of Perry's Christmas novellas. (3.5 stars)

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Random House/Ballantine. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

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Christmas deliverance By Anne Perry was another great book by this author. I love how her books are free of the cursing and sex that are to be found in almost every fiction book these days. She writes of a time in the past when people were courteous and most women were treated with respect..

The mystery involved a fire that killed a man, insurance fraud and the missing items that were claimed as burned. The main character, Crowe was a hardworking doctor who worked for very little to help poor people. He was assisted by a young man who was homeless as a child and taken in by a police officer and his wife.

The mystery revolved around Crowe talking to those who lived and worked in the area. In the end it was neatly wrapped up.

This is good book for anyone who likes a cleaner book. It includes a bit of romance and a well told mystery.

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Anne Perry's Christmas Victorian mystery novellas have been an annual tradition for almost 20 years. I've only read a handful of them, but I am always amazed at how much Perry manages to convey in her shorter stories. They are always atmospheric and well-written, with good character development, and this one is no exception.
Set in Victorian London and based on characters who appear in the William Monk mystery series, this is still easily read as a standalone. It features Dr. Crowe and Scuff, the adopted son of Monk, who run a medical clinic catering to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Dr. Crowe investigates a suspicious event that seems to have serious implications for the woman he has unacknowledged feelings for and her bullying fiance. Scuff is left to run the clinic alone and soon finds himself offering shelter to Mattie, an orphan who reminds him of the circumstances he came from before his adoption. But, with Christmas approaching, will everyone have a happy ending?
This is a different kind of Christmas story, as it involves a mystery more than a feel-good story but still conveys the hope and warmth of the holiday season. Vivid, with a bit of a Dickensian vibe, the hard-scrabble existence of young Mattie, the kind and justice-minded Dr. Crowe, and the gratitude-filled Scuff make for some endearing characters. There's emotion, action, and a bit of a twist to tie it all up. I very much enjoyed this quick and captivating read! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Anne Perry's annual Christmas release is the perfect holiday mystery. There are all of the things you have come to expect in her Christmas work with a nice little twist at the end.

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