A Christmas Vanishing is the twenty-first book in The Christmas Stories series.

Mariah Ellison accepts an invitation from Sadie, a friend she has not seen in many years. After taking the train she arrives at her destination only to find that Sadie is not at home. Sadie's husband is very abrupt and not welcoming at all.

Mariah stays with another friend while waiting for Sadie to return, but after several days it becomes obvious that something is very wrong, a search begins to find Sadie and why she disappeared. With Christmas just a few days away and the weather turning colder Mariah will have to gather the townsfolk to put aside their anger and find Sadie before it is too late.

This was an interesting Christmas story. I found it odd at first but as the story progressed, I started to enjoy the mystery. At first it felt as if Mariah was imagining the worst for no reason. But soon it revealed that she really did have an insight into the mystery of Sadie's disappearance.

A Christmas Vanishing takes place during a miserable winter, outside foggy, sooty London, around the turn of the century. Anne Perry’s vivid descriptions of the English countryside whisk readers by train to a quaint village green with decorated shop fronts, the aroma of roasting chestnuts, and church bells that peal to gather the townspeople. Main character, Mariah, is escaping demons from her past, an unhappy marriage, and the person she has become. Anne Perry’s ability to peer deep into Mariah’s past and express her heartfelt misgivings and admitted mistakes, illuminates human frailties in Mariah, the townspeople, and in ourselves. Who invites a guest for Christmas and then disappears? Sadie, Mariah’s confidant from decades past, is described as spirited and engaging. The severe cold, approaching Christmas Eve, and her place in village society makes Sadie’s disappearance quite disturbing and mysterious. Is Sadie being selfish or is she desperate? Will the townspeople solve the mystery in time for Christmas? Anne Perry’s A Christmas Vanishing deals with mistakes, repaying old debts, and forgiveness. Listen for the church bells!
Anne Perry passed in April 2023. I’ve enjoyed reading and reviewing her annual Christmas novels for many years.

This entire series is absolutely one of the best. Mixed in with the full length stories are wonderful short stories around Christmas.

This one involves Charlotte's grandmother Mariah who finds herself in the middle of a mystery with the disappearance of friend Sadie. Sadie had invited her to visit for Christmas, but now it seems Mariah has to find some answers!

Although short it is definately worth the read!

A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry is an appropriate story for her last Christmas novella. It is the story of woman who has disappeared after inviting a guest to come for Christmas. Mariah Ellison had thought it a bit odd and they were not really friends and it had been years, but she heaved her eighty-year-old body on to a train and made the journey, only to be turned away at the home of Sadie and Barton Alsop. He said Sadie was gone and he didn’t know when she’d be back. He also said it wouldn’t be proper for her to stay there with him alone. Eighty years old! Thus began Mariah’s quest to find Sadie. Along the way she discovered new friends.

Mariah had not had a pleasant life and for much of it she had been bitter and unpleasant. In a way this search for Sadie was also a coming of age for Mariah, where she saw how her attitude had affected how others treated her and how much time she had wasted. It was a Scrooge-type journey that ended well. It was a lovely story and perfect for Christmas. I will miss Anne Perry.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Christmas Vanishing by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #AnnePerry #AChristmasVanishing

A Christmas Vanishing is the annual Anne Perry Christmas story. Concerning Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother who goes to visit friends over the Christmas holidays but encounters a missing friend instead. Barton, the missing friend, Sadie’s husband believes his wife will show up when she is ready but not before.

Mariah Ellison decides to stay with another friend but investigates the disappearance. Boy, what she finds out is not what she thought she would find. However, she is smart and wise even in her eighties so she continues looking. Not a place that inspires Christmas yuletide joy but a mystery to be solved by Christmas.

If you are looking for a joyful story this is not it. If you are looking for a mystery in a unusual village setting then A Christmas Vanishing is the one for you.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

This time of year just has me wanting to read a lot of cozy mysteries. Preferably something with loads of Dickensian vibes. Anne Perry is an author that I know delivers that aesthetic.

A Christmas Vanishing is the perfect mystery to pick up if you want a quick read in between all the holiday decorating and baking. The MC of the story, Mariah, is invited to spend Christmas with her long-lost friend Sadie in her hometown of St. Helens. Upon arrival, she learns that Sadie is missing. No one in the town is talking, and everyone is seemingly acting more suspicious as time goes on. Mariah is on the hunt to figure the mystery out and find Sadie. Lots of things are discovered, including a town full of secrets.

This was a fast paced, easy to read mystery that also touches on some valuable life lessons. I just wish it delivered on a little bit more hope and happiness. Definitely brought it around in the end, and by the time you close this book, you might just have a little tear in your eye for a few of the characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5/5 stars

4 stars

Anne Perry’s Christmas mystery brings us a fierce old woman, Mariah, on her own in London, going back to the town where she once lived. She’s been invited by a dear old friend, Sadie. Mariah has concerns about visiting, but she knows it’s time to get back out into the world. Even as a bitter, old woman.

Only when she arrives at Sadie’s house, the husband Barton shoos Mariah away, as Sadie is missing. Sadie has left, and he’s no idea if she will ever return! Mariah ends up at another friend’s, Gwendolyn, and together they set out to find Sadie and uncover the mystery of what happened to her.

What a fun novel. Mariah is wise and a force to be reckoned with. She takes no guff and apparently has no fear. Her adventure and how it changes her is a beautiful part of this story. In many ways, there are multiple Christmas miracles.

Add this to your holiday reading list.

A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry
Posted on November 7, 2023 by Carol Early Cooney

Dear Fellow Readers,

I know, I know… A Christmas book? Why am I reviewing a Christmas book? It just so happens that this book comes out today so you can blame the gods of publishing for having a Christmas book out so early.

I took this book for a reason. I have never read Anne Perry before. She was a prolific writer. She has two series to her credit that were set in Victorian England, plus two other series, 5 World War I novels, and 21 holiday novels. She even has a historical novel set in the Byzantine Empire. She was born in 1938 and died this year at the age of 84.

How could I have missed her books?

I had heard of her. I think that I always confused her with Ellis Peters, who I have not read either. But while I had somehow not read Anne Perry, I had heard her story, which is unusual. Anne Perry is not the author’s real name. Her name is Juliet Hulme. At the age of 16, Juliet Hulme was convicted with her close friend, Pauline Parker, of murdering Pauline’s mother. They were jailed for five years. It is believed that they never spoke after the trial and were released separately. Anne Perry then went on to be a flight attendant and an author. She published her first novel in 1979.

In 1994, the film, Heavenly Creatures, came out. The film was the story of the murder. Kate Winslet played Juliet Hulme. It is said that Anne Perry had no idea about the film. Her identity was discovered by journalists several months after the movie came out.

It seemed so unfair. Everything I had worked to achieve as a decent member of society was threatened. And once again my life was being interpreted by someone else. It had happened in court when, as a minor, I wasn’t allowed to speak and I heard all these lies being told. And now there was a film, but nobody had bothered to talk to me. I knew nothing about it until the day before release. All I could think of was that my life would fall apart and that it might kill my mother.

The Guardian 12 November 2023

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/nov/12/crimebooks.features11
Pretty intriguing life for a mystery author, right? So, while I had meant to read her for years, I finally have. I read her latest (and perhaps last?) book. I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.


A Christmas Vanishing is the story of Mariah Ellison going to visit her friend Sadie Alsop and her husband Barton Alsop for the holidays. We are told Mariah is in her 80s. She had known Sadie for a very long time, but they had a falling out and she has not seen her for years. When Mariah gets to Sadie’s home in St. Helens in Dorset, she is nearly frozen and is looking forward to warming up. After several rings of the bell, Barton Alsop opens the door and tells Mariah, in not the friendliest of tones, that Sadie is not home, he doesn’t know when she will be home, and that she will have to leave. With that, he closes the door. Mariah has not been to St. Helens for years but asks the driver to take her to another old friend’s house, Annabel Spears, and her husband John. While they welcomed her to the house and provided warmth and afternoon tea, they also told her that she could not stay with them but arranged for her to stay with Annabel’s maiden sister, Gwendolyn. Mariah is very upset about where Sadie could be. Annabel tells Maraih that she saw Sadie the previous day and that Sadie was getting ready for Maraih’s visit.

Where could Sadie be? Had she forgotten Mariah was coming? Is she having memory issues? Is she outside in this terrible weather? Had her husband done something to her?

Mariah and Gwendolyn decide that they must find her, and they start talking to people in town. The talk turns into just gossip and Mariah can’t stand it. She goes into a bookstore and starts talking to the owner, Oliver. Mariah tells Oliver all about Sadie’s disappearance. Oliver shares with Mariah an experience that he had with Sadie that gives Mariah her first clue as to what could be wrong.

After putting together pieces of the puzzle, they feel confident that they know why Sadie has disappeared, but they feel that they need to rush to find her before she dies from exposure. If, in fact, she is still alive.

So, I would say that it is not a Christmas book in that it brings in a lot of Christmas elements. It is a mystery that happens to take place at Christmastime. It could be read any time of the year and the Christmas element would not make any difference as it is not central to the theme.

It is a short book. I enjoyed it. Mariah is a flawed character who is looking for redemption. She was trying to better herself. I wondered if she was in other stories just because her backstory was referred to so often. It could just be the style.

I think it is worth a read – and not necessarily at Christmas.

Thanks for reading.

Mariah Ellison lives alone in a small home in Kensington. She has been invited by her old friend, Sadie Alsop, to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Barton Alsop, at their home in St. Helens Dorset. Although the two women have not seen one another years, Mariah sensed that Sadie needs her. Upon arrival, barton tells her that Sadie has gone and he doesn’t know where she is. She ends up staying with a woman named Gwendolyn who is delighted to have her. She is worried about Sadie and is determined to find her.

Although the weather is very cold, icy and snowy, Mariah is determined to talk to the villagers and she if she can learn anything that might help her find Sadie. What she learns about her old friend is quite surprising and Mariah is shocked. With the weather worsening, she wonders if can find the woman in time to save her from the elements.

I am a fairly new reader of this author and I was pleased with this cozy mystery. It’s full of people, including Mariah, opening up about their past and mistakes that they have made along the way. I like the ending and all of the characters were real. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 stars for this small town mystery set around Christmas time.

When Mariah Ellison is invited to spend Christmas with her friend Sadie and her husband, she's surprised since she and Sadie haven't really talked for at least 20 years, but figures they're all getting up in age and what happened in the past doesn't matter anymore. Upon arriving in the small village, Mariah discovers Sadie isn't home and her husband Barton is extremely rude. He says he didn't know Sadie had invited Mariah and she can't stay there. Upon talking with some of the villagers, no one has seen Sadie in a couple of days but some remember her talking about having her friend, Mariah come visit over Christmas. Where could Sadie be? Did something happen to her? Why isn't her husband or sister concerned about her?

This was an interesting story as Mariah's sleuthing finally uncovers some unsavory things about Sadie. I did enjoy Mariah's self discoveries and the ending with her wanting to start over in a small village. This isn't what I would call a Christmas story--it just happens around Christmas time.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Ballentine via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Anne Perry wrote many Christmas novellas, beginning with A Christmas Journey in 2003. Each features a character from one of her book series. This time, the focus is on Mariah Ellison. Readers of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series know her as Charlotte’s grandmother. She is an elderly woman in this title and is reflecting on her life, attitudes and actions. This makes the book feel a bit elegiac and indeed, I think that this may have been Perry’s last book as she died not long ago.

Mariah goes to visit an old friend. She arrives travel worn only to find her friend is not there and the husband far less than welcoming. It takes a bit of time before Mariah finds a comfortable berth in the village where she once lived. She then tries to ferret out her friend’s whereabouts and fate.

What happened to Sadie? Did she go somewhere voluntarily? Why is her husband not more concerned? Has he harmed his spouse? Mariah will try her best to find out.

This book is set in the festive season. I very much enjoyed it. It reminds me of the many reasons that the author’s death was a true source of sadness for those who love historical mysteries.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.

The literary world had a huge loss earlier this year when beloved author Anne Perry passed away. I absolutely love her Elena Standish and Daniel Pitt series, and I've been collecting the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books to binge read, along with the William Monk series. I've come to look forward to her Christmas stories and was thrilled with the opportunity to read A Christmas Vanishing. Reading this was bittersweet; unless Ms. Perry left behind some unpublished novels, this must be her last book. I'm broken-hearted, but this lovely Christmas story was very special to me; I found it quite uplifting.

Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt's grandmother, has an invitation from her old friend Sadie Alsop to spend Christmas with her and her husband Barton in St. Helens in Dorset. When the octogenarian arrives, however, she is shocked to learn that Sadie has disappeared without a trace! If that's not horrible enough, Barton rudely tells Mariah to find somewhere else to stay. Another acquaintance, sweet Gwendolyn, invites her to stay at her home. Mariah begins to investigate Sadie's disappearance. There's all sorts of gossip about Sadie. Was she kidnapped? Murdered? Has she run off with another man? Mariah learns more about the villagers and their secrets rather than Sadie's whereabouts. With the help of Gwendolyn and Oliver Mallard, the owner of a bookshop, will they find Sadie before it's too late?

When first introduced to Mariah Ellison, she had a rather off-putting personality. How can I enjoy a book if I don't care for the main character? Ah, but then information begins to emerge that makes her easier to understand. She has things in her past that she's ashamed and embarrassed about. She's gruff and doesn't have a lot of patience with foolishness. I was horrified to learn that she once had an abusive, perverted husband; she had no one to turn to at that time. Mariah hadn't seen Sadie for twenty years, and she looked forward to getting that friendship back. However, the more she investigated, the more she wondered if she ever truly knew Sadie. Gwendolyn and Oliver assisted Mariah in solving the mystery. It was most interesting when secrets of the neighbors began to come out! It was a wonderful mystery, with the clock ticking down to Christmas and the odds of finding Sadie dwindling. The main joy in this story, however, was the redemption of Mariah. She was able to start putting her past behind behind her. She rediscovered the kindness she had brushed away. And maybe, just maybe, she's beginning to love again. It ended up being such a beautiful, uplifting tale. Ms. Perry reminds us of the wonder, joy and miracles of Christmas. It was a wonderful parting gift to her readers, and a beautiful legacy.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Anne Perry died earlier this year, and I wasn't sure if there would be a Christmas novella this year. A Christmas Vanishing is her last novel. As I only discovered her thematic novella series of Victorian Christmas stories in 2020, I have quite a few to catch up on.

I've also only read a few of her other books - mostly the Elena Standish series, so I didn't recognize that Mariah Ellison is the grandmother of Charlotte Pitt, the main character in one of Perry's other series. Charlotte is only mentioned in passing so it is okay if you are familiar with her.

The tone of A Christmas Vanishing seemed different than the other Christmas books I've. It still has the familiar themes of forgiveness and repentance. At one point, I thought to myself, I wonder if Perry knew this was her last book. If you are a Perry fan, then you are probably aware of her past (if not, you can google it) and it felt a little like she may be speaking to that period of her life.

The cast seemed smaller as well and there weren't the usual holiday festivities. I like reading Perry's Christmas stories because of the Victorian English Christmas setting as well as keeping the meaning of Christmas at the heart of the story. This novel definitely has the latter, but the former seems to be missing. Except for a few references to Christmas the setting could have been any winter month.

From the start, I thought that this novel might be a little of a "Scrooge" tale. Thematically it does share aspects with Dickens's classic, but not as dramatic.

The message of the book is one that applies to so many - including me - and Christmas time can cause us to reflect on our own nature so you may find yourself examining your own attitudes as you read this novel.

My review is published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/11/a-christmas-vanishing-by-anne-perry.html

This book hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. It has just the right amount of drama and twists and turns to keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It's a great book that can be read anytime of the year.
I received a complimentary copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Not what I expected for a Christmas story. Mariah is invited to her old friend Sadie for Christmas, even though they haven’t kept much contact their friendship expands several decades and she accepts. Once Mariah reaches Sadie’s small village things aren’t what one expects. First Sadie is missing and her husband tells her to find other accommodations. Then no one seems to concern that Sadie has vanished.
I thought it dragged on to much, and a very slow paced who dun-nit. The story does have a moral in it which is a lesson for all. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #AChristmasVanishing

This book caught my eye when I was searching for one of this year's Christmas books to read. Once I read the description I thought I would like this one - and I did.

Description:
Charlotte Pitt’s clever grandmother investigates the sudden disappearance of her dear friend in this chilling holiday whodunit by New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

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.

It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate it together—or is that too much to hope for?

My Thoughts:
I can't imagine being invited to spend Christmas with a friend, travelling there with my suitcase, and finding my friend had disappeared and her husband has no intention of letting me stay. Such a strange situation - where would you go - and more importantly, what in the world happened to the friend? This book was a quick read and was interesting. Apparently Sadie had a whole secret life that her friend, Mariah knew nothing about. Such a surprise to her to find out some of the things Sadie has done in the town. This book deals with hope and forgiveness. If you are looking for a good, short mystery, this one fits the bill.

Anne Perry passed away in 2023, so this may very well be her last book. She will be missed in the world of mystery writing.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published November 7, 2023.

This installment in Anne Perry's Christmas series introduces readers to Mariah, an elderly lady who arrives for a visit with a friend. However, her friend is missing! The story focuses on a search that ultimately involves all the citizens of the small town of St Helens. In the process, secrets are uncovered and fears are revealed.

I enjoyed this mystery with a moral, as all Ms. Perry's Christmas novels feature some deeper meaning and analysis of human emotions and behaviors. While it is set at Christmas time, the events in the novel could have taken place at any time of the year. The characters experience growth throughout the novel, and the entire town learns some home truths about human relationships. The descriptions evoke a cold wintry feeling, and readers will be able to picture the small town and its people.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I’ve enjoyed reading all of Anne Perry’s books over the past several decades and it is deeply saddening that this will be her last holiday novella since she died earlier this year. This is a suitable novel for her to end her career with, a tale of the need for forgiveness even for unforgivable criminal acts committed during one’s lengthy lifetime given her own remorse for a murder committed during her childhood. She describes Christmas as a time for new choices, for changing the direction of a life poorly lived and deeply regretted, a time for choosing, not the frivolous notions of the holiday, but the deeper more moral choice of forgiving the unforgivable unapologetically no matter how painful that choice and moving forward with determination to set a new and better path forward in life. Even if you are elderly. Even under the opprobrium of the community.

*3.5 stars rounded up.

A holiday tradition! I started buying these Victorian Christmas novellas many years ago as a gift for my mother and we enjoyed sharing the stories. I believe there are 21 of them now. In this latest one, an elderly woman named Mariah Ellison is invited to travel from her home in London to St Helens in Dorset to spend Christmas with an old friend named Sadie Alsop. When she arrives, the husband Barton says his wife isn't at home and it wouldn't be appropriate to let Mariah in. She eventually finds shelter with Gwendolyn, another old acquaintance in the village, and the two of them try to figure out what has happened to Sadie.

Although the plot seemed a bit repetitive, the mystery is quite intriguing and I found Mariah to be a strong character. In keeping with the holiday season, the theme that everyone makes mistakes but can be forgiven seemed quite appropriate.

I received an arc of this new Christmas novella from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I loved the backstory to Charlotte Pitt's grandmother. The mystery kept me guessing. Sadie was an interesting character. I do wonder how it all turned out..

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.