THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE (HIST-Vespasia and Narraway- Holy Land – 1900) - Okay
Perry, Anne – 14th Christmas Novelette
Ballentine Books, Nov 2016
Lady Vespasia and her new husband, Victor Narraway, are travelling to the Holy Land for Christmas. At their hotel in Jaffa, an elderly man is murdered over an ancient piece of torn parchment. Vespasia and Narraway feel compelled to finish his mission and deliver the piece to Jerusalem. On their journey, they meet someone with a second piece, and are threatened by a shadowy figure. Can they complete their journey and reunite the pieces of the document?
There is so much for one to admire about Perry’s writing, but most of all, it is her ability to make one think—“How much is any place seen through the lens of one’s imagination, colored by the dreams one has of it and of the events that have happened there?” She is one writer where I find myself notating a huge number of passages—“One should be growing, changing, learning forever. Ideas in the mind were like the blood in the veins. The heart that does not beat is dying.”
Vespasia is one of those characters one would love to know, or even better, to be, in real life. She has an intellect, independence, and strength that is remarkable and admirable—“Because to be alive is risk; to care is to be vulnerable. The only safety there is lies in doing your best, being the bravest and most generous you can.” It is nice to learn more of her history.
“The Christmas Message” may be one of Perry’s weakest in terms of plot, but is still worth reading for the considerations it inspires in the reader.

Good use of history and location. Keeps you guessing. Interesting and intriguing characters. Liked the story flow. Good read. Would recommend!

I received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley. Honestly I adore Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series and usually gobble up the Christmas books but this one I just could not get into. Not sure of the reason but it just did not seem up to the authors usual standard. I was disappointed in it.

I really had hopes for this one, usually I love Anne Perry this book fell flat at least to me, had patrons and book club members rave about it though.

I love Anne Perry, but this book wasn't for me. What started out as a great mystery and and adventure turned into something a bit too mystical and farfetched - even for me.

The Christmas Stories series has long been a holiday staple for me. Each year I wait with anticipation which minor character from the author’s other Victorian mystery series will get their turn to do a spot of detection over the Christmas holidays. Knowing that A Christmas Message was to be a jaunt with Lady Vespasia and her new husband Victor Narraway made this story hold some extra charm for me.

The story begins with Vespasia and Victor stopped over in Joppa on their journey to Jerusalem with the holiday trip being Victor’s gift to Vespasia. They are a winter romance and only married for two years now, but along this journey, they are learning each other in ways that they hadn’t know before. With their destination as Jerusalem for Christmas, Vespasia can’t help but wonder about Victor’s religious beliefs and also analyzes her own thoughts.

Another guest of their lodgings is murdered, but before his death, he managed to slip a final written request and a mysterious message written in a foreign language to Victor. They are requested to deliver the message to the House of Bread on the Via Dolorossa on Christmas Eve. The danger inherent in delivering a murdered man’s message does not prevent them both from determining that they wish to fulfill the request. Their journey up to Jerusalem is fraught with mishap and threat, but also with the growing realization that their journey is spiritual and not just physical.

Alright, I am of two minds about this book. While I was glad to have this time with Vespasia and Victor and witness their tender love, mutual respect, and closeness, I was also bewildered about what I got in this story. I don’t mind stories that are infused with religious thought and theory, but I do mind when it’s not in a book or series known for being inspirational fiction. It felt like a bait and switch somewhat.

I also found that ending abrupt, confusing, and dissatisfying. It just stops after the big scene and doesn’t offer a denouement that will close out the story properly. I mean the danger is over and they got some answers, but there is no wrap-up.

So, this was more a philosophical and religious story with a side of suspense and character development. If you can adjust to that, then you’ll do alright since it was a decent story with a pair of favorite characters from the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

The perfect Xmas time read! This is a mystery that takes place in the Holy Land. The description of the locations are done very well as is the plot. I enjoyed this light enjoyable Xmas time reading.

My first Anne Perry is one of her Christmas releases, more of a novella really, with a very seasonal theme treated seriously, for adults to ponder large questions while watching her characters do the same, while also trying to elude evil. And all happens during a couple's planned Christmas visit to Jerusalem at the turn of the 20th century.

I did find this a thought-provoking read, albeit not expecting quite what I found. I do enjoy books that evoke philosophical and spiritual thinking. Others who have read Perry's earlier Christmas releases may be more familiar with this format. If you approach this simply as a mystery, I believe you will be disappointed. If you are looking for something a bit deeper, this may well be for you.

probably 3.5*

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.