Cantankerous and vinegar-tongued Grandmama, from Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, is the leading character in this Christmas novel, which unfolds in the chilly, windswept Romney Marshes off the English Channel. Grandmama arrives on a holiday visit to the home of Charlotte's parents, where a fellow guest-an outcast from her own family-is subsequently murdered. Like the heroes before her in Anne Perry's Christmas novels, Grandmama is called upon to play the role of amateur detective.
The gifted Terrence Hardiman delivers again in this most moving coming-of-age story from Perry's Pitt series. The harshly critical Grandmama is shipped off to spend Christmas with distant relatives. While there, she meets Maud, who is also removed from her family circle. Hardiman imbues humanity and warmth into each character with some added irony as Grandmama learns that detecting isn't as easy as it seems when she's forced to find Maud's killer. As she delves into Maud's life, she realizes that knowing Maud for a short time has completely altered her own life and outlook. Hardiman presents Grandmama in all of her ire and slowly illustrates a transformation that is surprising and welcome. This year-round Christmas story is bittersweet and moving. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
About the Author
Anne Perry is the author of two Victorian-era series--one featuring investigator William Monk, the other featuring police inspector Thomas Pitt--as well as a new series set amid World War I. She lives in the Scottish Highlands.
