A Christmas Revelation is the latest holiday offering by Anne Perry. Set in turn of the 20th century London, it focuses on young Worm (Warren) who has been taken in by Miss Claudine. He is now off the streets and lives at her ‘clinic’. On an outing just before Christmas, Worm sees a lady who looks like an angel to him. As he follows her, he sees two unsavory fellows seem to take her away.

When Worm returns home he shares what he has seen with Squeaky, an older fellow who once lived an unscrupulous life, but now is squeaky clean working as bookkeeper and also living at the clinic. Squeaky realizes that young Worm will try to help this woman with or without his help, so decides to help just to keep the boy safe. They make her acquaintance, learning her name is Eloise and the nature of her problems.

In an interesting, if sometimes confusing, ruse, Worm and Squeaky are able to save Eloise from the two men as Worm learns about and experiences Christmas for the first time. This is an interesting story, a quick read, and I did enjoy it.

Anne Perry was a favorite author of mine years ago. For reasons I cannot recall I stopped reading her mysteries. Thanks to NetGalley I have had the joy of reconnecting with Ms Perry by the offer of a Christmas story...which she writes annually. Story was great for the first 2/3 but slipped badly in the final third. I lost interest in the main characters and the plight of the “woman in distress.” I wish the story had been developed into more than a novella.

What a wonderfully poignant Christmas story. If you have read this author’s William Monk series, you will be familiar with most of the characters in this book. The story is a wonderfully written tale of redemption and caring at Christmas.

Since last summer, nine-year-old Worm (Warren) has been living and working at the clinic in Portpool Lane. The clinic was established to provide medical care, etc. for women on the streets. He’d always lived on the riverbank before someone rescued him. He doesn’t know if he ever had a father, but he does have vague memories of his mother.

Worm was out and about one morning and looked across the street at the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. A woman who was all light, warmth, and softness. When a sunbeam came down from the sky and fell on her hair, it glowed like gold. Her smiles seemed to make everyone around her feel good. Then, there were two men who approached her, grabbed her and forced her away. Worm wanted to help her. He raced across the street and followed them as far as he could and then they disappeared. He needed help and he knew just who could either help him or tell him what he needed to do.

Squeaky Robinson will only admit to being somewhere in his sixties. He is the former owner of the two buildings that now house the Portpool Lane clinic. The houses were brothels when he owned them, and quite profitable. However, he’d found himself in a bit of serious legal trouble and made a deal to turn the houses over for the clinic and stay on as its bookkeeper. Secretly, he’s glad about that, but he’d never openly admit it.

Worm runs into Squeaky’s office and tells his tale of the beautiful lady. Squeaky tries to distract him by telling him tales of Christmas – mostly making it up as he goes along because – well – what does Squeaky know about Christmas. When the distraction doesn’t work, Squeaky knows that if he doesn’t help the boy, he’ll just go out on his own. This begins an adventure filled with bad guys, lovely ladies who are not what they seem, explosions and a joyous Christmas.

I hope you’ll give this lovely novella a read this Christmas.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

I fell in love with Worm. Squeaky hasn't always been a good person, but he is trying. He doesn't want to lie to Worm, but he wants him to not have to grow up too quick, just let him be a 9 year old. Worm spies a beautiful woman and realizes that two men are taking her against her will. He tries to get Squeaky to help him find her, but Squeaky tries to avert his attention to the upcoming Christmas celebration. Worm keeps finding information about the woman and knows that she is in some kind of danger. Squeaky agrees to help him and hopes that she isn't going to hurt Worm in the process. Will they be able to have a happy Christmas?

Anne Perry's latest Christmas novella brings Worm, who has never known what we think of as the classic Victorian Christmas, and Squeaky to the fore. Worm sees a woman being abducted- he thinks - and enlist Squeaky to help him save her. This story merges with Squeaky and Miss Burroughs teaching Worm what the holiday truly means. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars out of 5

Anne Perry, in this reader's opinion, is the queen of Victorian historical mysteries. I have enjoyed her Monk, Thomas Pitt and Daniel Pitt mysteries as well as a few of her Christmas mysteries. This charming, relatively short story, is 16th in her Christmas series. It focuses on the seedier side of London and has a rather Dickensian feel about it.

The story centers on nine year old Worm, an orphaned youth, who observes what appears to be the abduction of a young woman, lovely in his eyes, against her will by two rough men. Worm seeks the assistance of jaded and former brothel owner, Squeaky to aid him in rescuing the damsel. In Squeaky's eyes, Worm is so very young, naïve and altruistic. Much like pondering telling a child there is no Santa Claus, how does one share with a child the truth of a rough and cynical world? So what's Squeaky to do but help Worm figure out how to aid the young woman, if they can.

Meanwhile, back at the free clinic, Christmas preparations are under way. It's a charming scene where Squeaky divulges the Christmas story to young Worm, who had never before heard the story. Lest I spoil it, I won't share with you how the Christmas celebrations turn out. Suffice it to say, there was quite a bit of drama which unfurled during the penultimate scene.

This story reminds us that Christmas is for family, however you define yours. Ms. Perry wraps up the sweet short story and ties it with a shiny red ribbon bow.

I am grateful to author Anne Perry, publisher Ballantine Books and Netgalley for having provided an advance reader's e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Synopsis (from publisher's website):
http://www.randomhousebooks.com/books/557786/

In this intriguing, uplifting holiday mystery from bestselling author Anne Perry, an orphan boy investigates a woman’s kidnapping—and discovers there’s more at stake than a disappearance.

It wouldn’t quite be Christmas without a holiday mystery decorated with all the Victorian trimmings, as only New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry can render it. Now the tradition continues as mayhem is once again found under the mistletoe, and intrigue stalks the cobblestone streets and gaslit parlors of old London Town.

Formerly a river urchin living on the banks of the Thames, nine-year-old Worm has never experienced a family Christmas. But thanks to a job at Hester Monk’s clinic in Portpool Lane, he’s found a makeshift family in kindly volunteer Miss Claudine Burroughs and curmudgeonly old bookkeeper Squeaky Robinson.

When Worm witnesses the abduction of a beautiful woman by a pair of ruffians just days before Christmas, he frantically turns to Squeaky for help. A one-time brothel owner, Squeaky knows the perils of interfering in nasty business, but he can’t bear to disappoint Worm—or leave the boy to attempt a rescue on his own. What neither of the would-be saviors expects, however, is that the damsel in distress already has her dilemma well in hand . . . and is taking steps to bring her captors to justice for crimes far worse than kidnapping. But the rogues, as cunning as they are deadly, are not to be underestimated. The aid of cynical old Squeaky and hopeful young Worm just might make the difference between a merry triumph over evil and a terrible yuletide tragedy.

A Chrismtas Revelation is a sweet Victorian story all decked out for Christmas. A young boy, Worm, living on the banks of the river enjoys his first Christmas. In the meantime, there is quite the mystery of an abduction, one that Worm witnesses, a chase and much help to save this young girl, as Worm get other to help along. A delightful short story with a Merry Christmas theme! #netgalley.com #achristmasrevelation #anneperry

Anne Perry is a wonderful writer and her stories always have interesting characters. This is a short Victorian mystery that I read quickly and enjoyed it. She never disaapoints her readers.

This is a short novel, more a novella. The mystery is a bit thin but the story is heartwarming and at times heart-pounding. Ms. Perry brings to life the Victorian seedy side of London and those decent people as well as ruffians who reside there. I was won over by sweet, nine-year-old Worm and not quite sweet, 60-year-old Squeaky as they do there best to save the beautiful lady (Eloise). Christmas comes into the story as the two also are bringing Christmas décor and festivities to the clinic where they live.

I give The Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry 5 stars. If you’re looking for a lighter, cozy, Victorian England Christmassy read, don’t look any further. A story of a sweet orphan boy who has a big heart, and good friends who help him out along the way. Perfect read for an afternoon or evening snuggled up with a mug something warm and something sweet to eat. Short enough to not bog down your Christmas reading list, but long enough to develop the characters and make you care about them.

While I haven't read Anne Perry's previous novels, I was very intrigued by the description of "A Christmas Revelation". How could one resist a Victorian-era holiday mystery?

The story starts off slow as we become accustomed to our historical surroundings and the wonderful cast of characters. The pace then nicely picks up and leads the reader to a satisfying conclusion, complete with a sense of warmth and hope for Christmastime.

This was a quick, light read for me with just enough of a mystery to keep this reader's interest. A perfect read for the holiday season!

I'm looking forward to reading more from Anne Perry!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title.

This book was painfully boring. I really wanted to like it, but there simply was nothing likable. The point of the story lies buried beneath multiple layers and oddball characters. Readers are unceremoniously dumped into a wild goose chase, without any groundwork. Convinced I’d missed something important, I reread the first few pages several times hoping to find a connection.

Oh, my! What an enchanting Christmas story; I loved everything about it... but, especially Worm, the nine-year-old orphan. Anne Perry fan that I am, I hate to admit that I didn't even realize she wrote Christmas books, as well as the Monk and Pitt series. Now I need to buy the others, since I was so enamored of this!

Worm is a street urchin who has never celebrated a real Christmas. Squeaky, the hard-shelled bookkeeper for a women’s shelter (and reformed brothel-owner) is determined to change that. Scraping together their meager funds, Squeaky plans roast goose, ribbons, tinsel, and gifts for all who will stay at the shelter on Christmas day.

But as much as Squeaky tries to distract Worm with the upcoming festivities, Worm can’t forget the woman with the angelic face that he saw being jostled by two thugs and pulled into a house in a questionable part of town. The men were hurting her–he is sure of it. Determined to offer whatever aid he can, Worm ropes Squeaky into his plan and the two set off across London to save the mysterious woman.

This short novel (novella?) started out interesting but wandered a little from the original theme of Christmas. It felt like it needed more to tie it all together (maybe another 10,000 words?). I have greatly enjoyed Anne Perry’s William Monk books and Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series, but this is the first holiday book I have read of hers.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was my first ever book by Anne Perry and I found it a totally engaging and unique Christmas story. There was depth and richness in the characters with a tense multi-layered mystery. I literally could not put it down and was charmed by the loving ending. I highly recommend it.

There is something nostalgic about a Christmas Anne Perry novel. Almost like a tradition of sorts. As this story follows the storyline of a 9 year old who spends Christmas alone but when the charachter Worm witnesses a kidnapping he learns the true meaning of Chirstmas and just maybe finds a family. Beautiful, heartwarming, and mysterious dont miss this latest Christmas classic.

I received this e-book to read and review for free from Random House. This is the second book I have read by author Anne Perry. She has a great writing style and flow. This book is set with her Monk series in old Europe. The language can be hard to follow a little bit but after the first couple of characters you can pick it up. This book took me a little longer to get through then what I thought. I went into reading this was thinking it was another book in the Monk series but it is not. It gives a more background on some of the characters that could be in the Monk series. It introduces us to Worm and his background, Squeaky, and Claudine and few other characters. It does center around the Christmas time of year but this book can be ready at any time of year. You are into history of old time readings this book is for you.

First off the names Squeaky and Worm caught my attention. Two “ characters “ that were the story! They both need a Christmas miracle and this story provides one. I don’t usually read historical book but this one was worth the time. Perry does a good job at both describing and giving you clues as to what is going to happen. The warehouse part was a bit of adventure and the ending very heartwarming. Great book.

A short story of an orphan boy who sees a woman being kidnapped and is determined to rescue her whether or not she needs rescuing.

We didn't really have much back story on any of the characters. I didn't get a good idea of what any of the were really like. It was all surface information and very little had to do with Christmas.

This is one of those 'Don't judge a book by its cover' lessons for me. It took place in Victorian England in a poor house for mostly prostitutes and it really isn't a Christmas book.

Netgalley/November 6th 2018 by Ballantine Books

Anne Perry has been writing Christmas novellas for many years; A Christmas Revelation is this year's entry. This is a story about Worm, a precocious orphan, who lives at a shelter/ women's clinic whose bookkeeper is a reformed criminal named Squeaky. Readers of the William Monk series will recognize the clinic as the one where Hester works and will also know that Squeaky is a regular series character.

Worm sees a beautiful woman on the street who appears angelic to him. When he realizes that she is in trouble, Worm wants to help. Because he cares for Worm, Squeaky becomes involved in a somewhat convoluted plot to help her. Their efforts form the plot of the novella.

In the fore and backgrounds of the story is the spirit of Christmas as is appropriate for this seasonal book. The reader observes as Worm learns the meaning of the holiday and has, what appears to be, his first true holiday celebration.

Long term fans of Anne Perry will want to read this book so as to be up to date with all of her series and characters. However, much as I love Anne Perry, I have enjoyed several of her holiday novellas more than this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I very much wanted to read this book.