DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

London 1868. Nine-year-old Worm knows what hunger and cold feels like. His life has gotten a bit better, he no longer lives on the streets but in a free clinic for women of dubious occupations. Squeaky, the bookkeeper, has a past that will forever haunt him, but for some reason has a soft spot for Worm that he tries hard not to let show. But when Worm comes home and tells him a beautiful girl has been taken by a couple of ruffians, he gets drawn into the mystery and danger that he worked so hard to get away from.

Squeaky tried to dissuade Worm from searching for the taken girl by telling him that Christmas was in a few days. The boy has heard the church bells on Christmas day, but did not know anything else about the celebration. Squeaky pulled out old memories, and successfully convinced Worm that they could pull off a celebration for the staff and current residents of the clinic. The good news was Worm was very excited to help with decorations and the tantalizing descriptions of the Christmas feast made his mouth water. But the bad news for Squeaky is that Worm is still determined to help the girl and cannot let it go.

So begins a journey for the both of them, winding through the worst parts of London in the darkest of winter nights. First they have to find her, which was not an easy thing to do. Against all odds they locate her and even manage to speak with her. She claims she is not being forced to remain with the two men, but Worm does not believe her. In order to free her, the unlikely duo has to pull in favors from unsavory characters, go places no child should ever see and risk their lives.

Perry’s characters come alive on the pages. Victorian Christmas traditions are masterfully woven throughout the mystery of the beautiful woman to lighten up the intensity of the story. Squeaky and Worm, along with the rest of the staff of the clinic decorate, plan the menu and even have time to search out a special gift for the special day.

The story is one of hope and redemption, even in the toughest of times. The characters are scruffy and often thought of as lower class. They may not have money but they do have the important qualities that matter most. They care about each other and strangers, share what they have even if it isn’t much and find happiness within the world they live in.

This is an unusual Christmas story, but one that will become a favorite. I am a fan of all things Christmas and it was refreshing to read a novel with a new twist on the age old story of love and redemption.

Internationally renowned, award winning author Anne Perry is best known for her Historical novels; most noted are the Monk Series and Pitt Series. She began writing annual Christmas novellas in 2003, and has written one every year since, including The Christmas Revelation available November 9, 2018. This is the first Christmas novella I have read by Perry, but have enjoyed many of her other books. I encourage you to read A Christmas Revelation; it is a quick and thoughtful Christmas tale that will leave you thinking about the story and characters this holiday season.

Copyright © 2018 Laura Hartman

This is a delightful Christmas story. In true Anne Perry fashion she bring the atmosphere of the Victorian age to life. The characters aren't that much concerned about the religious part of the season but truly want to create an atmosphere to bring some happiness to each other. Trying to be good and avoid going back to their previous lifestyles. Within this mystery there is bit of danger that the good intentions can not be kept and that they fall back into old habits.

I liked this book. I like mysteries and I like stories set at Christmas so this was a win-win for me.

A young boy called Worm is out on the streets when he spies a lady "with sunshine in her hair", then they make eye contact, she smiles at him and he is smitten. He sees her taken away by two men and follows because she seems reluctant to go with them but loses them in an alley.

Worm goes back to the clinic that has given him a home and reports the events to Squeaky Robinson, who runs the clinic for street women and keeps the books. Together the two start looking for the lady. Along the way the two build a new relationship as Squeaky reflects on how his life has changed, he rediscovers Christmas and teaches Worm about the holiday.

Believe it or not, I know that Anne Perry has been around for several years and has a good list of books she has written, I have never read any of them. I thought that some time in the last few years I have been with Goodreads, I would have read one of them. But I could not find one that I have read!

I enjoyed this title very much as you can see from my book lists, I read many Christmas themed books!

This is a Christmas story taking place in 19th Century England. Everyone is waiting for Father Christmas, except for one young unchin boy named Worm who was living near the wharf for most of his 9 years. Just recently a woman named Claudine found him and brought him to the Hospital/clinic where she is working.

He befriends an accounant named Squeaky who takes him under his wing to help him understand everything about Christmas, ribbons, ornaments, bows, Wrapping Paper and the giving of Christmas presents to others.

While Worm gets into the Christmas spirit, Squeaky finds out that he might be in trouble. He has seen a young woman taken by two rough men against her will. Worm wants to help her get away from them, and they find out that the guys have killed her father and has stolen Gold and hidden it from these guys.

They make up a plan to follow them to the gold, but the building where it is, gets caught on fire.

It was interesting and I will read some more of Ms. Perry's books in the future. I also will tell my friends and family I have found a new Christmas story that is sure to please everyone.

It is a five star book!

A Christmas mystery in which Worm, a young orphan, investigates a woman's possible kidnapping. With the help of Squeaky, Worm is able to learn the meaning of Christmas, persue his quest to save the "lady" and celebrate his first ever real Christmas.

For the 16th straight fall, I've eagerly awaited the new Christmas novella from Anne Perry. Typically, these are short, charming little stories with a Christmas theme and mystery elements. While far from my favorite in this series, this newest Christmas novella did not disappoint.

Worm, a 9-year old street urchin who'd been living along the Thames but who now lives in a clinic, sees a beautiful woman being dragged away by two men. He turns to the clinic's bookkeeper, a curmudgeon named Squeaky for help. Along the way, Worm learns about the Christmas story and what people do for Christmas.

Ultimately, this is a heartwarming, feel good story. While not my favorite in the series, I'd still recommend it.

I received this book from Net Galley for my review.

I love reading Anne Perry books, but this one left me feeling like it wasn't written by her. They book doesn't tie things up at the end and I am left with many unanswered question.

I would not recommend this book for anyone but especially not for fans of Anne Perry.

This was a really good shorter cozy mystery. Worm is so sweet and for him to do everything that he was able to do is amazing. I love Squeeky. I think that he is my favorite character of this book.

A Christmas Revelation is a symphony of words. Anne Perry has crafted an amazing tale, filled with mystery, friendship, hope, and longing to belong, in less than 100 pages. I loved the characters and the Victorian era setting. This is a story that would be ideal to read and discuss in English classes, possibly comparing and contrasting it with The Gift of the Magi.

I love the new characters Squeaky and Worm Ms. Perry introduces to us in this latest Christmas story. Worm spots a woman in trouble, and can't let it go that she needs help. Fortunately, Squeaky is willing to help him help her, and through thick and thin, the story ends with everyone enjoying Christmas.

Anne Perry is an excellent author. She knows how to draw you into a story and keep your interest. The action starts right on the first page and keeps going from there. I liked the timeline. It was fast-paced but not unbelievably so. The relationship between Squeaky, Worm and Claudine was really nice and the only really Christmassy thing about the book.
There were a couple of things that I didn’t appreciate. There was a lot of cursing. Then because of the setting, prostitutes are mentioned and alluded to quite often. While it is always discreet, there is a discussion of what desperate women ‘must’ do to survive. Because Squeaky can’t understand what is going on, he assumes the abducted woman is actually a prostitute and worries about how to tell Worm about her. It just seemed unnecessarily seamy.
While the Biblical story of Christmas is told in a very scrambled incomplete way, it’s not a Christian book. It’s pretty clear that no one in the story believes the Biblical account. They just want a Christmas where everyone is nice to each other and to have a good time.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Ballantine Books. These are my honest opinions.

If you are looking for a good historical fiction book to get you in the holiday mood, Anne Perry's new book, A Christmas Revelation, will take you to London's past to solve a mystery. Worm is a 9-year-old boy who has lived as a river urchin, but was recently given a great opportunity to live and help out at the Hester Monk's clinic. It's the first time he has had a family environment to live in. A clinic volunteer, Miss Claudine Burroughs, treats Worm with kindness and gets him a bed of his own at this location in Portpool Lane.  Worm makes another close relationship with Squeaky Robinson who takes care of the bookkeeping at the clinic. Squeaky has a questionable past that he doesn't often share, but it is his past that he uses to help his young friend when Worm comes asking for help.

At the start of the story Worm sees a woman who is one of the most beautiful women he has ever seen. It's a dark London day, but a sudden ray of sunshine lights up her face, making her seem even more special to Worm. He is compelled to follow her at a distance, and he soon sees 2 men abduct her. Worm doesn't know what to do, so he returns to the clinic before it gets too dark, and tells Squeaky about what he has witnessed. Squeaky's first inclination is to tell Worm to leave it alone, but he sees how serious the boy is, and so he agrees to help Worm the next day. After backtracking to the location that Worm saw the abduction, they find a series of homes that could be hiding the woman. They obtain some good information and find the mystery woman, whose name is Eloise.

The story that Eloise tells them does not make sense, and she begs them to leave her alone, and let her deal with things. She makes them promise not to come back, but that request doesn't sit well with either Worm or Squeaky, for very different reasons. Squeaky tries to take Worm's mind off of the situation by telling him about the Christmas celebration that they will have at the clinic. He set's Worm to work with Claudine on tying bow of red ribbon, and working on the meal that will be served including several Christmas Geese. Worm has never celebrated Christmas before, so his curiosity is building as the holiday nears, but he just can't forget about Eloise and wonder what kind of danger she is really involved with. Will Worm and Squeaky continue to investigate Eloise's kidnapping, or leave it alone as she asked?

This book is a fun read, and the details about the Christmas Holiday in London bring the scenes to life. I must admit, I even needed to start researching on some recipes that were referenced in the that I was not familiar with. A dessert by the name of spotted dick was mentioned, and it is a steamed pudding made with currents (the spots) and topped with an English custard. That sounds like a holiday treat that would be interesting to include in this year's celebration.

Worm is living at the Portpool Lane clinic funded by Oliver Rathbone with Miss Burroughs and Squeaky. He witnesses two men violently forcing a beautiful woman to go with them, following them to an area when they suddenly vanish. He later returns with Squeaky, discovering the woman has a story of her own and went with her captors somewhat willingly. All of this is set around Christmas. Squeaky shares the Christmas story with Worm who never heard it. Although the book is short, it seemed to drag on. It never captivated my interest. I did enjoy Squeaky's interaction with Worm apart from the main story line, including the recital of the Christmas story. I received an advance electronic uncorrected proof from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas is best spent with family, whomever that may be to you, and this story shows the true spirit of "Family" at Christmas.

Worm, a nine year old former young street urchin, l ives at a clinic in London with the hodge podge of people who run it. When Worm sees a beautiful woman taken against her will by two men, he tells the bookkeeper, Squeaky, who is hesitant to get involved. But after promising Worm a traditional Christmas celebration, he realizes that won't keep the young boy from trying to find and help the woman. So Squeaky partners up with him and they set off together to find her.

When they find the woman, she is staying with two thugs who believe she holds the key to finding the gold they stole a few years prior with her Father. The woman is intent on extracting revenge for her Father who was killed by the men, but Squeaky and Worm help her and save more than her life.

This is a feel-good Christmas story that makes you really think about the true meaning of Christmas while also figuring out a mystery. While this is my first time reading one of Ms. Perry's Christmas stories, this is the 16th one she has written. A great, quick read that will put you in the Christmas spirit!

This is a good holiday mystery . Worm is such a lovable little boy and the relationship he has with Squeaky is sweet and poignant.The descriptions of a Victorian Christmas are lovely.

Worm, a nine year old, lives with Squeaky who takes care f a clinic for the street people who need help. When Worm sees a beautiful lady being accosted by two men, he goes to Squeaky for help to save her. Squeaky isn't too sure the woman needs help and tries to distract Worm by talking about Christmas to include good food, decorations and presents.

This is a story about the love that Squeaky feels for his little friend. They get involved in a robbery and some bad people. There is a mystery involved but the main story is the warm relationship between Worm and Squeaky with a Merry Christmas.

5 stars
I so look forward to this time of the year and Anne Perry’s Christmas novels. This one is great with a good balance between mystery and a celebration of friendships and family.
Worm, a young London street urchin who has come to live at Hester Monk’s clinic, is entranced by a young woman he happens to notice on the streets of London in an upscale area of London. When she is manhandled by two men on the street, Worm follows her out of worry. He gets warned off by the men, but upon returning to the clinic he ends up telling this story to the bookkeeper, Squeaky Robinson.
Squeaky doesn’t want to admit it, but he cares about Worm and ends up helping him track down and help the woman Worm perceives to be in danger. The relationship between the two is quite endearing and is what makes this book such a joy to read.
I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s a perfect short novel for the Christmas holidays!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Ransom House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I like the characters that Perry creates and I like taking a closer look at some of them. This book does that. As it weaves its story through the streets of England, it allows a closer look at characters who normally aren't seen in a role to move the plot along. We learn about how Worm thinks and the battle that Squeaky fights with himself about respectability or his past. It was a story that I couldn't put down and enjoyed every word of!

A Christmas Revelation is the 16th holiday novel written by Anne Perry. This one revolves around Worm, a young orphan boy rescued by Claudine Burroughs and taken to live at the clinic that she runs for the homeless in London. Worm spots a young woman with glowing hair who is being dragged off and mistreated by two rough-looking men. He tries to follow and help but loses track of her. Worm (short for Warren) goes back to the clinic and confides in Squeaky, the 60 year-old book-keeper for the clinic. Squeaky's dubious past allows him to help Worm locate the lady and figure out what is going on. In the mean time, Squeaky has come up with the idea to decorate the clinic and host a fabulous Christmas dinner complete with roast goose and Christmas pudding and presents wrapped in shiny paper. Squeaky and Worm uncover the truth of the situation and help the lady with the glowing hair accomplish her mission and escape her captors. This was a short story, easy to read in one or two sittings. Perfect for holiday reading! This is only the second one of Anne Perry's holiday stories that I read and I don't feel I was at a loss by not reading them in order or not having read her other books. I loved this though and look forward to more!!!

Book: A Christmas Revelation
Author: Anne Perry
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with this ARC.

I know that I am giving this book a lower rating than everyone else, but I do feel like my rating is fair. I really did enjoy this short holiday read, but there was just a few things that I didn’t like. I really liked how this was Worm’s first Christmas and how the other characters were trying to get him to enjoy this special time of the year. I loved the how Anne was able to show just how hard some people really do have it. It just came so beautifully across the page.

However, the subplot with the gold and all of that just didn’t do if for me. It seemed to take away from the overall beauty of this time of year. It was just missing something to really add to the overall story. I think it was rushed; now, I know this book is only about 200 hundred pages long. There just wasn’t enough development in the ending for me to say that I found myself in love with the book.

I did like Worm and Squeaky. I loved the relationship that these two characters shared and their bonds. It made me feel like I was reading about a father and son, which is a relationship that many books don’t seem to explore. I just love how these two really did want to seem to spend the holidays together and how they actually cared for one another. It just came right off the page.

Overall, not really a bad book. I just found some places hard for me to get into. This book comes out November 6, 2018-just in time for the holidays!

(Review is already on Goodreads and will be posted on Amazon around publication date.)