Bokelskere.no

A quick and easy read which is perfect when you want to take a break from your Christmas preparations.
Lady Vespasia and Victor Narraway are invited to spend Christmas at a beautiful country estate in Kent.
What seems on the outside to be a pleasant holiday with society acquaintances of Vespasia ends up being rather a rather less pleasant affair. There is a secret backdrop to the house party which pans out in a in a rather sinister and dangerous way with Victor and Vespasia in the centre of the whole ordeal.

Main characters Lady Vespasia’s and Victor Narraway’s relationship is vividly described, taking ample time to describe the fact that they are newlyweds. I feel Vespasia’s experience helping with previous cases shines through in the confident way she deals with events throughout the story.
When choosing to read Anne Perry, I am not expecting the plot to be simple, sweet and uncomplicated. On the contrary, I expect twists and turns throughout, and that is exactly what I got in this story. The Christmas theme was expertly mixed into the crime plot in a way I found very enjoyable, maybe even a little bit addictive. Must say I would even have enjoyed a little bit more Christmas feel, especially in the beginning, but no major issue.

A Christmas Gathering is highly recommend for readers of Anne Perry’s other works and for fans of historical crime fiction in general.
(All opinions are my own)