A Christmas Homecoming

A Novel

By: Anne Perry

Narrated by: Terrence Hardiman

Charlotte Pitt’s mother, Caroline, travels with her young husband, Joshua Fielding, and his theatrical troupe to Whitby, where Dracula first touched English soil. Joshua has arranged to produce a stage adaptation of Dracula by the daughter of Whitby millionaire Charles Netheridge, but the amateurish script produces a disastrous first read-through. As tempers flare and wind and snow swirl around Netheridge’s lonely hilltop mansion, a black-cloaked stranger emerges from the storm - an eerily opportune arrival, for this enigmatic figure, one Anton Ballin, turns out to be a theatrical genius. At the same time, a brooding evil makes itself felt. Instead of the theatrical triumph that Netheridge desired for his daughter, there is murder - shocking and terrifying.

©2011 Anne Perry. All rights reserved. (P)2011 AudioGo

Not really a Christmas tale

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I bought this because of the title - it is Christmas time and I thought it would be fun to read a story around the holiday. To me, the story was a rather ordinary mystery that only in passing refered to the holiday.

I was happy when the book ended and I could turn to a more exciting story.

If you’ve listened to books by Anne Perry before, how does this one compare?

I have not listened to a Perry book before but have read a couple. This one not nearly up to the standard set by her other books.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Terrence Hardiman?

If the book was interesting.

Was A Christmas Homecoming worth the listening time?

No.

Winter Storm, Dracula and Murder

An engaging listen, where Joshua Fielding and his theatrical troupe, including his wife, Caroline (Charlotte Pitt’s mother), have been invited to the home of millionaire Charles Netheridge. His daughter, Alice, has written an amateur adaptation of a play based on the story of Dracula, and her father, wanting to humor the girl, has brought in actors to perform it. But things go off kilter, when a terrible blizzard keeps them all hostage indoors, along with a stranger who is caught in the storm, also needing shelter. . . who happens to be a master at directing and acting. Seems that the young Alice is more adept at writing than first supposed, and with the new director, the play becomes thrilling . . . and takes on a life of its own. Until the stranger is found murdered . . . with no way to send out for the police. So, Caroline Fielding, whose son-in-law is a policeman at Scotland Yard, begins to investigate the murder herself. A big fan of Anne Perry, this short listen does not disappoint. Great tale of intrigue with a satisfying solution!

Anne Perry at her best

What did you love best about A Christmas Homecoming?

The development of the peripheral characters, like Alice

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Christmas Homecoming?

The finding of the body

Which character – as performed by Terrence Hardiman – was your favorite?

don't have one

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

of course, who doesn't

Any additional comments?

I very much like Anne Perry's Christmas stories. I trust she will continue to write, them after all she still has Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and Monk, etc.

Quick, Fun Read

I enjoyed this book tremendously. The narrator did a terrific job and the book was over far too soon!

Another favorite!

I very much enjoy Anne Perry's writing. This is no exception. I would compare her writing to Agatha Christie. No undesirable language. Mr. Hardiman's narration is very pleasant. I plan to obtain all of her "Christmas" stories, and I'm also listening to her "Charlotte & Thomas Pitt" collection.

Absolutely adore Anne Perry Stories!

I have been binging on AP stories read by Terrence Hardiman! What a SUPURB voice actor he is! He makes every character come alive. AP creates stories of such richness, I feel as though I am stepping through the pages into the past. I like her characters and want to know more about them, but you only get one story in which to meet them. Her skill is such that I am instantly drawn into the next story and the next... Thank you AP and TH for the hours of enjoyment and comfort listening!

An enjoyable little Christmas mystery

Would you consider the audio edition of A Christmas Homecoming to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the book so no opinion

What did you like best about this story?

It had a very interesting ending. While I'm very good at guessing 'who done it' I didn't guess this one until right at the end.

What does Terrence Hardiman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Very good narrator

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not moved me no. But there were a couple of surprises.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book and not just at Christmas time as Christmas didn't really enter into very much other than the holiday season.

Really good

I did enjoy this one and especially with the play behind Dracula. I use to be fascinated with vampires ( ok scared when I was young) so this made it fun.

As usual the narration was perfect!

Sorry

Usually am delighted by Anne Perry's books. This one falls flat. The story is contrived, rather dull. Couldn't make it through more than half way in spite of the fine narration. Will certainly listen to more of hers but would skip this one.

So very poor

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Normally I love Anne Perry but this was so very poor I couldn't even finish it. Vampires??
Come on Anne give me a break.

Would you ever listen to anything by Anne Perry again?

I might go back to some of her earlier stuff.

Would you be willing to try another one of Terrence Hardiman’s performances?

Yes

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Nope