A New York Christmas

By: Anne Perry

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Anne Perry's new Christmas novel is an irresistible tale of love, betrayal, greed, murder, and selfless devotion. For the first time, Perry's annual yuletide offering is set in New York City - a sparkling young metropolis bursting with life, promise, and subtle menace.

The year is 1904. Twenty-three-year-old Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas Pitt, head of Britain's Special Branch, is crossing the Atlantic. She is traveling with an acquaintance, Delphinia Cardew, who is to marry the aristocratic Brent Albright in a high-society New York wedding - a grand affair that will join together two fabulously wealthy families, titans of the international financial world. But Jemima senses a mysterious shadow darkening the occasion. Missing from the festivities is Delphinia's mother, Maria, who is marked by disgrace. Nearly sixteen years ago, Maria abandoned young Delphinia and disappeared - and now the Albrights refuse to mention her name. But when Harley, the groom's charismatic brother, asks Jemima to help him search for Maria and forestall the scandal that would surely follow if the prodigal parent turned up at the wedding, she agrees to assist him.

From Hell's Kitchen to Fifth Avenue, the Lower East Side to Central Park, Jemima trudges through strange, snowy streets, asking questions but getting few answers - and never suspecting that she is walking into mortal danger, from which not even a handsome young police officer named Patrick Flannery may be able to protect her. Once more, Anne Perry delivers a suspenseful, deeply moving novel that captures the essence of the holiday spirit.

©2014 Anne Perry (P)2014 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Perry's Victorian-era holiday mysteries... are for many an annual treat." ( The Wall Street Journal)

...vastly entertaining." ( The Star-Ledger)

"...as delicious as mince pie and plum pudding." ( Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Interesting mystery

Small point, narrator should not have attempted an English accent. However, it was fun to listen to. Even though it is very obvious who the perpetrator is throughput the book, the descriptions of New York and the multifaceted characters are very worth the few hours of listening time.

A pretty typical Anne Perry Christmas story

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

No, I found the narrator's approach a little too wide-eyed and "gee whiz" for my tastes.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters, and the echoes of the initial book in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series, where the parents of this story's central character first become acquainted.

What aspect of Saskia Maarleveld’s performance would you have changed?

See above.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Oh, please! What is with these questions? They are not ones I want to read answers to when I'm deciding whether I want to read a book.

Any additional comments?

The mystery is not mysterious -- the only suspense is about how long it will take for the police and Jemima to recognize who the killer *obviously* is. But spending time with the characters was most satisfying.

A bit choppy and short, not Christmas at all!

I was hoping for a historical Christmas romance but got a choppy mystery instead. The narrator was quite good for both male and female voices and all the dialects.

A great diversion!

What made the experience of listening to A New York Christmas the most enjoyable?

The continuing characters. Early turn of the century morals and attitudes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A New York Christmas?

The meeting of the mother and her daughter.

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

A lovely voice.

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

Yep. I did it cross stitching.

Another great Ann Perry Christmas

Each of the books in this series have featured "minor" players in the Monk and Pitt series'
Jemima Pitt is very convincing in this warm holiday story. The narration is convincing.
If you love Monk and Pitt you will love this story.

Pitts' Kid Carries on Tradition

Entertaining holiday yarn featuring Thomas & Charlotte Pitts' daughter visiting in NYC. Not a lot of Christmas feeling but a good whodunnit.

History repeats itself

What a cute little story. It did have some twist and turns, and it wrapped up nicely. I was glad to see that history will be repeating itself.

Anne Perry Light

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Anne Perry is always worthwhile reading, even in a shorter book like this one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jemima Pitt

Which character – as performed by Saskia Maarleveld – was your favorite?

Jemima Pitt

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

No

Any additional comments?

This was less Christmasy than I expected, but it still was a good read. Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, visits New York and almost instantly becomes involved in a murder. As good as any other Anne Perry book, just more compact.

Another very enjoyable book by Anne Perry

If you have followed the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, you will recognize their daughter Jemima (now age 23). While it is not difficult to figure out who the murderer is, the rest of the story is still quite enjoyable. Recommended!

Great!

I was so excited to see how Jemima meet Patrick and this was so great.

Loving these Christmas stories!