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A New York Christmas
A brand new Christmas mystery, and the very first set in New York City, from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry, featuring Charlotte and Thomas Pitt’s daughter Jemima.
December, 1904. Jemima Pitt, now twenty-two, agrees to act as a “suitable companion” to her friend Delphinia, who is traveling to New York to be married to Brent Albright, toast of New York high society. Jemima is excited about the prospect of a Christmas adventure in a strange big city, but little does she expect to be enlisted on a top secret mission by Brent’s brother Harley, to track down Delphinia’s estranged mother. After some detective work and a little luck, they manage to locate her lodgings—but to their horror, they find Maria dead. Truly her parents’ daughter, Jemima is determined to unmask the killer, and enlists the aid of handsome young police officer Patrick Flannery to do it. And along the way she comes to learn an important lesson about staying true to oneself, no matter the cost. Once again, as only she can, Perry delivers a darkly suspenseful, ultimately heart-warming novel that truly captures the essence of the holiday spirit.
December, 1904. Jemima Pitt, now twenty-two, agrees to act as a “suitable companion” to her friend Delphinia, who is traveling to New York to be married to Brent Albright, toast of New York high society. Jemima is excited about the prospect of a Christmas adventure in a strange big city, but little does she expect to be enlisted on a top secret mission by Brent’s brother Harley, to track down Delphinia’s estranged mother. After some detective work and a little luck, they manage to locate her lodgings—but to their horror, they find Maria dead. Truly her parents’ daughter, Jemima is determined to unmask the killer, and enlists the aid of handsome young police officer Patrick Flannery to do it. And along the way she comes to learn an important lesson about staying true to oneself, no matter the cost. Once again, as only she can, Perry delivers a darkly suspenseful, ultimately heart-warming novel that truly captures the essence of the holiday spirit.
164 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2014
About the author
Anne Perry
357 books3,253 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life. A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
October 15, 2014
I received a copy of this title from Bookbridgr.com in return for an honest review.
The year is 1904 and Jemima Pitt is heading off to New York as a companion to Delphinia, a young bride-to-be. As Phinnie has no mother figure, Jemima wants to make sure she is well settled into the role of wife to a wealthy young American. The Albright family have it all, house, money and a place in the top of New York society. But all is not what it seems and Jemima is dragged into the drama, not long after her arrival.
This is the first book by Anne Perry that I have read, She has written far too many to mention, including The Inspector Pitt Series (I presume that Jemima is his daughter), World War I Series and a host of Christmas Novellas. The cover had me expecting something relating to Christmas, even the title promised it, and the artwork was very pretty. However, that was the only festive thing about it. Snow on the ground, yes. Nothing else. A weak link at best.
The story was bizarre and had weak characters. The historical part of the historical fiction was wasted. Instead, there was endless rambling dialogue from annoying people. The murder, which happens at the beginning of the book, seems almost like an inconvenience rather than a tragic event.
A most un-enjoyable story, along the lines of Murder She Wrote and Miss Marple. Maybe suitable for a bed ridden elderly aunt, possibly one who is asleep or in a coma....
The year is 1904 and Jemima Pitt is heading off to New York as a companion to Delphinia, a young bride-to-be. As Phinnie has no mother figure, Jemima wants to make sure she is well settled into the role of wife to a wealthy young American. The Albright family have it all, house, money and a place in the top of New York society. But all is not what it seems and Jemima is dragged into the drama, not long after her arrival.
This is the first book by Anne Perry that I have read, She has written far too many to mention, including The Inspector Pitt Series (I presume that Jemima is his daughter), World War I Series and a host of Christmas Novellas. The cover had me expecting something relating to Christmas, even the title promised it, and the artwork was very pretty. However, that was the only festive thing about it. Snow on the ground, yes. Nothing else. A weak link at best.
The story was bizarre and had weak characters. The historical part of the historical fiction was wasted. Instead, there was endless rambling dialogue from annoying people. The murder, which happens at the beginning of the book, seems almost like an inconvenience rather than a tragic event.
A most un-enjoyable story, along the lines of Murder She Wrote and Miss Marple. Maybe suitable for a bed ridden elderly aunt, possibly one who is asleep or in a coma....
October 31, 2014
It was a heartwarming 'choked up' feeling to sit down and crack open the story of a young lady that I have known since she was born- in fiction land that is. Jemima Pitt is the grown daughter of the two main characters of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt historical mystery series. I have been following that series from book one through book thirty with Jemima quietly in the background growing up and apparently getting the best that both parents have to offer when it comes to personality and character.
Jemima's story is part of the author's unique and delightful Christmas story series in which she takes a side character from the main series and makes him or her the main character in their own little mystery set during the Victorian Christmas time. In Jemima's case, her story takes her out of England and all the way to turn of the century New York.
Jemima is twenty-three and ripe for adventure. She is accompanying a younger girl as her companion to the girl's wedding. Both the families are wealthy and part of a business partnership. Phinnie is marrying into one of the most powerful families in NYC. Jemima experiences a few twinges of envy for Phinnie's happiness, but she is shrewd enough not to envy the girl her circumstances. Jemima wants what her parents have- a love that defied class, financial circumstances and even family when necessary. Her parents are friends and partners with respect to go along with a deep passionate love. So even if it means standing by watching other, younger girls get their matches, she is resolved to do so.
After they arrive in New York and settle in with the family of Phinnie's fiance', the older brother of the groom, Harley, makes an unusual request of Jemima. He is worried that Phinnie's disgraced mother who left Phinnie and her father when Phinnie was only two years old might try to crash the big society wedding bringing disaster on the family and Phinnie. Jemima agrees to help search using knowledge she has learned from listening to her father talk about his police work over the years. Unfortunately, the search brings Jemima more trouble than she bargained for and she now only has a few short days to prove herself innocent of a murder. With a bit of Christmas hope, determination and the help of a young police officer, she races against the clock to prove her innocence and find the real culprit while maybe getting exactly the Christmas gift she needed.
This was engaging from cover to cover. I loved the characters, the plotting, the twists, the glimpses of turn of the century NYC, and the little romance snuck in for good measure. As with many of these Christmas novellas, I was so vested in the story that I was bummed to have them end. I could have used a few more pages so the ending didn't feel so abrupt, but really, that's not exactly what I want. Okay, I really want more Jemima stories now and I would love the follow up with her parents after her big NYC adventure and the changes it will bring to Jemima.
All in all, heartwarming, exciting and engaging new installment to the Christmas Stories series. It could standalone or be read out of order with its chronological place in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series, but it would be my recommendation not to read it until after Death on Black Heath is read due to a couple mild spoilers. These are recommended for those who enjoy authentically historical and mild on the romance Historical Mysteries or Historical Romantic suspense with a detecting pair for the hero and heroine.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
Jemima's story is part of the author's unique and delightful Christmas story series in which she takes a side character from the main series and makes him or her the main character in their own little mystery set during the Victorian Christmas time. In Jemima's case, her story takes her out of England and all the way to turn of the century New York.
Jemima is twenty-three and ripe for adventure. She is accompanying a younger girl as her companion to the girl's wedding. Both the families are wealthy and part of a business partnership. Phinnie is marrying into one of the most powerful families in NYC. Jemima experiences a few twinges of envy for Phinnie's happiness, but she is shrewd enough not to envy the girl her circumstances. Jemima wants what her parents have- a love that defied class, financial circumstances and even family when necessary. Her parents are friends and partners with respect to go along with a deep passionate love. So even if it means standing by watching other, younger girls get their matches, she is resolved to do so.
After they arrive in New York and settle in with the family of Phinnie's fiance', the older brother of the groom, Harley, makes an unusual request of Jemima. He is worried that Phinnie's disgraced mother who left Phinnie and her father when Phinnie was only two years old might try to crash the big society wedding bringing disaster on the family and Phinnie. Jemima agrees to help search using knowledge she has learned from listening to her father talk about his police work over the years. Unfortunately, the search brings Jemima more trouble than she bargained for and she now only has a few short days to prove herself innocent of a murder. With a bit of Christmas hope, determination and the help of a young police officer, she races against the clock to prove her innocence and find the real culprit while maybe getting exactly the Christmas gift she needed.
This was engaging from cover to cover. I loved the characters, the plotting, the twists, the glimpses of turn of the century NYC, and the little romance snuck in for good measure. As with many of these Christmas novellas, I was so vested in the story that I was bummed to have them end. I could have used a few more pages so the ending didn't feel so abrupt, but really, that's not exactly what I want. Okay, I really want more Jemima stories now and I would love the follow up with her parents after her big NYC adventure and the changes it will bring to Jemima.
All in all, heartwarming, exciting and engaging new installment to the Christmas Stories series. It could standalone or be read out of order with its chronological place in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series, but it would be my recommendation not to read it until after Death on Black Heath is read due to a couple mild spoilers. These are recommended for those who enjoy authentically historical and mild on the romance Historical Mysteries or Historical Romantic suspense with a detecting pair for the hero and heroine.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2020
Short little story about the daughter of one of Perry’s main characters from another series (Thomas and Charlotte Pitt). It’s definitely a Christmas cozy set in Victorian era NYC. This is the sort of book that’s easy to finish in a day and includes just a dash of romance.
Content: one crude term
Content: one crude term
November 25, 2017
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed getting to know Jemima in this book. You can really see how she takes after her parents. The mystery was pretty good although figuring out The Who was much easier than the why.
December 14, 2019
An exciting mystery, a Christmas story with the Big Apple as the setting make for the perfect novel to read in December. There is a political theme to the case which makes this a historical fiction novel. The subject involves high class society in both the United States and England and their strong prejudices. As well as having a very well constructed mystery there is a sweet love story.
September 21, 2014
Set in early 20th-century New York City, she gives us an appealing, smart, engaging heroine, a believable tale of betrayal and greed, and an unexpectedly charming romantic hero. Although the identity of the murderer is rather obvious, the motives and context are what keep the story going, along with its lovely romantic elements. This novella will appeal to both longtime fans of Perry’s detective Pitt, but as a librarian I’d recommend this book to readers interested in historical fiction and intelligent women characters. Believable family drama and interesting observations on the class system and connections between British and American wealth and the ways wealthy families and industrialists maintained social and economic power. Excellent pacing and details that provide a strong sense of atmosphere. One caveat, given with the understanding that I was reading an ARC: it would have been historically accurate to for the characters use the term ‘Negro’ instead of ‘black’, and even the middle and upper classes (yes, they did exist, as many primary sources attest) of African American NYC society of the period did not interact so easily in neighborhoods and other public spaces as suggested in the middle and later chapters of the book. NY was not the South, but certain social and commercial interactions would not have been so readily accepted as depicted in the story -- a flaw that could have been solved with more focused research. The Colored Orphan Asylum riots, during which Black adults and children were murdered, would have been part of NYC’s active political and cultural memory during the period in which the book is set. Aside from that, A New York Christmas is a good read and definitely one to recommend. I’d be very interested in another Perry novel featuring the main characters. An observant, empathetic detective’s daughter and a big-city policeman? I’d gladly follow them through another story!
December 29, 2019
...treachery and hope!
Anne Perry's superb writing skill continues to delight me. What goes on beneath the surface of her stories is always a pleasure to ponder. In A New York Christmas sacrifice and love shine through. Questions follow questions, seemingly dark and despairing, and yet a light shines through and truth is revealed.
It's 1904 and Thomas and Charlotte Pitt's daughter, 23 year old Jemima, journeys across the Atlantic as a companion to a wealthy young woman Delphinia Cardew, who is to marry into a well-to-do New York family--the Albrights. This was to be Jemima's 'first real adventure of her life.'
There are strange undercurrents amongst the Albrights. Jemima is unsure about Phinnie's brother-in-law to be, Harley. Phinnie moves between spoilt heiress aware of her alleviated societal place and insecure young woman.
A mystery surrounding Phinnie's mother Maria comes to a head and Jemima finds herself in jail charged with murder. The Albrights draw ranks and Jemima, although still residing in their house, is left to fend for herself. Will she ever see London and her loved ones again?
In her search for the truth and in order to clear her name Jemima finds herself travelling the length and breadth of New York, supported by the young police officer who arrested her, the upright and delectable Patrick Flannery.
For Jemima, a Christmas time miracle is going to be needed.
Spurred on by the thought that she needs to clear her name or suffer incarceration, Jemima applies the logical thought and investigative skills that she has imbibed from the hearth.
Intrigue and surprise are part and parcel of the final outcome.
A NetGalley ARC
Anne Perry's superb writing skill continues to delight me. What goes on beneath the surface of her stories is always a pleasure to ponder. In A New York Christmas sacrifice and love shine through. Questions follow questions, seemingly dark and despairing, and yet a light shines through and truth is revealed.
It's 1904 and Thomas and Charlotte Pitt's daughter, 23 year old Jemima, journeys across the Atlantic as a companion to a wealthy young woman Delphinia Cardew, who is to marry into a well-to-do New York family--the Albrights. This was to be Jemima's 'first real adventure of her life.'
There are strange undercurrents amongst the Albrights. Jemima is unsure about Phinnie's brother-in-law to be, Harley. Phinnie moves between spoilt heiress aware of her alleviated societal place and insecure young woman.
A mystery surrounding Phinnie's mother Maria comes to a head and Jemima finds herself in jail charged with murder. The Albrights draw ranks and Jemima, although still residing in their house, is left to fend for herself. Will she ever see London and her loved ones again?
In her search for the truth and in order to clear her name Jemima finds herself travelling the length and breadth of New York, supported by the young police officer who arrested her, the upright and delectable Patrick Flannery.
For Jemima, a Christmas time miracle is going to be needed.
Spurred on by the thought that she needs to clear her name or suffer incarceration, Jemima applies the logical thought and investigative skills that she has imbibed from the hearth.
Intrigue and surprise are part and parcel of the final outcome.
A NetGalley ARC
November 11, 2014
Christmas in New York in 1904. In the last Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novel which I read earlier this year, young Jemima was 16 years old. For those not in the know, Jemima is Charlotte and Thomas's daughter. In this book we jump ahead seven years and we sail across the ocean with Jemima. She is accompanying her young friend on an Atlantic crossing in order to be there to support her at her wedding in New York. I was excited to read this book because I love Charlotte and Thomas Pitt so much, and I thought it would be wonderful to read about their grown daughter. Not to mention that New York and Christmas seem to go together. New York has always had such a holiday cachet about it. The book was OK, but it was a disappointment to me. Ms. Perry's little Christmas novellas are always short, but Ms. Perry usually manages to get a whole story in the few pages of these books. There are never usually any glaring loopholes and startling coincidences. I didn't feel the same about this one. The book seemed rushed and in fact, unbelievable in spots, which is totally unlike Anne Perry's writing. I found as I was reading that there were a number of times where the reader is expected to take a leap of faith in order to get to the next point in the story. So disappointed as I look forward every year to these little Christmas cozies.
November 18, 2014
In Anne Perry's 2014 Christmas installment, it is 1904 and Jemima Pitt, new 23 years old is on her way to New York City as the companion of Delphina Cardew, who is going to marry Brent Aldrich, the wealthy son of her father's American business partner.
The wedding will be a gilded affair, but Jemima, who is very much her mother's daughter, senses a dark undercurrent running through the household regarding Delphina's mother, who has been absent from her life since she was two yeas old. Jemima assumes that the woman is dead, but then learns through Brent's brother, Harley, that not only is she very much alive (and in disgrace), but she is also in New York City and threatens to ruin the marriage.
Jemima agrees to help find the mother, but when she is found stabbed to death, Harley frames Jemima for the deed and she must draw on resources learned from observing the other strong women in her family - along with the able assistance from handsome police officer, Patrick Flannery, to clear her good name.
I could quibble about the plot of this little novella, but it is just too much fun - a Christmas bon bon you can read in one sitting.
The wedding will be a gilded affair, but Jemima, who is very much her mother's daughter, senses a dark undercurrent running through the household regarding Delphina's mother, who has been absent from her life since she was two yeas old. Jemima assumes that the woman is dead, but then learns through Brent's brother, Harley, that not only is she very much alive (and in disgrace), but she is also in New York City and threatens to ruin the marriage.
Jemima agrees to help find the mother, but when she is found stabbed to death, Harley frames Jemima for the deed and she must draw on resources learned from observing the other strong women in her family - along with the able assistance from handsome police officer, Patrick Flannery, to clear her good name.
I could quibble about the plot of this little novella, but it is just too much fun - a Christmas bon bon you can read in one sitting.
August 26, 2014
3.5 Stars
I received this book from Netgalley to review.
Anne Perry writes these little novellas for the Christmas season. I like reading them at Christmas when it's so busy it's hard to sink into a big book. They are usually about a minor character which is nice. This one is about Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt.
Jemima accompanies a female acquaintance to New York who is getting married to a very rich son of a millionaire. There is a murder and Jemima is arrested for it. She can't call her dad for help. He's too far away to help. So she investigates it herself.
It's not much of a mystery. You know who did almost immediately. There are some far fetched situations but there's a lovely romance. It's great if you are looking for an undemanding book to while away the time at Christmas.
I received this book from Netgalley to review.
Anne Perry writes these little novellas for the Christmas season. I like reading them at Christmas when it's so busy it's hard to sink into a big book. They are usually about a minor character which is nice. This one is about Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt.
Jemima accompanies a female acquaintance to New York who is getting married to a very rich son of a millionaire. There is a murder and Jemima is arrested for it. She can't call her dad for help. He's too far away to help. So she investigates it herself.
It's not much of a mystery. You know who did almost immediately. There are some far fetched situations but there's a lovely romance. It's great if you are looking for an undemanding book to while away the time at Christmas.
December 6, 2017
UGH.
I love fiction works set in the past but ugh. I felt like everything about this was so artificial, the way the characters spoke to each other seemed contrived and there wasn't enough scene-setting. I live in NYC and I still was having trouble understanding where the Albright family lived in Manhattan, maybe that isn't so important to people who don't live in the NYC Metro area but for an affluent family to live in Chinatown is super rare. So that didn't seem right.
Not to mention the family was stuffy and bizarre and generally unlikable. and the "romance" between the police officer and Jemima was more like... dude arrested you for murder and now you love each other?...
Nope. Nope. Nope.
I love fiction works set in the past but ugh. I felt like everything about this was so artificial, the way the characters spoke to each other seemed contrived and there wasn't enough scene-setting. I live in NYC and I still was having trouble understanding where the Albright family lived in Manhattan, maybe that isn't so important to people who don't live in the NYC Metro area but for an affluent family to live in Chinatown is super rare. So that didn't seem right.
Not to mention the family was stuffy and bizarre and generally unlikable. and the "romance" between the police officer and Jemima was more like... dude arrested you for murder and now you love each other?...
Nope. Nope. Nope.
December 15, 2016
Comment dire .. Déjà un polar en 150 pages ça me fait un peu rire (l'enquête n'était pas intéressante, on sait tout de suite qui est le tueur alors que je suis assez nulle à ce jeu en temps normal), en si peu de pages on n'a pas le temps de s'attacher aux personnages ni à rien d'ailleurs, et puis excusez-moi mais se marier au bout de 2 jours c'est trop pour moi, c'est presque pire qu'un Disney y a un moment faut arrêter. Bref, heureusement je n'ai pas eu le temps de m'ennuyer, je l'ai expédié en une journée et c'est temps mieux ! Dommage, la couverture était si belle ..
December 26, 2016
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Un Noël à New-York ?
"C'est maintenant devenu une tradition, je ne raterais pour rien au monde le Anne Perry de Noël. Mais quand j'ai su que l'on y retrouvait Jemina adulte à New-York, je trépignais encore plus d'impatience."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Jemina Pitt accompagne son amie Phinie à New-York. Cette dernière doit se marier au fils d'une famille très influente et son père malade ne pouvait pas faire le voyage. Quant à sa mère, elle a disparu des années plus tôt dans des circonstances mystérieuses dont on ne sait rien. À moins qu'elle ne refasse surface..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"On a beaucoup accusé Anne Perry de se renouveler assez peu, moi la première, mais je dois dire qu'ici on ne pourra pas en dire autant: nouvelle ville, nouveau continent même, nouveau siècle, nouveaux sujets et presque nouveau personnage. Honnêtement, je me suis régalée. Faire connaissance avec Jemina, la fille de Charlotte et Thomas Pitt, devenue une jeune femme au franc parler, c'est un peu comme redécouvrir les premiers romans de la saga Pitt. On explore également différents quartiers de New-York, on parle immigration et abolition de l'esclavage, on ne s'ennuie pas une seconde."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"Et comme toujours quand j'aime à ce point l'un des contes de Noël d'Anne Perry, je suis extrêmement frustrée qu'il ne s'agisse que d'une nouvelle. J'ai l'impression de me faire escroquer. Évidemment, on aurait souhaité voir se développer un peu plus l'histoire d'amour mais surtout, découvrir le meurtrier et passer directement par la case prison sans avoir droit à la confrontation finale, le meilleur moment de tout policier qui se respecte, c'est extrêmement agaçant !! "
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"C'est maintenant devenu une tradition, je ne raterais pour rien au monde le Anne Perry de Noël. Mais quand j'ai su que l'on y retrouvait Jemina adulte à New-York, je trépignais encore plus d'impatience."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Jemina Pitt accompagne son amie Phinie à New-York. Cette dernière doit se marier au fils d'une famille très influente et son père malade ne pouvait pas faire le voyage. Quant à sa mère, elle a disparu des années plus tôt dans des circonstances mystérieuses dont on ne sait rien. À moins qu'elle ne refasse surface..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"On a beaucoup accusé Anne Perry de se renouveler assez peu, moi la première, mais je dois dire qu'ici on ne pourra pas en dire autant: nouvelle ville, nouveau continent même, nouveau siècle, nouveaux sujets et presque nouveau personnage. Honnêtement, je me suis régalée. Faire connaissance avec Jemina, la fille de Charlotte et Thomas Pitt, devenue une jeune femme au franc parler, c'est un peu comme redécouvrir les premiers romans de la saga Pitt. On explore également différents quartiers de New-York, on parle immigration et abolition de l'esclavage, on ne s'ennuie pas une seconde."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"Et comme toujours quand j'aime à ce point l'un des contes de Noël d'Anne Perry, je suis extrêmement frustrée qu'il ne s'agisse que d'une nouvelle. J'ai l'impression de me faire escroquer. Évidemment, on aurait souhaité voir se développer un peu plus l'histoire d'amour mais surtout, découvrir le meurtrier et passer directement par la case prison sans avoir droit à la confrontation finale, le meilleur moment de tout policier qui se respecte, c'est extrêmement agaçant !! "
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
October 24, 2014
An Anne Perry Christmas novella that captures the diversity of the New World while revealing the truth about friendships, misplaced trust and misguided loyalty. If you've read any of her novellas before this will not disappoint, and is a delightful diversion into Pitt's daughter, Jemima, and his effect on her life.
Jemima is acutely aware of society's rules, perhaps especially so she can choose not to follow them, and part of her task as Phinnie's companion is to keep her friend within those rules, but what if those rules might be putting Jemima herself in a stranglehold? How can she protect herself, let alone her status? And what's more important, being ladylike or being honest?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jemima is acutely aware of society's rules, perhaps especially so she can choose not to follow them, and part of her task as Phinnie's companion is to keep her friend within those rules, but what if those rules might be putting Jemima herself in a stranglehold? How can she protect herself, let alone her status? And what's more important, being ladylike or being honest?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2015
Delphinia Cardew, daughter of a very wealthy Bristish artistocrat, is betrothed to the son of Mr. Cardew’s wealthy New York business partner. In 1904, it is not considered proper for a young, unmarried woman to travel alone across the ocean by ship. Mr. Cardew engages the services of another young woman, Jemima Pitt, to accompany his daughter to New York for the wedding.
After accepting the offer, Jemima looks forward to traveling to America. Once there, Jemima begins to wonder why Delphinia’s mother will not be there to attend the wedding. A series of events occur, and Jemima finds herself in danger. With the help of a police detective, she must solve a mystery to save her own life.
After accepting the offer, Jemima looks forward to traveling to America. Once there, Jemima begins to wonder why Delphinia’s mother will not be there to attend the wedding. A series of events occur, and Jemima finds herself in danger. With the help of a police detective, she must solve a mystery to save her own life.
December 16, 2015
Not until I worked at a library did I realize Christmas/Holiday books were a thing. Picked this up to see what the hype was about - a delightful mystery-romance centered around Christmastime in New York - just as the title describes :) Enjoyed this story well enough that I'd likely read another one next Christmas.
December 15, 2015
This was pretty dumb, but I think I liked it.
December 13, 2017
In 1904, twenty-three-year-old Jemima Pitt, daughter of Thomas Pitt, head of Britain's Special Branch, is crossing the Atlantic. She is travelling with a friend who is planning to marry Brent Albright in a New York wedding that will join two wealthy families. Delphinia's mother had abandoned her daughter and gone missing. The Albrights refuse to even mention her name. Harley, the groom's charismatic brother, asks Jemima to help him search for Maria and forestall the scandal that would ensue if the prodigal parent should turn up at the wedding, she agrees to help him. I am very familiar with the Pitt stories and have read most of them. So this was a chance to reflect on the history of the Pitt family.
December 10, 2021
I always like to read a Perry story in December. I listened to this one for the first time & liked getting to know Jemima Pitt on her own in turn-of-the-century New York City. She is accompanying a friend to her society wedding since her invalid father can't make the trip. While there, she becomes involved in scandal with the family her friend is marrying into & has to do some investigating. She takes all the little things she's learned from her father, Thomas Pitt, over her lifetime to set out & find the killer before everything comes crashing down. Along the way she meets a handsome policeman.
December 26, 2019
Light and a mildly enjoyable read. The character of Jemima Pitt was likable and familiar being she was so clearly a combination of her fiery and strong-willed mother Charlotte and her empathetic and wise father Thomas. It was Jemima who added the interest in the book, that and its New York setting. However the mystery itself was underwhelming and weak. Definitely not up to Anne Perry’s normal standard.
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July 6, 2021Reading page #1 with this morning's coffee and arriving at the final page, #164, while I now ponder what to have for lunch, I found this to be a fun, quick summer read. 1904, a murder in a New York tenement, swirling secrets, and high society's ploys: they're all laid out in an orderly way with less intrigue than enjoyment. I found this in a nearby mini-library, so genuine thanks to my bookworm neighbors. I hope they enjoy the lighter novels I've been taking for them to read in turn.
January 1, 2018
The year is 1904. Twenty-three-year-old Jemima Pitt, the daughter of Thomas Pitt is crossing the Atlantic.
From Hell's Kitchen to Fifth Avenue, the Lower East Side to Central Park, Jemima looks for answers.
Suspense and drama throughout the book. I loved it. The action kept me interested.
Jemima Pitt is an interesting character. I hope to read more of her in other books.
5-Stars
From Hell's Kitchen to Fifth Avenue, the Lower East Side to Central Park, Jemima looks for answers.
Suspense and drama throughout the book. I loved it. The action kept me interested.
Jemima Pitt is an interesting character. I hope to read more of her in other books.
5-Stars
November 9, 2019
Anne Perry, is a prolific, Victorian crime writer I didn’t previously know a lot about. This was my first read by her which I picked up from the library. I was interested to read about what it was like living in New York in the Victorian era and dip my toes into a light crime genre.
I like anything set around Christmas, and although it didn’t feel overly festive, the atmospheric account of New York in winter was beautifully written. The crime aspect was just right for my taste, as I don’t like anything too heavy, but it kept me engaged and on my toes. One of my favourites from the month!
I like anything set around Christmas, and although it didn’t feel overly festive, the atmospheric account of New York in winter was beautifully written. The crime aspect was just right for my taste, as I don’t like anything too heavy, but it kept me engaged and on my toes. One of my favourites from the month!
November 10, 2019
Wonderful installment of the Christmas Stories and an important one for the Pitt series.
April 17, 2021
J’ai beaucoup aimé ce livre où j’ai découvert Jemina Pitt adulte. Cependant, comme souvent, je trouve la fin tirée par les cheveux...
December 20, 2021
Not Perry's best and barely anything to do with Christmas.
February 8, 2023
3.5/5
November 1, 2023
Now this was the quality story I have known from Anne Perry.
December 5, 2017
2.5 would have been more acurate - i did not really feel any emotion with that story - not one of my favourites
October 31, 2019
Another wonderful story. Very quotable. I love how her murder mysteries draw attention to class distinctions.
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