A Christmas Guest is the third book in Anne Perry's Christmas mystery series. Unlike the previous two stories in the series, which were set in mid-19th century, this story is set in Victorian England in the same timeframe as the Thomas Pitt mystery series. A key theme in this story is snobbery and society's class distinctions.Mariah Ellison, "Grandmama" to sisters Charlotte Pitt and Emily Radley, normally resides in London with granddaughter Emily. Emily had "married well" with Grandmama's full approval, unlike Charlotte, who had married a policeman for love. Mariah secretly enjoys her life of luxury in high society, while outwardly maintaining a sharp tongue and critical eye. She is eagerly anticipating the lavish Christmas holiday parties her granddaughter gives, so she is shocked to learn that Emily, her husband and their servants will travel to France for the holidays instead. Mariah will have to stay with her daughter Caroline and Caroline's second husband Joshua Fielding in Romney Marshes. Mariah does not approve of Joshua because he is a stage actor, and she does not want to leave London in the glittering holiday season. Mariah is already a resentful and miserable houseguest at her daughter's simple home in the country when she learns that Maud Barrington will also be coming to visit, because Maude's family does not have room for her. Mariah does not wish to befriend Maude, but out of courtesy she agrees to walk with her outside in the fresh wintry air, which Maude savors and Mariah merely endures. Maude has traveled out of England for 40 years, and is brimful of stories about the strange sights, sounds, tastes, and smells she has experienced. Maude does not explain why she left long ago, or why she has returned, and Mariah does not ask. Maude is filled with energy and appears to be in excellent health, so it is a surprise when she dies overnight. Although she did not consider herself Maude's friend while Maude was alive, in fact considered Maude quite unsuitable socially, Mariah cannot accept that Maude died naturally. Mariah notices suspicious evidence that points to foul play, and decides that if her "tradesman" son-in-law can detect, so can she. Mariah schemes to call upon Maude's family in person to break the sad news of Maude's death -- and while she's there, find out why they turned Maude away at Christmas, and identify her murderer. Mariah finds "detecting" is much more difficult than she imagined.To Maude's family, Mariah pretends to a great friendship with Maude, and to feel a great loss - but as she learns Maude's family knew little of Maude and cared less, she comes to recognize that Maude had been an interesting companion that she misses. Mariah is angry that someone took Maude's life, and resolves to learn the details of Maude's past. When Mariah finally meets someone who cared for Maude and kept in touch with her through the years, she knows who killed Maude and why. The story's setting - Romney Marshes - and the season - Christmastime - are vital to the plot, because Mariah takes advantage of both the weather and holiday hospitality to place herself as a houseguest with the Barringtons so she can "detect".
I do hope Anne Perry continues to write theses because they really are a treat during the holiday season. The only drawback is that most of the main characters in these stories are secondary characters from her two series - the Inspector Monk and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. So it happens that from time to time I find out something that is going to happen in books of those series that I haven't read yet. For instance in this story the main character is Charlotte Pitt's grandmother and I ended finding some things about her that I didn't know yet since I only read a few books in that series.Mariah Ellison, the mentioned grandmother, is very unhappy because she will have to spend the holiday season with her former daughter-in-law who is now married to a younger actor, Joshua. Mariah is very bitter and finds fault with almost everything. Things only get worse when it is announced that one of Joshua's relatives will come to spend the holiday season with them because her family already has guests. The relative, Maude, reveals herself as an original woman, a traveler who has spent most of her time abroad and has really enjoyed the different cultures she has known.While Mariah doesn't exactly feels any empathy with Maude the truth is that when she is found dead in her bed the next morning she suspects murder was done. She even discovers how it could have happened. And she starts feeling that she may have some things in common with Maude and she was in fact a woman to be admired. So she decides to go and meet Maude's family, tell them what happened and possibly discover who the killer is.In the process Mariah Ellison discovers a few truths about her, a lot of secrets in Maude's family and that joy and good will, not to mention good people, actually exist. She finds the spirit of Christmas! Just lovely!Grade: 4.5/5
What do You think about A Christmas Guest (2005)?
This was kind of boring for a mystery. And eventually you would know who killed her before the end of the book. I did like how grandmama change towards the end, it was inspiring.
—Tunica
When Mariah Ellison is parked off with her ex daughter in law and new actor husband of whom she does not approve as her granddaugther she usually stays with is off to France for the holidays she is absolutely furious and determined to make the worst of it.But then matters are made even worse when on Joshua's side of the family another eccentric relative is "dropped" on the household for the holidays.Yet again Mariah is determined to spoil things and be the centre of attention by instantly disliking the new visitor Maude but strangely enough she has a grudging liking and respect for the well travelleed lady.Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse and they are unable to further the unlikely friendship as one morning the maids are startled to discover Maude has died during the night.Everyone is upset and shocked as she seemed so healthy and vibrant.Consequently due to her feeling guilty about being so cranky Mariah offers to drive over to the family who were unable to find room to accommodate her for the holidays.But when she gets there Mariah is a little suspicious and feels the need to do a little detective work on Maude's behalf, the family are secretive and very nervous.Was Maude's death a just an unexpected tragedy or did her family have something else to hide?Exciting and the portrayal of Mariah is quite funny as the cantankerous old lady amateur detective.Well worth reading and a real page turner.
—Ria
Although I have read all of Anne Perry's Pitt and Monk books, I like to save the Christmas novellas for Christmastime. Each of her Christmas themed books feature one of the minor characters. A Christmas Guest is Charlotte Pitt's irascible Grandmama. She has been sent to spend the holiday with her daughter in law Caroline and her actor husband Joshua Fielding. Of course, Grandmama is put out and thoroughly disgusted at the prospect of spending two weeks there. But the attention is taken off Grandmama Ellison when Maude Barrington is also sent to the Fieldings by her family. Grandmama is irritated by the woman but can sympathize with being pawned off for the holidays. Of course, it wouldn't be an Anne Perry book if there wasn't a murder. Maude is found dead in her bed one morning and Grandmama is compelled to find the murderer. I can't remember which previous novel featured Grandmama, but as with that book I was glad to get a better insight into the character and to find some sympathy for her.Anne Perry cranks these holiday books out, I can tell. If it weren't for her little plot devices and descriptions that often pad her stories, the book would be about 25 pages long. That's ok, though. It's a holiday trifle. Perfect for this time of year.
—Meggan
