Book #6 in Anne Perry's Victorian Christmas mysteries. It is 1868, and Emily Radley is called away from the comforts of Christmas in London with her family, to attend her dying Aunt Susannah who lives in Connemara, on Ireland's west coast. Emily is reluctant to leave home, but with her husband's encouragement to do so, sets out to find the aunt she hasn't seen for years.Arriving at her aunt's house, Emily begins to pick up on strange undercurrents among the villagers of something that happened seven years ago, an event that continues to trouble the inhabitants. It turns out that seven years ago, a young man was washed ashore following a ship wreck in a violent storm, and for reasons unknown, he was later murdered. No one ever knew who did it, and the fear and suspicion are eating away at the villagers as neighbor suspects neighbor, but no one wants to speak about it. Now, another violent storm wrecks another ship, and history seems to be repeating itself when a young man named Daniel is washed ashore. At her aunt's request, who would like nothing better than to know what happened seven years ago so the village can finally know some peace of mind, Emily begins to dig into those past event. "A Christmas Grace" is a story of regrets and redemption, and a pleasant seasonal read. Definitely not my cup of tea, it was okay but it concluded way to fast. I was left with a feeling of distaste as though someone pulled me away from watching the last few minutes of a movie. The tone was definitely gothic and it was a descriptive read but the author tended to be repeatative at times (An annoying trait and one I spot as though a spot light is shinning on it). Overall not really impressed. BTW the title is misleading, nothing, absolutely nothing other than time of year ties this plot to the title.
What do You think about Der Weihnachtsfluch (2006)?
I was halfway through the book before I knew what the mystery was. Not of one her better books.
—ash
I like the earlier Anne Perry best. A light read that was moderately satisfying
—Sheercruz
I thought this book was really well done. I enjoyed it.
—sanette
Not badly written, just a really dreary story.
—SWilke
