Superintendent Runcorn—who Anne Perry fans will remember as William Monk's ex-boss—is feeling rather lonely during his holiday on the remote, snowy island of Anglesey, off the north coast of Wales. However, he is suddenly called into action when the sister of the local vicar is discovered murdered and draped over a gravestone in her brother's churchyard. Investigating this tragic crime with the assistance of the beautiful Melisande gives him just the opportunity he needs to spend time with an upper class woman who normally wouldn't give him the time of day. Interweaving the original Christmas story with her own holiday tale, Perry also explores the meaning of Joseph's secondary role compared to that of Mary and Jesus. The novel ultimately shows that the seemingly less important people in our lives are sometimes more crucial than we realize.
Perry plucks Superintendent Runcorn from her William Monk series and gives him an outing of his own. Runcorn, single, crusty, and a loner, decides to spend the Christmas season on a remote island off Wales. What are the chances he'll run into both a body and Melisande, a woman with whom he was once in love? Terrence Hardiman brings Runcorn to life with an age-appropriate voice and inflections that reflect his personality. Perry's descriptions of the barren landscape; proud, reticent villagers; and the sensible Melisande (the name just rolls off Hardiman's tongue) are expertly realized in audio. Despite his abrasiveness, listeners will hope Runcorn gets the murderer and the girl, thanks to a sympathetic portrayal and a good story. J.B.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
About the Author
Anne Perry was born in London in 1938 as Juliet Hulme. She is the author of two Victorian-era series—one featuring investigator William Monk, the other featuring police inspector Thomas Pitt—as well as a new series set amid World War I. Perry lives in the Scottish Highlands.
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