A Christmas Revelation : A Novel

A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry is the sixteenth novel in The Christmas Stories series. Worm lives at the clinic on Portpool Lane thanks to the kindly Claudine Burroughs. Worm is out and about one day when he witnesses a lovely lady get kidnapped by two men. Worm runs back to the clinic and reports the problem to Squeaky Robinson, the clinic's accountant. Squeaky tries to distract Worm with preparations for Christmas, but he is not to be deterred. The next morning, the pair set out to find where the kidnappers are hiding the woman. They soon find her and learn that she has the situation well in hand. Eloise has plans for bringing the two men to justice for more serious crimes, but she could use their help. With the assistance of Worm and Squeaky, Eloise sets out to bag the criminals and make sure their stockings are filled with coal by local prison warden.

A Christmas Revelation is part of The Christmas Stories series, but it can be read as a standalone (I have not read any other book by this author). I found A Christmas Revelation to be a charming story. Worm is grateful to have a warm, safe place to live plus food in his belly. He has never experienced Christmas before and Squeaky wants to make sure Worm gets the full experience. I enjoy the interactions between Worm and Squeaky. I especially liked the scene where Squeaky was trying to explain Jesus to Worm. When Squeaky could not distract Worm from Eloise's dilemma, he sets out to help the young lad. Squeaky is familiar with the ways of the street and has connections that can help them. I liked seeing Squeaky and Worm grow closer. I also appreciated that Worm is developing a sense of wrong and right now that he is living at the clinic. A Christmas Revelation contains good writing and steady pacing. I felt the author captured the time period with the language, clothing, buildings, conveyances, and how Christmas is celebrated during that time. I liked the reference to how they needed to obtain a Christmas tree thanks to Queen Victoria's husband. I did feel the mystery was slightly disappointing and there was a loose thread or two at the end. It is a short book with only 177 pages which makes it the perfect type of book to read on a cold afternoon. A Christmas Revelation is an enticing Victorian Christmas mystery.