A Christmas Beginning
by Anne Perry
Published by Ballantine Books
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Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart
Anne Perry continues her holiday tradition with her fifth Christmas novel, A Christmas Beginning. Scotland Yard’s Superintendent Runcorn is spending two weeks before Christmas on the untamed Isle of Angelesy, off the northern coast of Wales. Alone, he wanders the island, walking many miles each day in the harsh, freezing weather–the perfect metaphor for Runcorn, whose personal and professional life resembles the barren landscape.
Runcorn’s surprised to see John Barclay, a former witness in a suicide (suspected to be murder) at a Sunday service and wishes that Barclay’s sister is with him. During that investigation Runcorn had fallen head over heels in love with Barclay’s sister, the widow Melisande Ewart.
As Runcorn wanders the island, hoping to catch a glimpse of Melisande, he stumbles upon the frozen, brutally murdered body of Olivia, the vicar’s sister. Runcorn summons the local police and bwants to get involved, but the island is out of his jurisdiction. The local constable sends for the chief constable from the mainland, Alan Faraday. This horrific crime is out of the ordinary for the local police, and also for Faraday. Eventually, Runcorn is asked to help.
Runcorn stumbles around the island, conducting interviews, and telling those close to Olivia that it was a crime of passion because Olivia was facing her killer and did not try to run away. Who would Olivia meet in the graveyard at night in her gown during freezing cold temperatures?
No suspects and no motives for the crime. Without clues, Faraday spews out a theory that turns out to be right–as if a lightening bolt brought him this idea.
Solving the murder and having a “beginning” is rushed, as if author Perry didn’t know where to go with the plot lines. They are implausible at best; an ending that was remotely unsatisfying and illogical. I read this easy-reading novel twice to be sure that I didn’t miss something. If you’re looking for a good holiday mystery, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a holiday romance, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a frosty backdrop and a modern-day travelogue, A Christmas Beginning is the book for you.
Armchair Interviews says: Heed this reviewer’s words–regardless the author.