Anne Perry has added yet another pearl to the string of short but meaningful Christmas mysteries with A New York Christmas (#455). I particularly enjoy these books because they always include an intriguing mystery, but ones that contain a theme of ethical choices and redemption without a sugary coating beating the reader over the head in an obvious and moralizing way. It's just there, an integral and natural part of the plot.
Thomas and Charlotte Pitt's daughter, Jemima, at age twenty-three is setting out on her first big adventure. She's traveling to New York City, accompanying Miss Delphinia Cardew to her society wedding. Thanks to Thomas' position as head of Special Branch for the London Police, Jemima has been deemed by the bride's father to be the perfect person to undertake the task of making sure Phinnie arrives safely since his health does not permit him to travel with his daughter and her mother died when Phinnie was a young child. She's old enough to act as chaperone to the young and giddy Phinnie, but young enough to be a friend and confidante as well. Jemima is suitably placed to earn an invitation to stay with the family through the nuptials as an additional reward.
The Albrights are business partners of Mr. Cardew, so Brent Albright's marriage to Phinnie will cement a business dynasty. The holiday season is the perfect time to introduce the bride to the members of New York's wealthiest families who will become her new social circle. During dinner at the Albrights the first evening, hints are dropped that Maria Cardew, Phinnie's mother, is not dead as she has always been told, but in fact may be in New York City. As Phinnie is swept up into the whirl of fittings and teas, Jemima's aid is sought by the eldest Albright son, Harley, to prevent Maria from crashing the wedding and causing any "unpleasantness". Jemima agrees to help, but she has no inkling the unpleasantness will redound horribly on herself...
If you're looking for a Christmas story with a satisfying message, you'd do well to read A New York Christmas.
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