Perry offers her take on prodigal son tale
As far as fans of bestselling author Anne Perry’s popular little Christmas books are concerned, any time is a good time to read one of her mystery novels set during the holiday season in Victorian England. And, like the seven earlier books in the series, A Christmas Odyssey provides a strong sense of place and plenty of suspense while also offering a message of hope.
However, this quick read doesn’t offer a warm and comforting image of a Victorian London Christmas. It opens with wealthy James Wentworth asking his friend Henry Rathbone to pursue a miracle. He wants Rathbone to find his wayward son, Lucien, who has disappeared into the London underworld of despair and cruelty, drugs and sex.
The father is afraid that if he tries to find Lucien, he will only drive his son further into that squalid world.
Rathbone, a mathematician, agrees to help, but wonders how he is going to accomplish the task. He heads to nurse Hester Monk’s charitable medical clinic which treats women of the street. He reasons that Hester might know someone who can help him in his quest. But, before he can speak to Hester, he meets Squeaky Robinson, a reformed brothel-keeper who works in the medical clinic. Robinson offers his assistance, and soon the pair have enlisted the help of the mysterious Crow, who practices medicine, unofficially, in the slums along London’s docks, and of Bessie, a teenager who works as a barmaid.
As the little band searches for the younger Wentworth, they learn he is infatuated with a wild and dangerous woman named Sadie and about Shadwell — Shadow Man — who owns her. Not only is Lucien in danger from Shadwell, but so is anyone who tries to protect him.
A Christmas Odyssey is the tale of a prodigal son. But, does it end like the Biblical story, with Lucien welcomed safely back into his father’s home? Mystery fans will enjoy finding out if Rathbone can deliver a Christmas miracle.