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A Christmas Beginning  By  cover art

A Christmas Beginning

By: Anne Perry
Narrated by: Terrence Hardiman
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Publisher's summary

Superintendent Runcorn (Anne Perry fans will remember him as William Monk's ex-boss) is feeling rather lonely during his holiday on the remote, snowy island of Anglesey, off the northern 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 with 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.

©2007 Anne Perry (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"One of the best books to brighten the joyous season." (USA Today)
"Runcorn's modest, unflashy ways carry this moody, understated mystery." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about A Christmas Beginning

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Christmas Murder Mystery

The unusual coupling of murder and the Christmas holidays make this listen just delightful. It is a very enjoyable listen.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A good story well-read

I am a longtime Anne Perry fan and thoroughly enjoyed this story even though the usual cast is not around. The interior life of a middle-aged man who knows his shortcomings--who is in love with his soulmate btw--is sensitively and realistically drawn.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
  • NW
  • 02-20-08

Captivating

I enjoyed listening to this novel. At no time was it boring. The pace was good and the narrator was excellent. The storyline had me from the very beginning and it was very hard to stop listening until I reached the end.

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2 people found this helpful

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A Perfect Christmas Beginning

This is a book for an idealist who believes out of the worst can good come but sees things as they are each step of the way. The imperfect can be the best while the “perfect” can be full of the hidden.

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1 person found this helpful

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Education of the Heart

Deep exploration of the inner life of the main character with emotional coming of age congruent with his values and expanded sense of identity

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My Favorite of Anne Perry's Christmas Novellas

Would you consider the audio edition of A Christmas Beginning to be better than the print version?

As a person with disabilities that often leave one unable to hold a book or focus on the printed page, the audio edition is almost always my favorite.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Inspector Runcorn - I enjoy the several series of books written by Anne Perry, and it is a treat to have what some consider to be a minor/lesser character have an experience shared with the reader away from the main characters. It has been interesting to see the changes in Inspector Runcorn in the "William Monk" series, and in this book there's a delightful new side to his character.

Have you listened to any of Terrence Hardiman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I like Terrence Hardiman's work, and know if I find a book read by him I will most likely enjoy the book (at least, I know I will enjoy the narration).

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending. Just wished to hear Inspector Runcorn's 1st name.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Story

I liked this, I will read more of hers in this fashion. The main character is very likeable and it's great to be able to be inside his mind.

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1 person found this helpful

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Interesting storyline

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The plot was interesting and different. Usually, I get bored partway through a book and skip to the end to see if the makes the skipped over part worth continuing. The book held my attention all the way through.
I have neither read nor listened to this author before and look forward to doing so again.

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Satisfying story

I thought I knew who the murderer was but I was wrong. Then I thought I knew how it was going to end; I was happily wrong again. I enjoyed this story.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Another great read from Anne Perry!

Perry has been a favorite author since the first time I read one of her books:
good historical fiction, strong leading characters with a sense of moral good that’s missing in too much modern writing, and an accurate portrayal of the lack of appreciation and self-determination for women historically. This perspective balances my complaints with some gratitude and wisdom. I so enjoy Perry’s ability to give substance to secondary characters in these Christmas stories!
Everyone has a story worth hearing…

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