A Christmas Escape by Anne Perry
Charles Latterly spends Christmas on the volcanic island Stromboli with six other tourists. Someone murders Mr. Walker-Bailey. Teen Candace is innocent. The volcano kills her guardian. That leaves three suspects and the question of motive. Novella.
Aside from Charles Latterly, the six other tourists, and their jovial host Stefano, the other character is Stromboli. Stromboli is a small volcanic island that has been erupting continuously for thousands of years. Other volcanoes that exhibit similar behavior are called “Strombolian.” Stefano personifies the volcano. “I think when there is a lull in the volcano’s anger, we should go up and look. If it is safe, we should make our way down to the sea.” Stromboli spits and grumbles all the time.” The murderer attempts to frame the volcano for Mr. Walker-Bailey’s death and, eventually, metes out justice by executing the murderer.
Candace’s beloved Grandmama has recently died, leaving Roger as her last living relative. When the volcano threatens the group, Roger makes Charles promise to assume the guardian role for fourteen-year-old Candace if anything happens to him. Mrs. Isla Bailey is a genial lady married to the domineering and abusive Mr. Walker-Bailey. Walker-Bailey is disagreeable, always arriving late to meals and complaining that they started without him. Colonel Bretherton is a retired military man who is obviously infatuated with Isla. Finally, Mr. Quinn is a best-selling author who everyone thinks was incapable of writing his acclaimed novel.
After Mr. Walker-Bailey is murdered, the volcano eruption worsens, killing their host, Stefano, and Candace’s guardian, Uncle Roger. Now burdened with the responsibility of Candace, Charles encourages everyone to evacuate the mountainside for the safety of the coast. The small group, Charles, Candace, Quinn, Bretherton, and Isla, sets off with the volcano in deadly pursuit.
In the stress of the escape, all is revealed.
Biographical footnote: With her friend, Anne Perry murdered her friend’s mother at age 15 in New Zealand.
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