by Anne Perry
Series: Christmas Stories #18
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
A smitten young woman is about to marry a dangerous man--unless Detective Hooper and his new girlfriend can prevent it--in this wickedly tangled holiday mystery from bestselling author Anne Perry.
Detective John Hooper, William Monk's right-hand man at the Thames River Police, has fallen in love with Celia, the cousin of the victim in their most recent murder case. Now Celia has discovered that the man her good friend plans to marry this Christmas is far from what he seems. Her fiancé's first marriage ended with his wife walking into the sea--not of her own accord--and Celia hopes Hooper can help show her friend the truth.
But Celia herself has not always been truthful--especially not in the murder trial following her cousin's death. How can she be believed now when she lied on the stand? With Christmas fast approaching and both Celia and her friend's lives on the line, Hooper must put his own moral code to the test in this suspenseful holiday mystery from bestselling writer Anne Perry.
Sophia Rose is here during the Ho-Ho-Ho readathon. Grab some hot cocoa and check out her review of A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry. Perfect for fans of historical mysteries.
Sophia Rose’s Review
It’s easy to forgive someone you like, but to genuinely forgive an unlikable person a bit of Christmas miracle might be necessary. The latest of the Christmas Stories series is a follow up to some of the events in Dark Tide Rising. Some history and mystery, but a thoughtful, holiday season novella with heart.
Anne Perry’s Christmas Stories series tell standalone, novella-length mysteries set both at Christmas and in the worlds of her two Victorian Detective series. This eighteenth installment, A Christmas Resolution, delves into the William Monk world with one of the prime secondary characters, his right hand man, John Hooper. Hooper’s past came to light in Dark Tide Rising and he also met his wife in the critical hour. Two lonely people are adjusting to marriage and the partnership in life’s toils and troubles as a result.
Celia has been confronted by a self-righteous temperamental man from the village church congregation because he suspects she is behind a poison pen letter he has received, but also because he sees what she did to get justice and save Hooper was a sin against God even though the courts and the vicar do not. The only way to free Celia from his threat and perhaps open the eyes of Celia’s truly good friend who has agreed to marry him is for Celia and her husband to get to the truth behind the letters on a trail into his past. Meanwhile, Celia wrestles with the Christian teaching about forgiveness and how that applies to the nasty-tempered Mr.
Marlowe.
I’ve long been a fan of the author’s work to bring the Victorian world of London to life from its high, lofty Mayfair drawing rooms to its teaming, gritty slums in the East End and everything in between like this working class village along the Thames.
Along with setting, she sketches in complex, shadowed characters with very believable human frailties and strengths like Celia and Hooper learning what daily life in a marriage is or a person coming to terms with a moral dilemma or a person choosing their weakness and fear over the work of changing.
And, that is before one gets to the delicious mystery plots that twist and turn their way to a conclusion. The level of development in her novellas like this Christmas-themed one is no less than the novels in her main series books. I eagerly await each new release and the experience of reading her books.
Those who want a solid historical mystery set against the holiday season should pick this one up- or start anywhere in the series that grabs the attention.
Grab some hot cocoa and check out Sophia Rose's review of A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry. Perfect for fans of historical mysteries.#ChristmasStories Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
RO
Hello Ladies and Happy Friyay! Always love a good mystery! Hugs, RO
RO
Hey There Ladies and Happy Friyay! This book sounds pretty amazing. Love a good mystery! Hugs, RO
Debbie S Haupt
Oh Yes I love her Christmas stories
Sophia Rose
Aren’t they a treat, Debbie?
Iza
If everything goes according to plan (fingers crossed), I should be reading that series sometime soon. I’ve read her William Pitt and Charlotte and Thomas Monk series (most of it), still have to catch up with the rest but I do want to. Great review 🙂
Sophia Rose
You will really enjoy the Christmas stories since you’ve read both the main series the characters are based on. Thanks, Iza!
Greg
I’ve read several of PErry’s previous Christmas novellas and really enjoyed them, but I haven’t read the last few. This sounds great. I love her ability to evoke that period as well, and I like that she tackles forgiveness in this one. Sounds like a great read!
Sophia Rose
Neat that you’re a fellow fan, Greg! The period truly does come alive. Hope you get the chance to catch up soon.
Felicity Grace Terry
Oh I do love all of the festive books that are flooding the Blogosphere at the moment. An author I have come across, I really must check out more of her Christmas books.
Sophia Rose
Yes, there is a plethora of new holiday releases. I love how she does these Christmas mysteries with her side characters.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I haven’t read as much of Anne Perry as I would prefer but I have really enjoyed everything I have read. Fantastic review!
Sophia Rose
She has written so many that it’s hard to keep up. 🙂 More to enjoy for the future.
Rachel
This sounds like a mystery I’d enjoy! Fab review, Sophia Rose! I’m wondering, if I should read any of the previous books first?
Sophia Rose
I think with the Christmas stories that it can go either way. This one is a follow up to a book from the William Monk series so works best after that one. You’d probably like that series- he’s an amnesiac Victorian Age detective. 🙂
sherry fundin
it takes some great writing to make a novella pop. glad you enjoyed this so much. wonderful review
Sophia Rose
Sure does! Thanks, Sherry.
Angela
I’ve never read a holiday-themed mystery/murder mystery, but this sounds intriguing!
Sophia Rose
I love that she started these Christmas themed mysteries as side stories to her main series years ago. Some are murder mysteries and some are other types of mysteries.