“A Christmas Resolution”—a novella by Anne Perry—has just been published. Perry excels at writing books set during the Victorian era and getting the tone, characterization and setting (England—and Perry is American) just right. This latest installment is no different.

I have very much enjoyed her mystery series, as well as her Christmas novellas in which she usually chooses a secondary character from her novels and develops them more fully. This was a particularly lovely example in that the novella had a spiritual theme, also, from the very first paragraph:

“Celia approached the vicar, who stood alone for a few moments in the shadow of the rounded arch above the doorway, sheltered from the rising wind. She wanted to say something about the excellence of his sermon beyond the usual “well done,” which covered anything and nothing.”

There is also a mystery involved. It is Christmas time, but Christmas isn’t the focus of this book. The primary themes of this book are caring about your fellow man, repenting when you have done something wrong, and forgiving others. This was the topic of the sermon mentioned above:

“Normally, the Reverend Arthur Roberson was not a very enthusiastic speaker. He was pleasant enough to look at, mild-mannered with an abundance of gray hair, although he was little over fifty. His voice was clear and well modulated, and he could sing with power. Usually, his sermons were competent, but not much more. However, today he spoke with an unaccustomed passion. Music filled his voice and his face was alight with the strength of his emotions.

“That is the message of the gospel,” he said to her. “The meaning of Christmas for all mankind, indeed for all the earth. No one is excluded, from the first year of our Lord until this year of grace 1872. And always, there is repentance for any and all sins. You cannot commit an act, entertain a thought, that God does not know.” He spread his arms wide, his eyes shining. “You cannot imagine any sin He has not already seen, and forgiven, if only you repent. From the small everyday sins of thoughtlessness, not caring about the grief of others, all the pain done by indifference,” he shook his head, “all the way to the depths of violence or depravity that lie at the edge of nightmare, it is all reachable to God. Such is His mercy and understanding.”

Who is Celia? She is the wife of Detective John Hooper, William Monk's right-hand man at the Thames River Police. They haven’t been married long, but have found much happiness. But that happiness is threatened when Celia’s optimistic and kind old-maid friend, Clementine, declares her intentions to marry Seth Marlowe, another church goer, but not one known for optimism or kindness. Marlowe is a widower whose first wife died under suspicious circumstances, and who drove his daughter into a life of ill repute. And now he is receiving poisonous letters and accuses Celia of writing them, and worse yet, orders her to stay away from Clementine.

Detective Hooper begins to investigate who might be writing the letters not only to clear his wife’s name, but also to protect Clementine from a potentially disastrous marriage.

I very much enjoyed this novella from Anne Perry and would like to thank Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book and for allowing me to review it. (Publication date: 3 November 2020)

I love books set in old England but to be a woman of that time period, I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have made a very good wife. The arrogance and pride of men is what has this book moving but it’s the women who are the stars. Thanks Anne!

A Christmas Resolution: A Novel by Anne Perry
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: November 3, 2020

A Christmas Resolution is the 18th books in the Christmas Story series by Anne Perry. Each of these books can be read as a standalone novel, since they are novellas featuring characters from her other books. I have never read a book by Anne Perry before so I did not know what to exepct.

This book is beautifully written and quickly draws in the reader. The story take places during Christmas in 1872 and is a story of redemption.

I look forward to reading Anne Perry's other books!

I'm so grateful to Anne Perry, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

OMG! YES! Huge thanks to Random House for allowing me to read this book! I absolutely loved it.

The setting of this wonderful read, occurs within an English town, during the Christmas holiday. It had amazing characters, a great storyline and really set my mood for holiday reading! It covers a wide array of themes! We experience holiday spirit, kindness, honesty and friendship on a few different levels and just an overall great read!

Anne Perry is an old favorite for me, but I hadn't read any of her books for a while and am unfamiliar with this series (if it is one), but A CHRISTMAS RESOLUTION was an ideal diversion from election night jitters. Celia Hooper is dismayed to learn her young friend, Clementine, is betrothed to the odious Seth Marlowe. Even more so when Seth threatens to reveal a secret from Celia's past, then goes on to accuse her of sending him anonymous letters. Her dislike for him grows as he threatens her physically, increasing her concern for Clementine's future happiness.

Enlisting the help of her new husband, John Hooper, and confessing all to her pastor relieves Celia somewhat, but she remains determined to learn who is actually sending the letters to Marlowe.

An engaging novella--on the longish side for a novella--that takes the reader back to 1870s England. The setting is evocative and the happy ending is perfect for a holiday story. A CHRISTMAS RESOLUTION is the perfect accompaniment for a cool evening and a cup of tea. #AChristmasResolution #NetGalley

A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry is an interesting look at historical life in England. I'm not really a mystery reader but have always loved the holiday themed books this author puts out. The story revolves around Celia and Clementine and a marriage proposal for Clementine. The story opens with commentary on a sermon Celia has heard. As she is speaking with the vicar about the sermon a man approaches the vicar and informs them that he, Seth Marlowe, is now engaged to Clementine Appleby, who is a friend of Celia, Celia is surprised and not happy about the announcement. As far as Celia is concerned Seth Marlowe is not a nice person. The story continues with Clementine being excited to be getting married, Seth Marlowe telling Celia to stay away from Clementine and then threatening Celia after he gets an anonymous letter accusing him of doing things to his first wife who took her own life. As the situation heats up, Celia's husband, Hooper, gets involved with the search for answers to what is actually is going on. The story concludes satisfactorily on Christmas as Seth is made to face his beliefs of repentance and absolution of his deeds.

A Christmas Resolution
A Novel
by Anne Perry
Read an Excerpt
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Ballantine Books
Historical Fiction
Pub Date 03 Nov 2020 | Archive Date 31 Jan 2021

Excellent book that I will recommend to our patrons. Christmas books are well-loved. We need a break from all the depressing news.
Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

5 star

A different type of Scrooge!

Somehow Perry's Christmas stories always undo me. A Christmas Resolution does exactly that. Set in Victorian London in 1872, this year's tale centers around John Hooper, a senior officer in the Thames River Police, and his lovely wife Celia who are drawn into unpleasantness in their church circle. Celia's best friend Clemintine is going to marry Seth Marlowe. A rigid man. An unforgiving man whose former wife committed suicide and whose daughter ran from him. Indeed Seth maight have been an emotionally depleted Scrooge. When Seth roughly confronts Celia and orders her to have nothing to do with Clemantine, Celia is thrown into indignation and confusion. It turns out that Seth thinks Celia has threatened him with poisoned letters. Hooper is consumed by a cold anger and a determination to find out more about Seth and what he is frightened about, particularly after his treatment of Celia.
Underlying the story is the concept of forgiveness and repentance. Another astounding mystery with reflections wrapped in tightly written prose Perry.

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I always look forward to A Christmas mystery by Anne Perry. This year she gives us a humdinger with A Christmas Resolution where Celia’s friend, Clementine may be misguided in her affections. Celia’s new husband is Detective John Hooper works at Thames River Police with William Monk. No doubts that he will get to the bottom of it for Celia’s sake as well as Clementine’s

A 19th century story that is timely but happens at the Christmas Season. It involves of true friendship, forgiveness, threats, and truth. There is a surprise twist that I found to be interesting. While the ending was one I guessed, it is still an intriguing tale. Holidays can be more than sweet sometimes a downright untidy relationship mess.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

Anne Perry is a terrific writer, and this Christmas novella is wonderfully done. If you’ve read her books, this one continues in the same style. Very detailed, and brings to life the Victorian time period. Always a mystery, you’ll enjoy this story. I was given a ARC copy of the book to read, and this is my honest opinion.

Title: A Christmas Resolution
Author: Anne Perry
Publisher: Ballantine
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"A Christmas Resolution" by Anne Perry

My Speculation:

"A Christmas Resolution" was quite an enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages till the end of this lovely English village. It was interesting how this author presents us with a story that gives us a blend of 'mystery, intrigue, love, redemption, and forgiveness.' The characters and setting were all well developed and well defined. We find Celia, who is married to a police officer, John Hooper. Celia's friend has been told that her friend Clementine is engaged to a much older widow who has a questionable background [Seth], and from there, this story picks up where Seth verbally attacks Celia. Will we see this Christmas season be the time to right a wrong? Well, you will have to pick up "A Christmas Resolution" to find out. Even though this read was around the Christmas season, it could be read anytime.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my review.

Anne Perry has been writing Christmas novellas since 2003. They never get old and every year I look forward to seeing which of my favorite characters may be featured. This time it is Hooper, a member of the River Police who is a colleague of the well-known Monk.

What I enjoyed most about this Christmas read was the wisdom of Anne Perry and the beauty of her descriptions. She writes gorgeously about what the water means to former sailor Hooper. She is tender when she talks about the recent marriage and the love that connects Hooper and his wife, Celia. It is a slightly later in life relationship for them and it is based on deep affection and shared world views and values.

The story is about Celia’s close friend Clementine who is about to marry a rather self-righteous, dour and, at times, threatening man. Marlowe had a first marriage that did not go well and is estranged from his daughter. He is eager to marry Clementine who, like Celia was, is alone in the world and a bit older for a first time bride. Marlowe seems to want to control her. He is also apparently being blackmailed. For what? How will everything resolve bearing in mind that this is a Christmas read and forgiveness is one of the novella’s themes? Will everything be forgiven? Will things be okay?

Readers new to this series should be aware that the novella refers to events from a previous book so there is a spoiler in there. A Christmas Resolution can still be enjoyed by those unfamiliar with that earlier story.

This book would make a perfect stocking stuffer for an Anne Perry fan. I am only sorry that I will now have to wait a year for her next Christmas title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have read in the author’s Monk series. While it is an offshoot and involves secondary characters in the series, it gave me a good idea of what the series might be like. I really liked it and will be reading the series from the beginning over time.

I enjoy Ms. Perry’s style of story-telling. She has an elegant way of turning a phrase and setting up a scene. This story does exactly that.

Celia Hooper is the wife of Detective John Hooper, who works for and with William Monk. Their marriage is fairly recent and they are still finding their way of living as a couple rather than the many years of being single.

Celia has a dear friend, Clementine, who is also somewhat older and Celia becomes engaged to Seth Marlowe, who is a throughly unlikeable individual, at least to Celia.

Their friendship becomes tenuous because of Marlowe’s attitude toward Celia. When Marlowe receives threatening letters, he decides that Celia is the culprit and Celia finds she must defend herself against the false accusations.

The story progresses to so much more and one wonders how Clementine’s life will be like once she marries this man. With Christmas fast approaching, Celia is trying to find forgiveness in her own heart, such as that that has been provided to her from God.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry is not really a Christmas novel but rather one in the spirit of Christmas. It takes place in a William Monk related world of the river police in London and is really a story of forgiveness, or rather lack of forgiveness. Celia is married to John Hooper, a deputy. It is a relatively late in life marriage but they are both happy with it. Celia's friend, Clementine has announced she is to marry. She is on the wrong side of thirty so this is somewhat surprising but it is the objective of her affections that is the real surprise: Seth Marlowe, a man suspected of many things, an unpleasant man at best.

Seth is a man of God but neglects an important aspect: forgiveness. He spends an inordinate amount of time criticizing and shaming others. There are rumors about his past, but no one really knows. Celia is worried. She has had several recent encounters with him that have been most distressing: he wants her to break off her friendship with Clementine. He threatened her. Celia is distress and shares her distress with her husband. He sets off to investigate. Traditional Perry. A good story with a satisfying conclusion. A good lesson in forgiveness. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of A Christmas Resolution. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #achristmasresolution

I have read most of Anne Perry’s full-length novels in both the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series and the William Monk series. Perry’s holiday novellas do a wonderful job of spotlighting minor characters from each series and letting them take the lead.

This story features a side character from the Monk series, set in the 19th century in London. Detective John Hooper, who is Monk’s assistant at the Thames River Police, is newly married and looking forward to spending the holidays with his wife, Celia. John agrees to help Celia check into the past of her good friend’s fiancé. Celia is afraid Seth Marlowe’s pious exterior is an act and that Celia will be in danger if she becomes the next Mrs. Marlowe.

This story is set around the time of the holidays, but doesn’t have a lot of details about preparations or Christmas traditions of the times. The theme of friendship and forgiveness continues through the book and makes it a fitting holiday story. I like how John is willing to use his detective skills to do as his wife asked and investigate Seth. Rumors had been going around that Seth had something to do with his first wife’s death and Celia wants to make sure her friend Clementine won’t be throwing away her happiness or even risking her life by marrying this arrogant man. The best parts of the book are John’s investigation into Seth’s past. William Monk even makes a small cameo in the story, when John goes to him for advice. My least favorite scenes are those in which Seth confronts and threatens Celia. He is so judgmental and arrogant, it was hard getting through some of these scenes.

A Christmas Resolution is a short read with a touching ending. There is some ambiguity that only hints at what could happen next in the lives of the main characters, but I chose to think that things turn out for the best for Clementine after all she went through. Fans of the Thomas Monk series will enjoy Perry’s latest holiday story, as would any reader who enjoys a short, well-written historical mystery story.

~ Christine

Quick read, more of a novella and not really a lot of Christmas story involved except that events occur around Christmas. More of a short mystery that stresses forgiveness and values. The description gives adequate detail about the book. It does take place in a totally different time than ours so the conversations are a lot more formal and meanings are inferred rather than being straightforward. Wasn't quite my 'cup of tea' but is an easy read.
I received an advanced reader copy and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author. publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I'm a huge new Anne Perry fan. I just adore the Daniel Pitt and Elena Standish series, and I also plan on reading the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt and William Monk series soon. I saw that she has written quite a few Christmas stories, but this is the first one I read. It was the perfect way to start the upcoming holiday season! This year has been really challenging, so a positive story was something I really needed.

Celia is newly married to Detective John Hooper, who works with William Monk, and she's over-the-moon happy. She would love for her dearest friend Clementine to find her own love. However, when Clementine announces her engagement to Seth Marlowe, it's really hard for Celia to be happy for her. Marlowe is not a nice man; he may be one of the most judgmental people Celia has ever met. When Marlowe receives threatening letters about his first wife's death, he accuses Celia of sending them in an attempt to change Clementine's mind about the engagement. Hooper begins to investigate the truth behind the horrible letters...

This was an absolutely lovely story about forgiveness. It's more a story about that than Christmas, but it does take place during Yuletide. Celia and Hooper are delightful characters. Celia wants to do everything she can to keep her friend safe, and Hooper does the same for his wife. They are not a young married couple; they both have a few years on them, which was a nice change of pace. The mystery about the letters was an entertaining one. The supporting cast was stellar, especially Marlowe and his brother-in-law, Vicar Andrew Roberson. As I said, the main theme running through this novella is forgiveness, but in no was it preachy. It's the perfect book for this time of the year. Well, actually for any time! Who doesn't have someone they struggle to forgive?

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

In 1872 Thames, Celia Hooper learns her friend is to be married to a man with a murky past that no one seems to like, even his brother in law, the Pastor. As soon as she raises her doubts, she is accused of trying to sabotage the marriage and threatened. Celia's husband just happens to be Detective Hooper of the Thames River Police. To ease his wife's worries and insure her safety, Detective Hooper starts to investigate the groom to be with surprising results.

Anne Perry is well known for the quality of her Victorian police dramas and her cast of well loved characters. Each year she writes a Christmas novella, this is the 18th. Each novella is a stand alone but features many of the supporting characters from her series books. Although short enough to read in an evening, the full Anne Perry reading experience is definitely included. An absolute must read.

I discovered Anne Perry earlier this year. Both books I've read have been in the mystery genre so I was sort of expecting her new Christmas book to also be a mystery. It is, but it also was different than I was expecting.

A Christmas Resolution is set in 1870s London. I have read both Christmas stories written during that period and stories written by modern-day authors set in this time period. If I didn't know that Anne Perry was a modern-day author, I would have assumed that this story had been written close to the time that is depicted. In other words, it felt more like I was reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens rather than a work of historical fiction. I was impressed with how well Perry captured the tone of a Victorian novel.

Perry has written other Christmas stories, but I haven't read them, and therefore, I cannot compare them. If this is the first Christmas book of hers that you are picking up, then you should expect a much more serious story than the typical, fluffy holiday stories we see these days. Themes of repentance and forgiveness as well as love and concern for your fellow man are prevalent.

I said there was a mystery and there is. Someone is has been sending letters to a prominent, and self-righteous, man who has secrets - secrets that the letter writer reminds him are known to at least one person. Seth Marlowe is willing to ruin anyone who he thinks is the letter writer or in any way threatens he future plans to remarry. Unfortunately, the new wife of river police detective John Hooper is caught in Marlowe's crosshairs. She is best friends with the woman who has just agreed to marry Marlowe. Hooper is a loving husband and when his wife's reputation is threatened, he vows to discover Marlowe's secret, which presumably has to do with his first wife's death, and stop the letter writer from causing harm to innocent people.

The mystery isn't that difficult to work out. I guessed who was writing the letters as soon as the first letter was mentioned. The easy mystery pushed the themes of repentance and forgiveness to the forefront, and it is clear that they are what the reader should take away from the story.

If are looking for a Christmas that reminds you of the true meaning and mystery of Christmas, then this is the book for you.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday, Nov. 3 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2020/11/a-christmas-resolution-by-anne-perry.html

I love Anne Perry's books Her characters are well drawn and the plots always have twists and turns that make them intriguing. This book is no exception. She has created a story that kept me interested and reading until I finished it. I really like her Christmas books and this adds another solid book to her collection.