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    A Christmas Resolution
    A Christmas Resolution
    A Christmas Resolution
    Audiobook4 hours

    A Christmas Resolution

    Written by Anne Perry

    Narrated by Jenny Sterlin

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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, is blissfully happy in his new marriage to Celia, the cousin of a victim in one of the river police’s recent murder cases. Celia wants the same happiness for her good friend
    Clementine, who’s just announced her engagement to Seth Marlowe, a fellow member of her church. Christmas is nearing, and this should be extra cause for celebration, but when Marlowe begins receiving threatening letters about his first wife’s death, it becomes clear that he is far from the devout man Clementine thought he was. In his rage, Marlowe accuses Celia of sending the letters, claiming she wants to ruin his engagement to Clementine. At a loss as to how to defend herself, Celia enlists her husband to investigate the letters’ claims, and what he finds makes her desperate to show Clementine the truth about her intended.

    But Celia herself has not always been truthful, especially not during the murder trial following her cousin’s death. How can she be believed now, when she lied on the stand? Especially when Marlowe knows that she did, and could use it against her. This Yuletide season finds love and faith put to the test—and Celia’s and Clementine’s lives on the line.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateNov 3, 2020
    ISBN9781980054610
    A Christmas Resolution
    Author

    Anne Perry

    With twenty million books in print, ANNE PERRY's was selected by The Times as one of the twentieth century's '100 Masters of Crime', for more information about Anne and her books, visit: www.anneperry.co.uk

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    Reviews for A Christmas Resolution

    4/5

    46 ratings11 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Deep moral questions are examined in an interesting storyline with great characters. Refreshingly thought provoking.
    • 4/5
      One of the best in this excellent series by Anne Perry. Christmastime, a really bad guy, manipulating his vulnerable victim, is challenged by a strong woman, All packaged in a relentlessly driven plot leavened by forgiveness themed challenges, monumental introspection and patient police work leading to a very comprehensive grand finale. What's, not to like?
    • 4/5
      Author Anne Perry has yet again, delivered a wonderful holiday novella rich, with atmosphere and heart. This story is a bit of a spin-off from her William Monk mystery series, where Monk does make a minor appearance in this story serving in his capacity as commander of The Thames River Police. It is Yuletide, 1872, and the local vicar has just delivered a rousing Advent lesson in forgiveness. One sanctimonious congregant, Seth Marlowe, is so judgmental of all whom he surveys, not the least of which is Celia, wife of John Hooper, an investigating policeman of The Thames River Police. Marlowe is recently engaged to wed Celia's best friend, Clementine - a woman of incredible kindness and grace. He threatens Celia with divulging her past history publicly if she insists on pursuing her close friendship with Clementine and providing advice to her. He obviously wishes to control his new wife with no outside interference. Marlowe is hardened against the vicar's lesson and has no intentions of following its guidance. Marlowe accuses Celia of a heinous act and threatens her with divulging publicly this act as well. In her innocence, she with John's help, seek to find out who the real perpetrator is - offering yet another person in need of absolution.This lesson of forgiveness provides the thread connecting all the characters in this story - not only the need to forgive others but also forgiveness of those sins and shortcomings of oneself. My sense is that this is a lesson which goes to Ms. Perry's core, given her past history in Christchurch, New Zealand. None of us is exempt from this lesson and I for one am richer for having been reminded of it through this lovely tale. Synopsis (from publisher's website):A smitten woman is about to marry a dangerous man—unless Detective Hooper and his new wife, Celia, 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, is blissfully happy in his new marriage to Celia, the cousin of a victim in one of the river police’s recent murder cases. Celia wants the same happiness for her good friend Clementine, who’s just announced her engagement to Seth Marlowe, a member of her church. Christmas is nearing, and this should be extra cause for celebration, but when Marlowe begins receiving threatening letters about his first wife’s death, it becomes clear that he is far from the devout man Clementine thought he was. In his rage, Marlowe accuses Celia of sending the letters, claiming she wants to ruin his engagement to Clementine. At a loss as to how to defend herself, Celia enlists Hooper to investigate the letters’ claims, and what he finds makes her desperate to show Clementine the truth about her soon-to-be husband.But Celia herself has not always been truthful, especially not during the murder trial following her cousin’s death. How can she be believed now, when she lied on the stand? Especially when Marlowe knows that she did, and could use it against her. This Yuletide season finds love and faith put to the test—and Celia’s and Clementine’s lives on the line.
    • 4/5
      "A Christmas Resolution" continues the author's annual tradition of writing a historical mystery set at Christmas time. In this latest installment, Celia Hooper clashes with Seth when she discovers he intends to wed her best friend Clementine. Because of her concerns, her husband John Hooper, a member of the River Thames police department, investigates the untimely death of Seth's previous wife. The investigation turns upon some anonymous letters and the disappearance of Seth's daughter Flavia.Although this mystery is set at Christmas time in London,it could occur at any time of the year. The characters are interesting and the setting adds to the brooding nature of the plot. The story involves ordinary working people, rather than gentry, highlighting the difficulties encountered by women of the time, whether single or wed. Readers may be reminded of novels by Charles Dickens, as the story revolves around social issues and the particular plight of young single women past their prime and their role in society. I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
    • 4/5
      I have been reading Anne Perry's Christmas novellas since the beginning and they have become a tradition with me during the pre-Christmas season. Anne Perry uses these books to highlight some of the minor characters from her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series and from the William Monk series. In this one, we get a closer look at William Monk's right-hand man John Hooper and his new wife Celia. Hooper is one of my favourite characters in the Monk series. He is an ex-sailor who has been all over the world working on sailing ships. He works with Monk on the Thames River police force, and his knowledge of seas and water, and his general common-sense when dealing with all the work that he and Monk do, have helped Monk immeasurably over the years. Hooper is recently married, and is now a very happy man. Celia is a wonderful, practical, no-nonsense woman who John loves very deeply. In this story, Celia's friend Clementine has told Celia that she is getting married to a man that Celia instinctively distrusts. Celia is worried for Clementine because Seth Marlowe is an unlikeable man, and Celia is concerned for Clementine's happiness. It turns out that Marlowe has secrets and he will go to great lengths to keep them secret. Celia enlists John's help to try to track down the author of poison-pen letters that Marlowe has accused her of writing. And, of course, this happens during the week before Christmas, so Christmas is in the air throughout the book. Between the two of them, John and Celia manage to track down the letter-writer, and, at the same time, uncover nasty secrets about Marlowe's first wife Rose and their daughter Flavia, and save Clementine from what would have been a disastrous marriage. This is a fun little Christmas whodunit with a few plot twists and red herrings thrown in. No murders in this one, but a tasty little puzzle just the same.
    • 5/5
      Celia and her detective husband, John Hooper are very much in love and quite happy. When Celia’s friend, Clementine, becomes engaged to Seth Marlowe, they are somewhat fearful that she became engaged, not out of love for Seth, but of a longing for marital bliss. Rumors surrounding the death of Seth’s first wife and the disappearance of his daughter lead them to doubt his character. This novel is a wonderful blend of romance and love, of repentance and forgiveness, and of charity and friendship. The characters and setting add much to the delight of the tale, and, as always, the superb story-telling and writing ability of Anne Perry is evident in its pages.
    • 4/5
      I have read so many of Anne Perry’s books and enjoyed all but was surprised at the anger emanating from the pages of this novella. The ability to change tone, tenor and formats is further indication of Ms. Perry’s abilities. Kudos for the strong feminine protagonist, boos to the Neanderthal who threatens at every turn. HoHums and bashing of the teeth for the milquetoast preacher. Hooray for the message that love and redemption will win out.Thank you NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for a copy
    • 5/5
      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
    • 4/5
      Title: A Christmas ResolutionAuthor: Anne PerryPublisher: BallantineReviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FourReview:"A Christmas Resolution" by Anne PerryMy 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.
    • 5/5
      A Christmas Resolution by Anne PerryEnjoying this read because it's about a woman who sticks up for her best friend Clementine who is marrying a man she really doesn't know and has no idea what he's all about.Seth Marlowe corners Celia and tells her to stay away from his wife to be or he will divulge her lies on the witness stand.She hurries to visit the vicar and he knows that she lied but for a really good reason.She hopes her spouse doesn't also find out....so she informs him of the trouble. John takes it upon himself along with some police and they follow the clues and find a person who has reliable first hand knowledge of what really happened.Religion is involved along with forgiveness.Quite different than anything I've read before, how it all comes down and why. Everything comes out at the end, what a great mystery story especially for the upcoming holidays.I received this review copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.#AChristmasResolution #NetGalley
    • 5/5
      I've read all of Anne Perry's other Christmas novellas (I believe there were 17 earlier Christmas novellas) and, while I absolutely love this series, this one was the best of them all. Taking some characters, Celia and Hooper, from one of her Monk mysteries, Perry explores the meaning of forgiveness. while these two characters try to figure out who has sent some poison pen letters.As always, there is plenty to ponder with this one.Highly recommended!!(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)