Anne Perry's annual Christmas novel is a present I always give myself, so even though I wasn't able to get it until after Christmas this year, I still read it with enjoyment. A Christmas Resolution (#956) delivers, as it always does, a finely-wrought moral tale wrapped in a Christmas time mystery.
This is no snow-filled, cookie-baking piece of fluff; it's set in Victorian London with familiar characters from Ms. Perry's William Monk series. Celia Hooper has learned that her good friend is engaged to a well-to-do man from their small parish on the fringes of London. Celia's dislike of Seth Marlowe is instinctive and mutual, although she knows nothing to his discredit. He is a widower with a daughter who has run away from home. Perhaps marriage to Clementine Appleby will be the making of him. But when Seth Marlowe forbids Celia to continue her friendship with Clementine, and accuses her of writing him anonymous poison pen letters, things take a sinister turn. John Hooper feels compelled to investigate the truth behind the threats.
The theme of repentance and forgiveness are strong here, the perfect Christmas message. It's good reading for the soul.
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