I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Ballantine/Random House in exchange for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed this short story based during Christmas time of 1872 in England. In a very devote religious community, Celia Hooper who married late in life to John Hooper tries desperately to uncover the truth about a self righteous man, Seth Marlowe. Celia learns that he is recently engaged to marry her best friend Clementine Appleby, who is unaware of his shady past. Clementine is a sweet and generous woman who spends her time helping others especially the homeless and less desirable.

Celia is overwhelmed with the blessings she has even though it wasn’t an easy path for her. She had met her husband while he was investigating the murder of her cousin, Katherine, at the hands of her spouse Harry Exeter. John Hooper is called upon once again to help uncover truth and provide justice when past events surface regarding Seth Marlowe before he came to Thames.

Although the story is predictable, it was still a delightful read with the quaintness of a small English village during the holidays. The atmosphere and setting provided a backdrop for the themes of repentance and forgiveness to shine. It reminds us that no one is perfect and that the hardest part is owning our imperfections. There can be no meaningful restitution or resolution otherwise. ( )

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.

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.

Thank you, Goodreads and Random House Book Club for a chance to read A Christmas Resolution!

“{She is a beautiful woman, in her own way. She has a brightness about her, a light within, you will see a change in him, you will have to forgive the darkness and the pain in him, before it has been healed. We can most of do afterward.”}

This was a nice Christmas romance mystery book. It is definitely fast read! The book also holds a lesson I think everyone needs to be reminded of from time to time. Forgive yourself and others and the hardest one is to forgive those that you don’t really like in the first place. I really did enjoy this book. It was hard to put down once i got started! Hopefully it will do the same for you! Happy reading everyone! ( )

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? ( )

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. ( )

"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. ( )