Bea Reviews A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: Nov. 3rd, 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo | 
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Blurb from goodreads:

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.

My Thoughts:

I tried reading an Anne Perry book years ago, my stepmother was a fan, but it didn't work for me, although I no longer recall why. But when I saw this in an email from NetGalley, it sounded good so I decided to request it. I'm glad I did and I may try one of her main series. Although this one featured two minor characters from Perry's William Monk series as the main characters, the book worked fine as a stand alone. 

"A Christmas Resolution" is a thoughtful meditation on the nature of forgiveness, friendship and its conflicting obligations, family and its obligations, and, ultimately, love in its many forms. There are several secular mysteries to be solved and the spiritual mystery of forgiveness to explore. Most people find it fairly easy to forgive someone you like or love. But what about someone you dislike or hate? That's far more challenging. When do you forgive and when do you not? If harm was done in the name of love, is that easier or harder to forgive? What about if it was done out of fear? I'm making this sound like a spiritual treatise, and it's not, but there is a spiritual underpinning. There's also a love story, several mysteries, low key action, and moderate levels of angst. "A Christmas Resolution" is very character driven and a lovely detour into the late 1880's in England. The world building is complex and layered and full of small details and psychological insights that build up the story. I was drawn in and hated when I had to put it down. I wanted to finish it but also wanted to savor it. It's a keeper.