A Christmas Hope

by Anne Perry

Although she lacks for nothing, Claudine Burroughs dreads the holiday season for forcing her to face how empty her life has become. She no longer expects closeness with her coldly ambitious husband, and she has nothing in common with their circle of wealthy, status-minded friends. The only time she is remotely happy is when she volunteers at a woman’s clinic—a job her husband strongly disapproves of. Then, at a glittering yuletide gala, she meets the charming poet Dai Tregarron and finds her spirits lifted. But scarcely an hour later, the charismatic Dai is enmeshed in a nightmare—accused of killing a young streetwalker who had been smuggled into the party.  

Even though she suspects that an upper-class clique is quickly closing ranks to protect the real killer, Claudine vows to do her utmost for Dai. But it seems that hypocritical London society would rather send an innocent poet to the gallows than expose the shocking truth about one of their own.

Nevertheless, it’s the season of miracles and Claudine finally sees a glimmer of hope—not only for Dai but for a young woman she befriends who is teetering on the brink of a lifetime of unhappiness. Anne Perry’s heartwarming new holiday novel is a celebration of courage, faith, and love for all seasons.

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Holiday, Historical Mystery

197 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Anne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.

Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".

Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.

Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in Victorian London at Christmas time and is one of a whole selection of Christmas novellas written by this author.

The main character is an unhappily married woman who tries to prevent an innocent man from being hanged for a murder he did not commit. At the same time she meets a young woman about to embark on a society marriage to a man she does not love. She recognises the way she began her own marriage and tries to help the girl escape the same future she has had herself.

Lots of social commentary, interesting characters, and a good story well told, made this a very enjoyable Christmas read. I plan to make a point of reading another one from her list next Christmas.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

8/12 - A simple, unsophisticated historical mystery. This was my first Anne Perry book and I was kind of expecting a 'cosy romance'. A Christmas Hope was one of many (10) Christmas themed books I picked up a couple of weeks ago. All the other books I picked up were romances and I just assumed this would be the same, it wasn't until I realised that Claudine was married to a cold, unfeeling man who wasn't the man of her dreams (and that he wasn't going to have a convenient heart attack) that it occurred to me that this wasn't a 'cosy romance', but a 'cosy mystery'.

Claudine happens across a man at a party who charms her with his poet's heart. She is shocked when, only a little while later he is accused of murder. She doesn't believe a man could say such romantic things to her one minute and then beat a woman to death the next, so, despite all the roadblocks those around her put up, she does everything in her power to get to the truth.

This is the eleventh book in Perry's Christmas Stories series, but there is no reason to be irritated if you haven't read the previous ten. A couple of times Claudine mentions another character, Hester, who runs the women's clinic she volunteers at, and another case she was involved in that nearly got her killed is also brought up, but the main characters Claudine and her husband and friends are all well-drawn and wholly described. I'm one of the strictest followers of the religion of 'series must be read in chronological order', so if I'm not that bothered, then most other readers will hardly notice. Not a fantastic read, but an enjoyable one, which is good as I have another two of Perry's books in my towering pile of Christmas themed borrows and I hate to give up on a book before I've even opened it.

[Randi Annie Framnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting of the story
This story is set in Victorian London, even though the year is not specified in this one. It is about Claudine Burroughs, a wealthy woman volunteering in Hester Monk’s charity run Clinique for sick or injured prostitutes. As she has no children of her own, she is trying to find something meaningful to do with her time. She lives in a desperately unhappy marriage, so the work becomes a means to get away from her husband who tries to make her stop volunteering.
Claudine and her husband take part in a ball as usual, only this time there is a serious incident taking place in the garden of the manor house. 4 drunken men and a prostitute are involved. She has been attacked, is unconscious and bleeding badly. Claudine sets out to help her and to discover what really happened. The prostitute suffered a serious blow to parts of her head and face, but there are no witnesses as to who actually struck her. When Claudine arrives to help, poet Dai Tregarron is bending over her trying to revive her, and is subsequently blamed for the sinister deed. However, he denies having attacked her. Claudine believes him and tries to carve out information about what really happened. Who did actually strike the victim Winnie Briggs?
The endless work Claudine has done for years keeping in contact with members of society has resulted in her having a substantial social capital which becomes crucial as this story progresses. She uses her connections for all they are worth to carve out information. Backdrop to the story is the extensive Christmas celebrations, and the fun and games which are on everyone’s mind. All members of society feel it important that nothing gets in the way of all the partying planned for the Christmas season.

The Characters
Claudine has a difficult, unhappy, arranged marriage to her husband. The volunteer work at Hester Monk’s Clinique for sick and injured prostitutes gives her a sense of accomplishment and positive input she certainly does not get at home, or when going to charity committees like her husband wants her to.
Husband Wallace doesn’t love his wife. He is consumed with the craving for more and more wealth, power and standing in society and treats his wife as a tool to help him achieve this. He tries to prevent Claudine from doing charity work, having relationships with people he doesn’t know and generally having a life and a mind of her own. I really found him an appalling person. I could notice no positive traits whatsoever, save for the fact that he did not drink or gamble. Maybe Perry made him a bit one-dimensional, but he was probably perfect for the husband role in this story.

My Overall Thoughts
I have read quite a few of Anne Perry’s Christmas stories and find them enjoyable and interesting each in their own unique way. This one I felt kept quite a bit of focus on the importance of nothing interfering with the fun and games of Christmas celebrations. Not even a murder. Society are trying their best to cover up the attack on the prostitute as she is not wealthy, important or connected and therefore in their heads it would be best to forget about her and let fun and games of the Christmas season have priority. It all becomes a curious and shallow mix of Christmas cheer and murder investigation. Short as it is, only 154 pages, this story manages to unsettle me. I feel sad and angry about the total disregard for the victim, but pleased to see that there seems to become a sense of urgency to do the right thing and tell the truth towards the end.

I enjoyed reference to the quite new custom emerging which was the sending of Christmas cards. This would probably set this story around 1843 when the first Christmas card was sent. A Christmas Hope - Christmas Story #11 is recommended for fans of Anne Perry’s previous extensive number of works and for readers of crime fiction in general.
My rating: 4 stars / 5
(All opinions are my own)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry is a November 2013 Random House/Ballantine Books publication.

In December 1868 Claudine Burroughs is attending a party when a scuffle breaks out. She had stepped out for air and saw a little of the incident.
A young street girl was injured and later dies as a result. Claudine believed the accused gentleman is innocent. She proceeds to investigate the matter much to her husband Wallace's chagrin. He would prefer she make contact with those in their social circles, and buy new gowns. But, Claudine is bored with those things.
The investigation leads to some rather uncomfortable revelations and no one is altogether pleased with Claudine. They would rather have an innocent man hanged, it seems.

The marriage between Claudine and Wallace is another motive for Claudine to pressure a witness that has a great deal to lose.

Overall this was solid historical Christmas Mystery. Claudine's personal situation with Wallace is a little sad. But, it appears she is resigned to her less than happy marriage and is determined to find her own peace.
Her satisfaction at seeing an innocent man released from prison and the hangman's noose, is the best Christmas gift she could receive.

Overall this one gets an A.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've found an author of Christmas mysteries - Anne Perry. This was the perfect choice of book for the week of Christmas. A Christmas Hope has a Victorian setting which in itself always offers a break from reality and a Victor Hugo or Charles Dickens style of murder to be solved. Perry is a master of presenting moral and ethical dilemmas, of illustrating hypocrisy among some of society’s favoured few. I will be reading more books by her for certain.

[Ddelmoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure -- I'm an Anne Perry fan. Fifteen years ago a friend put me on to Perry and I've read her Pitt series, WWI series plus a few Christmas. No doubt I’m addicted.

Perry's Christmas mysteries are the winter equivalent of "beach books". Not actually novels, more novellas, A Christmas Hope is the latest offering and perfect for a wintry weekend when a quick cozy, with a backdrop of Victorian England (1868 London here), will fit the bill. Perry fans will be happy as a Christmas Hope adds to another beloved characters back story and new readers can enter Perry’s Victorian world without needing to be familiar with her other works.

Perry typically uses supporting characters from her two Victorian mystery series (featuring Thomas Pitt and William Monk) as the main character for each of her Christmas stories. A Christmas Hope features Claudine Burroughs, a character who works in Hester Monk’s medical clinic in the William Monk series. A murder mystery provides the back drop for Perry to also tell the story of Claudine’s troubled marriage. Though enjoyable, the mystery itself was predictable which is why I’d give A Christmas Hope 6 out of 10.

[Janice Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Hope is one of my favourites of Anne Perry's Christmas novellas. Although I don't clearly remember the main character from Perry's novel, this shorter story about her is exciting and positive in many ways.

Still filled with Perry's strong characters and plots, these Christmas novellas are great to read and re-read at Christmas time.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claudine Burroughs isn't enthused about the upcoming Christmas season. She is married to a cold and harsh man. She would much rather volunteer at a hospital for sick prostitutes then attend the frivolous parties of high society. At one those parties and unfortunate incident occurred. Someone had smuggled in a prostitute and ended up having her killed. A man is charged but Claudine suspects he is innocent. The hypocritical high society would rather protect themselves from scandal than send one of their own to justice. Claudine sets on an investigation of her own which results in freeing the innocent man. She is also able to help a young girl to reach a chance of future happiness by sparing her the risk of an unhappy marriage. I was impressed by Claudine's compassion for the lesser fortunate and her courage to stand against an hypocritical husband and society.

[Kai Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good but short story. I admire Claudine's courage, especially since she didn't know she had it. I also sometimes wonder as she does about the person I might have been. Doing the right thing isn't easy. Claudine definitely has become one of my heroes.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 would be the right rating. Good plot, good suspense

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short, clean mystery. Some definite bits of wisdom to be had in it, as well as twists and turns...quite a lot for a book this size. My second Perry book, and one I will definitely consider owning. :) It was admittedly a bit slow in a spot or two, but the ending was worth every bit of going on. And I loved the main character, Claudine!

[Delaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really close to perfect. Great story, great characters, great storytelling.

[Valerie Campbell Ackroyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth Anne Perry Christmas book I’ve read this season. I found the first half heavy going, perhaps because I had a heavy cold and kept falling asleep :) The last half improved however.

Claudine Burroughs, like so many of Perry’s heroines, is a wealthy Victorian woman, unhappy in her marriage and bored in her society. She attends a party and comes upon a murder. She doesn’t believe that the person accused, a “romantic” Welsh poet, is guilty but doesn’t know how to go about proving his innocence. Typical of Perry’s books, however, she does.

Yes, this is a typical Perry book and, if you like her books, you will probably like this one. I tend to seesaw about her books—I get tired of the moralizing and I honestly don’t think that Victorian England was very much like she portrays it, except in its rigid formality. But I like the way she writes, the turns of phrase, the adjectives and I have always been interested in Victorian England. This book is heavy on the moralizing, its descriptions are minimal as she focuses more in this book on the internal struggles rather than the external. I got tired of Claudine, she seemed a bit too good to be true and yet I wondered why on earth she was attracted to a wastrel poet she had only exchanged a few words with. But, as I said, the last 40-odd pages (the book is only 197 pages long) were good as a new element, a new energy, was introduced. As with a couple of the other Christmas books I read, she ended it well for the original problem although I should like to know how Claudine fares in the future—does her husband forgive her? How does “society” cope with the scandal that ensues from her discoveries.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudine meets Dai Tergarron at a Christmas party. She doesn't really want to socialize with him, but out of respect, she does. That encounter will change the course of her life.

A girl, Winnie Briggs, dies at that party, and Dai, a womanizer, and drunk is sought as the killer.

I enjoyed this read. At times I had to take notes to keep all the people and facts straights. But as I read, the story became clear.

This became a struggle against truth and convenient living. The truth does cause problems at times and this story demonstrated that. Yet, if a lie persists one has to live with it for the rest of their life.

The Christmas message isn't one of a perfect birth in a perfect place. No, it's one of darkness, rejection and less-than-ideal conditions.

What a great story, giving hope to the light shining in a dark world.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anne Perry’s Christmas books are much like some of the “Christmas” movies that I watch each year. The only thing that makes them “Christmas” is that they take place at that time of the year. Some are more hopeful than others. While this book has a good lesson learned and a desired outcome, it isn’t a cheerful story.

[Jenna Sheehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first victorian time piece, AND set in London?! How fabulous. The story was engaging and I have learned that I do like historically set time pieces like this. The imagery was also great I was really able to picture the balls, the gowns, the grand rooms and all of the characters. Great little read for the holidays!

[Lauryn Boyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had no chapters, which made it harder to read. Overall nice message though.

[David Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow. Not slow burn. Just slow, not very gripping, not very interesting characters. I just liked the setting. Maybe I would appreciate it more if I read more in the series???

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each holiday season I look forward to getting the latest installment in The Christmas Stories series. I love how the author has taken her minor characters from her regular series and given them their own stories all set against the backdrop of Christmas and their own mystery to solve along with a minor romance for them to dabble in. In this case, it is Claudine Burroughs from the William Monk series. This was an enjoyable bit that showcased Claudine's strength, determination and honor and that of a young couple willing to place love and honesty above convenience and money.

Claudine and her husband attend a party where she no sooner meets a poet who challenges her thinking a bit than shortly after he is accused of drunkenly beating a prostitute to near death on the balcony. Three young men from powerful families were there and all claim he did it, but Claudine has her doubts.

Her husband acts superior about it all and treats her concerns like they are nothing. She has been married for many years and it was a marriage of convenience. She might not have loved him, but until now she thought he was at least an honest, decent, good man, but now it saddens her that he is willing to accept the comfortable easy answer and turn a blind eye to the fact that guilt is being determined based on connections to money and power instead of facts and truth.

She determines that she will do what she can to discover the truth half-way believing the poet is still the guilty party. Claudine enlists the help of the reluctant Squeaky Robinson who is a reformed character, but still knows the dark places well. She does her sleuthing amongst afternoon tea visits, evening parties, concerts and soirees. Hints here and there lead her to the truth and to a pair of young lovers that she is determined to help along the way. Time is running out to help Dai avoid the hangman's noose, but Claudine has a bit of Christmas hope for him and for the others.

It's always a real treat to read anything by this author because of how clever she is with blending authentic period backdrop with in-depth real people characters. They have flaws, they have emotions and they experience so much even in these shorter Christmas novellas. This one is set in the mid-Victorian period amongst the glitter and gaiety of the Christmas season for the wealthy of London society. Claudine is nearly drowning in a sea of people because she feels more and needs more than just looking charming on her husband's arm, engaging in trivial conversation and meaningless pursuits. This is why she is drawn to the intensity of the Welsh poet who she meets outside on the balcony at a dinner party and why against everyone telling her otherwise including her own brain she believes he is innocent of brutally beating Winnie Briggs. She's a great heroine because she pursues her course no matter what even though she is well aware of what it may cost her. She even lays out her most private misery for a young couple and the girl's parents to save someone else from a sad marriage. She's just an ordinary woman trying to do what's right and I think that's what I connected with the most.

The mystery wasn't really a big part of the plot other than it was the catalyst to send Claudine on her search to find justice and that revealed a young couple's romance. The holiday setting was very backdrop too even though the theme of Christmas hope is always there in this story for several people. My only niggle was that when the truth came out, there wasn't much follow-up to see what happened with the secondary characters or really what the fall out ended up being for Claudine after that last big argument with her husband. Just my curious mind wanting more. Maybe the next book in the regular William Monk series will say something more.

All in all, it was a nice heart-warming Christmas story in a historical setting with a strong heroine and a bit of a mystery for her to solve.

My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1868 and the Christmas season has begun in London. Claudine Burroughs, however, isn't looking forward to the incessant parties and social calls the season requires of her class. She knows she should be thankful for all her blessings, her wealth and status. She's a volunteer at Hester Monk's clinic for prostitutes and other poor and desperate women and it has made her aware of how fortunate she is. In fact, her volunteer work is the only thing that brings her any satisfaction. She's stuck in a loveless marriage and finds the normal social requirements of her class boring and trite. But she is determined to make an effort at being social if only to stop her husband's disapproval and for fear that, if she doesn't at least try, he will put and end to her charity work.

At one of these parties, a young woman is murdered. When it becomes clear she is a prostitute, a dissolute but charming poet is charged with the murder. Despite the testimony of witnesses, Claudine is unconvinced of his guilt and sets out to investigate. Along the way, she finds another reason to solve the murder - a young girl may be forced into a marriage with the real perpetrator.

This is the eleventh in the series of Christmas novellas by author Anne Perry and, like all of these books, it reflects the true spirit of the season. It is a tale of faith and the courage to seek the truth regardless of consequences including the censure of one's peers.

Perry is an expert at creating strong female protagonists while not ignoring the mores of the time period and Claudine is no exception. She is likeable and very well-rounded as are most of the characters in the story. One of the things I like about Perry's historical mysteries is her grasp of the conventions of the Victorian era, especially the constraints on women. Her stories are never the kind of bodice-rippers where the characters flaunt these conventions without censure. Although there is a hint of romance in this story, it is kept behind closed doors and drapes...literally. It is this understanding of the period which makes Perry one of the best writers of historical fiction today and which makes her stories so readable. Now that the Christmas season is approaching in our own time period, many will be looking for a new Christmas tale to usher in the season. A Christmas Hope will definitely fill you with the proper spirit.

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A while back, I reviewed Anne Perry's novel Blind Justice (link leads to review). And so, when I heard that she wrote a Christmas story, I decided to sign up to read it. And of course, it's set in the same world - so, a murder mystery with a Christmas twist.

A Christmas Hope follows a minor character in the series, Claudine Burroghs, an upper class lady. At a Christmas party, a prostitute is killed and fingers are pointed at a drunkard poet. The only thing is, she spoke with the poet before that, and she doubts that he's the killer. So she defies society and her husband to search for evidence that he's innocent.

To me, more than the mystery part, the societal aspect was more interesting. Here's a high-born lady, supposed to be ornamental and move in the highest circles. Yet she decides to do something unlady-like, and instead of going completely against the current, she does use some societal norms (like visiting others) to achieve her ends. I really enjoyed reading about how she used her status to get information.

Because this is a short-story, it finishes pretty fast, and with a happy ending to boot (well, it is a Christmas story after all). If you're looking for a cheery Christmas story but would like a little twist, I'd reccomend this book. It's an enjoyable book that despite being a murder mystery, was rather cheery (at the end, not in the middle).

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile

[Mmtimes4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although she lacks for nothing, Claudine Burroughs dreads the holiday season for forcing her to face how empty her life has become. She no longer expects closeness with her coldly ambitious husband, and she has nothing in common with their circle of wealthy, status-minded friends. The only time she is remotely happy is when she volunteers at a woman’s clinic—a job her husband strongly disapproves of. Then, at a glittering yuletide gala, she meets the charming poet Dai Tregarron and finds her spirits lifted. But scarcely an hour later, the charismatic Dai is enmeshed in a nightmare—accused of killing a young streetwalker who had been smuggled into the party.

Even though she suspects that an upper-class clique is quickly closing ranks to protect the real killer, Claudine vows to do her utmost for Dai. But it seems that hypocritical London society would rather send an innocent poet to the gallows than expose the shocking truth about one of their own.

Nevertheless, it’s the season of miracles and Claudine finally sees a glimmer of hope—not only for Dai but for a young woman she befriends who is teetering on the brink of a lifetime of unhappiness. Anne Perry’s heartwarming new holiday novel is a celebration of courage, faith, and love for all seasons. GR description

A simple read, no real depth but enjoyable.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of the "Christmas stories" Anne Perry has written which I have read, though by the list inside the cover, she's been doing this a while. I enjoy her regular series about Monk and Hester, which present a gritty underbelly to Victorian London, as well as a wicked eye to the morals and mores of the time. This small novel, sent to me through the Library Thing early Reviewers program, was a little nugget of Victorian society, wrapped up with a Christmas bow.


Claudine Burroughs, who has grown to dislike both the Christmas season and her joyless marriage, finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time to witness the end of a fight at one of the Christmas parties. A young woman "of the street" is severely injured, and one of the party attendees is accused by three others of harming her. When the woman dies, it becomes a question of murder. It also becomes a question of justice, as Claudine unravels what actually happened that evening.

There are illusions to Hester Monk's clinic, where Claudine happens to volunteer. Bits I liked, bits that are similar to other bits I've read in Perry's novels. But all in all, a fine period piece.

Many thanks to Library Thing and the publishers for sending this to me. It is my final completed read of 2013.

[Ron Ratchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many of Ann Perry's books in the series of Monk and Pitt.
This book is a genisis of a new series with a lot of delightful attributes. The woman is from the Monk series but she is a person in her own world.

Christmas season in London holds some delights but this book is looking at the harsher aspects of the season. London has villians and heroes but the book plays with the possibility that all heroes are not obvious. Claudine Burrough is present at an assault upon a woman and she seems to be the only one who does not want to cover the event with proper and selfish results.
Her husband is the worst of her opponents. He is a bully and ambitious man who does not value her. Her best ally is a former brothel keeper and her best hope is a girl who must expose herself in the face of a demanding father. Claudine comes up with a few allies who make this a Christmas Hope without the sugar and spice.

The elements of a woman who has a less than happy marriage but knows enough to endure without looking for a man to support her goals is fresh and real.

I would like to see her in a series of her own.

[Clarabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'histoire, dont l'intrigue policière est subtile et sans prétention, sert de prétexte à mettre en avant le personnage de Charlotte Burroughs (connue pour travailler avec Hester Monk dans sa clinique pour prostituées). On la découvre dans son intimité et constate que son couple est éreinté par des années d'un mariage sans amour. En prenant fait et cause, contre toutes les bienséances sociales, pour le poète excentrique, Dai Tregarron, accusé d'un crime dont il clame son innocence, Claudine brise ainsi le joug et s'affranchit d'une existence qui ne lui convient plus.

Cette lecture, qu'on nous présente comme une bouchée de mystère à déguster après son repas de Noël, est aussi le traditionnel rendez-vous de fin d'année pour tous les amateurs d'Anne Perry et de son univers feutré et raffiné. On passe effectivement un agréable moment à lire cette histoire précieuse et délicate, qui sent le pudding et le brandy.

[Sharon Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Christmas Hope” is the eleventh seasonal novel from Anne Perry, and as with the previous book, features a character readers have encountered in Perry’s “Monk and Pitt” mysteries. While set during the Christmas season, this story is a captivating and intriguing mystery with little of the usual holiday celebrations to lighten the tale. However, it is a captivating story that will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering if the beleaguered poet will find justice or if Claudine’s efforts will be for naught. Perry’s notable storytelling skills come into play with this novel that will surely send a shiver down a spine or two.

[Mirella · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first time reader of Anne Perry’s Christmas novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this Victorian cozy mystery. The heroine is compelling in her aloneness and search for meaning in her life, while the whodunit part of the story is a strong part of the story without being overpowering. Underlying themes of forgiveness, compassion, and love makes this Christmas tale stand out from other mysteries. Clear, succinct writing, with poignant scenes and the sympathetic main character kept me turning the pages. This is a wonderful story, not too long and perfect for the holidays. Very much recommended.

[Ariana Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this expecting historical romance, but once I accepted it was historical fiction I was able to be swept into the intrigue of the murder mystery, the rich characterization and holiday spirit. Claudine Burroughs has found happiness in her work at a clinic for underprivileged women, since her marriage has become a loveless institution.

An enjoyable tale set in Victorian England, sure to delight old fans and draw in many new ones.

*ARC provided through Netgalley for an honest review.*

[Patricia Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudine is back as the main character
in Anne Perry's Christmas novel. The
reader learns more about Claudine's
unhappy hopeless marriage and her
husband's and her mutual dislike
of each other. A husband and wife
who shared almost nothing.
We also learned about the ways of
their society and their thinking about
"people like that" and its' pending
consequences and what might happen if
a person is without faith or hope.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "harlot" is murdered at a fancy party and a poet is to blame or so all the rich people think. Of course, the three young men, from well-to-do families, that were there could have been responsible but no one is willing to believe that or let anyone think that way. That is, no one, except Claudine Burroughs, who begins to investigate what truly happened.

Another great Christmas story from Anne Perry. One in which the gentry get their comeuppance in a great way and from one of their own.