Scan barcode
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
A Christmas party, an unexpected death, an obvious suspect... and a woman who won't give up till the truth is known, no matter what it costs her.
A Christmas Hope is about more than just death, it's also about judging by appearances, the double standard of society, and the attempt of a woman - penned in by the expectations of society and her husband - to do what is right rather than what is appropriate. Claudine says, "Virtue is not always an easy or a comfortable thing... Sometimes it comes as a high cost", but the question here is: Who will pay that cost?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Christmas Hope is about more than just death, it's also about judging by appearances, the double standard of society, and the attempt of a woman - penned in by the expectations of society and her husband - to do what is right rather than what is appropriate. Claudine says, "Virtue is not always an easy or a comfortable thing... Sometimes it comes as a high cost", but the question here is: Who will pay that cost?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Claudine Burroughs is blessed with material goods, but lives her life in an empty, loveless marriage. Her only happiness is the volunteer work she does for a woman’s clinic run by former Nightingale nurse Hester Monk. Claudine is constantly afraid her husband Wallace will forbid her to continue her work here. Claudine is not looking forward to the upcoming holiday season at all since her ambitious husband will insist she attend endless parties, full of small-talk with society women in which she has nothing in common. She is surprised to find a kindred spirit at one of the parties, a poet named Dai Treggaron, who has the reputation of being a womanizer and yet treats Claudine with kindness and respect.
Claudine is horrified when Winnie Briggs, a streetwalker who crashed the party, is found dead in the garden and Dai is the top suspect. Claudine can’t bear to think the charming poet she had so recently befriended could be guilty of such as terrible act and thinks some of the party-goers are hiding information. Against the wishes of her husband, Claudine gets involved in this matter, seeking the help of the clinic’s bookkeeper Squeaky Robinson to get to the truth of the matter. Although the evidence against Dai seems to be mounting, Claudine is afraid an innocent man will hang for a crime he didn’t commit.
I enjoy Anne Perry’s stories that come out this time of year. Those I have read feature minor characters from the William and Hester Monk series. In spite of the title and the setting during the holiday season in 1868 London, “A Christmas Hope” isn’t a typical holiday story. Claudine has everything she could wish for in terms of having enough to eat, the latest ball gowns, and a beautiful house, but she lives with a cold husband who constantly insults her looks and her intelligence. It’s hard to see Claudine living this way, especially since women during this time in history had little recourse against a controlling or even abusive husband. I admire Claudine’s bravery in going against her upper-class acquaintances to get to the truth of the murder as well as trying to make sure a young woman she meets while discreetly questioning witnesses doesn’t make the same mistake in marriage that Claudine did. That part of the story is beautiful and does give some hope that this young woman will have a happy ending. I hope Claudine’s experiences help her to take action to improve her own life, although her options are limited compared to women today.
Readers of this series will enjoy getting to know Claudine better, as well as seeing the best side of Squeaky. If you’re not familiar with the series, this story is the perfect introduction to Anne Perry. She is an excellent author whose skilled, concise writing allows a story with such depth to be told in a 200+ page novel. You don’t need to have read other books by Anne Perry to enjoy this story, but you will probably want to look up other books in the series after finishing this one.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Claudine is horrified when Winnie Briggs, a streetwalker who crashed the party, is found dead in the garden and Dai is the top suspect. Claudine can’t bear to think the charming poet she had so recently befriended could be guilty of such as terrible act and thinks some of the party-goers are hiding information. Against the wishes of her husband, Claudine gets involved in this matter, seeking the help of the clinic’s bookkeeper Squeaky Robinson to get to the truth of the matter. Although the evidence against Dai seems to be mounting, Claudine is afraid an innocent man will hang for a crime he didn’t commit.
I enjoy Anne Perry’s stories that come out this time of year. Those I have read feature minor characters from the William and Hester Monk series. In spite of the title and the setting during the holiday season in 1868 London, “A Christmas Hope” isn’t a typical holiday story. Claudine has everything she could wish for in terms of having enough to eat, the latest ball gowns, and a beautiful house, but she lives with a cold husband who constantly insults her looks and her intelligence. It’s hard to see Claudine living this way, especially since women during this time in history had little recourse against a controlling or even abusive husband. I admire Claudine’s bravery in going against her upper-class acquaintances to get to the truth of the murder as well as trying to make sure a young woman she meets while discreetly questioning witnesses doesn’t make the same mistake in marriage that Claudine did. That part of the story is beautiful and does give some hope that this young woman will have a happy ending. I hope Claudine’s experiences help her to take action to improve her own life, although her options are limited compared to women today.
Readers of this series will enjoy getting to know Claudine better, as well as seeing the best side of Squeaky. If you’re not familiar with the series, this story is the perfect introduction to Anne Perry. She is an excellent author whose skilled, concise writing allows a story with such depth to be told in a 200+ page novel. You don’t need to have read other books by Anne Perry to enjoy this story, but you will probably want to look up other books in the series after finishing this one.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
victoria92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
susan379's review against another edition
2.0
This was okay, but not a Christmas story, just set around Christmas. Read on the Libby App
bleucaldwell's review against another edition
3.0
A little dry and slow-moving, but probably a more realistic view of the time period than you usually get with holiday historical fiction.
dmchurch's review against another edition
4.0
Claudine Burroughs is a well-kept but lonely wife of a cold, distant husband. However, she does find human connection and a feeling of fulfillment in her volunteer position at a women's clinic.
When the Burroughs attend a party meant to boost her husband's career, the party ends with the death of a young woman who may have been a prostitute. Three of the society family sons place the blame on Dai Tregarron, a poet and outsider.
Dealing with the issues of class and justice, Perry weaves a story around a society woman who risks the favor of her husband and peers to find the truth rather than accept the status quo.
When the Burroughs attend a party meant to boost her husband's career, the party ends with the death of a young woman who may have been a prostitute. Three of the society family sons place the blame on Dai Tregarron, a poet and outsider.
Dealing with the issues of class and justice, Perry weaves a story around a society woman who risks the favor of her husband and peers to find the truth rather than accept the status quo.
sarah1984's review against another edition
3.0
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.
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.
what_katie_read_in_ca's review against another edition
2.0
I love Anne Perry's mysteries but this novella just didn't do it for me. I was not interested in the characters as much as the ones in her novels, and the actual mystery didn't grab me the way many of her others stories have.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
leighannsherwin's review against another edition
5.0
A great way to escape after what seemed to be a very hectic Christmas season. Two days after the 25th I settled down in my most comfortable chair and started to read and by the end of the day I was finished this book. This was a nice simple story, nothing too complicated and I felt more of a sense of the Christmas spirit in this story than in A Christmas Homecoming which I read earlier this month. Christmas was mentioned little, there was no Christmas feeling, no decorations or trees, carols being sung in that book and if Anne Perry thought several snow storms and people being stuck in their homes is a Christmas thing only she's never lived through a Canadian winter. But back to this book. I liked it because it had more of a Christmas feeling to it a good mystery you could follow along with. Now with only one Anne Perry Christmas book left to read, I wonder what I will read next Christmas?
More...