A Christmas Hope By Anne Perry

 I've just finished reading this wonderful Christmas story by Anne Perry. 

A Christmas Hope is… the gripping story of an unforgettable fight between goodness and evil in Victorian London and a lonely woman’s search for meaning in her life. Claudine (main character) tries to solve the murder case of a young prostitute who is not from the same social class as her family. Poet Dai Treggaron is accused, Claudine believes that Dai is not the murderer. Her aloof husband tells her it is non their business but Claudine can not let an innocent man hang.

Some of my favorite lines:

“Dai Tregarron had called her Olwen, had spoken to her as if she were a creature capable of escape from the commonplace, not the pedestrian, middle-aged woman everyone else saw, incapable of imagination, even less of passion. He had seen who she wanted to be and given the dream a moment's life.” 

I really liked Dai as a character in this story – especially his poetic dialogue at the beginning.

Claudine: 'Indeed,' she said quietly. And what shall I call you?'

Dai: 'Dai Tregarron,' he replied. 'I would say "at your service", but I do little of use. Poet, philosopher and deep drinker of life ... and of a good deal of fine whiskey, when I can find it. And I should add, a lover of beauty, whether it be music, sunset spilling its blood across the sky, or a beautiful woman.'

"Even at Christmas it seems we can no longer expect to see the values of a Christian society."

"It matters that we leave her on the streets cold and hungry. It matters that we abuse her, shut her out, that we mock her and strike her, and then leave her to die alone in hospital."

"She knew almost nothing about Dai Treggaron, except that he had a poet's vision and the music of words in his brain."

"Christmas is about everyone: rich or poor, friend or stranger."

"Life is frightening, Claudine corrected her. And beautiful, and full of strange and unexpected opportunities."

“But I have learned something good about myself. I can stand up to people who have more power than I do, and fight for what I believe in.” 

 Are you getting into the Christmas spirit by reading Christmas books?

What book are you reading or most looking forward to?

Have a Blessed Christmas!!!

Much love

Liuba G

xxx