Christmas sees Pennington’s at its most glorious, thronged with shoppers, its grand staircase and balcony adorned with holly, mistletoe, tinsel and lights. It should be the happiest time, but dramas are seething beneath the surface. For Cornelia Culford, in charge of jewellery, a divorce hearing looms, where she could lose custody of her young sons to her overbearing and unfaithful husband. For … unfaithful husband.
For Stephen Gower, being head of security at Pennington’s is the perfect refuge from a tragic pastat Scotland Yard. But soon the past will call him back, as Joseph Carterand Elizabeth Penningtonbeg him to help solve the murder of Joseph’s first wife, now that it seems as if the killerhas struck again.
For Joseph and Elizabeth, their marriage depends on exorcising the past. But can it ever be laid to rest?
Previously published as Christmas at Pennington’s.
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Once again we are transported to the Suffragette era and Bath, England’s premiere shopping experience. This story will also take us to the back streets, dark alleys and the ugly side of the gentrified lifestyle. The characters have ethics which bring about moral dilemmas. This series is particularly about strong women. I do recommend you read each of the series stories but this book stands unquiveringly alone.
Cornelia Culford is a wife who has done her duty and now is all about protecting her children, even when that means exposing her weaker side and the abuse she has taken at the hands of her husband.
Stephen Gower has removed himself to Bath and Pennington’s department store to lick his wounds and clear his head. He must learn to forgive himself.
Joseph Carter is similarly wounded. Both men hold onto guilty for actions not taken.
Can the supportive women around them help them come to terms with life’s future potential and in the process help catch a killer?
History and mystery combine with family drama to offer up a five star read that will open your eyes and maybe also your heart.
Christmas at Pennington’s by Rachel Brimble is the third installment in the Pennington’s series. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series (but why not read all three books). Christmas at Pennington’s takes readers on a journey back to November 1911 in Bath, England. Pennington’s department store is beautifully decorated for Christmas and customers are busily shopping for Christmas presents. Cornelia Culford, along with her two sons, has left her abusive husband, David and moved in with her brother, Lawrence and his family. Cornelia obtained at job at Pennington’s working in the jewelry department. She is worried about the upcoming divorce hearing because David is now trying to obtain full custody of their sons. Stephen Gower is a sergeant with Scotland Yard until three women and one constable died. Stephen feels guilty for them being slain and the Board is reviewing the incident. Until they rule on the event, Stephen has accepted a position as watchman at Pennington’s. The last thing Stephen wishes to do is investigate a crime, but Joseph Carter needs his help. Joseph wants his first wife’s killer found especially now that another charitable woman has been found dead in the same manner. Joseph believes Stephen is the man to help him find the ruthless killer. I thought Christmas at Pennington’s was well-written with it moving along at a gentle pace. I enjoyed the author’s detailed descriptions which allow me to visualize the scenes from the book. Cornelia and Stephen start out as co-workers with the relationship slowly developing as time passes. There were some intimate scenes that I wish had not been as detailed or had been excluded from the book (I felt they took away from the story). I like that Esther and Lawrence are helping fight for women’s suffrage and bring awareness to the cause. It was a hot issue at the time. The mystery enhanced the story. Stephen could not help looking into the case and Cornelia ends up assisting him. I like how all the characters storylines are woven together into one charming novel. Rachel Brimble created strong characters that are undergoing personal conflict. It is wonderful how they help each other and that the characters grow as individuals. The author captured the time period with the historical events, the items available, the clothing, language, attitudes and conveyances. Christmas at Pennington’s is a rich historical novel with a cold-blooded killer, a vexing sister, a scurrilous husband and Christmas cheer.
Christmas at Pennington’s is another wonderful addition to this early turn of the last century series. The story is based around the characters of Stephen Gower and Cornelia Culford, They become acquainted while both working at Pennington’s where they become friends that help each other to solve the the mystery of who is behind the murders in Bath, and at the same time they are both also having to muddle through dealing with their own personal problems. With working so closely together their friendship quickly starts to change to feelings of them both needing and wanting more.
I quickly became engrossed in this story as it’s just so angsty and full of drama, it had me gripped right from the start as it was such an exciting read, I just couldn’t help myself from imagining all the glitz and glamour of the department store, the shining lights of Christmas to the darkness and danger that they faced in search of the murderer. I really connected with the characters and enjoyed reading about their romance very much.
I have always loved Rahel Brimbles style of writing as it’s just so detailed and easy to get lost in. Her stories are well researched and true to the time period that they are set in.
This is a wonderful Christmas story that takes a walk on the darker side of the festive season.
4.5 Stars
Christmas in 1911 is fast approaching, but a killer stalks the women of Bath.
For Cornelia Culford, in charge of jewellery, a divorce hearing looms, where she could lose custody of her two young sons to her overbearing and unfaithful husband.
For Stephen Gower, being head of security at Pennington’s is the perfect refuge from a tragic past at Scotland Yard. But soon the past will call him back, as Joseph Carter and Elizabeth Pennington beg him to help solve the murder of Joseph’s first wife Lillian, now that it seems as if the killer has struck again.
This is the third book in the series & whilst it could easily be read on its own the world surrounded the department store & its employees is highly entertaining. We met Cornelia in the previous book, which told her brother Lawrence’s story. This is another very well written book that flows extremely well. The characters are well fleshed & have depth. I really liked Cornelia who has survived an abusive marriage & is now coming out the other side a much stronger woman. Stephen is riddled with guilt over a case that caused him to leave London whilst an investigation takes place. This is a slow burn romance & I found myself wanting things to work out for the pair but that seemed in jeopardy & the pages flew by as I read towards the conclusion
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read