The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen Narrator: Katherine Kellgren
Series: Her Royal Spyness Mysteries #6
Published by Audible Inc. on November 20, 2012
Source: Purchased
Genres: Mystery, Christmas
Length: 9 hr 25 mins
Pages: 306
Format: Audiobook
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She may be 35th in line for the throne, but Lady Georgiana Rannoch cannot wait to ring in the new year—before a Christmas killer wrings another neck…
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me—well, actually, my true love, Darcy O’Mara, is spending a feliz navidad tramping around South America. Meanwhile, Mummy is holed up in a tiny village called Tiddleton-under-Lovey with that droll Noel Coward! And I’m snowed in at Castle Rannoch with my bumbling brother, Binky, and sourpuss sister-in-law, Fig. So it’s a miracle when I contrive to land a position as hostess to a posh holiday party in Tiddleton. The village is like something out of A Christmas Carol! But no sooner have I arrived than a neighborhood nuisance, a fellow named Freddie falls out of a tree, dead…. Dickensian, indeed.
Freddie’s merely a stocking stuffer. On my second day in town, another so-called accident turns up another mincemeat pie—and yet another on my third. The village is buzzing that a recent prison break could have something to do with it… that, or a long-standing witch’s curse. I’m not so sure. But after Darcy shows up beneath the mistletoe, anything could be possible in this wicked wonderland.
The Twelve Clues of Christmas was such a fun mystery! I don’t know why I have never read any of this series before, but this not only worked as a stand-alone, it was good enough that I’ve already picked up the next.
Lady Georgiana Rannoch escapes her brother’s bleak castle in Scotland by accepting a job as hostess at a house party held by Lady Hawse-Gorzley in the village of Tiddleton-under-Lovey. The house party is made up of mosty paying guests there to celebrate a traditional English Christmas, complete with caroling, parlor games, and some of the villages more peculiar customs. The problem is that people are dying, one a day, seemingly from accidents, but really how many accidents can occur in one small village? Of course they’re murders. Although all the dead are villagers, Georgie feels she must do what she can to help stop the killings.
Georgie is smart and independent, and flat broke. She’s entertaining and just delightful. Darcy is her love interest and maybe side-kick, I couldn’t tell. Half the time he was helping her investigate but the rest he was telling her to stay out of it, that it wasn’t safe. I liked him though. He’s also one of the “privileged” whose position does not come with any money. They make a good couple.
I loved the Christmassy theme. Georgie and her friends and family were an interesting lot that I will enjoy spending more time with. This was probably my favorite read this holiday season.
About Rhys Bowen
Rhys Bowen is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of two historical mystery series as well as three internationally bestselling stand alone novels. Her books have won multiple awards and been translated into over twenty languages. A transplanted Brit, Rhys now divides her time between California and Arizona, where she escapes from those harsh California winters.
Another author I’d like to try. Maybe I’ll pick this up next year.
This series is one I’d seen around a lot, but never picked up until now. I’m really enjoying them.