The Twelve Clues of Christmas

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Solo Narration - Female, 2014

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.

©2012 Janet Quin- Harkin (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Katherine Kellgren performs an impressive range of accents: Irish brogue, high-pitched Cockney, fussy American, West Country burr, and more. Kellgren triumphs as Georgi, who is 34th in line to the throne, giving her a refined accent contrasted with down-to-earth sensibilities. Due to the author's light touch and Kellgren's humorous delivery, the many Yuletide deaths in this cozy do not become macabre. The listener just marvels at the mounting 'accidents' amid the bountiful Christmas cheer." ( AudioFile)

Audie Award Winner, Solo Narration - Female, 2014

Titled and Penniless

If you could sum up The Twelve Clues of Christmas in three words, what would they be?

A wonderful who done it in the style of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Only our heroine is younger, titled, and penniless. Or should I say shilling-less. Smart, sophisticated, and determined is our Lady Georgie. She has some brains to boot and sets about helping the police figure out who is behind all the "accidents" that have been happening in the quiet little village.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I don't think it kept me on the edge of my seat, but it kept me intrigued. The characters are engaging and the narrator's voice distinctions help keep everyone of them straight.

Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I haven't, but I am currently listening to the first one: Her Royal Spyness.

Any additional comments?

This is a fun listen, especially if you are an Agatha Christie fan. Give it a go. I think you will be delighted with the results.

Excellent series!

This cozy mystery series is well worth your time and money/credits. The reader, Katherine Kellgren, is fantastic and does a wonderful job bringing each and every character to life-- including the men (which is tough for many women readers to do). The mystery is intriguing and the characters are fun. I have not been disappointed yet by a single book in the series. This one is just as good as the others, but definitely read them in order.

fun to listen to I really enjoyed this story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, kept me interested.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It was good

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

Crazy forest lady,

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Liked the different people in the staying in the house for the holiday.

Any additional comments?

no

comfy cozy series

I am finding this series to be engaging, a cozy mystery. Narrator Katherine Kellgren does a wonderful job of individualizing characters including various accents! She even sang well, when needed by the story. Katherine will be, for me, a deciding factor in future purchases.

Fun Christmas mystery

Any additional comments?

Book: 3 1/2 stars
Pros: the setting, the Christmas festivities and lots of Darcy
Cons: the mystery was too "clever" and Georgie's actions during the investigation were frustrating

Audiobook: 4 (Katherine Kellgren)
Kellgren's drunk Georgie is priceless and there are snippets of various Christmas carols.

Always enjoy the Royal Spyness Mystery series

What did you love best about The Twelve Clues of Christmas?

I enjoy listening to Christmas story books around the holiday and this one fit just perfectly.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Lady Georgiana and her Darcy!

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

She is able to carry off the different voices and I can keep track which character is speaking.

Any additional comments?

This was "light listening" book, which is exactly what I needed in between the weighter books that I listen to.

Great Narrator!

What made the experience of listening to The Twelve Clues of Christmas the most enjoyable?

The narrator - it was like listening to someone just telling a story. Not too seriously, either…!

Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No - but I will start looking for her!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh a few times.

Any additional comments?

I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much if I were reading it. It is definitely a book to have read to you as a diverting bit of fun.

Absofuckinglutly Wonderful

The entire series of these Books are wonderful, the characters true & colourful the storyline exciting &interesting, I love them, thank you Rhys Bowen for these characters.

Great story!

This was the first Bowen novel I have read, can't wait to read more! I highly recommend

Entertaining as well as educational!

Where does The Twelve Clues of Christmas rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Love the trip back in time to an area we have never experienced.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Interesting plot which was Introduced slowly. The characters were far more intriguing.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Extremely fun!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, not really. Just love the characters and the delivery of there dialects.

Any additional comments?

We take alot for granite when it comes to family and the people around us.