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

Neat Little Book...different.

Would you listen to The Twelve Clues of Christmas again? Why?

I really don't know but I have it in my library if i want to.

What did you like best about this story?

The English take on the story & the main characters. It was like watching an old movie where the characters live a different kind of life. The descriptions were very interesting on the people & locations. I could feel myself right there in the midst of the story.

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

That would be hard they were all so good....evne the maid.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I never could guess how this book whould end & that made it even more special!

A fantastic cozy mystery

Anyone who loves a good cozy Mistry will absolutely enjoy the series. The narrator, Katherine Kellgren, is phenomenal. The way she can change accents as she's reading the story makes you feel like they're the actual characters talking and not just a narrator. This is a great series!

A fun holiday mystery

I enjoy the Royal Spyness series--just the right mix of humor, history, and mystery--a light and enjoyable listen. I believe there were a few story inconsistencies with the previous book, mostly having to do with Georgie's wardrobe, but they did not affect the overall story. Darcy is in this story more than the other books, which is an added bonus.

Fun Story

It was listening to and trying to guess “The who’s and how’s” of the mystery. Word of warning: all of Katherine Kellgren’s American accents sound like they’re from Texas even though the Americans in this book were from Indiana.

A Royal Spyness Christmas Surprise

I have come to love Lady G. This was a completely fun story, especially in December. I'll be listening to this for many Decembers to come. I thoroughly enjoyed the main and minor characters. And many are true "characters" whose personalities brought anything from chuckles to concerns to belly laughs.

I like to watch stories unfold. I don't analyze every character or interaction to figure things out before the author's reveal. This story unfolds well. It was very satisfying for me.

Best Entertainment

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

Katherine Kellgren does the best voices. Her inflection really adds to the story.

What other book might you compare The Twelve Clues of Christmas to and why?

A British Christmas houseparty is my favourite for a mystery. Try Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer.

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

Yes, in this series. There were a lot of characters and she kept them all different.

Any additional comments?

Really fun!

Loved, Loved, Loved this!!!

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

This was a really cute story and kept you tuned in. I liked the setting of the story and the characters in the story. While it was a fun listen to for the holidays, you can probably listen to it anytime....it's very cleverly written.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

She was so amazing! You would have thought there were 10 different narrators. Her impersonations were perfect to who the characters were...She really brought this story to life!

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

I wouldn't say I had an extreme reaction to this book...I just thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!

Another good adventure

Loved the narrator and her many voices for the various characters. Can't wait to listen to Georgi's next adventure

Looked forward to next time I could listen

Look forward to resuming the story each day to see what would happen next and will get the next installment

usual cosy mystery + tour of English traditions

Quite fun. The usual tour of class distinctions and the woes of the landed poor, combined with a wonderful tour of holiday traditions, famiiar and new.