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

One of the best Audio books I’ve listened to

Katherine Kellgren is a master story narrator! The story is lovely and compelling. If you love a cozy mystery, you’ll adore this one!

Thoroughly enjoyable!

The narrator should win an award for all the voices she created. added a note of authenticity to the story. l am on to the next tale!

Fun Mystery with Exceptional Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of The Twelve Clues of Christmas to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version of this book, but Katherine Kellgren's performance is absolutely exceptional in this work. She managed to differentiate between at least 15 characters with ease. Kellgren's narration definitely enhanced my listening experience!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love the main character Lady Georgiana for her wit and spunk.

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

It would be impossible to choose a favorite as Kellgren performed each character with such finesse. She is a master.

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

This is a rather light mystery, so there wasn't much to cause an extreme reaction either way. I chose it as something easy to listen to during the holidays, and this fit the bill perfectly.

Very entertaing

As always very entertaining. Love the main gal.In some ways it made think of the game clue.

I like this series

This is fun and light mystery to listen to. I need to buy all the books in this series. I really like books with just a little romance, historical, mystery and can be fun in places. it's not really a comedy but more light hearted than a lot of others ... throw in the British Accents and it is a winner.

Christmas, holiday mystery, not too cheesy

It's nice to finally find a book for book club that's not too cheesy during the holidays.

OH do get it, it's really is a FUN read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Twelve Clues of Christmas to be better than the print version?

NO, the audio version is simply delightful thanks to Katherine Kellgren and her many talents. You will enjoy the audio!

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

Not really "another" book, but all the books in this particular series are delightful.

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

I have read all of the Royal Spyness books, and this narrator will not disappoint you.

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

Yes, of course. I wasn't on the edge of my seat or biting my fingernails, but did want to know what was going to happen. This series is not an in depth mystery book, but a mystery that keeps you wondering if you can figure out the guilty person before the narrator will tell you. But the characters become so familiar to you, and they are seem to leap off the "pages", and you will many a times laugh out loud, I certainly did.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes, the characters and the stories of this whole series became predictable, but I would still recommend getting the books!! Enjoy them!

She's Back!

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

It's a great story and reader. I go back and forth between reading print and listening to audio versions of the Royal Spyness books. But I always enjoy the the audio versions. I liked the idea of the 12 clues of Christmas and didn't get it until the writer made the discovery, though I did get one of the murder's which is always loved that the long arch of the story was moved forward.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Besides the main character's I loved the dowager countess. She's such an old salt.

Which scene was your favorite?

The caroling.

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

It made me laugh out loud several times.

Any additional comments?

I liked this book better than the last two combined.

I love Georgiana!

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

Yes--this was a fun story and filled with all the good thoughts of an old-fashioned British Christmas along with a side of murder and mayhem. And a little bit of romance to go alongside it.

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

I would compare the Royal Spyness series to the Aunt Dimity series, I think. They are of a similar tone and humour.

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

Georgiana is somebody I would love to know; cute, friendly, fun to be around and even though she tries to be logical and thoughtful--still just enough of a ditz to make me laugh. Her maid Queenie is hilarious, and I really enjoyed the characters of Georgiana's mother and Noel Coward as well.

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

It made me giggle a lot, and I found myself listening to it even while I was at work doing other things.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this series by Rhys Bowen. I haven't really gotten involved with the other two series by this author, but the Her Royal Spyness series is adorable and lighthearted, and the 1920s in England with all the "Bright Young Things" are a fun time to read about.

Fun but not too believable

This is the ultimate cozy mystery: English village at Christmas, quirky set of characters, incompetent detective and young female sleuth. The first part is a bit slow but then the bodies start to stack up. The plot is convoluted and somewhat unbelievable, but good entertainment. The narration was very good. I figured out the mastermind but not the motivation for the crime. The holiday events and food, as expanded on at the end, we're nice.