”. . .a setting and plot that would make Agatha Christie herself sit up and take notice.” –RT Book Reviews Christy Award Winner!
A mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home may bring danger…and love? England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend–for if … manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend–for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds.
But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests–her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.
Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it–and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters.
What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.
Pour a cup of tea and settle in for Book 1 of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series–a page-turning Victorian-era holiday tale–by Michelle Griep, a reader and critic favorite.
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What a fun story! Step back to Victorian England with this delightful romantic mystery set in the countryside at Bleakly Manor. The characters were unique, and the plot kept me guessing until the last chapter. Well written and highly recommended.
“12 Days at Bleakly Manor” by Michelle Griep is a Christy Award Winner, and rightfully so! This Christmas novella is a Dickensian delight from cover to cover. One I’m sure to read again during the holiday season.
12 Days at Bleakly Manor is the perfect cozy mystery for a snowy day. Michelle Griep’s “Dickens inspired” novel is replete with fascinating, albeit quirky, characters. Each accepts an invitation to Bleakly in the hopes of having their deepest desires granted. In an unexpected twist, several find themselves in a “last man standing” competition. One among them refuses to have their dreams dashed and will stop at nothing to come out on top.
The story is relayed from the view point of Clara Chapman and Benjamin Lane. Once engaged to be married, the two now find themselves at odds as much has happened in the year since Clara was left standing at the altar. Discovering the reason for his abandonment and watching these two rekindle their romance was rewarding.
Griep impressed me with how she continuously ratcheted up the tension. This 182-page book packs the punch of a much longer novel, as no element of her story was wasted– from the setting to the diversity of her characters. After reading 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, I’m sure you’ll join me in anticipating the next book in the series.
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**I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
12 Days at Bleakly Manor #1 Once Upon a Dickens Christmas
by Michelle Griep
A number of eccentric characters agreeing to stay at the English manor home, Bleakly Manor, for 12 days is not your usual Christmas tale. The characters did not know each other prior to arriving at the manor with the exception of Clara Chapman and Benjamin Lane. Their past is one of heartache and betrayal and lends tension to an already tense atmosphere. There are surprises in store for the visitors as well as the reader. I especially liked the surprise at the end. A fascinating story filled with intrigue, suspense and mystery, learning to let go of past hurts and trust again and forgive, a little romance and learning what matters most….you will have to read it find out what that is.
~I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author/NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255~
This book was my introduction to Michelle Griep’s writing and, wow, it was a fun ride! This book combines a little history, plenty of mystery and intrigue, and a heapful of romance to draw the reader in from page one.
The writing is easy to follow and the book is very well-written. The plot is engaging and there are many twists and turns in the storyline that the reader is kept guessing until the very end of the book. The premise of the book reminded me of the board game Clue…or Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Three men and three women are invited to Bleakley Manor for the Twelve Days of Christmas celebration and they are promised something in return if they stay the entire twelve nights – but the promised reward is only for the last person remaining at the end of twelve days. Cue the rolling fog and eery music….
Clara and Ben, the main characters of the story and two of the invited, are wonderfully detailed in their personalities, flaws, dreams, and desires. Their shared painful past divides them but also draws them together.
I’m definitely looking forward to the second installment of this series and will be on the look out for more of Michelle Griep’s books.
I received an ARC of the book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. I was not required to write a review or a favorable review. All comment and opinions are solely my own.
This is such a quirky fun book! What would you do if you were invited to an old gloomy mansion for 12 days with the guise of a reward for staying the entire 12 days of Christmas? Could you stay for the ENTIRE 12 days? And what’s with that lion’s head on the wall in the entryway? There are twists and turns in the plot, thievery, a bit of danger and of course a dash of romance. This is by far, one of the best books I’ve read recently! This is a must read on your list, don’t miss it. I find myself re-reading this book every Christmas season, it’s just so enjoyable!
Brilliant! Ms. Griep weaves a Christmas tale that will delight the reader. It’s one of intrigue, mystery and suspicion. I enjoyed this novella.
Recommend to readers who enjoy Christmas mysteries.
I purchased a copy. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
When seven people are invited to spent the 12 days of Christmas at Bleakly Manor and offered some sort of reward for staying the entire time, the clash of personalities, not to mention the lack of food and heat, provide the backdrop for the re-igniting of a relationship. Clara Chapman is offered enough money to save her from the poor house. Her ex-fiance Ben Lane is offered his freedom from a prison sentence that he doesn’t deserve. They’ll have the chance to discover the truth behind what broke them up, but only if they can survive the other guests–especially after the revelation that only one of the guests can get the prize.
This is a nice Christmas-adjacent mystery with some romance, set in 1850. I enjoyed the way the guests interacted, for the most part, and while the mystery elements were fairly predictable, I still liked the way it all came together at the end. I liked the atmosphere that was built both with the descriptions and in the writing itself.
One of my biggest disappointments with this book was the way both Ben & Clara were so quick to assume the worst of each other. Even when they began to understand their misconceptions, they still took longer to let go of them than I thought they should. I know that 9 months of believing the worst of someone else can sour the mind, but…in the end, 9 months isn’t really all that long. And even later, without spoiling anything, both of them had opportunity to trust in the other after they have had a chance to get past their issues, and both failed, at least to some degree. It’s not the most solid basis for a relationship.
There was one particular guest that I really didn’t like–both his personality and how he acted, but also how he was described and portrayed in the text. And in the end, he was barely involved in much and left without making much of an impact. There were a few other things here or there that never ended up making much sense for the story, but they were mostly minor things.
Overall, it was a fun read, short and sweet. I liked the old-fashioned traditions involving Christmas that were shown, and there was one particular thing that was revealed at the end that I felt like I should have guessed, and think many would, but I didn’t, which made it better for me. It definitely has some Christian elements scattered throughout, and the romance is clean (there are some physical desires brought up, but not acted upon). I recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick Christmas read, for a historical book with mystery elements, or for a Christian romance.
Phenomenal book! Can’t wait to read more from this author
This was a fun, intriguing story steeped in the tradition of Charles Dickens. At first I wasn’t sure about all the strange, quirky characters. Some become endearing, while others rile you up. I do wish the author had given some of them more closure, but the story does tie up nicely with the main couple finally receiving justice and their happily ever after. If you love Dicken’s style plot in modern English you’ll enjoy 12 Days at Bleakly Manor.
An unusual Victorian Christmas story!
This book is filled with well developed and very strange characters. I love the two main ones, Clara and Ben. As we get to know them as well as the rest of the assorted house guests at Bleakly Manor a mystery starts to present itself.
Clara and Ben are the only two that know each other before arriving at the manor. It was interesting to see how their past affects their stay at the manor. Their interaction with each of the other house guests was very interesting. At times I wanted to tell some of them to just shut up.
This was a fun book to read and I’m looking forward to seeing what else the author comes up with for this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
This was a delightful Christmas mystery! It reminded me of an Agatha Christie
Book. I loved how she developed the characters. It was suspenseful and also romantic. This author was new to me, but I will definitely be buying the next book in this series.
Would you take a gift from a stranger by staying at a Manor for 12 days to receive it? These people did and each day brought about a surprise. Good, bad, funny or deadly! I enjoyed the mystery, the suspense and the ending… not what I suspected! Totally enjoyed it! I was gifted a copy and me review is voluntary…
Okay, right off let me say this is different than any Christmas book I have read. And that’s not a bad thing! Full of twists and turns, it will keep you guessing to the end. Plus it includes a sweet romance.
The characters are fairly well developed. I would have liked to have gotten to know them a bit better, but Griep did very well considering it is a novella. She did give us a lot of description of the manor, and other places the characters went.
If you enjoy Victorian England, Agatha Christie, and Charles Dickens, you will enjoy 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. I appreciated the historical notes at the end and look forward to Book 2.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Book 1 in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas is a phenomenal book filled with intriguing and romantic characters. Michelle Griep is one of my favorite authors and this book proves why. Her writing talent weaves mystery, suspense, romance and faith all into a wonderful page turner laced with unexpected happenings. Oh and it put me in the Christmas Spirit!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
As I opened the pages and began to read I was instantly catapulted to December 24, 1850. It may have been early August in reality, but in my mind’s eye, I was there in the story. I could smell the musty drapes and wood smoke; I could feel the sting of the cold on my fingers and toes. My senses sprang to alertness as I tried to discover who was behind the mysterious transgressions. Would my favorite characters make it to the end of the story?
In just under 200 pages, Michelle Griep has penned a spine-tingling Christmas mystery to rival that of Charles Dickens himself, and I was blissfully along for the ride. Kept on the edge of my seat with curiosity until the very last chapter when, like a beautiful Amaryllis, all was expertly revealed.
Underlying the twists and turns of this delightful page-turning story, the magnetic characters, and the realistic detailed setting is the gentle reminder of our Savior’s love, we are all “inherently precious” and “we have all fallen from grace, yet it is grace alone that saves the worst of us.”
Bottom line: I loved this fantastic 5-Star book and I can’t wait to read the next one!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Earlier this year I read one of this author’s novels for the first time, and I’m hooked! This mystery is equally as captivating; it is bound in a lovely manner to be given as a Christmas gift. This versatile author has thoroughly, dramatically revealed characters and an intriguing plot with twists and surprises. It is first in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series, and a fabulous first it is! Those who enjoy Christian historical novels, cozy mysteries, suspense, and romance will enjoy this!
It is shortly before Christmas, 1850 England. Clara was left standing at the altar almost a year ago. Several days later she learned her fiancé embezzled money from her family’s business, that there were no assets left, and her brother set sail for America to find a job. She went to live with her Aunt Deborha and cares for her, as her health is failing. An unusual invitation is delivered and the carriage driver awaits: she is invited to go to a place called Bleakly Manor. If she stays there for the twelve days of Christmas, she will receive 500 pounds. It takes only moments for her to decide upon her aunt’s urging, as it will help her, her aunt, and her cousin for years to come.
Clara is taken to the manor by carriage. She meets others who have been invited, seven in all, who will receive something dear to each one. Clara is stunned to see Ben, her former fiancé, unaware that he spent many months in a cruel prison dungeon. They are an eccentric lot: a French lady, a slender young man interested in Clara, a sweet older lady with several pet mice, an investigator, an older, grumpy man who is pushed about in a wheelchair by his young assistant, and Ben.
Some days an interesting gift is left at the guests’ doors, yet each day it is colder indoors and there is less food. They are then notified that only one person will get what is promised, whoever makes it to the end of the twelve days. Tempers flare, and accidents begin to occur.
It is interesting to hear the dialog between characters as the days wear on. Some cooperate with others, while some pout or grumble. Clara and Ben begin to talk about what happened after the day they didn’t wed, and something is clearly amiss. They are in an enormous manor house that has many luxuries, yet to Clara, there always seems to be someone watching. It is creepy to walk past the portrait hall and the stuffed lion’s head, even though the eyes do not move. It begins to remind me of a Christie novel – who is going to make it the twelve days to claim the prize? The choices that Ben and Clara have to make require them to search deep inside and choose whether to surrender to the Lord’s will as they watch others decide what they will sacrifice to get their wish.
This novel is incredibly well written! I am very impressed with the twists that the story takes, especially at the very end! The descriptions of the landscape are inviting, as are that of the manor until logs dwindle. One quote interesting to me is a slight variation of past words of wisdom: “Worrying doesn’t stop the bad from happening. It keeps you from enjoying the good.” (pg. 163) This novel is a must read for those who enjoy cozy or historical mysteries, suspense, romance and Christian faith. I highly recommend it; this has exceeded my expectations for a Christmas mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep is the first book in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas. Clare Chapman lost everything nine months ago. She is surprised when she receives an invitation to spend twelve days Bleakly Manor. If Clare lasts the full duration, she will receive a sum of 500 pounds. When Clare arrives at the manor, she finds she was not the only person to receive the unusual invitation and promised something in return. Ben Lane was arrested on his way to marry Clare for a crime he did not commit. He was promised his freedom if he stays through the twelfth day of Christmas. Their anonymous host has decided that only one of the guests will win their promised prize. Which guest will last the full twelve days and what is the person willing to do to win?
12 Days at Bleakly Manor is a well-crafted and entertaining novel. It is short, but it is packed full of action and intrigue. The mystery was delightful (see if you can figure out the culprit in this one) and the characters interesting. I like the Christian beliefs expressed in the story (compassion, prayer, faith, forgiveness, second chances, God is in control, trust, and hope). The Christian theme is light but the point is gotten across. My rating for 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The author combined Bleak House by Charles Dickens with And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie in 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. I appreciated the colorful, unique characters (especially the lady with the mice) that Ms. Griep created. I am looking forward to the next installment in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas in A Tale of Two Hearts.
I received a ARC of 12 Days at Bleakly Manor from Netgalley and the publisher. Clara Chapman world fell apart when Benjamin Lane the man she was suppose to marry left her at the church on their wedding day with no explanation. A week later she was told by her brother that he had put the company out of business and ran off with her family investments and that they were now penniless. Her brother sailed to America to make his fortune promising Clara he would send for her. Lucky for Clara her Aunt Deborha took her in. Mean while Ben is rotting away in prison. When Clara receive an invite to spend 12 Days At Bleakly Manor over Christmas the last person she expect to see there is Ben. But with the chance to walk away after 12 days with 500 pounds Clara has no choice but to stay. With a cast of very quirky, and interesting characters nothing is as it seem and danger lurks around every corner. This was quite a unusual Christmas Romance, one that because of the unique and quirky characters and all the twists and turns I quite enjoyed.
I would give this a 3.5 or between a pick and a so-so. It was a sweet story of second chances and faith. A quick read (<200 pgs.). It was fairly slow going for the first half of the book, with lots of twists and reveals (Charles Dickens...briefly!) during the last 1/4, with a nice feel-good HEA.