Kristina A. reviewed 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Bk 1) on + 1528 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
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.
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.
Kay M. (maydayzee) reviewed 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Bk 1) on + 754 more book reviews
This is an interesting Christmas mystery set, for the most part, in a somewhat odd and creepy manor house in England in 1850-51. However, the beginning of the book sets the tone of the story in that at least some of the characters seem to be victims of circumstances not necessarily of their own making. If you enjoy a good mystery with a little romance, you will enjoy this book.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
I really liked this for a light Christmas mystery. It takes place beginning Christmas Eve in 1850 and into the New Year. There is a mysterious invitation sent to our protagonist promising a hefty sum of money if she stays the duration of 12 days in Bleakly Manor. The invitation is also sent to others with promises of different rewards if they stay. One of these is a prisoner who has been in a cell for nearly a year for a crime he did not commit. His past is connected to our protagonist and one of the mysteries is who had him imprisoned. There is a theft and a few possible attempts of murder while they are staying in this mansion and some strange occurrences all with no hint of who has brought them all there and why. I found the answer to be quite surprising. I really liked this and it wraps up quite nicely. I do look forward to the next.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
The first in â Once Upon A Dickens' Christmas â.....Clara Chapman lost everything nine months prior to receiving a mysterious invitation to attend a gathering at Bleakly Manor. If she remains the entire time she would receive five hundred pounds.....enough money to bring her brother back from America and establish her family fortune....Upon arriving, she meets her former fiancé, who left her standing at the altar.....Also present, are several other quirky individuals.....what have they been promised if they remain the twelve days?
