Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read 12 Days at Bleakly  Manor. Its a mystery romance with a  Victorian theme setting. Well-written and  fast moving story.  Once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down which is unusual for me since it is a mystery. The ending was a complete surprise to me.


Clara and other eccentric characters have been invited to stay 12 days at the manor. Let me tell you I think you need to get the book to see what happened because I don't do spoilers.


I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Well then. I think I liked the conceit of this book? Yes, that's a question mark because I'm not really sure what to think about 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. For starters, the book encompasses more than 12 days. For another, it's obvious riffs on Dickens are well, interesting.

Firstly, I've never read Bleak House which I assume is the impetus for this one. Are Clara and Ben characters in Bleak House? Are there any similarities I should be picking up? Are the plots similar? I have no idea.

What I do know is that this is ultimately more a character study than it is a story. That's not to say there isn't a plotline but it feels more like a study of how different people react to different things. There are stereotypes and archetypes at work here, not characters. (view spoiler)

The suspense aspects are interesting and the characters feel shallow. But despite that, this is a rather cute, quaint, and enjoyable book. It was like a bit of spun sugar wrapped around a crabapple. It's all fluff with a center of hard and bitter. Which, of course, is likely to be the point given the Dickensian influence.

I'm sure I'll give the next book a try but I am hoping for a bit more depth.

I was drawn to the premise of a Christmas story inspired by Agatha’s Christie’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and Charles Dickens’ BLEAK HOUSE. It sounded like fun and did make for an entertaining read.

In Victorian England, an assortment of eccentric characters begin to arrive at Bleakly Manor for the Christmas holiday with no sight of their host. Each has received an invitation, luring them with the promise they will receive something of great value to them personally if they can endure a stay at Bleakly Manor for the entire 12 days of Christmas. Among the guests is Benjamin Lane, who has been falsely accused of theft and thrown into prison. He's about to be shipped to a prison camp in Australia when his invitation arrives. Clara Chapman has fallen into poverty and is serving as a companion to her elderly, sickly aunt, when she also is asked to join the festivities. How this couple came into such dire circumstances is one of the several entertaining mysteries to be solved in reading this book.

A super read! I only took off points for what I consider unanswered questions. What a perfect mesh of mystery, romance, historical and plot! I was totally drawn into the story from the first part and did not emerge until the end. Unfortunately, I then wanted all of them! Seriously, the characters, the plots, the action, the romance, as well as the mystery made this a great read! I can only say buy the book! I have not read a lot of this authors works before and find myself wanting to find as much as possible about the author and the prior writings. I will also of course keep my eyes out for the next in the series, I cannot wait! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

Set in 19th-century England, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, by Michelle Griep, is the first book in a new series called "Once Upon a Dickens Christmas". It will be available September 1, 2017. Reminiscent of dinner theatre mysteries, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is a quick and easy read, and would be a good book for book club discussions.

 
 
Clara Chapman's groom, Benjamin Lane, disappeared on the day of their wedding. Unbeknownst to her, Ben was kidnapped on his way to the church, and thrown in jail for a crime he did not commit. Both ask, "Why, God? Why me?" Both are invited, along with others, to spend the twelve days of Christmas together, with the promise that whoever lasts all twelve days will be granted his/her wish.
 
The name Bleakly Manor is perfect, for the huge elaborately furnished manor house is truly bleak with little in the way of food or heat over the twelve days of Christmas. Quickly, human frailties emerge as most try to get rid of the others. Thefts are committed. Several murders are attempted. Will Ben and Clara find love and trust again? Will they make it all twelve days? Will their prayers be answered?
 
Readers are reminded that Christmas is about love, and nothing else. At the back of the book is information about the twelve days of Christmas (aka, Christmastide), Boxing Day, Childermas, the Yule Log, the New Year's Coin, Carolers, and Wassil.
 
What Made This Book Reviewer Grumpy?
 Very little: beginning a sentence with a conjunction, the improper placement of the word "only".

Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer.

Clara Chapman receives a cryptic invitation to spend Christmas at a country manor house with the caveat that if she stays for 12 days, then she will receive a substantial reward. Clara has been living in genteel poverty with her aunt after her fiancé was sent to prison for embezzling her family’s fortune. Encouraged by her aunt to accept the summons, Clara embarks on a curious winter holiday that is reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. It is full of engaging characters, including Clara’s former fiancé. All of the guests have their own peculiar motivation to completing the mandated 12 day stay with surprising outcomes for each one.

This delightful story has all the hallmarks of a Victorian novel. This is the perfect little indulgence after trimming the tree. Draw an armchair up to the fireplace, pour a glass of sherry and sink into this simple little tale.

Hmm, not sure what to say. The story was ok but I guess I just wasn't ready for Christian themed, Christmas-y story in 100+degree texas weather. So 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, its not you its me :(

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I'm a sucker for a second-chance love story. This book follows Clara and Ben as they battle to overcome past hurts and bitterness. Several times, Clara asks: "Why God, why?" for various hardships and disappointments that she must face. This resonated with me since I think it's something we can all identify with in one way or another. Early on in the reading, as characters are introduced and the plot progresses, it felt like a cross between Clue (the boardgame) and And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. I felt sure that the master of Bleakly Manor would appear, but alas, Griep only gave a slight tease as to who he was. Overall I enjoyed this story very much; I love sweet Christmas romance stories and this one with a mix of intrigue was refreshing.

"Some choice. Remain in a room of vipers or search for a rodent."

"12 Days at Bleakly Manor" (September 2017, Shiloh Run Press), first in the "Once Upon a Dickens Christmas" series by Michele Griep, is a Christian historical romantic mystery. It opens in London on December 24, 1850, which puts it in the Victorian Era. The novel is a standalone with no cliffhangers.

I wanted to read this book because I absolutely loved both titles I previously read by Griep: "Brentwood's Ward" and "The Captive Heart."

The heroine: Clara Chapman, 25, is wounded by multiple rejections: first by her father, and then nine months ago, by her fiance. Formerly from a well-to-do family, she is now poor and has been living with kindly, infirim Aunt Deborha. Clara unexpectedly receives a cryptic (and if it is to be trusted, a lucrative) invitation:

"The Twelve Days of Christmas
As never's been reveled
Your presence, Miss Chapman,
Is respectfully hearld.
Bleakly Manor's the place
And after twelve nights
Five hundred pounds
Will be yours by rights."

The hero: Benjamin Lane is in prison for stealing and is slated for deportation to a labor camp in another country. The reader is immediately privy to the fact that he views himself as not only innocent, but betrayed by "the woman he loved." (Now, there's a conundrum. The reader naturally will presume he is thinking of Clara, which doesn't make sense! How could she feel rejected by him while he simultaneously feels betrayed by her? Particularly when it seems they both still love each other???) Ben also receives an invitation to Bleakly manor, and he is promised something different if he remains the full time: his freedom.

Christian elements:

*"Sometimes all we have are questions. But there's really only one that matters…. Is God in control, or is He not?"

*Both our hero and heroine are suffering and question, "Why, God? Why?"

*There is a coin that occasionally appears in the story, and while I interpreted it (and its message) to be symbolic only, looking back, I see that the introduction says that both the babe Jesus and the coin are "both bearers of a second chance." I still interpret the coin as symbolic and the verse as poetic. But I suppose a different reader could view the coin as slightly magical. This is just an FYI, because some Christians are not comfortable with magic in stories. (I know some Christians who avoid Harry Pottter, for example.)

Is it clean/chaste? Yes. There is the occasional warmth in the gut or belly. Or, at another time, "the touch of his hand guiding her foot into the skate sent a charge up her leg. A shameful response, but completely delicious." (See information about kissing below.)

What I liked:

*The portrayal of Ben in prison seemed very realistic. Yipes.

*The mystery was extremely cozy, and there was no murder! I found this totally lovely! I was able to feel nostalgic about previous mysteries I've read without the negativity that often comes with it. Yes, there were some negative characters, but I didn't feel they were pervasive.

*I totally enjoyed the nod to Agatha Christie. The cast of characters could easily have been in a Christie novel. I did wonder what the host would have done if things didn't work out the way they did, though. And I was completely mistaken about who invited people to Bleakly Manor, which is awesome.

*I loved the tidbits of information about the Twelve Days of Christmas. I had always wondered about it due to the famous Christmas song.

What I didn’t like:

*I'm noticing a trend in some clean romance novels of extremely steamy kisses without crossing into questionable waters. It's not what I prefer. I think there were two steamy (but not inappropriate) kisses in this story. I felt a bit impatient when this happened even though they weren't very long. I'm not reducing any stars for this dislike of mine, because I think that the book is definitely clean and I know many readers of clean romance enjoy steamy-clean stories.

*Not precisely a dislike, but I did notice that the 12 Days of Bleakly Manor, which start on December 24th, don't quite line up with the Twelve Days of Christmas, which begin on December 25th. I asked Ms. Griep about this, and she explained that it was intentional.

***********

The bottom line: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I recommend it to fans of Agatha Christie, cozy historical mysteries, and Christian historical romance. The next book I read by Ms. Griep might be "Out of the Frying Pan," as I recently picked up a Kindle copy for free!

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Delightful Christmas tale. Many twists and turns. Kept my attention from the start. Things are never as they seem!

This was a very good book. The plot and the story line were well thought out. The characters were interesting and engaging. A joy to read.

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.

A small group of eclectic people are sent an invitation to stay at Bleakly Manor during the Twelve Days of Christmas with the possibility at the end of their stay getting exactly what their hearts desire. Ben was unjustly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit while Clara's family has been left nearly destitute after being swindled of their fortunes. The formerly engaged duo are not happy to see one another at Bleakly Manor, but can they put the past behind them and work together to find out what's truly going on at Bleakly Manor?

I was completely entranced by this tale. There were many intriguing mysteries to solve and the strange 'accidents' and mishaps kept me glued to the page, wanting to know what happened next. There's a whole cast of entertaining and quirky characters, Miss Scurry my favorite.

12 Days at Bleakly Manor reminded me of one of those good, old-fashioned mysteries. I absolutely loved it! And even though it takes place during Christmastime, it's a story that can be enjoyed any time of the year. There's a short excerpt at the end that has me excited for the sequel! I highly recommend this book for any lover of historical fiction!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

For the past year Clara Chapman has lived in poverty and shame since she was left at the alter by the love of her life. Benjamin Lane who has spent the past year imprisoned without trial for embezzling the fortune of his fiancee's family, wants nothing more than revenge on the person who put him here and cost him everything. Both, among others, receive an invitation to stay at Bleakly Manor for the holidays, offering their heart's desire if they can stay for the full 12 days. Unbeknownst to them, their futures may hang in the balance.

This was a charming historical Christmas romance told with a whodunit flare and a dash of Christian sprinkles (a prayer offered up here and there and pleas for guidance in times of despair). Each of the characters had their own unique reasons for taking up the off to spend 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, and they each are as quirky as the next, but the story revolves mainly around Clara and Ben and how they came to be separated and whether they can learn to forgive and forget the past in order for a future together. I really like them together and thought they had a natural chemistry.

My only gripe would be that despite being less then 200 pages, the middle portion of the story seemed to be a crazy bunch of accidents that, while important to discoveries later, seemed to make that portion of the book uneven and wonky. I found though that it had a strong beginning and a strong ending and I'm glad to have read this and will be happy to read more books in this series.

Note: I have heard this compared to Agatha Christie and cozy mysteries and, though I admittedly read cross genre, I don't often gravitate towards that type of book. If that is your preference, you will probably end your reading of it with more than three stars.

(3 Stars on Goodreads = I "liked it")

The premise of this book is what drew me in. I love sweet holiday romances. Unfortunately, I was not able to connect with the characters or the plot. I am sure that this book will suit a lot of readers, just not me.

My craving for all things Victorian has been indulged! This book had so much of what I love within its pages... Mystery, History, Holiday, Drama, Twists and Turns and Sweet Romance... all with a hint of Christianity. And that history was right on target with a bonus of some historical clarifications toward the back of the book. Thank you Michelle Griep for that too!

Once I started reading, I could not put this book down. Not extremely lengthy, but just enough to be thorough with the story. Charles Dickens would be proud!

Set in London in 1850, Clara Chapman's life had taken a downward turn having lost her fortune and being left at the alter, abandoned by the man she loved. Then she received an invitation. If she can stay at Bleakly Manor for twelve nights she will be given five hundred pounds. Clara's ailing aunt encourages her to accept.

Upon arriving at Bleakly Manor, Clara realizes she is not the only person to receive such an invitation, each with a reward geared just for them. One of those invitee's is none other than Ben Lane, the man accused of embezzeling and destroying Clara's father's business... and the man who had left her standing at the alter. Unbeknownst to Clara, Ben had actually been imprisoned unjustly all these months.

Michelle Griep created a wonderful assortment of characters, and a mystery with lots of twists and turns. Who is their host? Which of the houseguests will remain to win their prize?

I would love to see a Christmastime movie made from this novel. And this is just Book #1 of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. I can't wait to read the next one!

This was a really sweet book with moments of apprehension, drama, and excitement. It was well written and despite its short length, was very complete having characters with depth, background, and motivation as well as a satisfying conclusion. Ben and Clara were sweet and mature enough to desire a conclusion that wasn't petty and full of revenge for one another or others that might be having a hand in their misfortune, both past and present.

12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas) was a great read! I enjoyed the premise of the story where they have to stay in the Manor for the 12 Days of Christmas in order to win the prize. Each person was promised a different prize by staying, and there are several characters who cause all kinds of problems. Who do you root for? Clara needs the money but Ben needs his freedom from being falsely accused of theft. Both Ben and Clara learn to overcome the difficulties of past and present to reach the goal.

I enjoy Michelle Griep's writing style and can't wait for more in this series.

I received a preview of this book from NetGalley/Barbour Publishing, Shiloh Run Press for my honest review.

Mystery, romance and Christmas time, in a Victorian setting for this book which caught my attention right away.

Clara is kind and generous to everyone she meets. An invitation requesting Clara go to Bleakly Manor for the Twelve Days of Christmas. If she stays through the 12th night, she will receive five hundred pounds.
Get ready for one intriguing Christmas.

I had a hard time putting this book down. What is going to happen next at Bleakly Manor?

This book was fascinating. At first I wondered if it was a parable, the words and descriptions were almost lyrical and seemed to hold many layers of meaning. It was very deep and heartwarming, with the whimsy of association of a famous author. I love that it is a book that can be read by my grandchildren, and I know they will be better for having read it.