12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep Review

When CLARA CHAPMAN receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of one thousand pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. 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 for the Twelve Days of Christmas, 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.

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While I (gasp) haven’t read any of Agatha Christie’s novels, I’ve seen Michelle Griep’s 12 Days at Bleakly Manor compared to them a few times, making me interested in reading them.

In Griep’s short book, an eclectic cast of characters is brought together to spend the 12 days of Christmas together, each of them promised a prize if they’re the last one standing. As the mysteries of the house and the guests escalate, the tension does as well.

Speaking of tension, how about Clara and Ben? They both feel the other wronged them but they are both good people deep down and spending time together reminds them of better times. Clara’s tender-hearted kindness not only impacts Ben but the other guests as well. And despite her betrayal of him, Ben is determined to protect Clara from whatever is going on in the strange manor house.

When cozy mystery, Clue, and a little Charles Dickens are brought together, what results is a fun read. As the weather starts to turn from summer to autumn, this is the perfect book to pull out with a cup of tea and keep you warm on one of those cooler evenings.

Disclosure statement:
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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.