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Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #2
Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols
#1 NYT-bestselling author Stephanie Laurens brings you a heartwarming tale of a long-ago country-village Christmas, a grandmother, three eager grandchildren, one moody teenage granddaughter, an earnest young lady, a gentleman in hiding, and an elusive book of Christmas carols.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household are quietly delighted when her younger daughter’s three children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, insist on returning to Therese’s house, Hartington Manor in the village Little Moseley, to spend the three weeks leading up to Christmas participating in the village’s traditional events.
Then out of the blue, one of Therese’s older granddaughters, Melissa, arrives on the doorstep. Her mother, Therese’s older daughter, begs Therese to take Melissa in until the family gathering at Christmas—otherwise, Melissa has nowhere else to go.
Despite having no experience dealing with moody, reticent teenagers like Melissa, Therese welcomes Melissa warmly. The younger children are happy to include their cousin in their plans—and despite her initial aloofness, Melissa discovers she’s not too old to enjoy the simple delights of a village Christmas.
The previous year, Therese learned the trick to keeping her unexpected guests out of mischief. She casts around and discovers that the new organist, who plays superbly, has a strange failing. He requires the written music in front of him before he can play a piece, and the church’s book of Christmas carols has gone missing.
Therese immediately volunteers the services of her grandchildren, who are only too happy to fling themselves into the search to find the missing book of carols. Its disappearance threatens one of the village’s most-valued Christmas traditions—the Carol Service—yet as the book has always been freely loaned within the village, no one imagines that it won’t be found with a little application.
But as Therese’s intrepid four follow the trail of the book from house to house, the mystery of where the book has vanished to only deepens. Then the organist hears the children singing and invites them to form a special guest choir. The children love singing, and provided they find the book in time, they’ll be able to put on an extra-special service for the village.
While the urgency and their desire to find the missing book escalates, the children—being Therese’s grandchildren—get distracted by the potential for romance that buds, burgeons, and blooms before them.
Yet as Christmas nears, the questions remain: Will the four unravel the twisted trail of the missing book in time to save the village’s Carol Service? And will they succeed in nudging the organist and the harpist they’ve found to play alongside him into seizing the happy-ever-after that hovers before the pair’s noses.
Second in series. A novel of 62,000 words. A Christmas tale full of music and romance.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household are quietly delighted when her younger daughter’s three children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, insist on returning to Therese’s house, Hartington Manor in the village Little Moseley, to spend the three weeks leading up to Christmas participating in the village’s traditional events.
Then out of the blue, one of Therese’s older granddaughters, Melissa, arrives on the doorstep. Her mother, Therese’s older daughter, begs Therese to take Melissa in until the family gathering at Christmas—otherwise, Melissa has nowhere else to go.
Despite having no experience dealing with moody, reticent teenagers like Melissa, Therese welcomes Melissa warmly. The younger children are happy to include their cousin in their plans—and despite her initial aloofness, Melissa discovers she’s not too old to enjoy the simple delights of a village Christmas.
The previous year, Therese learned the trick to keeping her unexpected guests out of mischief. She casts around and discovers that the new organist, who plays superbly, has a strange failing. He requires the written music in front of him before he can play a piece, and the church’s book of Christmas carols has gone missing.
Therese immediately volunteers the services of her grandchildren, who are only too happy to fling themselves into the search to find the missing book of carols. Its disappearance threatens one of the village’s most-valued Christmas traditions—the Carol Service—yet as the book has always been freely loaned within the village, no one imagines that it won’t be found with a little application.
But as Therese’s intrepid four follow the trail of the book from house to house, the mystery of where the book has vanished to only deepens. Then the organist hears the children singing and invites them to form a special guest choir. The children love singing, and provided they find the book in time, they’ll be able to put on an extra-special service for the village.
While the urgency and their desire to find the missing book escalates, the children—being Therese’s grandchildren—get distracted by the potential for romance that buds, burgeons, and blooms before them.
Yet as Christmas nears, the questions remain: Will the four unravel the twisted trail of the missing book in time to save the village’s Carol Service? And will they succeed in nudging the organist and the harpist they’ve found to play alongside him into seizing the happy-ever-after that hovers before the pair’s noses.
Second in series. A novel of 62,000 words. A Christmas tale full of music and romance.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2018
347 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,585 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
December 6, 2023
I loved this book. It is the best Christmas book I have read in a very long time. It has a little mystery, a little romance and the true joy of the season. Highly Recommended.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, has her hands full when three of her younger grandchildren show up on her doorstep. But when an older granddaughter, Melissa, arrives later sullen and distant, well, she defiantly has a full house. I've got to tell you that 14-year-old girls take special handling. As a grandmother of three of them, I know of which I speak. Times and young girls have not changed all that much. Luckly for them there is a mystery to be solved and the children and Melissa are keen to get to work. The church's Christmas Book of Carols is missing and Richard, the organist, while exceptional, needs the book in order to play. As the gang seeks the elusive Book of Carols, Melissa finds a purpose and a new maturity.
Richard, the organist invites the children to form a special guest choir. Another visitor to the village, Faith, also sings and plays the harp. They practice and continue to search for the missing Book of Carols and hope to put on an extra-special service for the village.
With Richard on the organ and Faith on the harp, the children sense more than music in the air and are instrumental in nudging the romance of Richard and Faith along. As music and romance float over the village of Little Mosby all they have to do is find the Book of Carols.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, has her hands full when three of her younger grandchildren show up on her doorstep. But when an older granddaughter, Melissa, arrives later sullen and distant, well, she defiantly has a full house. I've got to tell you that 14-year-old girls take special handling. As a grandmother of three of them, I know of which I speak. Times and young girls have not changed all that much. Luckly for them there is a mystery to be solved and the children and Melissa are keen to get to work. The church's Christmas Book of Carols is missing and Richard, the organist, while exceptional, needs the book in order to play. As the gang seeks the elusive Book of Carols, Melissa finds a purpose and a new maturity.
Richard, the organist invites the children to form a special guest choir. Another visitor to the village, Faith, also sings and plays the harp. They practice and continue to search for the missing Book of Carols and hope to put on an extra-special service for the village.
With Richard on the organ and Faith on the harp, the children sense more than music in the air and are instrumental in nudging the romance of Richard and Faith along. As music and romance float over the village of Little Mosby all they have to do is find the Book of Carols.
December 12, 2023
3,3 stars
Very much in the vein of Book 1: slow-going, cosy, undemanding and relaxing Christmas Regency story.
Currently a free listen in the Audible.com Plus catalogue.
Very much in the vein of Book 1: slow-going, cosy, undemanding and relaxing Christmas Regency story.
Currently a free listen in the Audible.com Plus catalogue.
January 18, 2023
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋
Sex Scene Length: 0
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 0
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from mainly Lady Osbaldestone and her granddaughter Melissa – we get some small scenes from the love story (hero and heroine) perspective too
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot:
Lady Osbaldestone continues with her journey of amusing herself within Little Moseley village. This Christmas, she has one of her elder granddaughters come visit. Melissa has been a bit surly and without purpose but with the help of her grandmother, they find they can help coordinate true love for a village couple
Give this a try if you want:
- more of a secondary romance feel – I feel like this barely qualifies as romance since we are in the shoes of Lady Osbaldestone and her granddaughter and not the actual hero and heroine for the most part. If you read book 1 of the series, I felt like this one had even less romance than that.
- no steam
- Regency time period (1811)
- Children in the story – a number of Lady Osbaldestone’s grandchildren have page time and Melissa (Who I think is 15) also has a lot. Hero and heroine perspective is minimal
- Heartwarming story about finding purpose in life
- Musician hero running from his responsibilities
- Shorter novel – this one was around 160ish pages
- A mystery to solve
My thoughts:
This one didn’t entertain me as much as book 1 :(
Lady Osbaldestone makes a number of appearances in Stephanie Lauren’s books but I haven’t read most of hers so I don’t recall her (you might get more enjoyment here if you are familiar with her!). She’s a fun character and in this novel she teams up with her granddaughter Melissa to solve a Christmas mystery and do some matchmaking.
This one I struggled to get into as much as the first. Maybe because the focus was more on the granddaughter and her finding a purpose and self confidence within the village and family. Still it’s overall a cute, heartwarming story.
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋
Sex Scene Length: 0
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 0
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from mainly Lady Osbaldestone and her granddaughter Melissa – we get some small scenes from the love story (hero and heroine) perspective too
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot:
Lady Osbaldestone continues with her journey of amusing herself within Little Moseley village. This Christmas, she has one of her elder granddaughters come visit. Melissa has been a bit surly and without purpose but with the help of her grandmother, they find they can help coordinate true love for a village couple
Give this a try if you want:
- more of a secondary romance feel – I feel like this barely qualifies as romance since we are in the shoes of Lady Osbaldestone and her granddaughter and not the actual hero and heroine for the most part. If you read book 1 of the series, I felt like this one had even less romance than that.
- no steam
- Regency time period (1811)
- Children in the story – a number of Lady Osbaldestone’s grandchildren have page time and Melissa (Who I think is 15) also has a lot. Hero and heroine perspective is minimal
- Heartwarming story about finding purpose in life
- Musician hero running from his responsibilities
- Shorter novel – this one was around 160ish pages
- A mystery to solve
My thoughts:
This one didn’t entertain me as much as book 1 :(
Lady Osbaldestone makes a number of appearances in Stephanie Lauren’s books but I haven’t read most of hers so I don’t recall her (you might get more enjoyment here if you are familiar with her!). She’s a fun character and in this novel she teams up with her granddaughter Melissa to solve a Christmas mystery and do some matchmaking.
This one I struggled to get into as much as the first. Maybe because the focus was more on the granddaughter and her finding a purpose and self confidence within the village and family. Still it’s overall a cute, heartwarming story.
January 1, 2022
3.5 stars.
Jan 2022 - re-listened.
__________
I listened to this back to back with the first book. So am familiar with the set up. Because they enjoyed their stay so much last year, the three grandkids from the first book Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Goose is back with Lady O to spend a couple of weeks before their family Christmas gathering.
This time around, another teenage grand-daughter is also sent to Lady O. Her mother (Lady O's daughter) is hoping that Lady O will be able to sort out the teen's moodiness. And so again, Lady O needs something to keep the 4 kids occupied. Serendipitously, the vicar arrived to tell them that the Church's Book of Christmas Carols has gone missing! And the new organist can only play looking at the music sheets.
And so the kids must recover the book before the night of the Christmas Carols. And as they go around the village looking for the book, they meet a young lady just arrived from town to spend the year with her aunt whilst her parents take up a foreign post and who happens to be a good harpist.
Lady O and her grandkids saw the sparks between the organist and the harpist when they met and of course decided to meddle...
I have to admit a missing book is not as funny as a bunch of missing geese. Nevertheless, it's still a nice Christmassy read.
Jan 2022 - re-listened.
__________
I listened to this back to back with the first book. So am familiar with the set up. Because they enjoyed their stay so much last year, the three grandkids from the first book Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Goose is back with Lady O to spend a couple of weeks before their family Christmas gathering.
This time around, another teenage grand-daughter is also sent to Lady O. Her mother (Lady O's daughter) is hoping that Lady O will be able to sort out the teen's moodiness. And so again, Lady O needs something to keep the 4 kids occupied. Serendipitously, the vicar arrived to tell them that the Church's Book of Christmas Carols has gone missing! And the new organist can only play looking at the music sheets.
And so the kids must recover the book before the night of the Christmas Carols. And as they go around the village looking for the book, they meet a young lady just arrived from town to spend the year with her aunt whilst her parents take up a foreign post and who happens to be a good harpist.
Lady O and her grandkids saw the sparks between the organist and the harpist when they met and of course decided to meddle...
I have to admit a missing book is not as funny as a bunch of missing geese. Nevertheless, it's still a nice Christmassy read.
December 1, 2020
Milé čítanie na príjemné a oddychové predsviatočné dni. Jednoduché a hladko plynúce, občas si ale človek potrebuje prečítať takúto knižku, čo mu obalí nervy ako med :-)
December 24, 2020
Some light fun set in the Regency period.
December 18, 2021
Another cute story about Lady O. It entertained me during my chores around the house.
February 6, 2019
There wasn't enough Christmas description (the story could have been set at any time and there would have been few changes to make) to get me in the spirit and the most interesting part of the mystery was resolved in just a few pages. There was way too much searching every house in the village to find the carols without too much of much else. Rather than having a romantic small village at Christmas feel like the first book in the series, the feeling I got from this entry was a grating sense of the entitled elite having no problems and being waited on by the lower classes who had to drop everything for no good reason.
I did have a long break between starting and finishing the book (had to return it and wait to get it again), which usually makes weak books much worse. I will still read the next book in the series; hopefully this was just a fluke and Laurens will return with the Christmas spirit for with the next installment.
I did have a long break between starting and finishing the book (had to return it and wait to get it again), which usually makes weak books much worse. I will still read the next book in the series; hopefully this was just a fluke and Laurens will return with the Christmas spirit for with the next installment.
December 19, 2021
3'5 ⭐
Este libro sigue la estructura del primero. Nos encontramos con Lady Osbaldestone que vuelve a acoger a sus tres nietos antes de Navidad y que este año recibe la visita a su vez de una nieta algo mayor, de 14 años. El misterio en este caso es que se ha perdido el libro de villancicos del pueblo y sin él no pueden hacer sus cantos.
Me ha gustado la resolución del caso, me parece ingenioso. Sin embargo, en este caso el proceso de investigación se me ha hecho algo más tedioso, igual porque lo ha alargado un poco.
El romance en este caso no ha estado mal, aunque podría haber salido un poco más, estar menos de refilón
La parte navideña es bonita, pero me esperaba que mantuviera el nivel del primer libro y no lo ha logrado.
Es probable que algo de mi reticencia sea debida a que he leído los dos libros seguidos y juntos éste no brille tanto.
Este libro sigue la estructura del primero. Nos encontramos con Lady Osbaldestone que vuelve a acoger a sus tres nietos antes de Navidad y que este año recibe la visita a su vez de una nieta algo mayor, de 14 años. El misterio en este caso es que se ha perdido el libro de villancicos del pueblo y sin él no pueden hacer sus cantos.
Me ha gustado la resolución del caso, me parece ingenioso. Sin embargo, en este caso el proceso de investigación se me ha hecho algo más tedioso, igual porque lo ha alargado un poco.
El romance en este caso no ha estado mal, aunque podría haber salido un poco más, estar menos de refilón
La parte navideña es bonita, pero me esperaba que mantuviera el nivel del primer libro y no lo ha logrado.
Es probable que algo de mi reticencia sea debida a que he leído los dos libros seguidos y juntos éste no brille tanto.
February 17, 2021
3+ stars
Once again, Lady Osbaldestone is joined by her three youngest grandchildren for the weeks leading up the Christmas, but this time they are joined by her moody 14 year old grand-daughter (a moody 14 year old--such a shocker ; ), Melissa. Soon they are hunting for the missing book of Christmas carols and helping along a budding romance between the new organist--obviously a gentleman (but hiding something we aren't sure about) and a lady who wears glasses and has sworn off marriage because she doesn't want to be married only for her dowry.
This is another fun tale and there is a small hint of something to come down the road, so I am more than miffed that my library system has no more of these audiobooks, since listening to them enhances this sort of tale quite a bit.
Once again, Lady Osbaldestone is joined by her three youngest grandchildren for the weeks leading up the Christmas, but this time they are joined by her moody 14 year old grand-daughter (a moody 14 year old--such a shocker ; ), Melissa. Soon they are hunting for the missing book of Christmas carols and helping along a budding romance between the new organist--obviously a gentleman (but hiding something we aren't sure about) and a lady who wears glasses and has sworn off marriage because she doesn't want to be married only for her dowry.
This is another fun tale and there is a small hint of something to come down the road, so I am more than miffed that my library system has no more of these audiobooks, since listening to them enhances this sort of tale quite a bit.
July 28, 2020
2020 bk 253. I didn't think she could top number 1 - but she did it!. Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren had so much fun last year - that they didn't wait for an invitation. The three youngster's show up with their older cousin (14 years old) Melissa who is in a case of the early adolescent sullens. A new organist who does not have carols memorized is in a panic as the one book of Christmas Carols has gone missing from the vestry. Never fear, it's Lady Osbaldestone, her grandchildren and the house party from Oxford who unite to track down the missing book, have Christmas fun, and lots of food! Great read and it cooled things down in 90+ degree weather here in southern Indiana.
January 22, 2019
A delightful story, in which the grandchildren are back with grandmama, plus another older grandchild, Melissa. They are searching for the missing church book of carols, and if they cannot find it then there will be no Christmas carol service. So, adventure begins!
This is a lovely heartwarming story of people in a small village.
5☆
This is a lovely heartwarming story of people in a small village.
5☆
December 26, 2024
My second Lady Osbladestone Christmas tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Lady Oslbadestone is an elder of "the ton" in England. She spends her winters in her dowager estate in the small village of Mosely. Last year she took in her youngest grandchildren for the season, in order that they would avoid a sickness in their own household. They loved their time there and insisted on coming back again. Right on their heels one of her older grandchildren, Melissa, shows up. Melissa is a moody 14-year-old whose mother hopes that putting her in a new environment for a few weeks will help with her attitude. Without fail the magic of Mosley captures her.
There is a mystery for the children to solve, romance budding in the church Christmas choir and just plain holiday fun.
A great book to read for the holidays for anyone who needs some cozy reading.
Lady Oslbadestone is an elder of "the ton" in England. She spends her winters in her dowager estate in the small village of Mosely. Last year she took in her youngest grandchildren for the season, in order that they would avoid a sickness in their own household. They loved their time there and insisted on coming back again. Right on their heels one of her older grandchildren, Melissa, shows up. Melissa is a moody 14-year-old whose mother hopes that putting her in a new environment for a few weeks will help with her attitude. Without fail the magic of Mosley captures her.
There is a mystery for the children to solve, romance budding in the church Christmas choir and just plain holiday fun.
A great book to read for the holidays for anyone who needs some cozy reading.
January 21, 2019
Christmas choir
This was a lovely story with Terese's grandchildren again having a mystery to solve in Little Mosely. The children were successful and helped a young couple find love.
This was a lovely story with Terese's grandchildren again having a mystery to solve in Little Mosely. The children were successful and helped a young couple find love.
June 28, 2019
Review to come
December 3, 2024
loved it
I really enjoyed this book! This is my third Christmas reading of it! I enjoyed learning about regency Christmas customs and the characters are fun!
I really enjoyed this book! This is my third Christmas reading of it! I enjoyed learning about regency Christmas customs and the characters are fun!
December 10, 2018
I was intrigued by Theresa's review giving a Regency romance 5 stars, and after the disaster of the previous book I read decided to give hers a try. Except that when I went searching for the book I latched onto the first one I found with "Lady Osbaldestone" in the title, and only now that I'm writing this review did I realize I ended up with book 2!
But I don't care, because this book was delightful! I finished it in a day. And I will be reading book 1 next.
This being my first book by Stephanie Laurens, I was not familiar with any of the characters, who obviously starred in previous books. But I loved the character of Lady Osbaldestone, who just before Christmas welcomes her two grandsons and two granddaughters into her home to spend some time with her before the big family Christmas gathering. They get involved in the search for the church's missing book of Christmas carols, without which their new organist cannot perform for the annual traditional Carol Service. Along the way we have a romance on the side.
This was a fun read, exactly the kind of feel-good light Christmas read I was looking for. The characters were sensible and interesting, and the romance had a nice light touch and felt sincere.
I'm not a big fan of romances, but I may check out other books by this author to get acquainted with the other characters introduced here in the background, after I finish book 1 of this series. And next year I hope to read book 3 when it comes out.
But I don't care, because this book was delightful! I finished it in a day. And I will be reading book 1 next.
This being my first book by Stephanie Laurens, I was not familiar with any of the characters, who obviously starred in previous books. But I loved the character of Lady Osbaldestone, who just before Christmas welcomes her two grandsons and two granddaughters into her home to spend some time with her before the big family Christmas gathering. They get involved in the search for the church's missing book of Christmas carols, without which their new organist cannot perform for the annual traditional Carol Service. Along the way we have a romance on the side.
This was a fun read, exactly the kind of feel-good light Christmas read I was looking for. The characters were sensible and interesting, and the romance had a nice light touch and felt sincere.
I'm not a big fan of romances, but I may check out other books by this author to get acquainted with the other characters introduced here in the background, after I finish book 1 of this series. And next year I hope to read book 3 when it comes out.
October 27, 2018
Fun Christmas romance novella
I have been waiting for this story since the first one appeared last year! This has the usual huge cast of characters, all of whom are well drawn, a gentle mystery (actually 2 mysteries), and a sweet romance. There is no steam in here at all, and it is not needed. If you want a cute historical Christmas romance with vivid characters, both young and older, a leisurely pace, a hopeful tone and a character oriented storyline, this is the story for you. You do not have to read the first story to enjoy this one, but it will make things much clearer. This will put you in a festive mood no matter what the season. However I plan on rereading both these in December. They remind you of the reasons we celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Enjoy!
I have been waiting for this story since the first one appeared last year! This has the usual huge cast of characters, all of whom are well drawn, a gentle mystery (actually 2 mysteries), and a sweet romance. There is no steam in here at all, and it is not needed. If you want a cute historical Christmas romance with vivid characters, both young and older, a leisurely pace, a hopeful tone and a character oriented storyline, this is the story for you. You do not have to read the first story to enjoy this one, but it will make things much clearer. This will put you in a festive mood no matter what the season. However I plan on rereading both these in December. They remind you of the reasons we celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Enjoy!
December 18, 2024
This got so repetitive I almost quit listening. Either the author didn't trust the reader to understand the importance of the village book of carols to the plot or she was simply trying to draw out the length of the book. Whichever, it was frustrating to have that explained ad nauseam. Still I stuck with it because of the excellent narration and enjoyed the story despite that major drawback, however I may think twice about continuing with the series.
3 stars
3 stars
October 24, 2018
Lady Osbaldestone Returns
Stephanie Laurens does it again. She brings us an entertaining lead up to Christmas with Lady Osbaldestone and her precocious grandchildren. A mystery to solve, a enticing romance (plus a hint of another to come) and we learn a bit of Christmas tradition and history. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming story.
Stephanie Laurens does it again. She brings us an entertaining lead up to Christmas with Lady Osbaldestone and her precocious grandchildren. A mystery to solve, a enticing romance (plus a hint of another to come) and we learn a bit of Christmas tradition and history. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming story.
December 26, 2018
2 1/2 stars A light cute fluffy romance; not really the mystery I thought it was going to be. I doubt I will read any more of the series. This was my pick for sisters book club and when I realized it was book 2 I thought we could read both books ... Bev did but I just couldn’t get through this one in time. A first for me.
October 26, 2022
Stephanie Laurens (2018) LADY OSBALDESTONE AND THE MISSING CHRISTMAS CAROLS (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - Blackstone Audio
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household are quietly delighted when her younger daughter's three children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, insist on returning to Therese's house, Hartington Manor in the village Little Moseley, to spend the three weeks leading up to Christmas participating in the village's traditional events. Then, out of the blue, one of Therese's older granddaughters, Melissa, arrives on the doorstep. Her mother, Therese's older daughter, begs Therese to take Melissa in until the family gathering at Christmas - otherwise, Melissa has nowhere else to go. Despite having no experience dealing with moody, reticent teenagers like Melissa, Therese welcomes Melissa warmly. The younger children are happy to include their cousin in their plans - and despite her initial aloofness, Melissa discovers she's not too old to enjoy the simple delights of a village Christmas. The previous year, Therese learned the trick to keeping her unexpected guests out of mischief. She casts around and discovers that the new organist, who plays superbly, has a strange failing. He requires the written music in front of him before he can play a piece, and the church's book of Christmas carols has gone missing. Therese immediately volunteers the services of her grandchildren, who are only too happy to fling themselves into the search to find the missing book of carols. Its disappearance threatens one of the village's most valued Christmas traditions - the Carol Service - yet as the book has always been freely loaned within the village, no one imagines it won't be found with a little application. But as Therese's intrepid four follow the trail of the book from house to house, the mystery of where the book has vanished to only deepens. Will the four unravel the twisted trail of the missing book in time to save the village's Carol Service?"
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Missing the slapstick and calamity of the first volume.
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#StephanieLaurens #LadyOsbaldestoneAndTheMissingChristmasCarols #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible #Christmas #Xmas #MerryChristmas #HappyChristmas #MerryXmas #HappyXmas #HappyHolidays #CrimboReads
Audible - Blackstone Audio
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household are quietly delighted when her younger daughter's three children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, insist on returning to Therese's house, Hartington Manor in the village Little Moseley, to spend the three weeks leading up to Christmas participating in the village's traditional events. Then, out of the blue, one of Therese's older granddaughters, Melissa, arrives on the doorstep. Her mother, Therese's older daughter, begs Therese to take Melissa in until the family gathering at Christmas - otherwise, Melissa has nowhere else to go. Despite having no experience dealing with moody, reticent teenagers like Melissa, Therese welcomes Melissa warmly. The younger children are happy to include their cousin in their plans - and despite her initial aloofness, Melissa discovers she's not too old to enjoy the simple delights of a village Christmas. The previous year, Therese learned the trick to keeping her unexpected guests out of mischief. She casts around and discovers that the new organist, who plays superbly, has a strange failing. He requires the written music in front of him before he can play a piece, and the church's book of Christmas carols has gone missing. Therese immediately volunteers the services of her grandchildren, who are only too happy to fling themselves into the search to find the missing book of carols. Its disappearance threatens one of the village's most valued Christmas traditions - the Carol Service - yet as the book has always been freely loaned within the village, no one imagines it won't be found with a little application. But as Therese's intrepid four follow the trail of the book from house to house, the mystery of where the book has vanished to only deepens. Will the four unravel the twisted trail of the missing book in time to save the village's Carol Service?"
=====
Missing the slapstick and calamity of the first volume.
=====
#StephanieLaurens #LadyOsbaldestoneAndTheMissingChristmasCarols #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible #Christmas #Xmas #MerryChristmas #HappyChristmas #MerryXmas #HappyXmas #HappyHolidays #CrimboReads
December 6, 2023
This was the cutest book ever. I'm starting to like reading Lady Osbaldestone during the holidays, because of the Christmas spirit and how gentle and kind it is, instead of Stephanie's other books I like. This time, Lady Osbaldestone and her grandchildren, Jamie, Lottie, and George, along with newcomer Melissa are on the case of the missing Christmas Carols. The organist, Richard Mortimer, needs music sheets to play them. While they are trying to find the missing Christmas Carols in time for the Christmas service, romance is in the air with Richard and a harpist named Faith, which is sweet and budding, even though Richard is hiding a secret about himself.
I liked how Jaime, Lottie, George, and Melissa tried to figure out where the missing Carols would be, while at the same time becoming part of the quire that would sing in the Carol service. I did chuckle at a couple of parts of the book, like how Lottie and Melissa knew that the match between Richard and Faith would happen, so they hung back sometimes, and I also really liked how they worked hard on their parts for the Christmas Pagent and the Carol service.
I think my favorite part of the book was the mystery. It was the focal point of the book, and you can see the frustration that everyone has trying to find that book. When they do find it, thanks to the help of a viscount and others, they find it in the most unlikely of places, which is the pantry-turns out, Reverend Coldburn put it there when he did something, I forgot, to be honest. But still, I got worried for a moment that they wouldn't find the book, but when they presented the book to Richard, I felt so much relief from it. But also, the special little quire got some new tenors and bass and others, and the Carol service went off without a hitch.
There was also a little skinny of Richard Mortimer and who he truly was, and when he told Faith who he really was after he fell hard for her, I could tell that he wanted to tell her, but because of his fear of his family he didn't do it, but at the end he did, which I'm glad for. But then, it looked like another budding romance with Melissa and the young viscount, but it didn't happen.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this one, it was so good at the end :)
I liked how Jaime, Lottie, George, and Melissa tried to figure out where the missing Carols would be, while at the same time becoming part of the quire that would sing in the Carol service. I did chuckle at a couple of parts of the book, like how Lottie and Melissa knew that the match between Richard and Faith would happen, so they hung back sometimes, and I also really liked how they worked hard on their parts for the Christmas Pagent and the Carol service.
I think my favorite part of the book was the mystery. It was the focal point of the book, and you can see the frustration that everyone has trying to find that book. When they do find it, thanks to the help of a viscount and others, they find it in the most unlikely of places, which is the pantry-turns out, Reverend Coldburn put it there when he did something, I forgot, to be honest. But still, I got worried for a moment that they wouldn't find the book, but when they presented the book to Richard, I felt so much relief from it. But also, the special little quire got some new tenors and bass and others, and the Carol service went off without a hitch.
There was also a little skinny of Richard Mortimer and who he truly was, and when he told Faith who he really was after he fell hard for her, I could tell that he wanted to tell her, but because of his fear of his family he didn't do it, but at the end he did, which I'm glad for. But then, it looked like another budding romance with Melissa and the young viscount, but it didn't happen.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this one, it was so good at the end :)
September 26, 2021
My rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
This was a fun, quick read, with likable characters. It was very light-hearted, and contained a cute mystery and matchmaking. The only real problem I found was that the plot developed a bit slowly -- I think mostly because it was so light-hearted and contained so many characters.
I have always enjoyed Lady Osbaldestone in all Laurens' books. She is an interesting, and quite entertaining character. I read, and enjoyed, the first Christmas story with her and her grandchildren as the main characters -- so I decided to read the rest of the series.
I still like Lady Osbaldestone, and her grandchildren were adorable little imps. It was fun how she worked to find something to keep them busy, so that they wouldn't keep getting into trouble. I loved how she also encouraged her grandchildren to help with her matchmaking attempts, and they took to it immediately. It was cute how they thought of ways to encourage the couple, sometimes all on their own. I especially liked that Jamie was so good at figuring out ways to "convince" people to do what he wanted -- he was quite the little manipulator, and it made for fun reading.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This was a fun, quick read, with likable characters. It was very light-hearted, and contained a cute mystery and matchmaking. The only real problem I found was that the plot developed a bit slowly -- I think mostly because it was so light-hearted and contained so many characters.
I have always enjoyed Lady Osbaldestone in all Laurens' books. She is an interesting, and quite entertaining character. I read, and enjoyed, the first Christmas story with her and her grandchildren as the main characters -- so I decided to read the rest of the series.
I still like Lady Osbaldestone, and her grandchildren were adorable little imps. It was fun how she worked to find something to keep them busy, so that they wouldn't keep getting into trouble. I loved how she also encouraged her grandchildren to help with her matchmaking attempts, and they took to it immediately. It was cute how they thought of ways to encourage the couple, sometimes all on their own. I especially liked that Jamie was so good at figuring out ways to "convince" people to do what he wanted -- he was quite the little manipulator, and it made for fun reading.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
January 3, 2019
Title: Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Read by: Helen Lloyd
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Length: Approximately 6 hours and 52 minutes
Source: Purchased from Amazon.com
Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols is book two of the delightful Lady Osbaldestone’s Christmas Chronicles. As readers of the blog know, I love Christmas books and I especially love regency Christmas novels. This book was perfect for me and it did not disappoint.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, has her three young grandchildren to visit just before Christmas in her dower house in Little Mosely. They are joined by their 14-year old cousin, Melissa, for the visit. The children had a great time solving a local mystery the pervious year so Lady Osbaldestone searches for a mystery for this Christmas season. They soon find it when they discover the book of Christmas carols is missing from the local parish. Without it, there will be no Carol Service as they traditionally have each year as the handsome new organist, Richard Mortimer is an inspired organist, but can not play without sheet music. Will they find the music in time? Who exactly is Richard Mortimer and what is he hiding from?
I thought this book was just as delightful as last years story. I love the cozy mystery as well as the romance that sparks between a few different characters. The romance is light like a Jane Austen novel. The narrator, Helen Lloyd, has the perfect pleasant voice with a light English accent that brings the characters and story to life. Her voice is Lady Osbaldestone to me.
Overall, Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols is a wonderful Christmas regency romance with great characters, mystery, and story.
This review was first published on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2019...
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Read by: Helen Lloyd
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Length: Approximately 6 hours and 52 minutes
Source: Purchased from Amazon.com
Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols is book two of the delightful Lady Osbaldestone’s Christmas Chronicles. As readers of the blog know, I love Christmas books and I especially love regency Christmas novels. This book was perfect for me and it did not disappoint.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, has her three young grandchildren to visit just before Christmas in her dower house in Little Mosely. They are joined by their 14-year old cousin, Melissa, for the visit. The children had a great time solving a local mystery the pervious year so Lady Osbaldestone searches for a mystery for this Christmas season. They soon find it when they discover the book of Christmas carols is missing from the local parish. Without it, there will be no Carol Service as they traditionally have each year as the handsome new organist, Richard Mortimer is an inspired organist, but can not play without sheet music. Will they find the music in time? Who exactly is Richard Mortimer and what is he hiding from?
I thought this book was just as delightful as last years story. I love the cozy mystery as well as the romance that sparks between a few different characters. The romance is light like a Jane Austen novel. The narrator, Helen Lloyd, has the perfect pleasant voice with a light English accent that brings the characters and story to life. Her voice is Lady Osbaldestone to me.
Overall, Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols is a wonderful Christmas regency romance with great characters, mystery, and story.
This review was first published on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2019...
November 25, 2024
Not as good as the first book but still enjoyable. I felt that this one dragged a bit and there wasn't really enough story for the length of the book. It is once again Christmas time and Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren, Jamie, George and Lottie, are in the village to take part in the holiday festivities. Joining them this year is their older cousin, Melissa, who is in those awkward teenage years where she is too young to be with the adults but too old for children's games. Desperate to keep her young charges occupied, Lady Osbaldestone offers up their services in the search for the missing book of Christmas Carols. The new organist, Richard, cannot play without sheet music and the book is missing from the rectory. In addition to helping search for the lost book, they agree to sing in the choir for the carol service should the book be found in time. As they visit each house that had recently borrowed the book, they meet Faith, in town visiting her aunt and uncle, who joins the search and offers her voice and harp playing to their choir. While they make their visits, we meet characters from the previous book, including Eugenia and her husband, Lord Longfellow, who the children helped unite last Christmas, and their new baby boy. We also see Eugenia's brother, Henry and his Oxford friends, one of which is sweet on Melissa. Faith and Richard hit it off as well but it is clear that Richard is hiding something. Once the book is found, it was hidden on the vicar's desk under a pile of sermons, they have a successful carol service but before they can celebrate, Richard is confronted by his aunt. Richard is in line to take over his father's lordship but ran away when his aunts pressured him to marry. Now that he has met and proposed to Faith, he is ready to return home and take up his duties.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
Nutika raamatukoguhoidja väljakutse: JAANUAR: Ma ei tea, mis raamat see oli, aga selle kaanel oli mingi maja. Oli vist väike maja…Või tegelikult üsna suur maja! Ühesõnaga maja pilt. Ei, midagi muud ma sellest raamatust ei mäleta.
Stephanie Laurens, Lady Osbaldestone And The Missing Christmas Carols (Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles Book 2). 240lk Savdek Management Pty Ltd, 2018.
Eks ta ole, et tervet rehkendust miniväljakutseid ma kindlasti tehtud ei saa, aga jagan hea meelega oma lugemiselamusi ja kus võimalik, topin need teemade alla :).
Lady Osbaldestone ja tema lapselaste seiklused jätkuvad. Kolm eelmisest raamatust tuttavat tegelast James, Georg ja Lottie on tagasi ja tahavad jällegi Little Moseleys oma pühade-eelset aega veeta. Seekord täiesti omal algatusel ja vabatahtlikult. Ja siis tuleb külla ka nende täditütar Melissa, kes küll eriti ei taha seal olla, aga veel vähem tahab ta olla oma suurema õe ja emaga mingil majapeol.
Vanaema Therese läheb vikaari-prouale külla, et uurida, kas on jälle mingit mõistatust, mida oleks jõukohane lahendada kambal lastel ja alguses paistab, et polegi nagu probleemi, kuid siis selgub, et kiriku uus organist ei oska mängida muud moodi kui noodist ja jõululaulude? (carols) raamat on kuskile ära kadunud. Sellest saab alguse otsin terves külas. Väike romantiline noot, salapärane organist, pisut malbet detektiivitööd ja kokku on täiesti suurepäeane jõuluootusraamat jälle. Soovitan soojalt, kes hooaja puhul ei taha lugeda karmi krimi ega liiga imalat romantikat. Lihtsalt paras lugemine ja meeldis mulle rohkemgi kui see hanelugu, kus tundus, et need haned jäid vahepeal tahaplaanile, siis siin olid jõululaudud täiesti kesksel kohal kogu aja.
Goodreadsis saab 5/5 arvestusega, et raamat omas kategoorias on tõesti hea.
Stephanie Laurens, Lady Osbaldestone And The Missing Christmas Carols (Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles Book 2). 240lk Savdek Management Pty Ltd, 2018.
Eks ta ole, et tervet rehkendust miniväljakutseid ma kindlasti tehtud ei saa, aga jagan hea meelega oma lugemiselamusi ja kus võimalik, topin need teemade alla :).
Lady Osbaldestone ja tema lapselaste seiklused jätkuvad. Kolm eelmisest raamatust tuttavat tegelast James, Georg ja Lottie on tagasi ja tahavad jällegi Little Moseleys oma pühade-eelset aega veeta. Seekord täiesti omal algatusel ja vabatahtlikult. Ja siis tuleb külla ka nende täditütar Melissa, kes küll eriti ei taha seal olla, aga veel vähem tahab ta olla oma suurema õe ja emaga mingil majapeol.
Vanaema Therese läheb vikaari-prouale külla, et uurida, kas on jälle mingit mõistatust, mida oleks jõukohane lahendada kambal lastel ja alguses paistab, et polegi nagu probleemi, kuid siis selgub, et kiriku uus organist ei oska mängida muud moodi kui noodist ja jõululaulude? (carols) raamat on kuskile ära kadunud. Sellest saab alguse otsin terves külas. Väike romantiline noot, salapärane organist, pisut malbet detektiivitööd ja kokku on täiesti suurepäeane jõuluootusraamat jälle. Soovitan soojalt, kes hooaja puhul ei taha lugeda karmi krimi ega liiga imalat romantikat. Lihtsalt paras lugemine ja meeldis mulle rohkemgi kui see hanelugu, kus tundus, et need haned jäid vahepeal tahaplaanile, siis siin olid jõululaudud täiesti kesksel kohal kogu aja.
Goodreadsis saab 5/5 arvestusega, et raamat omas kategoorias on tõesti hea.
July 28, 2021
Audible audio performed by Helen Lloyd
In book two of the series, Lady O’s three grandchildren, Lord James (Jamie) Skelton and his younger siblings George and Lady Charlotte (Lottie), return to her manor in the village of Little Mosley for another holiday, and once again help her to solve a gentle mystery and do some matchmaking as well. This time they are also joined by their cousin, Lady O’s fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Melissa North, who is (per a letter from her mother, Lady O’s daughter Henrietta) going through a “difficult period.”
This is a lovely series with no violent crime, but a definitely puzzling scenario that requires immediate attention less the village Christmas festivities be marred (or, heaven forbid, cancelled). The basic story involves the church’s missing book of carols, without which the new organist won’t be able to play for the annual carol service, as he is dependent on the sheet music. Lady O and her grandchildren set out to explore every nook and cranny of the village to find the book before Christmas. Of course, there is more to the mystery than a missing book of carols, for example, the actual identity of the new organist.
I’m glad that Laurens includes a list of all the many characters, identified and categorized by their families and residences in the village, because there are a LOT of them to try to keep straight.
Helen Lloyd does a fine job of performing the audio. She sets a good pace, and I was completely entertained throughout.
In book two of the series, Lady O’s three grandchildren, Lord James (Jamie) Skelton and his younger siblings George and Lady Charlotte (Lottie), return to her manor in the village of Little Mosley for another holiday, and once again help her to solve a gentle mystery and do some matchmaking as well. This time they are also joined by their cousin, Lady O’s fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Melissa North, who is (per a letter from her mother, Lady O’s daughter Henrietta) going through a “difficult period.”
This is a lovely series with no violent crime, but a definitely puzzling scenario that requires immediate attention less the village Christmas festivities be marred (or, heaven forbid, cancelled). The basic story involves the church’s missing book of carols, without which the new organist won’t be able to play for the annual carol service, as he is dependent on the sheet music. Lady O and her grandchildren set out to explore every nook and cranny of the village to find the book before Christmas. Of course, there is more to the mystery than a missing book of carols, for example, the actual identity of the new organist.
I’m glad that Laurens includes a list of all the many characters, identified and categorized by their families and residences in the village, because there are a LOT of them to try to keep straight.
Helen Lloyd does a fine job of performing the audio. She sets a good pace, and I was completely entertained throughout.
January 30, 2022
This is another installment in the delightful series of family time and gentle romance at Lady Osbaldestone’s dower house in Little Moseley. This year’s holiday adventure sends Lady O’s grandchildren searching for a missing book of Christmas Carols. The village church has a brilliant new organist, but his talent requires written music. He can’t fake it. Without the book, a key piece of village holiday tradition, the carol service cannot be held.
Several people have borrowed the book over the past few months. The children, including older cousin Melissa, trace who has had the book and where it might be. As always, the story resolves with the mystery solved, a gentle romance, and families discovering closer relationships. This one has the additional suspense of a budding romance that may be thwarted. Highly recommended as an excellent holiday story, romance, and historical novel.
Readalikes:
Stephanie Laurens’ Osbaldestone series and Cynster series; Grace Burrowes – Truly Beloved; Mary Balogh – Simply Unforgettable; Lisa Kleypas – Mine Till Midnight; Julie Anne Long – I’m Only Wicked with You; Eloisa James – A Fool Again; Cynthia Rylant – Christmas in the Country; Elvira Woodruff, Troy Howl – The Christmas Doll.
Pace: Moderately paced
Characters: Well-developed; Likeable
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Gentle; Encouraging; Affection among generations; Strong sense of time and place
Frame: Little Moseley, Hampshire, England; 1811
Themes: Love in small town; Gentle mystery; Village life
Several people have borrowed the book over the past few months. The children, including older cousin Melissa, trace who has had the book and where it might be. As always, the story resolves with the mystery solved, a gentle romance, and families discovering closer relationships. This one has the additional suspense of a budding romance that may be thwarted. Highly recommended as an excellent holiday story, romance, and historical novel.
Readalikes:
Stephanie Laurens’ Osbaldestone series and Cynster series; Grace Burrowes – Truly Beloved; Mary Balogh – Simply Unforgettable; Lisa Kleypas – Mine Till Midnight; Julie Anne Long – I’m Only Wicked with You; Eloisa James – A Fool Again; Cynthia Rylant – Christmas in the Country; Elvira Woodruff, Troy Howl – The Christmas Doll.
Pace: Moderately paced
Characters: Well-developed; Likeable
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Gentle; Encouraging; Affection among generations; Strong sense of time and place
Frame: Little Moseley, Hampshire, England; 1811
Themes: Love in small town; Gentle mystery; Village life
December 1, 2022
A very cozy mini mystery! The more I read the Lady Osbaldestone books, the more I like them. I found the first book to be enjoyable, but a bit boring. Lady Therese Osbaldestone herself is such a strong, set-in-her-ways, old lady character, but it's hard not to like her. The first book seemed more of an introduction of this leading lady of the ton, her grandchildren (Jamie, George and Charlotte) and the country village of her dowager home.
This book was more lively and interesting than the first book in this series and I found myself settling into it more easily. Listening to the Audible narrator was very soothing and gave me more of a Christmas spirit.
Since I'll be participating in Kate Howe's "Cloak & Dagger Christmas", this book checked off FOUR of my prompts:
Prompt 1 - Alliterative Title (Christmas Carols)
Prompt 3 - A Book set in a Different Country (England)
Prompt 10 - Story with Nobility (Lady Osbaldestone)
Prompt 12 - Listen to a Crime Narrative (The potential crime was minor, but still.)
Now that I'm getting used to Stephanie Laurens' writing style and learning more about Lady Osbaldestone's family, I'm getting excited to read (or listen) to the rest of the books in the series.
If you enjoy nobility, small country estates and people, bossy older ladies and minor mysteries, then you should give these Christmas Chronicles a try!
This book was more lively and interesting than the first book in this series and I found myself settling into it more easily. Listening to the Audible narrator was very soothing and gave me more of a Christmas spirit.
Since I'll be participating in Kate Howe's "Cloak & Dagger Christmas", this book checked off FOUR of my prompts:
Prompt 1 - Alliterative Title (Christmas Carols)
Prompt 3 - A Book set in a Different Country (England)
Prompt 10 - Story with Nobility (Lady Osbaldestone)
Prompt 12 - Listen to a Crime Narrative (The potential crime was minor, but still.)
Now that I'm getting used to Stephanie Laurens' writing style and learning more about Lady Osbaldestone's family, I'm getting excited to read (or listen) to the rest of the books in the series.
If you enjoy nobility, small country estates and people, bossy older ladies and minor mysteries, then you should give these Christmas Chronicles a try!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews