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Doze Dias
Em um castelo remoto, na Itália, velhos amigos se reencontram em um retiro para comemorar o Natal. Seria uma reunião para recordar os velhos tempos, quando o grupo se encontrava para estudos bíblicos sob o olhar vigilante do reverendo James. Mas feridas do passado ainda estão abertas e cada um deles parece ter um assunto pendente para esclarecer.
Uma nevasca sem precedentes, paredes tão grossas que nenhum grito pode ser ouvido do lado de fora e um museu da tortura, com os mais terríveis instrumentos à disposição, formam o cenário perfeito para um acerto de contas. À medida que a tensão aumenta, e os convidados se tornam vítimas, os sobreviventes precisam descobrir quem é o assassino entre eles... antes que se tornem o próximo alvo.
O que pode dar errado?
- 12 dias;
- 10 amigos;
- 1 assassino.
Uma nevasca sem precedentes, paredes tão grossas que nenhum grito pode ser ouvido do lado de fora e um museu da tortura, com os mais terríveis instrumentos à disposição, formam o cenário perfeito para um acerto de contas. À medida que a tensão aumenta, e os convidados se tornam vítimas, os sobreviventes precisam descobrir quem é o assassino entre eles... antes que se tornem o próximo alvo.
O que pode dar errado?
- 12 dias;
- 10 amigos;
- 1 assassino.
380 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 6, 2019
73 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Paul Williams
583 books27 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile contains books from multiple authors of this name.
This profile contains books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 2, 2021
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Wow, what a book. Just when I thought I had my top reads for the year sown up, along comes this.
Yes the basic premise of the story is similar to And then there were none, but this is excellent in its own right. Quite a complex story, lots of biblical references, and interpretations. All the characters are very well defined and developed throughout the story always keeps you guessing, who, why, how and when? And then am I sure.! Lots of red herrings and loads of quite grizzly methods of murdering people, told detail.
I didn't quite finish in one day, but only because of that work thing. I was so engrossed in this I nearly missed my stop on 4 occasions.
A must read, but you will never hear the Twelve days of Christmas, song in quite the same way again.
Wow, what a book. Just when I thought I had my top reads for the year sown up, along comes this.
Yes the basic premise of the story is similar to And then there were none, but this is excellent in its own right. Quite a complex story, lots of biblical references, and interpretations. All the characters are very well defined and developed throughout the story always keeps you guessing, who, why, how and when? And then am I sure.! Lots of red herrings and loads of quite grizzly methods of murdering people, told detail.
I didn't quite finish in one day, but only because of that work thing. I was so engrossed in this I nearly missed my stop on 4 occasions.
A must read, but you will never hear the Twelve days of Christmas, song in quite the same way again.
November 18, 2019
4.5 STARS
Ten people are invited to the reunion of a Christian cult they once joined. There were originally twelve, but 2 members have died. They are in a remote castle, with no telephone services.
Of the ten remaining members, only a few of them still believe in the preaching of this religious zealot. Rafe is definitely not one of them.
Rafe is attending only to put away the obsession he had for another of the cult ...Suzanne. He's not the only one who had ..and may still have ... feelings for the beautiful actress she has become.
One by one, members are being murdered .. one for each of the twelve days of Christmas.
Unable to contact the outside world for help, Rafe takes it upon himself to investigate ... before he becomes the next victim.
Who wants them all dead? What could the motive possibly be?
This is a complex story that is not to be hurried. There are many clues, multiple dead bodies, and many biblical references to follow. The characters are finely drawn ... but beware ... not all of them are what they seem to be.
Many thanks to the author /Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Ten people are invited to the reunion of a Christian cult they once joined. There were originally twelve, but 2 members have died. They are in a remote castle, with no telephone services.
Of the ten remaining members, only a few of them still believe in the preaching of this religious zealot. Rafe is definitely not one of them.
Rafe is attending only to put away the obsession he had for another of the cult ...Suzanne. He's not the only one who had ..and may still have ... feelings for the beautiful actress she has become.
One by one, members are being murdered .. one for each of the twelve days of Christmas.
Unable to contact the outside world for help, Rafe takes it upon himself to investigate ... before he becomes the next victim.
Who wants them all dead? What could the motive possibly be?
This is a complex story that is not to be hurried. There are many clues, multiple dead bodies, and many biblical references to follow. The characters are finely drawn ... but beware ... not all of them are what they seem to be.
Many thanks to the author /Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 18, 2019
As a youngster Rafe was part of a religious circle called "The Twelve" led by the self proclaimed Reverend James. He broke away from the cult years ago and his former religious beliefs were completely reversed, leading him to write a best selling book denouncing the church and God. So when he receives an invite from the preacher asking him and the remaining other members to a reunion at a remote castle he accepts for one reason only - to finally put to rest his childhood obsession with a girl called Suzanne, also once a member of the sect and now a famous actress. Ten people meet at the castle and are trapped by snow storms in the gloomy ancient building which hosts a grisly museum of mediaeval torture instruments, the prized collection of the castle's owner. Reverend James tells them that he wants to bring them all back into his flock and organises sermons tying into the true meaning of the twelve days of Christmas. But slowly these old friends are picked off and murdered in bizarre and horrendous ways until those who are left turn on each other, frightened they will be next, and old scores and secrets emerge. As a rational thinker and philosopher Rafe hopes he can piece together what is happening to them and locate the killer within the castle walls. This story is full of tension and suspense right from the start, in a perfect setting for dark deeds and a hidden killer. I could just imagine flickering lights and secret passageways in the ancient stone building, and there were gloriously macabre descriptions of the torture devices on offer to the killer. As each new killing took place, suspicions shifted from one person to another, with new motives arising as old secrets emerged from within the group's history. There were plenty of red herrings and wonderful misdirection by the author until, even with only a few choices left, it was hard to know just who to point the finger at. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of murder and mystery, and couldn't wait to see what would happen on each successive day. A wonderful book to curl up with over the Christmas period! 5*
November 19, 2019
I love these types of books. They are always reminiscent of the classic murder mystery tales where you have a room full of suspects and have to whittle down everyone to find the killer. Or in this case the serial killer whittles down the suspects for them, amazing.
The characters in this book were very likeable, each having their own traits and personality. But, don't like them too much dear reader because some don't last long in the castle. And, one (or two, or three I'm not giving clues away here) is definitely not nice.
What I liked about this book was the added element of the clues relating to the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" we've all heard it and all sang it most probably. But, if like me you may not know the meaning behind the song. It was a good way to get educated into the theory that claims that during a time when Christians were punished for worshiping openly, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song was used to secretly pass on the ideology of Christianity. In this theory, each gift symbolizes a different aspect of the faith.
It's not all religious and harks on about Jesus Christ despite the title and the fact that the people are from a Christian cult. That is just a small background story. The real business in this book is the ingenious killings and the way they are handled.
I as always played detective, and sure enough I was nowhere near getting the right answer. Which is another aspect I love of these murder mystery books.
The characters in this book were very likeable, each having their own traits and personality. But, don't like them too much dear reader because some don't last long in the castle. And, one (or two, or three I'm not giving clues away here) is definitely not nice.
What I liked about this book was the added element of the clues relating to the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" we've all heard it and all sang it most probably. But, if like me you may not know the meaning behind the song. It was a good way to get educated into the theory that claims that during a time when Christians were punished for worshiping openly, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song was used to secretly pass on the ideology of Christianity. In this theory, each gift symbolizes a different aspect of the faith.
It's not all religious and harks on about Jesus Christ despite the title and the fact that the people are from a Christian cult. That is just a small background story. The real business in this book is the ingenious killings and the way they are handled.
I as always played detective, and sure enough I was nowhere near getting the right answer. Which is another aspect I love of these murder mystery books.
November 23, 2019
Not only a fabulous nail-biting, thrilling mystery, 'Twelve Days' is a clever, metafictional narrative. Agatha Christie would be impressed, I'm sure. I'm not usually a crime-reader, but this book has a compelling sub-plot driven by the characters' pasts and their relationships to one another. The brooding menace in the cut-off Italian castle, the unresolved loves and longings of the past, the clever philosopher-turned-detective, Rafe, and the exhilarating climax and conclusion are all addictive ingredients that make me LOVE this book and want more!
November 18, 2019
Oh my gosh, a “who done it” with so many twists it will put your head in a spin.
You will never look at the 12 days of Christmas in the same way again.
Thrilling! Gripping! Major edge of your seat stuff!
When a group of people are invited to a reunion to a remote castle for Christmas in Italy you would think it would be the ideal Christmas getaway.
Those invited all have a reason to attend, they also all have reasons not to!
All having been previously part of a religious group when they were younger, they all why they have been called back together; but they are supposed to understand the reasons why they have all been called together and to relinquish their “sins”
Set it what you would think would be an iddylic castle, in the snow at Christmas you could not be more wrong, when they realise that the is castle set up as a museum containing medieval torture implements and contraptions.
Cut off by heavy snow storms, there is no choice but to “ride it out” until the end.
But things start to take a sinister turn and they all end up in a “game” of "cluedo" , this is one game that really will have you guessing right up until the very end.
As the book reaches is conclusion you will find yourself being pulled into a climax that will have you being unable to put this book down until get there.
Who will survive?
You will never look at the 12 days of Christmas in the same way again.
Thrilling! Gripping! Major edge of your seat stuff!
When a group of people are invited to a reunion to a remote castle for Christmas in Italy you would think it would be the ideal Christmas getaway.
Those invited all have a reason to attend, they also all have reasons not to!
All having been previously part of a religious group when they were younger, they all why they have been called back together; but they are supposed to understand the reasons why they have all been called together and to relinquish their “sins”
Set it what you would think would be an iddylic castle, in the snow at Christmas you could not be more wrong, when they realise that the is castle set up as a museum containing medieval torture implements and contraptions.
Cut off by heavy snow storms, there is no choice but to “ride it out” until the end.
But things start to take a sinister turn and they all end up in a “game” of "cluedo" , this is one game that really will have you guessing right up until the very end.
As the book reaches is conclusion you will find yourself being pulled into a climax that will have you being unable to put this book down until get there.
Who will survive?
November 21, 2019
Wow I absolutely LOVED this books, the characters and the storyline. I was gripped amd couldn't stop inhaling the story. I couldn't put it down. I thought I knew where the story was going but, I was wrong. I was way off the mark. I can't wait to read more by this author 10/10 and 5* for me!
November 18, 2019
This is my first book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I will be looking for more from this author for sure. This is a suspense-thriller that I didn't put down until the last page. The twists and turns kept me turning pages and sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a great who done it book that kept me guessing. Tweleve people, two are dead, who will be next? Find out who will survive and read this book.
November 18, 2019
The ten remaining members of “The Twelve”, a cult founded by Reverend James Miller, have been invited to spend 12 days in a remote castle over Christmas; To repent? To reconnect? No one knows. Each of them have their reasons to attend and Rafe is hoping to lay old ghosts to rest and forget about his childhood infatuation with Suzanne.
Upon arrival, Rafe is left with a sense of unease that he can’t shake. Dark snow clouds are quickly moving in increasing their odds of a white Christmas and leaving little opportunity for escape. They quickly learn that this old castle holds its own secrets with a museum style set-up of ancient torture instruments. As each night passes a member of The Twelve is murdered in the most brutal fashion while being used as an example in the twelve days of Christmas. The remaining members are now all suspects but they must try and investigate to find out who’s behind these murders while trying to stay alive.
This was the epitome of a classic whodunit which kept me guessing until the very end.
Upon arrival, Rafe is left with a sense of unease that he can’t shake. Dark snow clouds are quickly moving in increasing their odds of a white Christmas and leaving little opportunity for escape. They quickly learn that this old castle holds its own secrets with a museum style set-up of ancient torture instruments. As each night passes a member of The Twelve is murdered in the most brutal fashion while being used as an example in the twelve days of Christmas. The remaining members are now all suspects but they must try and investigate to find out who’s behind these murders while trying to stay alive.
This was the epitome of a classic whodunit which kept me guessing until the very end.
February 4, 2020
Not for me
I don't like giving a bad review but comparing this to Agatha Christie is a crime. It reads like it's been written for a young audience and maybe it was? I knew immediately whodunnit. The characters are one dimensional and the dialogue awkward. A couple having just finished breakfast go upstairs have a two minute or two paragraph conversation and then it's lunch. There's a snowstorm but yet there's fog which couldn't happen. It's fluffy and light and it's not Agatha Christie.
I don't like giving a bad review but comparing this to Agatha Christie is a crime. It reads like it's been written for a young audience and maybe it was? I knew immediately whodunnit. The characters are one dimensional and the dialogue awkward. A couple having just finished breakfast go upstairs have a two minute or two paragraph conversation and then it's lunch. There's a snowstorm but yet there's fog which couldn't happen. It's fluffy and light and it's not Agatha Christie.
July 3, 2020
It took me a little while to get into this book because of the religious tones to it but after a bit the background story and murders in the story overtook the religious part of it for me and there was plenty of suspense to keep me turning the pages. The characters were well-written and definitely filled their described roles and they helped drive the story. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book thanks to the author.
January 2, 2022
I enjoyed this book, I think due to being a Christmas time book it wouldn’t work for an all the time mystery. It was mostly a mystery which I haven’t dove in on yet. It kept me wanting to read and know who, what and why. I think it could of done without the beating in to you Bible versus and Christian message. But I enjoy the book none the less. It was a 3.5 star book for me, ended well, written well just needed a little more to rated higher!
November 23, 2020
Spooky castle, snowed in, a torture museum and a murder a day. Excellent story with great characters and some gory murders. Loved how it followed the twelve days of Christmas. A fabulous Christmas thriller.
December 12, 2020
I'm generally not a fan of locked door mysteries as not enough happens in the plot to make it truly interesting. This one, however, had a few moments like that but overall there was enough subplot to keep me interested. I went back and forth over who the murderer was and why and while I did fleetingly think it could be who it ended up being, I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.
November 20, 2019
Ah, this mimics a famous book with a renowned plot. Rafe was once in a cult. This cult was based on Christianity, but of course, as cults do, it was very twisted. The Twelve was their group, led by a man who decided he is a Reverend. As a child, this group was so bad that Rafe grew up to hate God and everything to do with any church what-so-ever. He's bitter and it shows. I felt for him, not seeing the Truth through the lies.
Now, there is an invitation by Rev. James to come to a castle and have a "family" reunion. All ten of them who are left alive at this time. While we all scream no, don't go, it's not going to be worth it; Rafe has to. He wants closure for the loose ends with the girl he left behind. So there it is, a familiar set up. A castle, a cult, a murderer and this new take on the twelve days of Christmas isn't going well either! So they are stuck there, dying, trapped, and who is the killer? Can I have some twists, please? (Yeah!)
The murders were a bit overdone in the gross category, but they were a bit more unique. I still like the sinister castle backdrop, even as well used as it is. It could almost be one of the old films or books it was modeled after. It's well written, a must for a book of this nature with this theme.
I still really enjoy a good Clue/Who-Done-It and this book fits that category very well. I do still wish more healing for Rafe because having all this happen didn't help him in that respect.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my review copy. This review is left freely, without compensation or reservation. (Especially to menacing locations with killers in them!)
Now, there is an invitation by Rev. James to come to a castle and have a "family" reunion. All ten of them who are left alive at this time. While we all scream no, don't go, it's not going to be worth it; Rafe has to. He wants closure for the loose ends with the girl he left behind. So there it is, a familiar set up. A castle, a cult, a murderer and this new take on the twelve days of Christmas isn't going well either! So they are stuck there, dying, trapped, and who is the killer? Can I have some twists, please? (Yeah!)
The murders were a bit overdone in the gross category, but they were a bit more unique. I still like the sinister castle backdrop, even as well used as it is. It could almost be one of the old films or books it was modeled after. It's well written, a must for a book of this nature with this theme.
I still really enjoy a good Clue/Who-Done-It and this book fits that category very well. I do still wish more healing for Rafe because having all this happen didn't help him in that respect.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my review copy. This review is left freely, without compensation or reservation. (Especially to menacing locations with killers in them!)
November 18, 2019
An excellent book from start to finish. Ten former members of a religious cult get together again after a number of years for twelve days over Christmas in a remote castle in the Italian mountains. It was supposed to be a retreat to allow some of them to repent their sins however one by one they were getting murdered. You are left guessing as to who was doing the murders as each survivor was accusing the others of being the killer.
The author Paul Williams could be a modern day Agatha Christie the way the story unfolds.
Once started on this book you are totally gripped to the very end.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
The author Paul Williams could be a modern day Agatha Christie the way the story unfolds.
Once started on this book you are totally gripped to the very end.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
February 23, 2020
A classic murder mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie. My wife boasted that she deduced the killer at the half way mark but I never did so I guess I enjoyed it more!
I found this to be a well written page turner with lots of little surprises and plenty of twists and plot turns. I don't normally read this genre but i did enjoy this one, so If you are a murder mystery fan I can recommend it.
I found this to be a well written page turner with lots of little surprises and plenty of twists and plot turns. I don't normally read this genre but i did enjoy this one, so If you are a murder mystery fan I can recommend it.
November 18, 2019
This was a very fast paced book which kept me guessing all the way through. I loved the way each murder happened and how it was described, and the reason for each death was fantastic.
Definitely one to read.
A fantastic book by a fantastic author.
Definitely one to read.
A fantastic book by a fantastic author.
December 23, 2020
3.5/5
10 people in a secluded castle. One of them a killer. All of them former members of a Christian Cult. All of them with secrets. Rafe, now and atheist, attends the retreat to finally sort out his feelings for his childhood love Suzanne. All the men have had feelings for Suzanne, and old rivalries smolder as the retreat begins. When bodies start appearing Rafe can’t decided if the murders are because of Suzanne, or caused by her.
So I’ve never read And Then There Were None, but I’m pretty sure that book is this book but make it religious. Oh, and add a torture museum. I love a locked room mystery, and the blizzard that traps our cast in an Italian castle makes the perfect setting. Twelve Days also had the Christie vibe because everyone could be a suspect. You can find a motive for every character.
I did not get the motivations for the return though. I just don’t buy that after a decade, a grown man hasn’t resolved his feelings for a woman he hasn’t seen since he left. Especially because he escaped a cult!! Why would he return to see a woman he doesn’t know anymore? Let me know if I just like...don’t understand love.
The cult aspect is what drew me in, but on the page it fell flat. You don’t get much backstory or what happened to cause the cult to break up. I wanted more background, maybe that would have let me believe everyone’s motives. However, using the twelve days of Christmas for murders, twisted and delightful.
I’ve never read a grisly holiday themed book. Twelve Days was a fast read that kept me interested. I did guess the ultimate killer, but it was still a fun ride. Is everything believable? No. BUT if you feel left out on holiday reads because you don’t read cozys, dramas, or romcoms....I enjoyed this one.
10 people in a secluded castle. One of them a killer. All of them former members of a Christian Cult. All of them with secrets. Rafe, now and atheist, attends the retreat to finally sort out his feelings for his childhood love Suzanne. All the men have had feelings for Suzanne, and old rivalries smolder as the retreat begins. When bodies start appearing Rafe can’t decided if the murders are because of Suzanne, or caused by her.
So I’ve never read And Then There Were None, but I’m pretty sure that book is this book but make it religious. Oh, and add a torture museum. I love a locked room mystery, and the blizzard that traps our cast in an Italian castle makes the perfect setting. Twelve Days also had the Christie vibe because everyone could be a suspect. You can find a motive for every character.
I did not get the motivations for the return though. I just don’t buy that after a decade, a grown man hasn’t resolved his feelings for a woman he hasn’t seen since he left. Especially because he escaped a cult!! Why would he return to see a woman he doesn’t know anymore? Let me know if I just like...don’t understand love.
The cult aspect is what drew me in, but on the page it fell flat. You don’t get much backstory or what happened to cause the cult to break up. I wanted more background, maybe that would have let me believe everyone’s motives. However, using the twelve days of Christmas for murders, twisted and delightful.
I’ve never read a grisly holiday themed book. Twelve Days was a fast read that kept me interested. I did guess the ultimate killer, but it was still a fun ride. Is everything believable? No. BUT if you feel left out on holiday reads because you don’t read cozys, dramas, or romcoms....I enjoyed this one.
August 13, 2020
Staying home these past months during the pandemic may have been tough for all of us. But you'll feel a lot better about having a ‘staycation’ this summer – as Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggests – once you read this ‘lockdown’ tale, about friends who gather for a reunion at a remote castle. In winter. Loyalties among friends at this reunion shift, as one by one friends have mysterious accidents – and suspicions among the surviving friends set in, as they acknowledge there must be a murderer in their midst. But this is not a typical ‘whodunnit.’I finished Twelve Days in one (1!) day. Or two morning coffees. At McCune Smith Café in Glasgow: Dr James McCune Smith was a writer, abolitionist and physician, and the first African American to attain a medical degree. He graduated from U Glasgow in 1837. But back to Twelve Days! It is a holiday horror story that is at once beautifully written, funny, and also riveting. Williams is a versatile author whose other books include Soldier Blue, a memoir that takes place in Zimbabwe during the war when Williams was a young man, and Cockraco, a novel that is set in Zululand, among others. Twelve Days is one of my favourites by this author, and all of his books that I’ve read so far are outstanding reads.
December 27, 2020
Wow! I flew through this book in one sitting! It was the kind of murder mystery thriller I had been waiting for and had me hanging on every page. Thinking I had it figured out when a new plot twist would unwind. It was full of suspense and probably not one for the squeamish as there are certainly some gruesome deaths.
The events unfold in a remote castle during a snow storm over 12 days and centred around a religious cult called ‘the twelve’. I was worried the book would become a bit too religious but the story was incredibly well thought out and played into the religious aspects with that of doubt and a lot of macabre events! I started to work out what had happened towards the end of the book and I found that as the story unfolded and the main characters began to work it out you felt part of the investigation.
I’d highly recommend this!
5/5
The events unfold in a remote castle during a snow storm over 12 days and centred around a religious cult called ‘the twelve’. I was worried the book would become a bit too religious but the story was incredibly well thought out and played into the religious aspects with that of doubt and a lot of macabre events! I started to work out what had happened towards the end of the book and I found that as the story unfolded and the main characters began to work it out you felt part of the investigation.
I’d highly recommend this!
5/5
December 13, 2020
A Christmas-themed mystery centered around a cult and people trapped with a killer during a blizzard in an old castle? 🎶 These are a few of my favorite things 🎶
This was an enjoyable book that struck the right balance between all three of those elements and had the suspense I was hoping for. I wasn’t confident in any of my guesses about who the killer was and of course I was wrong. When all was revealed it was definitely a surprise! My only complaints are that it was a little too long and some of the ending was a bit far fetched. In the grand scheme of it all, though, they’re minor complaints. If you like mysteries and are looking to read one that’s Christmas-themed, I think this one is for you.
This was an enjoyable book that struck the right balance between all three of those elements and had the suspense I was hoping for. I wasn’t confident in any of my guesses about who the killer was and of course I was wrong. When all was revealed it was definitely a surprise! My only complaints are that it was a little too long and some of the ending was a bit far fetched. In the grand scheme of it all, though, they’re minor complaints. If you like mysteries and are looking to read one that’s Christmas-themed, I think this one is for you.
November 18, 2019
This book pays a great homage to a similar story issued exactly 80 years to the day that I began reading this. A group of people are brought together over the festive season to a remote Italian castle which becomes inaccessible due to snow storms. To add to the story, it is owned by a man with a passion for ancient torture devices. And so we begin..... each person has a secret which they are hiding and one by one they start to disappear. Who is doing this, plus how and why? It is a brilliant story to read especially on the run up to Christmas and a great page turner as you want to know what happens next. I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
January 14, 2020
12 Days of whodunnit murder mystery
This was quite a surprisingly good read. I don't mean to say I judged on a whim, but it's the fact that, despite the constant religious tones throughout the entire story - trust me, I actually hate a character, and haven't full on hated a fictional person before - it was still a brilliant. It had all the elements I needed in terms of the crime and horror.
Only fault I had was the constant back and forthing in terms of accusations thrown about the place. I understand the need for it but it doesn't need to happen over and over again.
Otherwise, a brilliant Christmas Crime Mystery.
This was quite a surprisingly good read. I don't mean to say I judged on a whim, but it's the fact that, despite the constant religious tones throughout the entire story - trust me, I actually hate a character, and haven't full on hated a fictional person before - it was still a brilliant. It had all the elements I needed in terms of the crime and horror.
Only fault I had was the constant back and forthing in terms of accusations thrown about the place. I understand the need for it but it doesn't need to happen over and over again.
Otherwise, a brilliant Christmas Crime Mystery.
November 17, 2019
Sadly, as one gets older, you spot the classics over and over again. I have read many different versions of Agatha’s ‘And then there was none’ as well as movies, this being the latest and also the most gruesome.
The book is well written (if a bit too long) and as a former member of a house church group, much of those ‘religious’ parts rung true. Sadly, I knew the end so that spoilt it for me.
If you’ve never read Agatha, never watched a similar themed movie and enjoy the more gruesome murder thrillers, I think you will love this book
November 18, 2019
The Twelve were a religious group run by Rev James. Now the remaining members are having a reunion in a remote Italian Castle. It start on Christmas Day and the Rev has a sermon prepared for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas and assigned each member to a day. Then the killings start and no one knows who trust anymore - everyone’s a suspect.
Really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. Some rather ingenious murder methods too!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and Paul Williams for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. Some rather ingenious murder methods too!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and Paul Williams for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
June 12, 2025
Oh this was good! Paul Williams takes the locked room mystery and turns it on its head by adding a religious murdering theme based around the Twelve Days of Christmas carol/nursery rhyme. A great cast of characters in a very atmospheric setting, this had me on the edge of my seat for the entire book. So many twists and turns with some gruesome murders kept me guessing right until the very end. It is very And Then There Were None but with a much more sinister and modern take on the classic. Loved this!
November 18, 2019
This book was a very entertaining read.
It has twists in all the right places, and I was kept guessing right to the end.
There are some interesting facts to be learned about torture instruments and methods, as well as about the story behind the twelve days of Christmas.
This book does have some parts which are a bit gory, but it fits in with the theme.
I highly recommend this book!
It has twists in all the right places, and I was kept guessing right to the end.
There are some interesting facts to be learned about torture instruments and methods, as well as about the story behind the twelve days of Christmas.
This book does have some parts which are a bit gory, but it fits in with the theme.
I highly recommend this book!
November 25, 2019
This is the first book by Paul Williams that I have read, Twelve Days was an interesting storyline about ten people who belonged to the Twelve, a cult meeting up again in a castle over Christmas. It was an entertaining read about what happened to them and why. Plenty of gruesome murders and cryptic clues left for the remaining few to solve.
February 9, 2020
My first read by this author and I'd certainly recommend it to others. I was sceptical of the plot as its reminiscent of Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' however it is well written and engaging. I suspected who the killer was but wasn't entirely sure. I just felt it ended quite abruptly and left some unanswered questions however hence only 4 stars.
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