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John Decker #11
A Ghost of Christmas Past
The Ghost of Christmas Past is waiting...
It's Christmas in 1911, and John Decker is stuck in London, far from those he loves. When he gets invited to a holiday party at a manor house in the country, he reluctantly agrees to go, expecting a quiet few days of holiday cheer.
But Blackthorn Manor is not just any country house. It hides a dark secret from centuries past, and a restless spirit that never left.
After a seance designed to entertain the guests, a ten-year-old boy goes missing, and Decker finds himself embroiled in a deadly mystery spanning the ages.
It's Christmas in 1911, and John Decker is stuck in London, far from those he loves. When he gets invited to a holiday party at a manor house in the country, he reluctantly agrees to go, expecting a quiet few days of holiday cheer.
But Blackthorn Manor is not just any country house. It hides a dark secret from centuries past, and a restless spirit that never left.
After a seance designed to entertain the guests, a ten-year-old boy goes missing, and Decker finds himself embroiled in a deadly mystery spanning the ages.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2022
408 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 4, 2024
I know this is apart of a series and I hadn't read any other book, (none are available at my library 😅) but I thought it's the holidays. It was worth a shot.
July 27, 2025
This was a fun novella, think A Christmas Carol meets Knives Out. Set in 1911, Decker and co head to the country to spend Christmas in a rambling haunted mansion. We have seances, a ghost, and some fun foreshadowing of events to come!
December 30, 2022
A nice little story to inject some Christmas cheer into John's life.
November 24, 2025
I give this book 4 stars because it was very entertaining. Once I started it, I had to finish it.
It's not an amazing read, but a good ghost story, taking place at Christmas. A plus for the time traveller. It was fun. And Christmassy.
It's not an amazing read, but a good ghost story, taking place at Christmas. A plus for the time traveller. It was fun. And Christmassy.
December 27, 2022
Excellent
One of the best of Strong's work. Character there's are in refer incredibly well developed and relatable. The story follows the concept of an old-fashioned ghost story full of sadness and excitement.
One of the best of Strong's work. Character there's are in refer incredibly well developed and relatable. The story follows the concept of an old-fashioned ghost story full of sadness and excitement.
December 28, 2022
This is a quick little read with a ghost story at the heart of it. John is in 1911 England and stuck there at Christmas so when he is invited to spend Christmas with friends at a huge mansion. Seances, a missing boy and a ghost, what more could you want in a perfect Christmas read? Good Book
December 24, 2022
Excellent Ghost Story!
John Decker is at it again in this short novella set in a Christmas setting. Invited by Finch to his friends house for Christmas, things get a bit spooky when the hostess hosts a seance with a renowned medium. Is the medium a fraud or did she really open up the veil between the living and the dead. Is the house Haunted? Read this book for a great quick read with our favorite monster hunter. Highly recommend!
John Decker is at it again in this short novella set in a Christmas setting. Invited by Finch to his friends house for Christmas, things get a bit spooky when the hostess hosts a seance with a renowned medium. Is the medium a fraud or did she really open up the veil between the living and the dead. Is the house Haunted? Read this book for a great quick read with our favorite monster hunter. Highly recommend!
December 24, 2022
What a fun entry into the John Decker saga. A stand alone that anyone can enjoy that gives you just a tiny peek into the John Decker world. This one is a ghost story set in the past with Decker on hand to solve the mystery of two lost children. One centuries gone in the past of the manor he is spending his Christmas in and the other the son of a fellow guest. A marvelous little side tale in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 25, 2022
A great read on my Christmas weekend.
Another wonderful addition to the Decker series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story which took me on a very different then most Christmas stories. It is quite clear that Mr. Strong can put John Decker into any scenario and create pure magic. Well? What are you waiting for? Start reading.
Another wonderful addition to the Decker series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story which took me on a very different then most Christmas stories. It is quite clear that Mr. Strong can put John Decker into any scenario and create pure magic. Well? What are you waiting for? Start reading.
December 25, 2022
5 Stars
A ghost story on Christmas Eve, a medium conjures up the ghost of a young boy whose been trapped in an old English mansion for hundreds of years. Coincidentally I finished reading this book on December 24, 2022.
A ghost story on Christmas Eve, a medium conjures up the ghost of a young boy whose been trapped in an old English mansion for hundreds of years. Coincidentally I finished reading this book on December 24, 2022.
December 24, 2022
A ghost of a story
Always entertaining, Anthony Strong will not disappoint. The story is perfect for the time period. Winter,Christmas and fun characters. You won't want to miss it.
Always entertaining, Anthony Strong will not disappoint. The story is perfect for the time period. Winter,Christmas and fun characters. You won't want to miss it.
March 18, 2023
Been a while since I was able to read for fun and this was the perfect re entry. Along the lines of the traditional Country House Murders, here is accident by the supernatural. The characters and surroundings are beautifully portrayed, as ever. Tension mounts and suspicions arise within a isolated country house cut off by snow on Christmas Eve. Secret passages, dark secrets, suspicions of hauntings, a fraudulent clairvoyant plus the staff. What could go wrong? Well, as it happens, plenty. There are mysterious footprints in the snow that go nowhere, pictures that fall off walls, footsteps in the dark and bones. Am I going to tell you any facts about the story at all ? No, that would not be fair, suffice to say that this was not possible to put down. I sat on a windy, dark and stormy night, before a crackling fire, while blizzards lashed the windows and read and read and read. Around 04:00 I went to bed a VERY happy person. Great story, enjoy!
June 30, 2023
a Ghost of Christmas Past is a very short John Decker story that serves as a nice diversion for the main story. Admittedly there's nothing particular spectacular about it but I found it a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, as Decker spends his Christmas in 1911 London trying to unravel the mystery of a missing boy in an old manor house. Daisy seems like an interesting character that I hope will take more of a role in the series going forward. Good fun
January 11, 2025
Book 11, good quick read
Having mixed feelings about the plots. This series has a “Perils of Pauline” storyline feel to it. Will Decker & Mina ever get home? What is going on with the long-suffering bride to be, Nancy? Left behind after high school, dragged into a dangerous supernatural adventure, the left at the altar by her first love. A few more books to go, can’t wait to learn how more characters survive poor decisions.
Having mixed feelings about the plots. This series has a “Perils of Pauline” storyline feel to it. Will Decker & Mina ever get home? What is going on with the long-suffering bride to be, Nancy? Left behind after high school, dragged into a dangerous supernatural adventure, the left at the altar by her first love. A few more books to go, can’t wait to learn how more characters survive poor decisions.
January 10, 2023
Excellent Christmas ghost story!
John Decker, who is still trapped in the past, is invited to spend Christmas at a newly renovated English country estate. Excellent spooky ghost story with a seance, a phantom child and a wonderful blizzard to keep everyone trapped. I really enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next one.
John Decker, who is still trapped in the past, is invited to spend Christmas at a newly renovated English country estate. Excellent spooky ghost story with a seance, a phantom child and a wonderful blizzard to keep everyone trapped. I really enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next one.
February 27, 2023
Stuck in 1911, John Decker is facing a lonely Christmas. Invited to Blackthorn Manor by Finch, to spend time with his family and friends, a quiet relaxing time is promised. Unfortunately, the Manor has other ideas, as a ghost is on the loose. Quick read, giving Decker a break before he continues his hunt for Mina and a return to his own time.
January 24, 2023
A Not Christmas Story
I have enjoyed all of the Decker series. They are cleverly written, use historical references within the story, and have just enough to keep you interested in reading them. I recommend them. This story was very enjoyable.
I have enjoyed all of the Decker series. They are cleverly written, use historical references within the story, and have just enough to keep you interested in reading them. I recommend them. This story was very enjoyable.
March 30, 2023
Not Bad …
Expect more from this series and author—generally enjoy his books. This one felt “forced” throughout. Thin plot which was mostly predictable and a fairly large plot hole from my perspective. Looking forward to the next book in the series
Expect more from this series and author—generally enjoy his books. This one felt “forced” throughout. Thin plot which was mostly predictable and a fairly large plot hole from my perspective. Looking forward to the next book in the series
January 1, 2024
The shortest book in the series yet, but don’t let that fool you. This novel packs quite a bunch and is one of the best in this series. A wonderful Christmas ghost tale. Love this series can’t wait to catch up with it this year.
February 27, 2024
One of his best!
Excellent story, with good characters, and an old "haunted" house. Several plot threads (no spoilers) that further the John Decker storyline and flesh out the background of the support characters. Very enjoyable.
Excellent story, with good characters, and an old "haunted" house. Several plot threads (no spoilers) that further the John Decker storyline and flesh out the background of the support characters. Very enjoyable.
September 16, 2025
A lovely novella
It's Christmas Eve and Decker is still stuck in the past.
What follows is a novella of a Christmas Eve party haunted by the ghost of a little boy.
This was a fun short read.
It's Christmas Eve and Decker is still stuck in the past.
What follows is a novella of a Christmas Eve party haunted by the ghost of a little boy.
This was a fun short read.
December 22, 2022
Christmas
No murder and mayhem but a delightful story that includes a ghost and a very old house. Great book to read during the Christmas season.
No murder and mayhem but a delightful story that includes a ghost and a very old house. Great book to read during the Christmas season.
December 21, 2022
A fun little Christmas ghost story. Well done and perfect for the season.
December 23, 2022
a Perfect Holiday Ghost story
A really fun story with ghosts, an early 20th century Christmas, an old family estate — just right for a Decker story. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
A really fun story with ghosts, an early 20th century Christmas, an old family estate — just right for a Decker story. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
December 23, 2022
This is a brilliant novella
This is a fantastic novella. I couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Certainly one of the best I've read.
This is a fantastic novella. I couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Certainly one of the best I've read.
December 24, 2022
Great, haunting Christmas tale
Another great story from Anthony Strong. This haunting Christmas adventure for John Decker was a fun Christmas treat to all his fans.
Another great story from Anthony Strong. This haunting Christmas adventure for John Decker was a fun Christmas treat to all his fans.
December 26, 2022
brilliant
Another brilliant John Decker book that can be read alone or as part of the series, my heart was in my mouth for most of the book and praying for a good outcome
Another brilliant John Decker book that can be read alone or as part of the series, my heart was in my mouth for most of the book and praying for a good outcome
December 26, 2022
Lovely Christmas read
I've read all the John Decker series Nd this is a brilliant addition. A slightly spooky ghost story for Christmas with a happy ending.
I've read all the John Decker series Nd this is a brilliant addition. A slightly spooky ghost story for Christmas with a happy ending.
December 27, 2022
A great Christmas tale. Reminds me of the Christmas Eve ghost stories you used to get in the past.
December 31, 2022
John Decker
I have read and enjoyed all the John Decker novels so far written, waiting eagerly for the next to arrive.
I have read and enjoyed all the John Decker novels so far written, waiting eagerly for the next to arrive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews