Scan barcode
clairey_fairy82's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook performed by Helen Lloyd.
Set in 1810 England, just on the cusp of the Regency period, this delightful Christmas mystery focuses on the recently widowed Lady Therese Osbaldestone, her three young grandchildren, a flock of missing geese, a “spinster” forgoing her own happiness to look after her younger brother, and a wounded war veteran.
Lady Osbaldestone is a marvelous character; bright, opinionated, kind, inquisitive (some might say nosy), and confident in her right – nay, duty – to oversee everyone’s business. As she enlists the help of the children in finding clues as to the whereabouts of the missing geese, she stumbles upon two people in desperate need of matchmaking. Lord Christian Longfellow is living the life of a recluse, certain that his scars make him a pariah to his neighbors. But it is the wounds to his psyche that affect him far more than those to his visage. Meanwhile Miss Eugenia Fitzgibbon has her hands full trying to manage the estate of her younger brother, who would rather party with his equally immature and irresponsible friends than attend to business. Of course, Lady O will begin with a plea to Eugenia’s organization skills and need to be helpful; poor Lord Longfellow hasn’t yet decorated his home for Christmas, and Miss Eugenia is JUST the person to fix that!
This is a delight on so many levels, from the marvelous characters to the charming scenes of Regency village holiday life – ice skating parties, a live nativity pageant, holly and mistletoe, and, of course, the geese!
Helen Lloyd perfectly performed the audio version. She gives us a Lady Osbaldestone who is every bit the dowager and up to whatever task may come her way. She’s equally deft at giving voice to the very young grandchildren, Lord Longfellow and a host of villagers. A splendid narration.
Set in 1810 England, just on the cusp of the Regency period, this delightful Christmas mystery focuses on the recently widowed Lady Therese Osbaldestone, her three young grandchildren, a flock of missing geese, a “spinster” forgoing her own happiness to look after her younger brother, and a wounded war veteran.
Lady Osbaldestone is a marvelous character; bright, opinionated, kind, inquisitive (some might say nosy), and confident in her right – nay, duty – to oversee everyone’s business. As she enlists the help of the children in finding clues as to the whereabouts of the missing geese, she stumbles upon two people in desperate need of matchmaking. Lord Christian Longfellow is living the life of a recluse, certain that his scars make him a pariah to his neighbors. But it is the wounds to his psyche that affect him far more than those to his visage. Meanwhile Miss Eugenia Fitzgibbon has her hands full trying to manage the estate of her younger brother, who would rather party with his equally immature and irresponsible friends than attend to business. Of course, Lady O will begin with a plea to Eugenia’s organization skills and need to be helpful; poor Lord Longfellow hasn’t yet decorated his home for Christmas, and Miss Eugenia is JUST the person to fix that!
This is a delight on so many levels, from the marvelous characters to the charming scenes of Regency village holiday life – ice skating parties, a live nativity pageant, holly and mistletoe, and, of course, the geese!
Helen Lloyd perfectly performed the audio version. She gives us a Lady Osbaldestone who is every bit the dowager and up to whatever task may come her way. She’s equally deft at giving voice to the very young grandchildren, Lord Longfellow and a host of villagers. A splendid narration.
luciearan's review against another edition
4.0
Pokud máte rádi vlezlý styl slečny Marplové, smísený s vánoční atmosférou, trochou anglického humoru a romantikou, neváhejte. Tahle kniha je přesně tím pravým, v odlehčeném a oddechovém stylu.
gamz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessthebibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
This was interesting enough that I kept listening but meandered through several different plot points. There was more tell than show and the large cast was confusing but the Christmas activities in a village were well described.
The audiobook was also well narrated and I will look for more reads by this narrator but not this author.
The audiobook was also well narrated and I will look for more reads by this narrator but not this author.
athenaevarinya's review against another edition
5.0
I'm catching up all the Laurens books I haven't read and I really hope that lady Osbaldstone's grandchildren featured in this book will have stories written one day.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Fun Christmas story starring the wonderful Lady Osbaldestone, Grande Dame of Regency society. She has been one of my favorite characters throughout the Cynster books, and it's always an experience when she shows up. As the story opens, Lady Osbaldestone is debating settling down in her widowhood at her dower property in the small village of Little Moseley. She's not sure there will be enough to keep her busy, but at the moment she is well-occupied. Three of her grandchildren are staying with her while their father is ill and they have her life turned topsy-turvy.
I loved the opening as the children explain the brouhaha they have caused to the church. They are obviously intelligent children with a lot of curiosity. I loved seeing Lady O try to keep a straight face as she deals with them and the vicar. She realized that she is going to have her hands full keeping them out of trouble. When the vicar mentions that the village's flock of geese has mysteriously disappeared, she gets the idea of involving them in the search. It will also give her a chance to get reacquainted with the residents of the village. I loved the call on Eugenia, who is in charge of their estate until her brother comes of age. She is frustrated with the antics of him and his friends while they are visiting from Oxford. I laughed out loud when those young men encountered Lady O.
Lady O also calls on another neighbor, the reclusive Lord Longfellow. Christian is a former soldier who is hiding away, as he received injuries that have caused facial scarring a feels that he isn't fit for society. Lady O gains access to Christian in a rather unorthodox way, but it is effective. She also settles on two goals for herself: bring Christian out of hiding so he can live again, and see if she can guide Eugenia and Christian together. Just the kind of challenge she loves!
I loved both Eugenia and Christian. She is kind and compassionate, but she also has spirit. Christian is a good man who believes that his future is now pretty bleak. He doesn't want to endure pity, so he locks himself away instead. Christian and Eugenia already know each other as neighbors but haven't seen each other in awhile. Sparks fly between them from the moment they meet again. I loved the encounter about the gate, Eugenia's conspiracy with Lady O, followed by the whole decorating gig.
Because Lady O is such a force, she generally gets her way. I loved her use of a small dinner party to ease Christian further out of his shell. The actions of those who attended warmed my heart with their matter-of-fact acceptance of Christian as he is. Each of them also does their part to pull him back into village life. Christian quickly finds himself getting more involved, no matter how he tries to avoid it.
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Christian and Eugenia. While she aches for his pain, pity isn't what she feels around him. Christian first tries pushing her away, but she won't be pushed. It also takes some additional prodding from a pint-sized matchmaker, which was fun to see. There are some hair-raising moments at the end when Christian discovers that he's not as useless as he thought he was. Both he and Eugenia realize the truth of their feelings for each other.
II loved following the mystery of the missing geese. All three children really got into the spirit of trying to find out what happened to them. I enjoyed the way it gave me the opportunity to meet various people in the village and experience a little of their daily lives. As Christmas nears and the village is without the geese for their Christmas dinners, the searchers become more determined. I loved seeing the way things came together to solve the mystery just in time.
I am looking forward to a yearly tradition of Christmas stories about Lady O and her adventures.
I loved the opening as the children explain the brouhaha they have caused to the church. They are obviously intelligent children with a lot of curiosity. I loved seeing Lady O try to keep a straight face as she deals with them and the vicar. She realized that she is going to have her hands full keeping them out of trouble. When the vicar mentions that the village's flock of geese has mysteriously disappeared, she gets the idea of involving them in the search. It will also give her a chance to get reacquainted with the residents of the village. I loved the call on Eugenia, who is in charge of their estate until her brother comes of age. She is frustrated with the antics of him and his friends while they are visiting from Oxford. I laughed out loud when those young men encountered Lady O.
Lady O also calls on another neighbor, the reclusive Lord Longfellow. Christian is a former soldier who is hiding away, as he received injuries that have caused facial scarring a feels that he isn't fit for society. Lady O gains access to Christian in a rather unorthodox way, but it is effective. She also settles on two goals for herself: bring Christian out of hiding so he can live again, and see if she can guide Eugenia and Christian together. Just the kind of challenge she loves!
I loved both Eugenia and Christian. She is kind and compassionate, but she also has spirit. Christian is a good man who believes that his future is now pretty bleak. He doesn't want to endure pity, so he locks himself away instead. Christian and Eugenia already know each other as neighbors but haven't seen each other in awhile. Sparks fly between them from the moment they meet again. I loved the encounter about the gate, Eugenia's conspiracy with Lady O, followed by the whole decorating gig.
Because Lady O is such a force, she generally gets her way. I loved her use of a small dinner party to ease Christian further out of his shell. The actions of those who attended warmed my heart with their matter-of-fact acceptance of Christian as he is. Each of them also does their part to pull him back into village life. Christian quickly finds himself getting more involved, no matter how he tries to avoid it.
I liked seeing the relationship develop between Christian and Eugenia. While she aches for his pain, pity isn't what she feels around him. Christian first tries pushing her away, but she won't be pushed. It also takes some additional prodding from a pint-sized matchmaker, which was fun to see. There are some hair-raising moments at the end when Christian discovers that he's not as useless as he thought he was. Both he and Eugenia realize the truth of their feelings for each other.
II loved following the mystery of the missing geese. All three children really got into the spirit of trying to find out what happened to them. I enjoyed the way it gave me the opportunity to meet various people in the village and experience a little of their daily lives. As Christmas nears and the village is without the geese for their Christmas dinners, the searchers become more determined. I loved seeing the way things came together to solve the mystery just in time.
I am looking forward to a yearly tradition of Christmas stories about Lady O and her adventures.
meuyi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0