A review by book_concierge
Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols by Stephanie Laurens

3.0

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.