Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Book One
    12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Book One
    12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Book One
    Audiobook5 hours

    12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Book One

    Written by Michelle Griep

    Narrated by Nan McNamara

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    A mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home may bring danger...and love?

    England, 1851: When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet feels compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of one thousand pounds.

    But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.

    Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he's given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar. Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they've been striving for isn't what ultimately matters.

    What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

    Pour a cup of tea and settle in for Book 1 of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series–a page-turning Victorian-era holiday tale–by Michelle Griep, a reader and critic favorite.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateSep 1, 2017
    ISBN9781621887256
    12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Book One
    Author

    Michelle Griep

    Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.   And guess what? She loves to hear from readers! Feel free to drop her a note at michellegriep@gmail.com.  

    More audiobooks from Michelle Griep

    Related to 12 Days at Bleakly Manor

    Titles in the series (2)

    View More
    View More

    Related audiobooks

    General Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Witch Finders

      Jul 16, 2020

      Beth pulled her cloak tightly around her. It was the very last day of October and the air was damp and chill. Dead autumn leaves lay in deep piles in the woods and smoke curled into the night air from her cottage. Not far to go now. She bent her head

      4 min read

    • Article

      O Fortuna, Velut Luna

      Sep 15, 2018

      What is Miss Treece’s trouble, according to a popular notion? The man A has failed to show up. Arousing herself at the restaurant, she fixes her lipstick when her solo supper concludes and takes herself down the stairs situated behind the bar. There,

      3 min read

    • Article

      A Lost Prayer

      Feb 2, 2023

      A Lost Prayer
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Scarlet PEBBLE

      Feb 28, 2024

      The Scarlet PEBBLE
      9 min read

    • Article

      Cul-de-Sac

      Dec 1, 2021

      That old rage for order: how my father drove a square mouthed mower over-and-back, over-and-back, each row of neatly trimmed grass cut just like he told his barber: boy’s short, regular. O pioneer, taming this joke bit of prairie, no bindweed or dog

      5 min read

    • Article

      Raiders From The Sea

      Sep 1, 2023

      CANNY LIFTED HER head from the swirls of gold and red and put down the brush, stretching her frozen fingers. The sun fell through the scriptorium window in warm panels, but the room was still cold, and she’d been at work on the manuscript in front of

      7 min read

    • Article

      Four Of A Kind

      May 3, 2023

      Four Of A Kind
      4 min read

    • Article

      Running Away

      Feb 22, 2021

      Leaving London behind her, Millie drove faster, picturing thousands of crazed fans in pursuit, desperate for what – a lock of her hair? Or Julian; except after the last gig, somehow she knew he wouldn’t follow. She knew from bitter experience that di

      5 min read

    • Article

      Crescent City

      Dec 1, 2021

      Crescent City
      5 min read

    • Article

      Towns Like Ours

      May 3, 2018

      Towns Like Ours
      9 min read

    • Article

      Let’s Play Dead

      Mar 3, 2020

      There was a man, let’s call him Henry VIII. There was his wife, let’s call her Anne B. Let’s give them a castle and make it nice. Let’s give her many boy babies but make them dead. Let’s give him a fussy way of being. Let’s make her smart and sneaky,

      17 min read

    • Article

      Lost Children

      Aug 4, 2022

      Lost Children
      5 min read

    • Article

      Two Poems

      Jan 1, 2021

      Light delimits the darkness as snowgives shape to the silence of winter trees.Above a rooftop, the shadow of illness hoversindistinguishable from the wraithsof common chimney smoke.Strip skin from flesh, flesh from boneto behold the comical, adumbrat

      4 min read

    • Article

      Summer Beach Reads

      Jan 10, 2021

      Summer Beach Reads
      7 min read

    • Article

      Jack of Knives

      Jun 3, 2021

      WINNER £100 Jennifer is the author of four middle grade children’s novels published by Maverick (writing as Jenny Moore). Her latest book, The Misadventures of Nicholas Nabb, is set during the same period as her winning story and also includes a scen

      6 min read

    • Article

      Blue ICE

      Dec 12, 2023

      Blue ICE
      6 min read

    • Article

      In Love And War

      Jun 10, 2021

      April 1943 - Krakow, Poland Irena was bent over her needlework, stitching the frayed seam of her skirt when she heard a single gunshot ring out. She jerked and then scowled. After four years of war, she ought to be used to it. Why, the other night a

      11 min read

    • Article

      All Of Us Here

      Jun 4, 2020

      All Of Us Here
      6 min read

    • Article

      Blue ICE

      Dec 8, 2021

      Blue ICE
      6 min read

    • Article

      It’s Come to This

      Sep 1, 2021

      It’s Come to This
      16 min read

    • Article

      Intarsia

      Feb 6, 2020

      Intarsia
      6 min read

    • Article

      Take A Magpie Up To Heaven

      Nov 1, 2019

      Take A Magpie Up To Heaven
      2 min read

    • Article

      Be My Guest

      Jun 4, 2023

      Be My Guest
      3 min read

    • Article

      Paper Princess

      Apr 1, 2023

      Paper Princess
      3 min read

    • Article

      A Quick Thrill

      May 20, 2021

      A Quick Thrill
      4 min read

    • Article

      A Little Trip

      Aug 2, 2021

      As the first morning light peeked through the gap in the curtains, Alice left her new husband in bed. She wrapped her silk kimono around her; a present from Jeremy, it reminded her yet again just how generous he’d been since their wedding. Even this

      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for 12 Days at Bleakly Manor

    4/5

    55 ratings14 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Absolutely fabulous.... a Dickens style setting with an Agatha Christie twist. Just read this wonderful book!
    • 5/5
      This was a lovely Christmasy book, engaging and nicely written.
    • 2/5
      The heroine actually struggled with the choice between money and her "true love." She was also kind of dumb and oblivious at points too.
    • 5/5
      Title: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #1)Author: Michelle GriepPages: 192Year: 2017Publisher: Shiloh Run PressMy rating is 5 out of 5 stars.Ben Lane can hardly believe it when he is summoned to the warden’s office of the prison where he has been held for the last nine months and told he is being released and will obtain his freedom if he can stay at Bleakly Manor for 12 days and not leave the property. Ben has been in prison unjustly and is determined to discover who was behind his false arrest and imprisonment that happened on his wedding day.Clara Chapman is a companion to her aged aunt after she was left at the altar by her fiancé, who then stole her family’s wealth. She receives a mysterious invitation to spend 12 days at Bleakly Manor, and if she succeeds, she will earn 500 pounds. She desperately needs the money and her aunt urges her to go. She arrives at the manor and is introduced to several other interesting and quirky characters who have also received the same invitation, but with each of them receiving a different reward. She also is stunned to see her former fiancé in attendance.A marvelous mystery set in Victorian England! I was completely captivated by this tale and read it in one sitting! Most of the characters were so diverse and strange even that my attention was held from beginning to end. The writing style was crisp and flowed easily, making the reading effortless. I have read other novels by this author and she is one of my “must” reads. I will be reading her second book in the series, A Tale of Two Hearts, soon and am looking forward to another Victorian story!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 5/5
      I love when everything seems to fall into place even if it’s far fetched. This book is an easy listen with lovely characters and a fun plot. Would recommend.
    • 5/5
      Title: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #1)Author: Michelle GriepPages: 192Year: 2017Publisher: Shiloh Run PressMy rating is 5 out of 5 stars.Ben Lane can hardly believe it when he is summoned to the warden’s office of the prison where he has been held for the last nine months and told he is being released and will obtain his freedom if he can stay at Bleakly Manor for 12 days and not leave the property. Ben has been in prison unjustly and is determined to discover who was behind his false arrest and imprisonment that happened on his wedding day.Clara Chapman is a companion to her aged aunt after she was left at the altar by her fiancé, who then stole her family’s wealth. She receives a mysterious invitation to spend 12 days at Bleakly Manor, and if she succeeds, she will earn 500 pounds. She desperately needs the money and her aunt urges her to go. She arrives at the manor and is introduced to several other interesting and quirky characters who have also received the same invitation, but with each of them receiving a different reward. She also is stunned to see her former fiancé in attendance.A marvelous mystery set in Victorian England! I was completely captivated by this tale and read it in one sitting! Most of the characters were so diverse and strange even that my attention was held from beginning to end. The writing style was crisp and flowed easily, making the reading effortless. I have read other novels by this author and she is one of my “must” reads. I will be reading her second book in the series, A Tale of Two Hearts, soon and am looking forward to another Victorian story!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 4/5
      12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep is a fun Christmas read. With its Victorian setting and a big nod to Charles Dickens, it captures the spirit of the season. This novella has quirky characters galore (with equally quirky names a la Dickens), a heartwarming message of second chances, and sweet romance just perfect for a long winter night’s reading experience. This one is a recommended read!Clara Chapman was left at the altar months before this cold December. With her fortune gone, stolen she believes by her fiancé, she is living in reduced circumstances. An invitation to Bleakley Manor for the Twelve Nights of Christmas celebration promises a way out of her financial difficulties — if she stays the full 12 days. Benjamin Lane was arrested on the way to his wedding and has been held without trial awaiting transportation to Australia. He has become bitter and vengeful, but a chance to be released and restored to society has him also at Bleakley Manor. Clara and Ben, along with 8 other guests, are all hoping for their deepest wishes to come true.A bit A Christmas Carol and a bit Then There Were None, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor has all the ingredients for a quick, quirky, and thoroughly satisfying read. The characters provide amusement and intrigue as the mysterious Master of the house manipulates the action. Odd occurrences and threats put them in danger, and they and the reader never know who is to blame. The novella is filled with Victorian details, especially those that surrounded the Christmas celebrations of England. I really enjoyed the trip back in time. The romance is filled with obstacles of betrayal, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings, but also the promise of love restored. When all seems chaos, the characters depend on a God that is in control.12 Days at Bleakly Manor is the first in Griep’s Once Upon A Dickens Christmas series, and it has definitely made me want more. A great start for a promising series!Recommended.Audience: adults.Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed going to back in time to the late 1800s and finding very interesting historical facts scattered throughout the book. It definitely reads like a Charles Dickens story, but with a bit more flair of intrigue. The characters were quirky and somewhat hard to keep up with. I thought there was a lot going on in the book with so many characters. I did like the idea of a group of people ascending upon a manor house to spend Christmas. Their task was to be the last person there and be rewarded handsomely. Clara is not sure about the invitation, but with a promise for money to help her family, she decides to go. I’m not sure I would go traipsing off to a strange place so quickly. Ben is my favorite character. He has been wrongly accused of stealing from Clara’s family and sent to prison. It was no surprise to me that he would be one of the guests of the manor. There is friction between Clara and Ben when they first see each other. Clara believes Ben ruined her family business. Perhaps she was more upset by the fact that he had left her at the altar. It is a good story with emotions that run high at times , but overall a story that gives hope and peace to all.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 4/5
      Title: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor Bleakly ManorAuthor: Michelle GriepPublisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.Series: Book 1 in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Reviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FourReview:"12 Day at Bleakly Manor" by Michelle GriepMy Thoughts.....This was quite a interesting story of Christian historical romance and mystery during 1850's holidays in England. I liked how this author brings to the readers some really intriguing characters during the '12 Days at Bleakly Manor' that had a particular reason for being at this location. Be ready for a fast paced, fun, quirky read with a Gothic and mysterious setting with some great descriptions given and even a little bite of danger. What happens when Clara Chapman who was once from a well to do family, rejected by her father and later by her fiance now found to be poor living with her Aunt Deborha receives a cyptic invitation?"The Twelve Days of ChristmasAs never's been reveledYour presence, Miss Chapman,Is respectfully hearld.Bleakly Manor's the placeAnd after twelve nightsFive hundred poundsWill be yours by rights."Who was Benjamin Lane who had been in prison for stealing and is to be deportation to a labor camp from another country. Now what on earth does he have to do with all or this? Well, as the reader continues to read we find that Benjamin believes he was been betrayed by someone he once had loved and that he was also innocent of all of this mess he had been accused of. What will happen when he receives the same invitation to Bleakly Manor that 10 others had received? Now, what will Ben be promised?Will Clara and Ben [the two main characters] who had some huge misunderstandings be able to work through it all out just be able to come to a better understanding of it all?I enjoyed how this author was able to bring in the Christian elements [with trust and faith elements] in this very realistic story that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next in this story that was of 'second chances and choosing between revenge ad forgiveness.' I did notice that the '12 day of Bleakly Manor 'started on December 24th and ending January 5, 1851 which I thought was somewhat strange but as I was reading I get this idea from the author was done for a particular reason.This was quite a interesting story after all is said and done. To find all of the answers to the above questions and so much more you will have to pick up this good read that has so many twist to see it's a good story of second chances and redeemed love. This is definitely one of those stories that will keep one guessing until the very end! Even though this novel is around Christmas holiday, I found that it's the kind of read that one can be read at any time of the year.
    • 4/5
      Monday, October 30, 201712 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep, © 2017Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series, Book OneMy Review:Time stands still as changes are on the horizon, unexpectedly; a suddenly.I was so surprised by this story ~ a quaint assembly of hodge-podge attendees to a Christmas season they will not forget; well most won't. It left me with questions about the secret cubby and its occasional inhabitant; how they kept silent without being seen. Not even a sneeze on a cold winter's night?I wondered if the character names were part of a clue to discover their participant journey? But let's gather at Bleakly Manor and discover the intent of the visitors.Two of the people have met before. Clara Chapman and Benjamin Lane had deep expectations that were hampered by an unforeseen timing of events. Were they pawns in a game of deceit? Longing to find the truth, they scramble to be understood without building walls of defense.Would you stay at Bleakly Manor, being promised your one wish could be attained? It appears cozy enough while they wait for their host to appear. Each knock at the door delivers another inkling of suspicion as the question arises, "How do they know the casual occupants and their inclusion?"Unraveling the sequence to the end, you may await with the characters to find out their course.**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.**
    • 4/5
      Clara's family fortune was stolen nine months ago, so she's compelled to accept an invitation to spend Christmastide at Bleakly Manor. If she remains for all twelve days, she'll receive five hundred pounds. Yet, besides bringing her face to face with the former fiancé who jilted her, there's something more mysterious, even dangerous, about this whole setup in 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, a tale by author Michelle Griep.Well! As the first book of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series, there's certainly something Dickens-esque about this Victorian holiday mystery. It's cold and dreary but with drafts of light and humor that slide in, and it features an eclectic cast of distinct characters with a range of personalities and motives. What first drew me most into this story is its style, with excellent imagery and rare turns of phrase—a classic touch that's refreshing to find in a modern read.I was fairly enthralled through the first third of the book or so, and though I didn't remain as gripped through the rest of it, my interest wasn't lost. Now, there are bits of backstory that seem belatedly thrown in to help make sense of everything. I think "bringing it all together" works better when the right details are mentioned earlier in the book, instead of popping up suddenly to assist a late explanation or event. Also, there's a slur in the book that I find culturally offensive and am sure the story could have done without.Nevertheless, fellow fans of historical Christmas ChristFic should enjoy this tale, and I hope to read the second book in the series when it comes out next year.____________I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 4/5
      12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep is the first book in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas. Clare Chapman lost everything nine months ago. She is surprised when she receives an invitation to spend twelve days Bleakly Manor. If Clare lasts the full duration, she will receive a sum of 500 pounds. When Clare arrives at the manor, she finds she was not the only person to receive the unusual invitation and promised something in return. Ben Lane was arrested on his way to marry Clare for a crime he did not commit. He was promised his freedom if he stays through the twelfth day of Christmas. Their anonymous host has decided that only one of the guests will win their promised prize. Which guest will last the full twelve days and what is the person willing to do to win? 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is a well-crafted and entertaining novel. It is short, but it is packed full of action and intrigue. The mystery was delightful (see if you can figure out the culprit in this one) and the characters interesting. I like the Christian beliefs expressed in the story (compassion, prayer, faith, forgiveness, second chances, God is in control, trust, and hope). The Christian theme is light but the point is gotten across. My rating for 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The author combined Bleak House by Charles Dickens with And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie in 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. I appreciated the colorful, unique characters (especially the lady with the mice) that Ms. Griep created. I am looking forward to the next installment in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas in A Tale of Two Hearts.
    • 4/5
      Prepare yourself to be highly entertained by this delightful book! "12 Days at Bleakly Manor" by Michelle Griep is the first book in the "Once Upon a Dickens Christmas" series. Ms. Griep fills her story with danger and mystery, leaving the reader guessing as to what will happen next! "12 Days at Bleakly Manor" is a mix of Charles Dickens's "Bleak House", Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None", and pure genius. I love BBC's version of "Bleak House", so I was excited to pick this book up. I've never read "And Then There Were None", but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read the book. It was fun for me to pick up the "Bleak House" nods throughout the story. Ms. Griep reminds me of Dickens in the way that she shows and describes the conditions of prisons, the plight of the poor in Victorian England and the unfair and corrupt justice system. This story is a fast-paced read with amazing characters and a gothic, mysterious setting. Ms. Griep employs great descriptions and word pictures. There is a darker side to the goings-on at Bleakly Manor. I appreciate how Ms. Griep gives the readers a helpful list and description (at the back of the book) of the Victorian Christmas traditions that are mentioned in the story. If you think the people at your Christmas get-togethers are crazy, check out this group at Bleakly Manor! Some of the characters have very funny and weird idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, which makes the story all the more interesting. With everything going on in the house and mystery looming everywhere, can the characters trust that God is in control? "12 Days at Bleakly Manor" is a novel of second chances and choosing between revenge and forgiveness. There is a theme of trust and a strong faith element. I very much enjoyed this book!Content: This is a clean read. There is a scene where a man is in prison and the conditions are described vividly, which might make sensitive readers uncomfortable. It also mentions that a character swears, but the word is not actually used.Rating: I give this book 4.5 stars.Genre: Christian historical fiction; Victorian England; MysteryI want to thank Michelle Griep, Shiloh Run Press and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
    • 3/5
      If you were promised one thousand pounds to stay at a Victorian mansion for 12 days, would you do it? Several people take up the offer and spend several days together at Bleakly manor, but who will last the entire 12 days?This was an enjoyable and heartwarming read for the holiday season. A bit of a mystery, a bit of romance, eccentric characters and a happy ending are in store for readers.If you enjoy Agatha Christie novels, Charles Dickens, The 12 Days of Christmas and a good game of Clue, you will enjoy this short novel by Michelle Griep.My thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. and Shiloh Run Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.