The Twelve Saints of Christmas

Heathcliff Lennox, Book 12

De: Karen Baugh Menuhin

Narrado por: Nicholas Boulton

Murder, mystery and a dog of distinction. Heathcliff Lennox investigates.

Twelve Saints, who are not true saints at all. They are the great and the good, although none are entirely great, nor good—indeed one is a murderer.

Temple House near Bath is built upon an old Roman Temple, the house bequeathed many centuries before to a secret order of old aristocracy. The 'Saints' are not true saints, they are remnants; the last of their line, they have wealth, but no heirs.

The Order may invite any such relict to join them. They will come to live in Temple House, they will become a revered and venerable Saint, and when they die all their wealth must go into the saints coffers.

Each Christmas these coffers are opened and the Saints—after much debate and contemplation—will donate a proportion of their wealth to a good and deserving cause.

This fine philanthropic task has followed the same line for hundreds of years—until now. It is Christmas 1923 and a Saint is found dead, murdered, and the killer is from within Temple House itself. The Order of the Saints is shrouded in secrecy and this dreadful deed cannot be allowed to expose them. And so their keeper of the books—the Dead Reckoner—suggests they call in Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex-Inspector Jonathan Swift to uncover the killer.

Major Heathcliff Lennox—ex WW1 war pilot, six feet, three inch, tousled dark blond hair, age around 30–named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother–much to his great annoyance.

©2024 Karen Baugh Menuhin (P)2025 Karen Baugh Menuhin

TYPICALLY WONDERFUL MURDER MYSTERY

The narrator was obviously not Sam Dewhurst-Phillips, but he makes a good second.
Ms Menuhin has written another exciting whodunit with twists and turns at every corner. Loved the old folks as the center of the plot. However, I thought the ending needed more with Angus intermingling with the elders since they gushed about a child coming to the Christmas production. Would have added happiness for all.
Loved the animals creating chaos with the ribbon and tree.
Please say there wi be more Lennox and Swift stories to come?

Somewhat disappointed

The story was fine. The narrator was fine but his voice sounded too old for Lennox. I did not like the portrayal of the gay characters and there was more than one comment included that I found to be homophobic.

It’s a pity that Sam Dewhurst Phillips is no longer narrating the Lennox books. He was the main reason that I bought them.

another brilliant Heathcliff success, even with the loss of an amazing narrator

I was somewhat devastated when I realized that there has been a change in narrator as Sam D Phillips has been exceptional and part of bringing Heathcliff humor and depth BUT our new narrator did a great job overall and our repeat character is shined with another very intriguing plot mix with a tinge of history

A very interesting look into UK life

Money, old homes with secret passages , poison and a look at life in England in the early 20 th century. What's not to enjoy

Missing Sam Dewhurst-Phillips, and Tommy!

This story had a new narrator, and he did a fine job with many characters, especially the females. But I missed the deeper tones of the butler Greggs, which adds to his humorous side. The biggest disappointment was young Tommy the boot boy! He only had one brief phone call, and sounded like an adult. Tommy's endearing, breathless, childlike wonder and excitement are some of my favorite scenes! Also missed the sweet sound effects of Mr. Fogg's barks and whines. Maybe we need to hear some cat meows from Mr. Tubs as well! When I listen to a mystery series, I enjoy the connection to the familiar characters we know well. With Heathcliff and his butler Greggs ongoing friendship and rapport, I laugh out loud when "his chin wobbled." The humor with adorable Tommy should be more of a focus in the stories. I would love to see Tommy accompany Lenox and Swift on a case! Or have a case in their home village where he can participate. I hope Sam Dewhurst-Phillips may return next time, complete with the pets sound effects!

PLEASE BRING BACK SAM DEWHURST-PHILLIPS!!

I adore this series and the characters, but what a disappointment the new narrator is!! Mr. Boulton is fine I guess, if you never heard any of the earlier books, but the story is so flat without Sam Dewhurst-Phillips. The characters, especially Lennox, just don't come alive anymore. PLEASE try to bring Dewhurst-Phillips back!

Where is Mr Dewhurst Phillips?

I didn’t like the new narrator so I had a hard time listening to the book. Because I am a fan of the series, I will listen to the book again to appreciate the book itself

Not the best story in a great series

I found the story rather boring. Just simply not enough action. Too much talking. Not sure about the narrator yet. He really put me off at first and there is simply no replacing Sam Dewhurst but by the end of the book I had begun to make the adjustment. I can tell this narrator is very talented and will probably do since Sam is not available, apparently, but there are some things I wish he could adjust. First, slow down. One of the most entertaining aspects of this series are the barbs that fly, mostly between Swift and Lennox but there are some between others as well. The narrator didn't pause and let the audience absorb the humor in the barbs and let the listener really appreciate them. He just talked over it. Also, what I liked about Sam Dewhurst is that the voices were very distinct but not stereotypically English. I get tired of the snobby sounding women of the British aristocracy-it is very overdone. The butler as well. Make them more human, less a stereotype. The narrator's cadance at first reminded me of James T. Kirk of Star Trek-that over dramatic classic Shakespearian cadance that got William Shatner quite mocked for decades. Fortunately, toward the end of the book, the narrator seemed to have a more normal, conversational rhythm of speaking which helped a lot in being able to finish the book. Sam Dewhurst also had more passion in Swift's voice and and more commanding power in Lenox's. I miss that. I miss the slightly dangerous, I suffer no fools attitude in Lennox's voice, it went a long way in defining his character. As always, looking forward to more Lenox and Swift, but, hopefully, a more action packed, entertaining story. Also, I agree with the other comments about Mr. Fogg-where's the doggie bark?!? lol!

Where's Sam Dewhurst Phillips?

I have read every title in this series and was extremely disappointed to have a new reader/narrator. Sam Dewhurst Phillips made Heathcliff Lenox the unique and quirky character that he is! Now Heathcliff sounds a little stilted as is Greggs!

Enjoyable

I really enjoy this series. It is well written, light and fun.

The only thing that detracted from the current book's appeal was that Sam Dewhurst-Phillips did not narrate it. He ís Lennox. He made me fall in love with Lennox

Please bring him back.