Ten Lords A-Leaping

A Father Christmas Mystery

By: C. C. Benison

Narrated by: Steve West, Jean Gilpin

The delightful Father Tom Christmas returns, and the cozy hamlet of Thornford Regis comes to life, in C. C. Benison’s witty, beautifully written series that is “a must-read for lovers of classic English mysteries” (Kirkus Reviews).

Although Father Tom Christmas serves his little church in enchanting Thornford Regis with a glad and faithful heart, he never expects to find himself skydiving to raise money for it. Nor, safely back on the ground, to see two of the other divers leap from the plane, then tangle in a midair punch-up and begin falling to the earth.

To say that there is tension between the men in question—Oliver, the 7th Marquess of Morborne, and his brother-in-law Hector, the 10th Earl of Fairhaven—would be an understatement. But the trouble among this ancient landed family really began a generation ago, when a marquess divorced his first spouse to marry his brother’s wife, fathering in his two marriages a viper’s nest of arrogant young aristocrats. Now they have all turned up for the show to witness this shocking event in the sky.

Thankfully the men land safely, but death will not be slighted. Much to Father Tom’s dismay, he later discovers Lord Morborne lying deceased on castle grounds. Rumors of bigamy, art forgeries, and upstairs/downstairs intrigue fly. So do whispers of unvicarly behavior between Tom and Oliver’s beautiful half-sister, Lady Lucinda. In fact, the vicar may be headed for a very hard landing of his own.

C. C. Benison gives a virtuoso performance in this gripping new puzzle, a compelling and wise holiday mystery with the irresistible allure of hot tea and warm scones on a cold winter’s day.

Praise for C. C. Benison’s Father Christmas mysteries Ten Lords A-Leaping

“A strong mystery reminiscent of P. D. James, with many well-developed characters, local color and a sensitive, intelligent investigator.”—Kirkus Reviews

“An affable lead with a sympathetic backstory anchors Benison’s carefully crafted third Father Christmas mystery. . . . Readers will hope that Christmas will keeping detecting past the partridge-in-a-pear-tree volume.”—Publishers Weekly

“This leisurely paced, English-country-house mystery has multiple plotlines and plot twists as Tom finds a long-lost relative of a friend and solves several mysteries.”—Booklist Eleven Pipers Piping

“Benison uses the claustrophobia of village life to great effect, making the series a psychologically astute pleasure for fans of traditional cozies.”—The Washington Post

“Smashingly clever . . . Readers will be crazy about this vicar.”—Library Journal

“A great whodunit in the best British tradition.”—The Globe and Mail Twelve Drummers Drumming

“A crime novel that Agatha Christie might have been justly proud to claim as her own.”—Margaret Maron

“Benison does an admirable job balancing humor with suspense. . . . Father Christmas’s first case leaves you eager for his next.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Splendid . . . an intelligent and empathic protagonist and skillful prose make this a winner.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

©2013 C.C. Benison (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A strong mystery reminiscent of P. D. James, with many well-developed characters, local color and a sensitive, intelligent investigator.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“An affable lead with a sympathetic backstory anchors Benison’s carefully crafted third Father Christmas mystery. . . . Readers will hope that Christmas will keeping detecting past the partridge-in-a-pear-tree volume.” (Publishers Weekly)

Love it!

Love the story, the performance and the atmosphere. Wishing there would soon be more books!!!
Great easy listening and entertaining.

Was this really written by CC Benison??

What would have made Ten Lords A-Leaping better?

Coherence, an outline, and a reduction of force (living and dead) As I had enjoyed the two other Father Christmas mysteries available through Audible, I looked forward to a pleasant listen with Ten Lords.. Alas. The appearance of the labyrinth in the story setting might have been a warning. Granted, any mystery worth air time has twists and turns; but the shifting accounts, behaviors, alibis and characters- many of whom are known by multiple names!--is like the labyrinth once one is properly lost: nothing seems real or accountable. I was hard pressed to keep in mind even the name and significance of the murder victim--THIS one, not the 4 or 5 others who keep popping up with apparent relevance (as, on a ouija board- ugh). When the two-named girl came on the scene to add her complication, labyrinth turned to maelstrom. Let me off!

Would you ever listen to anything by C. C. Benison again?

Yes; but not for a while, and not without numerous strongly positive reviews.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Steve West and Jean Gilpin ?

Steve West is lovely forMartha Grimes' Richard Jury mysteries. He was, however, not at his best with this reading, strident and urgent too much of the time. He really did bring Max to life, though- I felt I could see him and like him. Too babyish, perhaps, with Miranda. Oh, yes, and Canadians do NOT sound like MidWesterners who've spent a lot of time in Alabama!

Ms Gilpin must be as provoked as by now I am with Madrin's (sp?) stuttering letters to her mother. In print, are the words actually CROSSED OUT?? No one types or writes letters that way; ridiculous. Ridiculous that anytime the character will use a word of more than 2 syllables, the author refuses to let her get it right the first time--Madrin's poor mother, having to sort through all the blunders, EVERY DAY.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment, of these; recognition of time wasted. And, it must be said, although I am not proud to admit it, I was completely put off (off put?) by * SPOILER ALERT * Father Tom's bedroom escapade, and continued mention of arousal. I've just never thought of him 'that way'

Any additional comments?

Just once more, to all Brit narrators, beloved as you are: Not all Americans come from Texas, S Carolina, and/or Tennessee. Just as annoying to the American ear, as must be the American narrators' habit of making all UK dwellers either cockneys or dowager duchesses. But I still love you all!

Not as good as 11 pipers

I had a hard time maintaining interest. I found myself not caring enough to rewind if I fell asleep on parts. The characters were not interesting. The narrator's female voices were grating. There was not enough suspense. I enjoyed the previous book, but now I'm not sure if I'll do the next book