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Eleven Pipers Piping: A Father Christmas Mystery Audiobook
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(3.08) - 184 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The welcome return of C. C. Benison’s delectable series featuring Father Tom Christmas—“an irresistible addition to the ranks of clerical sleuths” (Julia Spencer-Fleming) Father Tom Christmas, the recently widowed vicar adjusting to life in the English village of Thornford Regis, would do almost anything to avoid attending the annual Robert Burns Supper at the local hotel. But as chaplain to a traditional Scottish pipe band, Father Tom must deliver the grace—and contend with wailing bagpipes, whiskey-laced parishioners reciting poetry, and the culinary abomination that is haggis. As snow falls to unprecedented depths, the revelers carry on—briefly interrupted by an enigmatic stranger seeking shelter. Then Will Moir, proprietor of the hotel and a dedicated piper, inexplicably goes missing—only to be found later in the hotel’s dark tower, alone and dead from what appears to be a heart attack. Father Tom’s own heart sinks when he learns the actual cause of Will’s demise. When word gets out, the flurry of innocent speculation descends into outlandish gossip. And, for all its tranquil charm, Thornford Regis has plenty to gossip about—illicit trysts, muted violence, private sorrows, and old, unresolved tragedies. The question is: Who would benefit most from the piper’s death? Suspicion swirls around many, including Will’s beautiful widow, their shadowy son, Will’s obnoxious brother-in-law, and even the mysterious party crasher, who knows more than she lets on about the grudges she left behind—but never forgot. Brimming with wit, full of genuine surprise, and featuring one of the most memorable (and unlikely) detectives in mystery fiction, C. C. Benison’s second Father Christmas mystery will delight listeners with a puzzle that truly defies solution.
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"Despite the fact that author C.C. Bennison's character is named Father Christmas, and he uses the "Twelve Days of Christmas" as a basis for his book titles (the first was last year and was titled "Twelve Drummers Drumming"), the books are not "holiday" or "Christmas" mysteries at all. Father Christmas is actually a recently widowed young Anglican priest with a young daughter living in a pretty town in the south of England. We met Father Christmas last year when he had just moved to his new parish after losing his beloved wife to brutal, and as yet unsolved, murder. He is still grieving for his wife, but is also attracted to the local village bobby, an attractive young woman. The story takes place shortly after Christmas. An unusual very deep snow has fallen on the night of the dinner for a local piping group. Haggis will be served - something Tom (aka Father Christmas) is not looking forward to eating. However, he serves as Chaplain to the group so he can't miss it. One of the members dies from an apparent heart attack that evening. However, because of his age an autopsy is done which shows that he actually was poisoned. This was one of the more complex mysteries. I really appreciated all of the twists and turns that the author presented. Father Tom Christmas is an appealing and interesting character. His dead wife was a physician and also a Jew so his daughter is being raised in that faith. So cozy up and enjoy this with a cup of tea and, perhaps, a biscuit (aka cookie!) or two!"
— Larraine (5 out of 5 stars)
Eleven Pipers Piping Listener Reviews
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" Picked this second of a series based on a starred review of the first book in Library Journal. Excellent! Deeply satisfying with a contemporary vicar as the main character. Thoughtful and leisurely in tone, complex characters, and a picturesque setting. A lovely read. I am looking forward to the third entry - Ten Lords A-Leaping! "
— Bebe, 2/20/2014 -
" A fun addition, but not as fun as the first one. I'll try the next one. "
— Chris, 2/17/2014 -
" I had been looking forward to this second instalment in what I think is a solid mystery series. And although I did enjoy it, I found the plot to be over-written. There were far too many "detailed coincidences" needed to make it all work out. Plausibility was stretched to the breaking point. Benison set us up for the third instalment, revealing who the eleven lords leaping will be. I"m hoping he resists forcing the plot for this next one. "
— Susan, 2/5/2014 -
" Good book for a long train ride. Enjoyed the characters and style. I' m a mystery fan so that added to the fun. It was very British in word usage and description. Wish I had a UK dictionary nearby. A fun read, hope the author does all twelve books. "
— Lill, 1/31/2014 -
" It was ok, not as good as the first one. "
— Carey, 1/21/2014 -
" I finally finished this book! It took a long time to get into the story. I think I will pass on reading future books in this series. "
— Christy, 1/19/2014 -
" Fun but a tad confusing. Full of lots of twists and turns and the development of characters is fun. Looking forward to the next adventure of Father Christmas and Miranda. "
— Katherine, 12/31/2013 -
" Second in the series and enjoyed it. Took me awhile to get all the characters straight but some of them were old friends from the first book, so that helped "
— Gretchen, 12/5/2013 -
" This is the second of a series that I am really enjoying. One step up from the usual cozy; a good mystery and the solution not readily apparent early on. Characters to which you will become attached. Looking forward to Ten Lords Aleaping, which is already being set up partway through this book. "
— Linda, 11/9/2013 -
" It was slow going at first, but that's just because it's been a while since the first book. Great mystery with a twist or two at the end I didn't see coming (and I usually do). "
— Kathie, 10/11/2013 -
" Anxiously awaiting the next installment. A lovely new series, not too graphic, rather cozy. Simply charming. "
— Karen, 10/10/2013 -
" Nothing like a good mystery in a snowy English village celebrating A Robert Burns supper! I love Madrun's letters to her mom tucked between chapters. Enjoy the red herrings but avoid the haggis! Love the tease about the next book! "
— Elizabeth, 8/8/2013 -
" One of the best cozy mysteries I have read! It has that Christie touch...can't wait to read his next installment! "
— Nancy, 6/21/2013 -
" I was taken by the characters and their personalities. A large number but they were easy to distinguish and remember each one. It was a fun read...can't wait for the next installment! "
— Edy, 5/26/2013 -
" I thoroughly enjoy these mysteries. Already looking forward to the next one! "
— HeatherLynn, 2/20/2013 -
" Solid and enjoyable, even if it's overly long and the solution pretty easily figured out by the reader. "
— Jenn, 1/18/2013 -
" This is the second installment of A Father Christmas Mystery. It was well written and very entertaining, kept me guessing until the very end. This is going to be a wonderful series. "
— Maria, 12/17/2012 -
" The perfect setting and cast of characters ... but the story was just too long! Too much unnecessary detail for a murder mystery. "
— Andrea, 12/5/2012 -
" I liked it and I didn't figure out the whole mystery until the end. The references to past events, the current events, all tangled together to make a story that has enough twists to satisfy Christie. Fortunately, they're all out in the open, so you do stand a chance of figuring it out. "
— Kyrie, 11/3/2012
About C. C. Benison
C. C. Benison has worked as a writer and editor for newspapers and magazines, as a book editor, and as a contributor to nonfiction books. A graduate of the University of Manitoba and Carleton University, he is the author of five novels. He lives in Winnipeg.
About the Narrators
Steve West, the winner of multiple Earphones Awards for narration, is an international actor who has starred on London’s prestigious West End stage, including productions of Mamma Mia! and Oh, What a Night! He is widely known for his television and film work in both the United States and the UK, and he has performed for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. He hosts his own television show for the UK live from Los Angeles.
Jil Gilpin is a British actress who has starred in numerous BBC television shows, including The Dutchess of Malfi and Dad’s Army, among others. She also spent a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company and three years with the Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre. She currently lives in Los Angeles.