The Twelve Days of Christmas

A beautiful collection of seasonal stories inspired by the classic Christmas carol, from the Sunday Times No. 1 Bestselling Author



The air glitters with hope as the snowy village of Merrywake celebrates the Christmas season after the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars.

As the Viscount’s famous Twelfth Night Ball draws closer, many of the villagers have a story to tell – we meet a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid reunited after a misunderstanding, three sisters vying for the hand of a dastardly duke, two servants hiding a dangerous secret and a solider making his way home, unsure of the welcome he might receive. As their tales braid together, we see life and love in the village from belowstairs to high society.

Reimagining each of the traditional carol's gifts, The Twelve Days of Christmas is a collection of festive tales filled with seasonal cheer and heart-warming characters. Will the challenges and mysteries that the Viscount’s guests encounter be resolved by the night of the ball?

Review

A festive delight, as warming as mulled wine by a crackling fire. These twelve tales weave together beautifully in a joyous, sparkling celebration of love, wit and the true meaning of Christmas -- Elodie Harper

So beautifully and delicately done, woven like the most detailed tapestry. Witty, delightful and hugely satisfying...the perfect gift -- Kate Griffin

This is a charming collection of stories, each of them delightful on their own but together creating a rich, festive tapestry. There is sparkling wit, romance and joy interspersed with poignant glimpses of darkness and sorrow which Susan Stokes-Chapman weaves beautifully throughout. It's the perfect gift to wake up to in your stocking on Christmas morning! -- Jennifer Saint

An uplifting collection…absolutely the book I’m gifting everyone this year – it’s the perfect stocking filler -- Venetia Constantine

‘A glorious treat…uplifting, poignant and astutely observed, this felt like being whirled away into a Regency ball.’ -- Naomi Kelsey

Reminiscent of enjoying the Christmas special of a period drama over the festive season. Jane Austen meets Downton Abbey in this heartwarming collection... romance, humour, poignancy, and a historical escape, all wrapped up together like a Christmas box. -- Rachel Louise Driscoll

Simply sublime festive fiction. Five gold stars! Susan Stokes-Chapman's clever, amusing and beautifully written collection is the perfect gift for lovers of fine literature. -- AJ West

Clever, funny and heartfelt... I found myself laughing and crying along with the characters. It’s the perfect comfort read. Fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer will love it. -- Theresa Howes

Beautifully written.. Perfect for cold winter nights by fire and candlelight.. -- Natalie Marlow

Susan is a masterful storyteller and I felt as if I was being whirled through the lives of her characters, with their sorrows and triumphs. Susan is as close to Austen as we have, and I was both entertained and immersed in the fullness of the world she has created. -- Cathryn Kemp, author of A Poisoner's Tale

About the Author

Susan Stokes-Chapman was born in 1985 and grew up in the historic Georgian city of Lichfield, Staffordshire. She studied for four years at Aberystwyth University, graduating with a BA in Education & English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. Her debut novel, Pandora, was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction prize 2020 and the Glass Bell Award and became an instant Sunday Times number-one bestseller. Her most recent novel is the gothic mystery, The Shadow Key.