After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol

by Beth Ford

Have you ever tried to completely change your life?



One week after the events of A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is celebrating New Year's Eve at his nephew Fred's house, ready to embark on his new life as a gregarious, generous family man with a more charitable business model. However, it soon becomes clear that his transition will be more difficult than predicted on Christmas Day. At the New Year's Eve party, Scrooge meets a doctor who requests to interview him about his experience with the spirits, an interview that leads to others in positions of power doubting Scrooge's mental faculties. And when Scrooge returns home from the party, a threatening note awaits him from men whose lives he ruined in the past and who will not let him be forgiven so easily. Can Scrooge learn to rejoin society? And will the forces converging around him allow him to succeed?



If you enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, read now to laugh, love, and cry with these beloved characters in the next chapter of their lives.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Beth Ford is a historical fiction author living in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She is the author of the novels In the Times of Spirits, Love Between Times, and After the Spirits Come as well as the Cassie Woods, Reporter novella series. Her work has also appeared in a variety of literary journals.

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol by Beth Ford is an enchanting and imaginative tale that invites readers on a new journey with Ebenezer Scrooge. Set in London, the story begins at a festive New Year’s Eve party at the home of Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, and Fred’s wife, Clara. Inspired by the previous visits from the spirits over Christmas, Scrooge has a new outlook on life and is excited to live with purpose and generosity both personally and professionally. Scrooge soon discovers that there are those who do not trust him and some who believe he should pay for his past.

Ford seamlessly weaves beloved characters, such as Scrooge’s family members and the Cratchit family, along with interesting new characters, some delightful, some mischievous, and some whose motives are questionable. Scrooge is endearing as he tries to take action to change his old ways and gain the trust of others. Fred and Clara are charming and endlessly supportive. Understandably, Bob Cratchit and his family have some reservations about Scrooge’s new attitude. Miss Spencer is a strong, independent woman who encourages Scrooge, while his new housekeeper has some suspicious behaviors. There are doctors who question Scrooge’s mental stability, and old clients seeking revenge on Scrooge.

All of these compelling characters tell a fascinating and intriguing story that is filled with mystery, romance, suspense, and redemption. The dark side of London is shown through orphanages, homeless shelters, and drug dealers. This is contrasted with a sense of hope and optimism as Scrooge and his family, Miss Spencer, and Bob Cratchit’s family strive to improve the lives of others.

There are many heartwarming moments while Scrooge learns from past mistakes and sets out to do right. He is captivating and lovable as he doubts himself, has difficulty interacting with others, and is constantly trying to reach out and help others. The vivid and clear descriptions of Scrooge’s internal struggles are compelling and will have readers empathizing with him while rooting for him to succeed.

After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is a riveting and engaging read from start to finish. Fans of Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol will enjoy getting to know more about the inner workings and thoughts of Scrooge. Readers will appreciate the compelling twists and turns this novel takes, where everything and everyone is not always as it appears to be, yet second chances and forgiveness are highly valued.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

After The Spirits Come by Beth Ford is a continuation on Scrooge’s life after he sees the ghost. his nephew, Fred is happy but skeptical of his uncle Scrooge’s new charitable and giving outlook on life. Scrooge makes Bob Cratchett a partner. We get to learn more about Bob’s children, especially Martha and his oldest Peter and of course little Timmy. Scrooge also meets and falls in love with the woman teaching him how to be charitable and what he should focus on. unfortunately, she is a lifelong spinster and says she will never marry. everyone is happy for Scrooge except for two men named Michael’s and crane it seems because of a loan they got from Marley back in the day it ruined their lives and they want revenge. soon, however, Ebeneezer Scrooge goes missing and Fred and Clara are out of their mind worrying about him. Will they be able to find him? With the exceptions of a couple of swear words, this really could’ve been part two of a Christmas Carol. I really enjoyed this book found it so entertaining they had all the awkwardness of Scrooge but just a more positive version. I loved everything that happened with the Cratchett’s,. I wish Miss Cratchett would’ve been nicer to Mr. Scrooge, but that’s neither here nor there. This was such a well done well thought out story even Martha was jealous that her younger siblings got to go to school after they moved unlike her and I thought that was a great touch. This was just such a great book. If you loved a Christmas Carol, then you will love all the awkwardness of Ebeneezer And after the spirits it was so good. #BookSprout, #TheBlindReviewer, #BethFord, #AfterTheSpiritsCome,

[HAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars for a great novel. Upfront - No sex, mild on swears ( maybe less than a dozen) and no gore or violence. This makes it a good recommendation for teens and adults. I did receive this free copy for an ARC review which does not influence my opinion.

The story is a bit long (very tiny print) but I enjoyed the slower pace of the story that lured me into the pages with detailed settings and dialog. Some may want a story to breeze through. This is not that story. The plot was very intriguing and I marveled at the imagination of the author and the skill Ford used to make a literary piece of art read like a Dickens writing. The differences between the two styles do exist, but the atmospheric writing does set you in the dirty old London of Scrooge's time. Ford's idea is that reformation isn't easy and the series of events in the life of the new Scrooge make for a very interesting tale.

A couple parts dragged because of detail but over all the plot, delivery, characters had the book moving at a moderate and steady pace. Read, enjoy and wonder about more of those characters you read about in previous books. Must reformation be this unusual?

[Bernie Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I began reading the book it was very promising, appearing to be a well done imitation of the writing style of Charles Dickens. So promising a worthy sequel to the Christmas Carol. The pyschology of how Scrooge's friends and others would react to his transformation was well thought out. The ensuing scenarios were entertaining.

But the story as per the arc shattered the illusion of the Dickensian style of story, for those of us familiar from Dickens' writings, with the nineteenth century Victorian workhouse. The author had the workhouse as being overnight accommodation, which it was not. Beth Ford should have called it a debtors' prison, from how it was described. A major error. Then the errors of using Americanisms such as "in the green" instead of the British English "in the black", as well as American sidewalks in chapter 25 and also using the word donation instead of charity.

I hope it's not too late to have the errors corrected.

It is a good Dicknesian style read as is, if you can easily swat off the irritation of the said bugs.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tony Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Scrooge’s decades of avariciousness were well known in London. Only time and concerted effort would erase that reputation.” The novel, After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, by Beth Ford leads us through the life of Scrooge after he has his change of heart, having learnt of his fate if he continued on with his miserly and covetous life. Ford artfully leads us through the honest reactions of Scrooge’s closest confidants and family, questioning how much a person that intends to change overnight can expect others to simply accept and trust this sudden transformation in character. The novel explores the effects of Scrooge’s actions as he attempts to rectify his many wrongs, even delving into considerations of Scrooge’s mental faculties as he touts the visit from three ghosts. Recommended read.

I was sent this book for free and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Moryel D'Vil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written as a possible continuation of a well known story Christmas carol by Dickens. I liked the idea, for us to see what happened after Scroodge's change of heart after the ghosts's visits. Because such a sudden change may be suprising at first glance, but how will people react to this after the initial shock subsides? Will they believe you genuinely want to be a better person? Or is it just a ruse from your side? Because you cannot just delete long years of behavior and actions that hurt many people. So here we can see the long road for Scroodge to not only to become a better person, but for people to believe he really want to change and all obstacles that with this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the Christmas Carol. So therefore I loved the story behind this book.

Scrooge is still trying to be helpful after the ghosts visits. He has Bob Chrachit working in the office now with his son too.

However, there are those who can't forgive him for making them poor.

So the book develops pay back schemes. As part of one Scrooge is captured and there is a hunt for him by his nephew and Bob. He is found and develops his own scheme for pay back and respect..

In the end it's merry Christmas everyone.

[Jo Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great idea to follow Scrooge's transformation after the spirits transformed his heart! Since Christmas Carol is my favorite Christmas book and movie, I gravitated to this new exploration of Scrooge's heart. I was not disappointed. I loved the use of the original characters and the development of Scrooge's business and household. Of course, I rooted for Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim as well. If you like atmospheric books, angelic spirits, and transformed human beings, you will adore this work.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Ford does the spirit of the Christmas Carol novel perfectly in this continuation. The characters were on point and worked with the original story to tell something new with them. I was engaged with the plot of the book and on the edge of my seat for Scrooge. I thought Beth Ford wrote this well and left me wanting to read more from her as this worked well in the genre and in writing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining and true to the spirit (pardon the pun) of the original. Plenty of intrigue and tension as well as a couple of well kept secrets providing surprises close to the end. I enjoyed how the characters were developed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kalyn Botz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a terrific job of showing what Scrooge’s life was like after the spirits visited him. I really enjoyed that his transformation didn’t instantly happen and that his struggles for change came with real challenges. The characters that I cherished in A Christmas Carol live on and Scrooge’s life does work out for the best.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol held my interest in this engaging story. The story happens in the new year and Scrooge will have a lot happen to him. I found the story to be well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so amazing. I had a hard time putting this book down and it was so enjoyable. I would recommend this book to those who really enjoyed The Christmas Carol. There was a lot of growth in the characters and the plot.

[Joan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very heartwarming story. It's perfect for preteens on up. The story is so well written that it's a real page turner. The pacing, atmospheric, and characters are so well crafted. ( There is no spice or foul language)

I would love to see this on the silver screen or small screen.

[Lisa Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Capturing the characters of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit especially very well. It was a little disappointing that there wasn’t more suspense and drama but it was good on the whole. I had to finish it to see what happened!.