Upon the Midnight Clear

Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries #13.5

by Tasha Alexander

UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR is a brand-new heartwarming Christmas short story featuring Tasha Alexander's beloved Victorian sleuth.

While Lady Emily and her family are shopping in Hamley's toy shop, a stranger gives her son Henry a Christmas cracker that, when opened, reveals a mysterious message.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Christmas, Historical Mystery, Historical, Novella, Short Stories

73 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2019

About the author

The daughter of two philosophy professors, I grew up surrounded by books. I was convinced from an early age that I was born in the wrong century and spent much of my childhood under the dining room table pretending it was a covered wagon. Even there, I was never without a book in hand and loved reading and history more than anything. I studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Writing is a natural offshoot of reading, and my first novel, And Only to Deceive, was published in 2005. I'm the author of the long-running Lady Emily Series as well as the novel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One of the best parts of being an author is seeing your books translated, and I'm currently in love with the Japanese editions of the Emily books.

I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.

Reviews

[Stacy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read from Tasha Alexander. It's a very short historical Christmas mystery. It was a lovely story of forgiveness and had great faith content, including lots of Bible verses. My only dislike is how the 6 year old children talk. They sound like old men. I think I must be missing something. 🤔

[Linniegayl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the yearly Christmas novella in the Lady Emily series. I particularly liked seeing more of Colin and Emily's three sons (and I swear they remind me of a young Ramses at times). The mystery was interesting, but for me the focus was more on the family. I'd give this an A-/B+, so rounded up to five stars here. As a note, this will definitely not work for someone who is not already a reader of the series.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely, refreshing Christmas novella about the power of forgiveness and the Christmas season. Colin and Emily are tasked with finding a young man's daughter after losing touch with her family for many years. As ever, Tasha Alexander writes with wit and warmth, telling a lovely story in the process. This series continues to be a pleasure to read.

[Jennybeast · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more god-talk than I care for, but does have some magic about it that I enjoyed. Nice to have a mystery that isn't a murder to contrast with some of their bigger investigations. Nice collection of characters interviewed, and even better to see a reconciliation despite pain.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet novella that is perfect for Christmas! I don't want to spoil anything more but I am happy to see Emily and Colin in more scenes together again.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful addition to the Lady Emily series. While deciding to stay in town for the Christmas season, Emily and Colin are approached to take on a seemingly impossible investigation. Of course Christmas is a time to remember miracles. I loved reading about the precocious children - so well written, each with his own voice.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant, light novella wherein Lady Emily and her husband agree to help a distraught father find the daughter he didn't know he had. Warm and cozy and suitable for all. Fans of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series will get very similar vibes with the children in this story...they are quite precocious.

[Sandra Herrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Relaxing Read for Hard Times

This is a short story, and a fine read that took me one long evening of enjoyment. Tasha Alexander is not just a fine writer, she has the talent of writing in a style that evokes the sense of actually being in that time and place (in this story, London, just before Christmas). So if you're fed up with quarantine, it makes a pleasant break.
The story, as always, is about Colin and Emily Hargreaves and a mystery. In this case, they are called on to help a father find his 12-year-old daughter, who has been spirited away by her grandparents. While the Lady Gray novels are often complicated, the short stories Alexander has written focus on one case, usually taking place around Christmas and the customs of the British at that time of year.
This story includes their two sons Henry and Richard and their ward, Tom, who is treated exactly as the other two boys. It's interesting to see how the upper class relate to their children, and to each other. And relaxing to read about a couple deeply in love and willing and able to help others.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stranger asks Lady Emily and her husband for help in finding a daughter. Since he was working in India when the baby was born and was sent word that she did not survive, it is a stretch to apply the words “reunion” and “beloved” to an offspring of which he was totally unaware. The children are precocious, but not in an annoying way. The story is contrived but a pleasant read even if it is not Christmas.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful listening

Due to eye issues Alexa reads to me. This novella is a will romantic mystery set in London with interesting characters. The story line is about a daughter that is missing. The main character conduct a search, find, and get the family back together ❤for Christmas. I would recommend this novella to readers of mysteries and anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy reading 🔰2021 😇

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family life with the Hargreaves is woven throughout the Lady Emily series. It is never more present than in the Christmas novellas. The mysteries are heartwarming and include English Christmas traditions. These novellas are a perfect for an evening of reading. The novellas are stand alone and could be read at any time.

[Johanna Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent, well written, and fun

It is always a pleasure to find an author who crafts an intelligent mystery with engaging characters and an elegant romance. I recommend all of the Lady Emily mysteries. Plus, you won't find any of the glaring historical inaccuracies so prevalent in a lot of the current historicals.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming Holiday Tale

If you enjoy the Lady Emily series, this novella is worth your while. In addition to a new adventure, close to home, readers have the pleasure of getting to know Emily and Colin’s boys better.
Get cozy and enjoy the holiday season with the Hargreaves.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon the midnight clear is a short novella in the lady Emily series.
I love reading the Christmas shorts in December and this one was particularly nice because of the interaction between the three sons.
Hope there will be another Christmas episode in the series next year.

[Roxie Klinksiek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet

I love all of the Christmas stories in this series. This one was both sad and happy. Colin and Emily's children continue to delight km e in every story they are in. It was a lovely and uplifting tale.

[Verity W · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun Christmas novella. I liked the story - and wouldn't have minded it being a bit longer, but actually I think it did everything it set out to do.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upon a Midnight Clear

Was a very sweet Lady Emily story. It is very family oriented and portrays a loving family. I enjoyed it very much.

[Valerie J Ritz]

Loved the story!

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice Christmas story featuring Lady Emily, her husband and their sons. It is set in London in 1901. I read it on my kindle. It was a very quick easy read.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Christmas mystery.

[Kelly Baroletti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas short story.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father discovers that his daughter who he was told was stillborn is still alive. She is twelve now. He comes to Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves to try to find her.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a quick read, but very enjoyable anytime of year.

[Julianne O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites of the short stories.

[Anne Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suspect this series is not for me. 5-year-olds who speak like pretentious college students? I think not. Good grief.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice Christmas short story.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of forgiveness and understanding! I absolutely loved getting to know Lady Emily's boys a little bit more.

[Liz Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story because I love Emily and Colin. It was heartwarming.