“I’ve got a better idea,” I said. “Come and help me in the kitchen, and we’ll make a hot punch and warm up some of that gingerbread and we’ll invite them for a celebration.”
“Oh, yes. A celebration.” Without warning she wrapped her arms around me. “You’re the only mother I remember,” she said.
We stood there, while tears of relief and happiness flowed down both our cheeks. The year had started off as one of losses, but it had ended with many things being found again. I looked around at my family with satisfaction and it came to me that I could look forward to the future with hope.
Also by Rhys Bowen
The Molly Murphy Mysteries
Time of Fog and Fire
Away in a Manger
The Edge of Dreams
City of Darkness and Light
The Family Way
Hush Now, Don’t You Cry
Bless the Bride
The Last Illusion
In a Gilded Cage
Tell Me, Pretty Maiden
In Dublin’s Fair City
Oh Danny Boy
In Like Flynn
For the Love of Mike
Death of Riley
Murphy’s Law
The Constable Evans Mysteries
Evanly Bodies
Evan Blessed
Evan’s Gate
Evans to Betsy
Evan Can Wait
Evan and Elle
Evanly Choirs
Evan Help Us
Evans Above
About the Author
RHYS BOWEN is the author of the Anthony Award–and Agatha Award–winning Molly Murphy mysteries, the Edgar Award–nominated Evan Evans series, the Royal Spyness series, and In Farleigh Field. Born in England, she lives in San Rafael, California.
Visit her online at www.rhysbowen.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Also by Rhys Bowen
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST. Copyright © 2017 by Rhys Bowen. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.minotaurbooks.com
Cover design by Rowen Davis
Cover photographs: woman by Shirley Green; mansion © John van Decker/Alamy Images; bushes © Hans Lippert/Westend61/Superstock; trees © superstock; mistletoe © alicedaniel/Shuterstock.com; paper © markaumark/Shutterstock.com; scarf © Sergarck/Shutterstock.com; texture © Flas100/Shutterstock.com; type © akaiser/Shutterstock.com
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Bowen, Rhys, author.
Title: The ghost of Christmas past / Rhys Bowen.
Description: First edition. | New York: Minotaur Books, 2017.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017024853 | ISBN 978-1-250-12572-9 (hardcover) | ISBN 978-1-250-12573-6 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Murphy, Molly (Fictitious character)—Fiction. | Women private investigators—New York (State)—Fiction. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction.
Classification: LCC PR6052.0848 G48 2017 | DDC 823/.914—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017024853
eISBN 9781250125736
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First Edition: November 2017