A winter night, a clear sky, and a telescope. The ideal recipe for an excellent chance to view the stars. But when something else appears in her eyepiece, Miss Holly Trease tumbles into a much darker experience

A practical and intelligent young woman, Holly Trease is fascinated by all things scientific and scholarly. She’s detail-oriented, and fascinated by the natural world, including the universe at night. Her parents encourage her learning, and her pride and joy is their gift of a telescope, tucked away in her own little wing of Forest Grange. Men (and other frivolous pursuits) aren’t of much interest to Hollyuntil a shocking and violent incident occurs practically at her own back door!

Richard Hawkesbury, solicitor, hopes to conclude his mission before Christmas. But it is an important one, so he leaves his office in London to journey into the countryside bearing a valuable document. Although darkness falls early at this time of year, he’s certainly not expecting a sudden attack that leaves him unconscious in the middle of nowhere.

Stunned and horrified, Holly sees the entire thing through her telescope. Could she have ever imagined that her consequent actions would help unmask a truly evil villain? Or that the man lying half-dead in the snow might well be the one she didn’t know she was waiting for? Whatever the answers, the spirit of Christmas will triumph, and give both Richard and Holly a gift they weren’t expecting