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Everyone is familiar with Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes, but what happens when the two are mixed? The surprisingly perfect mix of mystery, comedy, and festivity that results is just what audiences need this holiday season. Lyric Stage Boston’s production of “A Sherlock Carol,” running through Dec. 21, is sure to get one in the Christmas spirit.

“A Sherlock Carol” returns audience members to Scrooge’s 19th-century world, years after his Christmas Eve epiphany. Scrooge (Christopher Chew) has been murdered and a grown-up Tiny Tim (Jon Vellante) asks Detective Sherlock Holmes (Paul Melendy) to take on the case, which begins with a valuable will and a missing diamond. Throughout this wild goose chase, other characters realize that Holmes’ less-than-cheery behavior bears a striking resemblance to Scrooge’s former self. To solve the mystery and save his future, Sherlock must follow in Scrooge’s footsteps and learn to embrace the Christmas spirit.

After a host of narrators speak, the play opens on a weary Sherlock as potential clients approach him — one of them being Tiny Tim. Throughout this scene, Sherlock sits at a desk with his back towards most of the house, a choice that gives the character a mysterious air but mostly closes him off to the audience. This makes it challenging to initially connect with Sherlock, but later scenes more than make up for this. Melendy’s strong acting brings his character to life, as he delivers every bit of humor with Sherlock’s deadpan tone. He also excellently portrays Sherlock’s character arc, allowing audiences to invest in him throughout the play.

Though the theater is small, director Ilyse Robbins makes use of every part of the auditorium, with Sherlock himself appearing in the aisle during one scene. This directorial choice makes attendees as though they’re inside the story rather than simply watching it, transforming the space from an intimate venue into Victorian-era London itself. At times, actors even address the audience directly as if they, too, are living in this story. In one scene, an opera singer referred to as the Countess of Morcar (Mark Linehan) performs and addresses her fictional audience as well as the real-life audience. This small action pulls audience members into the moment and allows them to experience the tale alongside the characters. For two hours, audience members can escape into a world full of Christmas carols, wit, and mystery.

Aside from efficient use of space, lighting, designed by SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal, also plays a large role — especially in setting changes, with each lighting change hinting at a new space or time. When characters step outside into the cold winter night, the lights change to a cool blue tone. Later, after Sherlock’s rendezvous in Christmas past, present, and future, he joins the other characters in a holiday celebration where the lighting switches to a warm white that emanates nostalgia. Salotto-Cristobal also utilizes the lighting to indicate narration breaks — which the actors handle flawlessly. Each shift in lighting and slight change of posture during an actor’s dialogue gives the show a cinematic quality. In one scene, characters switch between the present and a flashback as smoothly as special effects and editing might accomplish in a movie. In this way, audience members receive the best of both worlds: a live, immersive experience along with seamless transition.

The soft melody of Christmas carols carried across the room by an acoustic guitar also accompanies various moments, combining the holiday nature with the eeriness of a ghostly mystery. This production took the title “A Christmas Carol” to heart, incorporating carols throughout. During one scene change, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” can be heard on guitar, while in another moment cast members hum “Carol of the Bells.” Not only does this help emphasize the Dickensian spirit of Christmas, but it also brings cast and audience together. The idea of Christmas past, present, and future intertwining truly emphasizes the timelessness of the holiday — and there’s nothing more timeless than a Christmas carol. Wherever and whenever someone is living, these tunes evoke the same merry, nostalgic feeling. Because of this, with each carol that echoes across the theater, the lines between Victorian London and present-day Boston blurs a little more.

This timeless Christmas magic that “A Sherlock Carol” immerses audience members in makes it the perfect Boston Christmas-time activity. Who knows — it may even cure any Scrooges who attend.

“A Sherlock Carol” runs at Lyric Stage Boston through Dec. 21.