Christmas Holiday Mystery

Edgar Award-winning editor Otto Penzler collects more than 50 of his all-time favorite holiday crime stories - many of which are difficult or nearly impossible to find anywhere else. From classic Victorian tales by Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Thomas Hardy, to contemporary stories by Sara Paretsky and Ed McBain, this collection touches on all aspects of the holiday season, and all types of mysteries. They are suspenseful, funny, frightening, and poignant. 

When tragedy brings Merrin McKenzie back to St Ives, she knows adjusting might take time, even with the comfort of Christmas back in her hometown. Stepping back from her career as a solicitor, she agrees to clean holiday rentals for her friends who own cottages nearby. She anticipates dirty laundry and sandy floors, but she didn't sign up for a dead body, neatly tucked up in one of the guest beds. The police are baffled by the young man's identity and the strangeness of his death. For Merrin, however, coincidences are beginning to stack up.

December 1860. Headed for the morning shift at the Swindon Locomotive Works is an army of men pouring out of terraced houses built by the GWR, a miniature town and planned community that aims to provide for its employees from cradle to grave. Unfortunately, boilersmith Frank Rodman is headed for the grave sooner than he'd expected, or he will be once his missing head is found. Colbeck, the Railway Detective, finds his investigation into Rodman's murder mired in contradictions.

These ladies just want this Christmas nightmare to end. Will they help to find the killers and restore the essence of this most wonderful time of the year? Find out in this box set of Christmas-themed cozy mysteries that will warm your winter heart.

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead she discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.

Two stolen paintings disappear from a Park Avenue murder scene – French detective Luc Moncrief is in for a merry Christmas...

CAN YOU SOLVE THE CASE? 'Whatever you unwrap for Christmas, you had better hope it’s this book. This is 21st-century cosy Christmas crime that doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Eighteen passengers, seven stops, one killer Christmas read' JANICE HALLETT 'The perfect book to read on a train...

Meet Carson, one smart little kid who loves all things Christmas, especially the songs! Known by just about everyone as the "Little Professor," he's expecting the best holiday ever. Unfortunately, throughout the three days before Christmas, his hopes are challenged. Event after event forces Carson to defend Santa; deal with fifth-grade bullies, handle his nemesis, Wanda; and outsmart a physical education teacher. Finally, Christmas Eve arrives, and he's more than ready for the best Christmas ever until the unexpected, unthinkable happens.

Rachel's plans to spend Christmas with her fiancé are in tatters after he is called to Italy at short notice. Rather than spend Christmas with her parents, Rachel decides to take a last-minute Canary Island cruise. Sarah, cruise ship nurse and Rachel's best friend, is only too pleased to have her along, as Sarah's parents are taking their first cruise. With her mother keen for her to settle down, she is glad of the moral support.

Cinnamon Peters is one tough cookie. Every year at Christmas River's annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, pie baker extraordinaire Cinnamon aims to win, taking down any competitor who gets in her way. But when she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop just days before the big competition, Cinnamon realizes that there's much more to worry about than cookies, frosting, and gumdrops. Someone's out to bring Cinnamon down. And they're playing dirty.

England, 1927. When Lord Edgington hears of a failed attack on an eccentric viscount, it’s the perfect excuse to get out of seeing horrible relatives over Christmas. With his loyal grandson and their golden retriever along for the ride, he sets off to investigate, but on arriving at the snowbound manor house on the English coast, they find that the wrong man has been killed. It is not the rich tyrant who lies dead on the floor of the grand salon, but one of his many bickering heirs.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me—well, actually, my true love, Darcy O’Mara, is spending a feliz navidad tramping around South America. Meanwhile, Mummy is holed up in a tiny village called Tiddleton-under-Lovey with that droll Noel Coward! And I’m snowed in at Castle Rannoch with my bumbling brother, Binky, and sourpuss sister-in-law, Fig.

In Amish Christmas Mystery, Ettie must unwrap the truth before her daughter gets a one-way ticket to the slammer. This Yuletide, the stakes are high, the snow is deep, and the mystery is as thick as a fruitcake. Warm up to this intriguing cozy mystery that will keep you guessing 'til the last carol is sung!

When a flaming dead body drops out of the town Christmas tree and crashes through your ceiling, it’s safe to say this Christmas will not be merry or bright. Now my crazy ex-best friend is telling everyone in town I killed Dr. Merriweather. Yes, he’s her therapist. Yes, they were having an affair. No, I don’t know why everyone in our Christmas crazy small town thinks I’m suspect number one. She even hired a private eye. Like…hello? Insane?

Meet Snowy, a super-curious snowflake with a big Christmas mystery to solve! Perfect for a cozy bedtime story, join him as he gently tumbles through a magical winter wonderland, making jolly friends who share all the sparkly secrets of the holiday season. This enchanting tale captures the magic of Christmas, making it a delightful listen for little ones eager to explore the wonders of winter and the joy of friendship.

This winter, fear comes gift-wrapped. *FROM THE KINDLE TOP 20 BESTSELLING AUTHOR* In the dead of winter, the Pennine Way is treacherous. As snowstorms hit, hikers have been told to stay away. But not everyone has heeded the warning: a lone walker finds a parcel in the snow, addressed to her. But...

Christmas has come to Lighthouse Cove, but business hasn’t slowed down for Shannon Hammer. She’s been contracted to renovate a local hotel owned by the Garrisons, a family that’s so devoted to the holidays they serve a seven-course dinner every night from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Last year’s festivities featured a train that transported guests around the breathtaking Cliffside property. This year, Shannon and her crew have been commissioned to build a Victorian-style carnival midway with games and prizes galore.

Ever since Gran died, Christmas hasn’t been the same for Molly Gray. But with her beloved Juan Manuel by her side, she begins to feel the joy of the season. The happy couple unwrap the gifts behind the doors of Gran’s special advent calendar and polish Molly’s apartment until it shines with Christmas cheer. But as Molly counts down the days to the Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel, she notices some curious changes in Juan Manuel. Why does he keep telling tales about his whereabouts? Why does it feel like there’s a mystery unfolding around her, without any clues?

Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up. Of course there's also the matter of the dead body

December 1930. After a year of bloodshed and scandal, the police officers of Craynebrook are hoping for a quiet Christmas. But when the bodies of an elderly couple are discovered in their home on Christmas morning, they realise there will be no peace this holiday season.