Over the years, I have developed a bit of an addiction to reading holiday themed mysteries around this time of the year. Murder, mayhem and Christmas make for a good holiday treat. I thought I would list a few seasonal mystery books I have read over the years that you may enjoy.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas- Agatha Christie
A family gathering turns sinister when at a Christmas reunion the host turns up dead. Visiting a friend in the area, Hercule Poirot offers to help in solving this case where every guest had reason to wish the victim dead..
Silent Night — Robert B. Parker
Robert B. Parker was one of my favorite authors. This slender volume was left uncompleted when the author passed away in 2010. The book was completed by his long time editor and friend Helen Brann. Subsequently, we got one last Spenser novel from the master. It’s not Parker at his best, but even middle of the road Parker is better than none at all.
The Spy Who Came For Christmas — David Morrell
Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of my favorite cities to visit. David Morrell, born in Canada, has lived in Santa Fe for many years. He knows the town and uses it’s famed art strip, Canyon Road, as the setting for this fast paced snowy Christmas Eve thriller.
Christmas at The Mysterious Bookshop — Otto Penzler
For 17 years, Otto Penzler commissioned a Christmas themed short story from one of his favorite mystery writers. The one criteria, besides a Christmas setting, was the story or at least some of it had to take place at Penzler’s famed NYC Mysterious Bookshop. In 2010, he compiled the stories and published this excellent collection. Among the authors, Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake, S.J.Rozan and Mary Higgins Clark. A must read.
Wreck the Halls — Sarah Graves
I earlier mentioned New Mexico as one of my favorite places to visit. The great state of Maine is another. Like New Mexico, I have been to Maine a few times. On one of our trips, my wife and I went to Eastport. Maine, the eastern most city in the United States. While walking along the small town’s main street we came across a hardware store. We noticed there was something odd about its window display. In one corner, there was a series of paperback books, all by one author…Sarah Graves. Intrigued, we went in and browsed through some of the books and decided to purchase two. The woman behind the counter, then asked us if we would like the books autographed? The author was upstairs, she said pointing to a staircase toward the back of the store. We climbed up and sure enough, there was Sarah Graves sitting at a desk. We talked for a few minutes, and she signed our books. While I never found out, I suspect Ms. Graves owned the hardware store. It would make sense, but then again, like her books, it’s a mystery.
Shadows of a Maine Christmas - Lea Wait
Like Ms. Graves, the late Lea Wait lived in Maine, and she captures the state’s atmosphere superbly in her series of cozy mysteries. You genuinely feel like you are in small town Maine. Murder, a bit of violence, and long buried secrets all come to light in this holiday treat.
A Christmas Carol — Charles Dickens
Okay, it may be a bit of a stretch to include Dicken’s classic as a mystery, but think about it; the book is filled with suspense, ghosts and a bit of mayhem. I have read A Christmas Carol several times over the years and it’s always a pleasure,
’Tis the Season — John Greco
Okay, this last one is a bit of a plug. Four devilish Christmas themed short stories that I think you will enjoy. You can get here at Amazon.
