Customer Reviews

Murder for Christmas: 26 Tales of Seasonal Malice

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used to own this book-- but it has been lost over the years. I went looking to replace it, and was shocked to find only one review! I remember thoroughly enjoying the stories as I re-read them over ten years or so. Most offered a wonderful mixture of creepy and funny-- and even a Boxing Day Bonus. Really, this book offers a refreshing alternative to the usual oversentimental holiday fare.

Maybe there isn't such a thing as the perfect murder, but this book has to be the murder mystery lover's perfect gift. I received "Murder for Christmas" as a Christmas present years ago and I have been re-reading it by the lights of my Christmas tree every year since. The 26 short stories include authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Baroness Orczy, Baynard Kendrick, Ngaio Marsh, Georges Simenon, Ellery Queen, Dorothy Sayers, Carter Dickson, Margery Allingham, Rex Stout, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens. The book also provides a mystery reader with lists such as "Twelve Novels of Crime and Christmas", humorous mystery-themed cartoons, anecdotes, and quotes. Really a well-woven and entertaining read. Buy it for yourself or as a gift, it's sure to please.

A wonderful gift for the mystery lover (or yourself). I'm not sure what the previous reviewer meant when he said Dorothy Sayers and Rex Stout are not in the book--Dorothy Sayers' "A String of Pearls" and Rex Stout's "Christmas Party" are included. My only problem with the book was that it ended too quickly!

Some stories are pointless and are added only because they contain the word "Christmas", but others are exactly the stuff of seasonal reading. Sherlock Holmes and Ngaio Marsh are good examples of the latter. Cosy up with some mulled cider by the fire and read into the night. I tend to reread many of these every year to add to the feel. Be quick. The only place I could find this book was here.

Great seller. Happy to find this book. A variety of different murder mystery writers. Haven't read it yet but promises to be a fun "read" based on the authors of the individual stories!

Rex Stout and Dorothy Sayers are NOT in this book. The short stories are good but I was disappointed. They were listed as being included.