Christmas is a time of joy, peace, and goodwill, but for some, it is also a time of murder, mystery, and mayhem. Crime books that are set during Christmas offer a contrast between the festive atmosphere and the dark deeds that take place behind the scenes. They also provide a challenge for the detectives, who have to solve the cases while dealing with the weather, the holidays, and the family gatherings.
Many types of crime books are set during Christmas, ranging from classic whodunits to modern thrillers. Some of them feature famous sleuths, such as Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, or Miss Marple, who use their logic and intuition to unravel the clues. Others feature amateur detectives, such as historians, journalists, or writers, who stumble upon a crime and decide to investigate. Some of them are set in cozy country houses, where a snowstorm traps a group of suspects with a killer among them. Others are set in urban settings, where the hustle and bustle of the city hides a sinister plot.
Crime books that are set during Christmas often have a theme or a motif that relates to the season, such as mistletoe, snowmen, or Christmas trees. They also use the elements of the season, such as lights, decorations, or gifts, to create clues, red herrings, or weapons. They sometimes explore the social and psychological aspects of the season, such as loneliness, greed, or family conflicts, and how they affect the characters and the crimes. They also sometimes have a twist or a surprise that reveals the true nature of the crime or the culprit.
Crime books that are set during Christmas are a popular genre that appeals to many readers, especially during the winter months. They offer a mix of entertainment, suspense, and intrigue, as well as a glimpse into the darker side of human nature. They also provide a contrast between the expectations and the realities of the season and show that not everything is as merry and bright as it seems.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and joy, but not for the Lee family. When the tyrannical patriarch Simeon Lee invites his four sons and their wives, along with his long-lost granddaughter and a mysterious guest, to his country mansion, he has a cruel surprise in store for them. He announces that he is changing his will and cutting off their allowances, sparking resentment and anger among the relatives.
But before the night is over, Simeon Lee is found dead in his locked room, his throat slashed and his safe ransacked. Who among the family and the servants could have committed such a brutal crime? And what is the secret behind the stolen emerald necklace that Simeon Lee coveted so much? It is up to the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who happens to be spending Christmas nearby, to solve the case. With the help of the local police, he interrogates the suspects, examines the clues, and uncovers the shocking truth.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is a classic whodunit, full of suspense, atmosphere, and twists. It is also a witty and charming portrait of the English countryside and its traditions, with a touch of romance and humor. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, the queen of crime fiction, you will love this festive and ingenious mystery.
The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. James
If you are a fan of P.D. James, the queen of crime fiction, you will love this collection of four previously uncollected stories that showcase her mastery of the genre. In The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories, you will find suspense, mystery, and murder, all wrapped up in the festive spirit of Christmas. You will also meet the young Adam Dalgliesh, the poet-detective who features in many of James’s novels, as he solves his first cases as a sergeant in Scotland Yard.
Whether it is a strained family reunion, an illicit affair, a stolen inheritance, or a best-selling crime novelist’s confession, each story is a delightfully ingenious and atmospheric whodunit, with a touch of humor and romance. You will also enjoy James’s sly tribute to her English crime-writing forebears, such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, as she plays with the conventions and expectations of the genre.
The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories is a treat for P.D. James’s legions of fans and anyone who enjoys the pleasures of a masterfully wrought whodunit.
An English Murder by Cyril Hare
A snowstorm, a haunted house, and a mysterious death. These are the ingredients of a classic murder mystery, and Cyril Hare delivers a masterful one in An English Murder. The sleuth is Doctor Bottwink, a foreign historian who is invited to study the ancient documents of Warbeck Hall, a country mansion owned by a dying lord.
But his scholarly pursuits are interrupted by a series of murders that take place among the guests, who include the lord’s son, a socialist chancellor, a retired actress, and a faithful butler.As the snow piles up and the phone line is cut, Bottwink must use his wits and his knowledge of history to find the killer, who seems to have a motive rooted in the past.
An English Murder is a thrilling and atmospheric whodunit, full of twists, clues, and red herrings. It’s also a witty and charming portrait of the English countryside and its traditions, with a touch of romance and humor. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, or Ngaio Marsh, you’ll love An English Murder by Cyril Hare.
The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
The Nine Tailors is a classic mystery novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, featuring her famous detective Lord Peter Wimsey. When Wimsey and his valet Bunter are stranded in a remote village in East Anglia, they are drawn into a complex web of secrets, lies, and murder.
The village is haunted by the sound of the church bells, which ring out a mysterious message of doom. The bells also hide a clue to a long-lost treasure: a priceless emerald necklace that was stolen on the eve of a wedding.
As Wimsey investigates the theft, he uncovers a dark history of betrayal, revenge, and death. He must also face a cunning and ruthless killer, who will stop at nothing to keep the jewels.
The Nine Tailors is a thrilling and atmospheric whodunit, full of twists, clues, and red herrings. It’s also a fascinating portrait of the English countryside and its traditions, with a touch of romance and humor. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, or P.D. James, you’ll love The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers.
The Corpse in the Snowman by Nicholas Blake
A snowstorm, a haunted house, and a mysterious death. These are the ingredients of a classic murder mystery, and Nicholas Blake delivers a masterful one in The Corpse in the Snowman. The sleuth is Nigel Strangeways, a witty and clever detective who is accompanied by his wife, the painter Georgia. They are invited to Easterham Manor, a Victorian estate where strange things are happening.
A psychic incident, a possessed cat, and a ghostly room are just some of the eerie events that await them. But the most shocking discovery is the body of Elizabeth Restorick, a beautiful and notorious young woman, who is found hanging in a snowman. Who killed her, and why? Was it sex, money, or drugs? Or something more sinister? Nigel must unravel the secrets of Elizabeth’s past, and the motives of the other guests, who all seem to have something to hide.
The Corpse in the Snowman is a thrilling and atmospheric whodunit, full of twists, clues, and red herrings. It’s also a witty and charming portrait of the English countryside and its traditions, with a touch of romance and humor. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, or Ngaio Marsh, you’ll love The Corpse in the Snowman by Nicholas Blake.
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries edited by Martin Edwards
Do you love a good mystery? Do you enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas? If so, you will find this book irresistible. Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is a collection of classic crime stories set during the holiday season. Edited by Martin Edwards, an expert on the golden age of detective fiction, this book features stories by some of the most celebrated authors of the genre, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and G.K. Chesterton.
You will also discover some hidden gems by lesser-known writers, who will surprise and delight you with their clever plots and witty style. Whether you prefer a cozy puzzle, a thrilling adventure, or a spooky tale, you will find something to suit your taste in this book.
You will meet charming sleuths, cunning criminals, and eccentric characters, all wrapped up in the magic and mystery of Christmas. Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is a perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, a book to savor and share, whatever the season.
Mystery in White: A Christmas Crime Story by J. Jefferson Farjeon
What happens when a group of strangers are stranded in a mysterious house on a snowy Christmas Eve? They soon discover that the house is not as empty as it seems, and that a killer is among them. Mystery in White is a classic Christmas crime story, full of suspense, atmosphere, and twists. J. Jefferson Farjeon, a master of the golden age of detective fiction, creates a thrilling tale of murder and mystery, where nothing is as it appears.
Join the passengers as they try to solve the secrets of the house, and find out who is behind the deadly deeds.
Mystery in White is a perfect read for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh. It’s also a delightful holiday treat, with a touch of humor and romance. If you’re looking for a cozy and clever read, look no further than Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon.
Tied Up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh
If you’re looking for a cozy and festive mystery, look no further than Tied Up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh. This novel features the charming and clever detective Roderick Alleyn, who is invited to spend Christmas at a country house with his wife, the painter Troy. But the holiday spirit is soon dampened by a bizarre disappearance and a possible murder. The suspects are the eccentric host, his guests, and his staff – all of whom are convicted killers on parole.
Can Alleyn solve the case before the killer strikes again? And what is the secret behind the mysterious Druid pageant that takes place at midnight? Tied Up in Tinsel is a classic whodunit, full of suspense, humor, and surprises.
It’s also a delightful portrait of the English countryside and its traditions, with a touch of romance and magic. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, or P.D. James, you’ll love Tied Up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh.
The Necklace of Pearls by Dorothy L. Sayers
It’s Christmas Eve at the country house of Sir Septimus Shale, and the guests are eagerly awaiting the traditional midnight hunt. But the festive mood is shattered when Lady Shale’s priceless pearl necklace goes missing. The prime suspect is her son’s fiancée, who was wearing the jewels at the time. But how could she have stolen them without anyone noticing? And where are the pearls now? Enter Lord Peter Wimsey, the aristocratic amateur sleuth with a flair for solving puzzles. With the help of his faithful manservant Bunter, he sets out to unravel the mystery of the necklace of pearls.
Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a flirtatious actress, a cunning lawyer, a pompous bishop, and a mysterious stranger.
The Necklace of Pearls is a classic whodunit, full of clues, red herrings, and surprises. It’s also a witty and charming portrait of English society in the 1930s, with a dash of romance and humor. If you’re looking for a cozy and clever read, look no further than The Necklace of Pearls by Dorothy L. Sayers.
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
Meet Nick and Nora Charles, the most charming couple in crime fiction. He’s a retired detective who likes his drinks strong and his cases closed. She’s a witty socialite who loves to play sleuth. Together, they solve murders with style and humor, while navigating the glamorous and dangerous world of 1930s New York.
In The Thin Man, their first adventure, they are drawn into a web of intrigue involving an eccentric inventor, his estranged family, and a mysterious killer. Along the way, they encounter gangsters, femme fatales, and a loyal terrier named Asta. The Thin Man is a classic of detective fiction, full of sparkling dialogue, clever twists, and unforgettable characters. It’s also a delightful comedy of manners, a tribute to the joys of marriage, and a celebration of the art of living well.
If you’re looking for a witty, sophisticated, and thrilling read, look no further than The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett.
