I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of Blogmas 2k18 ,hosted by the quite brilliant BrowsingForBooks
She has taken on the bonkers task of co-ordinating 24 bloggers with a daily post for the 24 days of Christmas-madness!
During this I have been following and sharing the #2k18Blogmas posts and finding new book bloggers that I now completely adore-check them all out on Twitter!
My post is all about seasonal murder mysteries…hope you enjoy!
Since the time of Arthur Conan Doyle, people have loved a good mystery set at Christmas.
The idea of family, all gathered together around a yuletide fire has all the makings of a perfect-or possibly deadly-reunion.
Rivalries resurface, isolated settings and enforced camaraderie can all contribute to tempers flaring, arguments and the potential for violence-even murder.
Here are my top picks for murderous, holiday reading….enjoy!
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The whole of this short story collection is studded with gems, but ‘The Blue Carbuncle’ is a wonderful Christmas story wherein Holmes and Watson have to find the titular gem. A classic tale ,told at lightening speed, this is a warm hearted story of misdirection and detection. It is a timely reminder of the enduring nature of the classic detective and his erstwhile sidekick.
https://www.arthurconandoyle.com/
Agatha Christie-Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
An invitation to spend the holiday at the home of millionaire and all round grumpy patriarch, Simeon Lee is accepted by Poirot who then finds himself solving a murder. No rest for the wicked, even at Christmas! Published in December, making it a perfect present, this seasonal outing mires Poirot in the aftermath of Simeon’s changing of his will and the outrage of his children. Long buried resentments spill over into murder and Poirot puts his ‘leetle grey cells’ to work. Look out for the BBC adaptation of ‘ABC Murders’ from Boxing Day onwards!
https://www.agathachristie.com/
‘The Deaths Of Christmas’ by Susi Holliday
No chocolate behind these windows, instead, there are murder scenes in the advent calendar delivered to DC Becky Green. One of them is recognised by DS Eddie Carmine as un unsolved case of his and before long, they are racing against time to discover who will be next.
Seasonal, atmospheric and with enough twists and turns to satisfy any crime fan, I would highly recommend this tale.
Murder on Christmas Eve edited by Val McDermid
A carefully curated collection of reads that are perfect to dip into whilst drinking mulled wine on Christmas Eve, all chosen by crime connoisseur Val McDermid. Representing stories across different time frames ,all with a Christmas theme, there are cosy mysteries and full blown murders so something for everyone across the spectrum.
Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens
A seasonal edition of the ‘‘Murder Most UnLadylike’’ series by Robin Stevens, this may be a YA title but I would argue it is suitable for anyone who enjoys well plotted mysteries, character development and twists then this Nancy Drew-esque tale is perfect. Set in the 1930’s ,in snow covered Cambridge, the protagonists, Hazel and Daisy, attempt to have a peaceful Christmas but are thwarted by a murder .
I hope these have given you seasonal murders to think about reading, the short story collections are brilliant for finding new authors whose work you may not have read before-one of them led me to fall in love with Lord Peter Wimsey -and these are definitely a small selection of what are my favourite Christmas reads!
Please feel free to comment with your favourites down below !
Thank you for reading and hopefully you will all have a peaceful, non-bloody Christmas!
Author
bridgeman.lenny@gmail.com