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Christmas mysteries?

9 years ago

As a fan of mysteries, especially British mysteries, does anyone have any suggestions for mysteries with a Christmas theme? That is, set at Christmas time? I did find one that I haven't yet read--I'm saving it for December--'A Christmas Party' by Georgette Heyer, first published as 'Envious Casca'. I've never read any of her books but this is set in an English country house so I couldn't resist. I'd like to assemble a list and work my way thru them if there are other titles you can suggest. Thanks.

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ginny12
Original Author

9 years ago

What a great tip--thanks so much. I had not heard of the British Library Crime Classics series. I will be ordering several of the Christmas titles as a starter. But note to self: refuse any and all invitations to English country houses at Christmas or any other time--entirely too dangerous. :)

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Comments (10)

merryworld
9 years ago
Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron is a Christmas historical fiction murder mystery (how many genres can you hit with one book?) with Jane Austen as the detective. It was an engaging, fun read.
andreap
9 years ago
The

The Folio book of Christmas Crime Stories, London 2004, Illustrated by Michael Foreman. Fun!
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I finished reading Georgette Heyer's A Christmas Party, originally titled Envious Casca, as noted above. The dramatic events took a little while to commence, but once they did, I quite enjoyed the murder mystery. It was the kind of cozy mystery that was an easy, yet absorbing read for this time of year. I liked the humor in the book as well, one being the character of the butler who spoke some words In Capital Letters, for example, in expressing his Displeasure at Certain Events. The humorous butler reminded me of one of the most interesting characters in the 1945 movie And Then There Were None. Here the butler is also very comedic and has the most entertaining responses to the mysterious deaths.
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annpanagain
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
"The Twelve Deaths of Christmas" by Marion Babson.

If you Google Christmas Mystery Books quite a few come up including "Hercule Poirot's Christmas."
vee_new
9 years ago
If you wanted to widen your search to include ghost stories I would strongly recommend the work of M R James who told wonderfully scary tales to his Cambridge undergraduates at Christmas time. Although he spent all his life in academia King's College and Eton (top school) one of his favourite authors was Agatha Christie.

M R James
vee_new
9 years ago
A spooky tale for Christmas from the BBC with Christopher Lee (as M R James) reading to his students. Prepare for the hairs on the back of your neck to tingle.

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ginny12
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for these great suggestions. I knew I could count on you all. No ghosts for me tho except for Dickens of course.
carolyn_ky
9 years ago
Anne Perry has written a novelette at Christmas for the past 12 or 14 years. Each year she features one of the minor characters from one of her two long series, the William and Hester Monk and the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books.
lemonhead101
9 years ago
There is a vintage mystery series of titles published by the venerable British Library called the British Library Crime Classics, and there are some Christmas-y titles on there. I bought Crimson Snow: Winter Mysteries (ed. Martin Edwards) when I was on vacay in England the other day, but it seems that there are quite a few others from which to choose.
ginny12
Original Author
9 years ago
Just a note to thank you all for the suggestions. I bought two and read them. A Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer, set in an English country house. Enjoyable if not brilliant but it has a twist at the end all who love books will enjoy. Won't divulge any spoilers. While I never read short stories, I loved Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries, ed. Martin Edwards, part of the British Library Crime Classics series. These are all enhanced by very attractive covers. I have saved others of your recommendations for next year. Thanks for this gift from RP members.

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