Once I started doing some research, it didn't take me long to realize that November has a bumper crop of excellent new crime fiction. Whether buying for yourself or other book lovers, here are my picks for the top Christmas-themed mysteries. There's a good range for almost any taste from vintage to present day. Just so you know, following this post will be my regular one with more New Mystery Goodness!
All the books are grouped by release date and have the information you'll need to find them at all your favorite book procurement locations. Synopses are courtesy of Amazon. Happy Reading!
=== Available Now ===
Title: The Santa Klaus Murder
Author: Mavis Hay
Standalone, originally published in the 1930s, set in England
ISBN: 9781464204951
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Paperback, 252 pages
Synopsis: "Aunt Mildred declared that no good could come of the Melbury family
Christmas gatherings at their country residence Flaxmere. So when Sir
Osmond Melbury, the family patriarch, is discovered – by a guest dressed
as Santa Klaus – with a bullet in his head on Christmas Day, the
festivities are plunged into chaos. Nearly every member of the party
stands to reap some sort of benefit from Sir Osmond’s death, but Santa
Klaus, the one person who seems to have every opportunity to fire the
shot, has no apparent motive. Various members of the family have their
private suspicions about the identity of the murderer, and the Chief
Constable of Haulmshire, who begins his investigations by saying that he
knows the family too well and that is his difficulty, wishes before
long that he understood them better. In the midst of mistrust,
suspicion, and hatred, it emerges that there was not one Santa Klaus,
but two. The Santa Klaus Murder is a classic country-house mystery that
was rediscovered by the British Library and became one of the first
novels in the Crime Classics series."
Title: Jingle Bones
Author: Carolyn Haines
Digital Short Story, part of the Sarah Booth Delaney cozy series set in Mississippi
eISBN: 9781250089069
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
eBook, 53 pages
Sarah Booth just wants the perfect Christmas
holiday. Even with the dissolution of her engagement, she refuses to
lose her Christmas spirit. But when Theodora Prince--an ex classmate
and current Pastor's wife--comes calling with a year-old case and cash
upfront, Sarah Booth must find the truth about the boys who ruined last
year's Christmas pageant in time to stop them from doing it again."
Title: A Christmas Howl
Author: Laurien Berenson
Digital Short Story, prequel to the Melanie Travis cozy series set in Connecticut
eISBN: 9781496703507
Publisher: Kensington
eBook, 75 pages
*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books
Synopsis: "Ever wonder what Melanie and Aunt Peg were up to before solving
murders? Let’s step back in time, when college-aged Melanie and her
indomitable Aunt Peg were little more than strangers…
It’s Christmas in Connecticut, and Peg Turnbull can’t wait to spend her favorite holiday cozying up to husband Max and their clan of pedigree Poodles in Greenwich. But Peg’s spirits drop when the family of Max’s estranged brother Michael invites the pair over for Christmas dinner. Could her in-laws want to settle the long-standing feud over Nana’s will? Peg isn’t expecting any miracles, but it’s been ages since Peg last saw her niece and nephew. Little Melanie must be out of pigtails by now…
When they arrive at the Turnbull’s, Peg is not just surprised by how much Melanie has grown up. The family has spared no expense in preparing for the festivities—unusual, considering Michael blew his inheritance after years of financial troubles. Peg suspects there’s an awful secret tucked beneath her brother-in-law’s ostentatious good cheer, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. Once she does, someone’s ending up in the doghouse…"
It’s Christmas in Connecticut, and Peg Turnbull can’t wait to spend her favorite holiday cozying up to husband Max and their clan of pedigree Poodles in Greenwich. But Peg’s spirits drop when the family of Max’s estranged brother Michael invites the pair over for Christmas dinner. Could her in-laws want to settle the long-standing feud over Nana’s will? Peg isn’t expecting any miracles, but it’s been ages since Peg last saw her niece and nephew. Little Melanie must be out of pigtails by now…
When they arrive at the Turnbull’s, Peg is not just surprised by how much Melanie has grown up. The family has spared no expense in preparing for the festivities—unusual, considering Michael blew his inheritance after years of financial troubles. Peg suspects there’s an awful secret tucked beneath her brother-in-law’s ostentatious good cheer, and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. Once she does, someone’s ending up in the doghouse…"
Title: The Bark Before Christmas
Author: Laurien Berenson
Series: #18 in the Melanie Travis cozy series set in Connecticut
ISBN: 9780758284587
Publisher: Kensington
Hardcover, 304 pages
There’s nothing lovelier than Christmas in Connecticut, but Melanie can scarcely find a moment to enjoy the festivities. With her youngest son approaching toddlerhood, she’s decided to return to her old job at Howard Academy, a posh private school attended by the children of Greenwich’s well-heeled gentry. Balancing work, motherhood, and the hectic dog show circuit takes some fancy footwork, especially when the headmaster taps her to be the chairman of the school’s Christmas Bazaar.
The Christmas Bazaar is
Howard Academy’s biggest and most important fundraiser, so Melanie
feels the pressure to make it a huge success. She even enlists her
longsuffering sister-in-law Bertie to help with the Santa Claus and Pets
Photo Booth. But everything goes awry when a prize show dog goes
missing and Santa turns up dead. The dog’s owner is one of the school’s
most perfectly pedigreed alums, and she enlists Melanie to help find the
purloined pooch. But just as Melanie starts pawing at the truth, she
digs up a sleighful of sinister secrets that leaves everyone feeling
less than merry…"
=== November 3 ===
Title: White Colander Crime
Author: Victoria Hamilton
Series: #5 in the Vintage Kitchen cozy series set in Michigan
ISBN: 9780425271407
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Synopsis: "Queensville has great expectations for their Dickens Days festival. A
tourist-trade boon boom means a big turnout for the opening of
Queensville Historic Manor and for Jaymie Leighton, food columnist and
vintage cookware collector, a chance to promote the manor and give away
homemade goodies. At the end of a long day of festival fun, Jaymie
discovers the battered body of local woman Shelby Fretter.
Shelby predicted her own murder in journal entries—and all clues point to Cody Wainwright, the troubled son of Jaymie’s beleaguered newspaper editor. But considering the entire Fretter family had its share of dirty secrets, Jaymie’s not convinced by the case against Cody. With twists all over, she’s going to have to work like the Dickens to wrap up this investigation before Christmas—especially with the real killer ready to kill again."
Shelby predicted her own murder in journal entries—and all clues point to Cody Wainwright, the troubled son of Jaymie’s beleaguered newspaper editor. But considering the entire Fretter family had its share of dirty secrets, Jaymie’s not convinced by the case against Cody. With twists all over, she’s going to have to work like the Dickens to wrap up this investigation before Christmas—especially with the real killer ready to kill again."
Title: The Candy Cane Cupcake Killer
Author: Livia J. Washburn
Series: #10 in the Fresh-Baked cozy series set in Texas
ISBN: 9780451416711
Publisher: NAL
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Synopsis: "‘Tis the season in Weatherford, Texas, and everyone in town is gearing
up for the annual holiday parade and tree-lighting ceremony in the town
square, where Phyllis Newsom will be serving her much-anticipated candy
cane cupcakes. Local rancher Barney McCrory manages to charm one away
from her before the ceremony begins. But unfortunately, when the minty
confection is finished, so is he.
This isn’t the first time someone has dropped dead after eating one of Phyllis’s treats. But when the paramedics determine the rancher was shot, suspicion swiftly falls on McCrory’s daughter and her husband—who both stand to reap some sweet rewards from his death. Though Phyllis doesn’t want to get mixed up in another murder investigation, something about this case doesn’t sit right with her. With a little help from a tabloid TV news crew, Phyllis must unwrap the truth and restore good cheer to Weatherford before it’s too late…"
This isn’t the first time someone has dropped dead after eating one of Phyllis’s treats. But when the paramedics determine the rancher was shot, suspicion swiftly falls on McCrory’s daughter and her husband—who both stand to reap some sweet rewards from his death. Though Phyllis doesn’t want to get mixed up in another murder investigation, something about this case doesn’t sit right with her. With a little help from a tabloid TV news crew, Phyllis must unwrap the truth and restore good cheer to Weatherford before it’s too late…"
Title: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen
Author: Vicki Delany
Series: #1 in the Year Round Christmas cozy series set in New York state
ISBN: 9780425280805
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Synopsis: "As the owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, Merry Wilkinson knows how to
decorate homes for the holidays. That’s why she thinks her float in the
semi-annual Santa Claus parade is a shoe-in for best in show. But when
the tractor pulling Merry’s float is sabotaged, she has to face facts:
there’s a Scrooge in Christmas Town.
Merry isn’t ready to point fingers, especially with a journalist in town writing a puff piece about Rudolph’s Christmas spirit. But when she stumbles upon the reporter’s body on a late night dog walk—and police suspect he was poisoned by a gingerbread cookie crafted by her best friend, Vicky—Merry will have to put down the jingle bells and figure out who’s really been grinching about town, before Vicky ends up on Santa’s naughty list…"
Merry isn’t ready to point fingers, especially with a journalist in town writing a puff piece about Rudolph’s Christmas spirit. But when she stumbles upon the reporter’s body on a late night dog walk—and police suspect he was poisoned by a gingerbread cookie crafted by her best friend, Vicky—Merry will have to put down the jingle bells and figure out who’s really been grinching about town, before Vicky ends up on Santa’s naughty list…"
Title: Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries
Edited by Martin Edwards
Standalone Short Story Collection, Vintage British mysteries
ISBN: 9781464204999
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Paperback, 298 pages
*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books
Crime writers are just as susceptible
as readers to the countless attractions of Christmas. Over the years,
many distinguished practitioners of the genre have given one or more of
their stories a Yuletide setting. The most memorable Christmas mysteries
blend a lively storyline with an atmospheric evocation of the season.
Getting the mixture right is much harder than it looks.
Synopsis: "Christmas lights twinkle throughout the cozy coastal town of Rocky
Point, New Hampshire, and Prescott's Antiques auction venue has been
transformed into a winter wonderland for Josie Prescott's annual holiday
party. Josie is especially excited this year-Ian Bennington, a
recently discovered distant relative, will be joining the fun. Both Ian
and Josie are, it seems, descended from Arabella Churchill, a 17th
century royal mistress. The party is a success and Ian is a hit. It
gives Josie an unexpected thrill to have family-and unexpected dread
when he vanishes.
Ian doesn't keep his dinner date with Josie's good friend, Lavinia, or his lunch date with her. Surely, he would have done so-if he could. Ian has given his daughter two priceless 17th century watercolor miniature portraits, one of Arabella and one of her lover, King James II, and they've gone missing, too. Knowing that after her nasty divorce, Lavinia is facing financial ruin, Josie can't help wondering if her friend is behind the theft-and Ian's disappearance.
Determined to find Ian, Josie uses her knowledge of antiques to track the miniatures. In doing so, she learns the true meaning of Christmas-and the true meaning of family."
This book
introduces of readers to some of the finest Christmas detective stories
of the past. Martin Edwards’ selection blends festive pieces from
much-loved authors with one or two stories which are likely to be
unfamiliar even to diehard mystery fans. The result is a collection of
crime fiction to savor, whatever the season."
=== November 10 ===
Title: A Christmas Escape
Author: Anne Perry
Series: #13 in the historical Christmas Mysteries series
ISBN: 9780553391411
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Hardcover, 176 pages
Synopsis: "Lonely Charles Latterly arrives at his small hotel hoping that the
island’s blue skies and gentle breezes will brighten his spirits.
Unfortunately, there’s no holiday cheer to be found among his fellow
guests, who include a pompous novelist, a stuffy colonel, a dangerously
ill-matched married couple, and an ailing old man. The one charming
exception is orphaned teenager Candace Finbar, who takes Charles under
her wing and introduces him to the island’s beauty. But the tranquility
of the holiday is swiftly disrupted by a violent quarrel, an unpleasant
gentleman’s shocking claims of being stalked, and the ominous stirrings
of the local volcano. Then events take an even darker turn: A body is
found, and Charles quickly realizes that the killer must be among the
group of guests."
=== November 24 ===
Title: Santa 365, A Chet and Bernie Mystery eShort Story
Author: Spencer Quinn
Digital Short Story, an addition to the Chet and Bernie Private Investigator series set in Arizona
eISBN: 9781476703671
Publisher: Atria Books
eBook, 64 pages
*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books
Synopsis: "Santa doesn’t just deliver gifts—he takes them too!—in this delightful holiday e-short featuring New York Times bestselling sleuths Chet and Bernie.
He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. This year, jolly old St. Nick knows Bernie has been sleeping on preparations for a special Christmas celebration with his son Charlie. Enter Plumpy Napoleon, fresh from a short stint in prison, to save Bernie from the naughty list. Plumpy calls his latest business plan “Santa 365.” For a small fee (that only gets bigger), he’ll fill your life with holiday cheer, including elves, a festive party, gifts, and even a Christmas tree delivered right to your front door. Bernie signs on for the full yuletide experience. But after the blowout holiday bash, Bernie and Chet the dog discover one of Santa’s helpers helped himself to more than Christmas candy. The intrepid duo sets out to find the sticky-fingered perp and reclaim the stolen goods. Add in a surprise visit from Bernie’s mom, two elderly sisters seeking their own brand of justice, and an elf with a stocking full of secrets, and you have a Christmas mystery that only Chet and Bernie could possibly unwrap."
He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. This year, jolly old St. Nick knows Bernie has been sleeping on preparations for a special Christmas celebration with his son Charlie. Enter Plumpy Napoleon, fresh from a short stint in prison, to save Bernie from the naughty list. Plumpy calls his latest business plan “Santa 365.” For a small fee (that only gets bigger), he’ll fill your life with holiday cheer, including elves, a festive party, gifts, and even a Christmas tree delivered right to your front door. Bernie signs on for the full yuletide experience. But after the blowout holiday bash, Bernie and Chet the dog discover one of Santa’s helpers helped himself to more than Christmas candy. The intrepid duo sets out to find the sticky-fingered perp and reclaim the stolen goods. Add in a surprise visit from Bernie’s mom, two elderly sisters seeking their own brand of justice, and an elf with a stocking full of secrets, and you have a Christmas mystery that only Chet and Bernie could possibly unwrap."
=== December 1 ===
Title: Ornaments of Death
Author: Jane K. Cleland
Series: #10 in the Josie Prescott Antiques cozy series set in New Hampshire
ISBN: 9781250074539
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Hardcover, 304 pages
Ian doesn't keep his dinner date with Josie's good friend, Lavinia, or his lunch date with her. Surely, he would have done so-if he could. Ian has given his daughter two priceless 17th century watercolor miniature portraits, one of Arabella and one of her lover, King James II, and they've gone missing, too. Knowing that after her nasty divorce, Lavinia is facing financial ruin, Josie can't help wondering if her friend is behind the theft-and Ian's disappearance.
Determined to find Ian, Josie uses her knowledge of antiques to track the miniatures. In doing so, she learns the true meaning of Christmas-and the true meaning of family."
Title: Murder at Whitehall
Author: Amanda Carmack
Series: #4 in the Kate Haywood historical series set in mid-sixteenth century England
ISBN: 9780451475695
Publisher: NAL
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Synopsis: "1559. The Twelve Days of Christmas at Whitehall Palace will be
celebrated as a grand affair. But there are those who wish to usher in
the New Year by ending Queen Elizabeth’s reign....
Despite evenings of banquets and dancing, the European delegates attending Her Majesty’s holiday festivities are less interested in peace on earth than they are in fostering mistrust. Kate, the queen’s personal musician, hopes she can keep the royal guests entertained.
But then Queen Elizabeth receives a most unwanted gift—an anonymous letter that threatens to reveal untoward advances from her beloved Queen Catherine’s last husband, Thomas Seymour. Tasked with finding the extortionist, Kate has barely begun investigating when one of Spain’s visiting lords is found murdered. With two mysteries to unravel and an unsettling number of suspects to consider, Kate finds herself caught between an unscrupulous blackmailer and a cold-blooded killer...."
Despite evenings of banquets and dancing, the European delegates attending Her Majesty’s holiday festivities are less interested in peace on earth than they are in fostering mistrust. Kate, the queen’s personal musician, hopes she can keep the royal guests entertained.
But then Queen Elizabeth receives a most unwanted gift—an anonymous letter that threatens to reveal untoward advances from her beloved Queen Catherine’s last husband, Thomas Seymour. Tasked with finding the extortionist, Kate has barely begun investigating when one of Spain’s visiting lords is found murdered. With two mysteries to unravel and an unsettling number of suspects to consider, Kate finds herself caught between an unscrupulous blackmailer and a cold-blooded killer...."
Title: The Iced Princess
Author: Christine Husom
Series: #2 in the Snow Globe Shop cozy series set in Minnesota
ISBN: 9780425270813
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Synopsis: "It’s that time of the year again—the Christmas rush is about to
begin, and curio shop owner Camryn Brooks and her BFF, coffee shop owner
Alice “Pinky” Nelson, need to hire additional help. Their former
high-school classmate, Molly Dalton, is not exactly who they had in
mind. Has the rich socialite worked a day in her life? But Molly
practically begs for the job.
On her first day, Molly seems to be
in her own little world, and Cami worries that her new employee may
flake out. The problem turns out to be far worse than that when Cami
discovers Molly dead in the back of the shop, after drinking a poisoned
cup of coffee. Soon there is an avalanche of suspects as Cami starts
shoveling through the clues—including a shattered snow globe of Marilyn
Monroe. Now Cami will have to venture out of her safety zone before the
pathological poisoner stirs up more trouble..."
Well, these should satisfy your cravings for holiday murder and mayhem. I know I'm looking forward to reading a few of them myself! Did any of them get added to your wish lists? Which ones? You know inquiring minds would love to know!
Well, these should satisfy your cravings for holiday murder and mayhem. I know I'm looking forward to reading a few of them myself! Did any of them get added to your wish lists? Which ones? You know inquiring minds would love to know!
