Golden Age Christmas Mysteries

by Otto Penzler

Edgar Award-winning anthologist Otto Penzler selects Christmas-themed mysteries from the American authors active during the genre’s Golden Age, including stories by Mary Roberts Rinehart, John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, and more.


Christmas has served as a fertile background for mystery fiction for a very long time, perhaps because it has the appearance of a time of peace and love while being so deeply at odds with violence, crime, and even murder.



Many of the stories in this anthology have been written by some of the greatest Golden Age authors, undoubtedly inspired by the juxtaposition of the disparate elements of love and hate. There is a cliché about anthologies (and clichés become clichés because they are true) that compares them to a good party, where you see old friends and meet new ones—and this collection is a wonderful example. It offers such giants of the genre as Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts Rinehart, John D. MacDonald, and John Dickson Carr while introducing you to such lesser-known writers as Norvell Page, Meredith Nicholson, and Pat Frank.



The range of subjects and styles may be surprising, ranging from truly chilling to heart-warming to hilarious to puzzling. This is no accident, of course, since genuinely talented authors have their own voices and, like snowflakes, no two are alike. Golden Age Christmas Mysteries is the perfect gift for the season, to be read on a cold, snowy night, in a comfortable chair near a blazing fire.

Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2025

About the author

Otto Penzler is an editor of mystery fiction in the United States, and proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, where he lives.

Otto Penzler founded The Mysteriour Press in 1975 and was the publisher of The Armchair Detective, the Edgar-winning quarterly journal devoted to the study of mystery and suspense fiction, for seventeen years.

Penzler has won two Edgar Awards, for The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection in 1977, and The Lineup in 2010. The Mystery Writers of America awarded him the prestigious Ellery Queen Award in 1994, and the Raven--the group's highest non-writing award--in 2003.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I think the difficulty of curating a good Golden Age mystery anthology means that new versions of this just aren’t going to be successful.

The introduction to this book mentions that most of these stories cannot be found anywhere else. And given their age and the popularity of Golden Age mystery stories, there’s probably a reason for that: After more than half a century of anthologizing stories like this, we’ve simply used up all the good ones.

It’s a bummer but it’s true: All the good stuff has been snarfed up by an anthologist who got there a long time ago. To get a good Golden Age mystery anthology (especially a Christmas collection), you need to either purchase an older book where the selections have not been exhausted and are thus of higher quality or seek out one in which current authors have written something reminiscent of this era and genre.

Otto Penzler is one of the best in the business in terms of curation of this sort, so if the quality of what he’s finding is this thin then I can only conclude that we’ve exhausted the supply.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.+

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like mysteries written between 1920-1960 and aren't holiday-theme averse, this is a great collection. It's got a little from many different flavors of mystery story, from noir to cozy to humorous. I appreciate the exposure to less well known writers - and any book that includes Damon Runyon is A+ in my book. My library buys most of the Penzler anthologies; this is a great addition to the short story collection.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" quite like a corpse under the tree and a butler who knows way too much about poisons. Golden Age Christmas Mysteries is less hot cocoa and cookies, more brandy-soaked blackmail, ghost-adjacent family drama, and at least one doll-related theft that made me stare at my nutcracker like he owed me answers. Edited by Otto Penzler and narrated by Jonathan Sleep (whose name sounds like he should be solving crimes in a velvet robe), this audiobook is basically vintage holiday chaos wrapped in crime scene tape.

This collection is a sleigh-full of short stories from the golden, gaslit glory days of mystery fiction — the era when everyone had secret wills in the wall safe and it was perfectly normal to host a murder investigation over sherry and fruitcake. You've got the big names: Ellery Queen playing intellectual gymnastics with a priceless doll in The Adventure of the Dauphin’s Doll. Mary Roberts Rinehart serving anxious rich people and butler gossip in The Butler’s Christmas Eve. Stanley Ellin turning familial resentment into an icy pressure cooker in Death on Christmas Eve, which is about as cheerful as your least favorite uncle giving a toast and then shivving someone with a nut pick.

And then... there's The Reversible Santa Claus by Meredith Nicholson, which is like if someone dared a 1930s author to write a feel-good heist movie and he crushed it. It’s got an eccentric millionaire, good intentions gone hilariously sideways, and the kind of twist that makes you want to bake cookies for the author’s ghost.

But like every holiday potluck, some of the offerings are, uh, less than delicious. A few stories feel like they were pulled from a dusty desk drawer and propped up with tinsel and vibes. There’s pacing that drags like a frozen corpse through the snow, and language that hasn’t aged so much as fossilized. (One or two characters definitely needed to be called out by HR, but unfortunately, it's 1947 and everyone’s just chain-smoking through their trauma.)

Jonathan Sleep does a solid job juggling accents and moods, his character voices are lively, and I respect the hell out of anyone who can convincingly perform both a snooty aristocrat and a panicked shopkeeper in the same scene. But his narration style leans a little to Downton Abbey Grocery List when he’s in omniscient mode. Not a dealbreaker, just... maybe drink your coffee before listening.

There’s also a story featuring Duncan Maclain, the blind detective from Silent Night by Baynard Kendrick. He’s solving wartime mysteries with the help of a seeing-eye dog and more competence than most sighted detectives in fiction or real life. Between that and John Dickson Carr's inevitable locked-room shenanigans, the collection gives you a proper sampler of every mystery flavor: psychological dread, drawing room puzzles, holiday noir, and “please tell me someone’s getting coal for this nonsense.”

Is it perfect? Nope. A few of the stories are about as subtle as a brick through a Christmas window, and not every twist sticks the landing. But when it hits, it hits, and the nostalgia factor is real. This isn't just a book, it’s a time capsule full of yuletide homicide, written by people who genuinely believed a good murder could bring the family together.

Final verdict? 3.5 stars. It’s like a vintage ornament box: gorgeous, fragile, a little weird, and might stab you with a glass shard if you're not careful. You’ll absolutely find a few gems to obsess over, even if some entries feel more fruitcake than firecracker.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Making Christmas Carols Feel Like Ominous Foreshadowing

Huge thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Golden Age Christmas Mysteries. Nothing says “holiday spirit” like a little vintage murder by the fire, and I fully lived for it. A perfectly twisted seasonal treat, I appreciate the invite to the crime before the decorations were even up.

[Darius Ostrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the weather getting chilly, it’s time for the Christmas-themed mysteries to start coming out. Otto Penzler gives us an early present with “Golden Age Christmas Mysteries”, a collection of short stories from the golden age (early to mid-twentieth century) of crime novels, all with a Christmas setting. We see some well-known authors, such as Ellery Queen and John Dickson Carr, as well as some that have faded away. As in any collection, there are some good and some not-so-good:

“Mystery for Christmas”: A story within a story, a bit clever but unnecessarily complicated.
“The Stolen Christmas Box”: Another bit of a complicated cipher and stolen jewel, not that much fun.
“Person or Things Unknown”: I tend not to be a fan of John Dickson Carr, this is a good example why. A story within the story about a mysterious room at the top of the stairs.
“Death on Christmas Eve”: A scary tale about a sister’s deadly obsession with her brother’s wife, with a bit of a shock at the end.
“If Christmas Comes”: A Hollywood murder story, fun.
“The Christmas Bogey”: A mysterious radar blip on Christmas Eve gets through our defenses. A stretch to call this a mystery story.
“Silent Night”: A blind detective helps to find a kidnapped little boy. Interesting.
“Dead on Christmas Street”: An excellent story about a secretary who was a witness to a crime and gets pushed out a window to her death.
“A Reversible Santa Claus”: A very long short story about a “reformed” robber who accidently kidnaps a toddler and gets led on a bunch of adventures. Too long, but somewhat entertaining.
“Crime’s Christmas Carol”: A couple both think they’ve each secretly committed a crime to make each other’s Christmas merry. Cute twist.
“The Adventure of the Dauphin’s Doll”: Ellery Queen’s predictable take on an impossible Christmas crime.
“The Butler’s Christmas Eve”: An old butler who was let go returns to his master to have Christmas together. Touching.
“Dancing Dan’s Christmas”: A bunch of drunks try to do the right thing at Christmas. Nothing special.
“The Wrong Santa Claus”: A detective solves a Christmas robbery one year after the fact. Also nothing special.

It seems that this collection has very few standouts, most are pretty run of the mill stories, some use Christmas very well while others could be set anytime.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Penzler Publishers, American Mystery Classics via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pretty good collection of old stuff. I picture Penzler picking up old issues of mystery magazines and anthologies from some inexhaustible stash in his library (check out the photos he's published, since he's selling; he has an estate in Connecticut, and I'm honestly surprised someone hasn't written a country-house mystery set at Otto Penzler's estate) and paging through them late at night to unearth little-recalled bits from the kinds of authors who consistently crop up here (John Dickson Carr, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Ellery Queen) and some more hard-boiled types he doesn't usually include (John D. MacDonald, Steve Fisher, Norvell Page). There's even a Damon Runyon story with a tinge of acid, which reminds me how much I used to love his work. The one author I'd never heard of, Meredith Nicholson, a completely forgotten (I mean, I've read obscurities like Fredric Brown and Paul Cain, and I'd never heard of Nichsolson) Midwestern realist, contributes a very long story that's sometimes exasperatingly cutesy but ultimately sort of sweet.

Thematically, it's kind of the usual--ironic contrast of murder at the holidays, one happy-ending rewrite of "The Gift of the Magi," another Vincent Starrett story that just doesn't do it for me (honestly, Penzler's intro makes it sound like Starrett gets a pass just because he was, like Penzler, an inveterate bibliophile), a Pat Frank military bit that boils down to a one-liner, a clever Boucher almost meta-mystery (for me, he's the best combination of writer and reviewer from this period). Would this have read differently if it's been ordered chronologically or thematically, as opposed to alphabetically? Feels like it might have accumulated something more that way. The Ellery Queen story, as usual, dispels, or redeems, maybe, its initial unbearable archness, and there are both excellent NYC lines ("street mobs, like children, are royalists at heart") and the usual gross period bits ("A good trick, like a good woman, is best in the dark"). I seem unable to resist these, and though I'm confident only Martin Edwards, who of course has published a British version of this, could rival Penzler in encyclopedic knowledge of the field...somehow I wasn't blown away.

[Carole Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of vintage stories curated by one of the best in the business

The title tells you almost everything you need to know about this book...it is a compilation of short stories, all mysteries of one sort or another, all originally published during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction (generally considered to be the 1920's through the 1940's or 1950's), and each having a connection to the Christmas season. The one thing that isn't expressly conveyed in the title is that all of the authors of these stories are American, an important distinction given the close association between the phrase Golden Age and British authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and the like. That said, the authors of the tales included in this collection are a mixture of very familiar names to those who read detective fiction (John Dickson Carr, John D. MacDonald, Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts Rinehart) and names that are not as well known these days. Otto Penzler, owner of NYC's iconic Mysterious Bookshop and the editor of the anthology, is one of if not the best in this sphere (he has been the series editor of the annual The Best American Mystery Stories since 1997), and writes a short introduction to each author/story included in the book, which makes for interesting reading in and of themselves. The stories represent different types of mystery/detective novels...some are humorous, some cozy while others are hard-boiled, and more. The language in some can feel a wee bit archaic which can detract from the story, but I enjoyed each tale and loved learning more about authors with whom I wasn't familiar. Fans of detective/mystery stories in general, of those written during the Golden Age, or just people who love a good Christmas/mystery mash-up should definitely grab a copy of this latest entry in Penzler's American Mystery Classics series. I suspect that, like the commercial for a certain potato chip used to say, you can't eat (or in this case, read) just one. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for allowing me access to this delightful sampler in exchange for my honest review.

[The Mystery Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐
Golden Age Christmas Mysteries edited by Otto Penzler is a solid anthology that brings together Christmas-themed mysteries from legendary authors, though the collection feels a bit uneven overall.

This collection features stories from Golden Age greats like Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts Rinehart, John D. MacDonald, and John Dickson Carr, alongside lesser-known writers like Norvell Page, Meredith Nicholson, and Pat Frank. Penzler explores how Christmas provides a fascinating backdrop for mystery fiction—the contrast between the holiday's peaceful, loving image and the darkness of crime and murder creates compelling tension.

What works well here is the variety. The stories range from genuinely chilling to heartwarming to humorous, showcasing how different authors brought their unique voices to the same seasonal theme. It's like attending a good party where you catch up with old friends and meet some interesting new faces. I particularly enjoyed the stories from the more established authors, and it was fun discovering a few lesser-known writers.
This is actually a great read if you're looking to find a new-to-you author and then dive into more of their work. The short story format lets you sample different writing styles without committing to a full novel, making it perfect for expanding your Golden Age mystery TBR.
However, as with most anthologies, some stories hit harder than others. A few felt dated or dragged in pacing, and not every tale lived up to the Golden Age reputation. The quality varies enough that some stories resonated more than others.

Perfect for reading by the fire on a cold winter night, especially if you're a fan of classic mysteries.

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[David Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife and I were browsing the shelves of our local Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago, when I came across this collection. One of my pleasures this time of year is reading seasonally themed works by the lights of our tree and other Christmas decorations, so I purchased this.

I consider the Mystery/Thriller genre to be my favorite and have read many works by the most well-known Gold Age authors, including Queen and Christie. Therefore, I was surprised at how few of the prolific authors whose works are included in this anthology I had ever heard of - let alone read.

The premise of the anthology is as follows:

"Christmas has served as a fertile background for mystery fiction for a very long time, perhaps because it has the appearance of a time of peace and love while being so deeply at odds with violence, crime, and even murder.

Many of the stories in this anthology have been written by some of the greatest Golden Age authors, undoubtedly inspired by the juxtaposition of the disparate elements of love and hate. There is a cliché about anthologies (and clichés become clichés because they are true) that compares them to a good party, where you see old friends and meet new ones—and this collection is a wonderful example. It offers such giants of the genre as Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts Rinehart, John D. MacDonald, and John Dickson Carr while introducing you to such lesser-known writers as Norvell Page, Meredith Nicholson, and Pat Frank.

The range of subjects and styles may be surprising, ranging from truly chilling to heart-warming to hilarious to puzzling. This is no accident, of course, since genuinely talented authors have their own voices and, like snowflakes, no two are alike. 'Golden Age Christmas Mysteries' is the perfect gift for the season, to be read on a cold, snowy night, in a comfortable chair near a blazing fire."

While I enjoyed some of the 13 stories and one novella, others were so dated that I struggled to appreciate them. That mixed response is why I chose three stars as my rating. I'm glad I bought it and read it. But I can't see myself ever rereading it, unlike many of the mysteries on my bookshelves.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing collection will put you in a Christmas spirit, regardless of when you read it. Otto Penzler brings together stories by the best of the best, 14 Yuletide treats by writers of the Golden Age, including some hard-to-find gems. Most of the authors are widely known: Mary Roberts Rinehart, John Dickson Carr or Ellery Queen (whose The Adventure of the Dauphin's Doll was one of my favorites here). Others were new to me. In keeping with the season, not only are they all set at Christmas, but their subject matter is “christmasy” in that the characters show some goodness in them. Sometimes. But there is still a wide variety. Stanley Ellin’s Death on Christmas Eve’s is really creepy. Baynard Kendrick’s entry is very suspenseful and has a wonderful twist at the end. There are tales of spies, mobsters and coppers. My favorite was probably Meredith Nicholson’s The Reversible Santa Claus, which made me smile. I didn’t love Jonathan Sleep’s performance when he’s the omniscient narrator, but he does make the voices of all the different characters work, so the audiobook is worth it. These are the masters and there is nothing negative to say about this. Penzler has impeccable taste so thank you for this early Christmas present.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Highbridge Audio.

[Anne Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any short story collection is going to have hits and misses and Otto Penzler's "Golden Age Christmas Mysteries" was no different. A collection of Golden Age mystery authors (though most of the stories themselves were first published in the late 40s-50s), these are stories you often can't find anywhere else, even if the author might be familiar. Ellery Queen, John Dickinson Carr, Mary Roberts Rinehart and more gather here with Christmas-time mystery stories. I've been deep into reading and researching Golden Age mysteries recently, so the chance to read these frequently inaccessible stories was exciting.

Short stories are usually good for getting a feel for the author's style. Some of these were clever, like Queen's "The Dauphin's Doll", while others like Pat Frank's "The Christmas Bogey" barely qualified to me as a mystery. You can see why many of these haven't been resurrected in other collections and for me, this wasn't a collection I'd be going back to often. The pacing was often slow, and I'd recommend taking a break in between stories to keep your interest. These were definitely not the pride of any of these writer's offerings.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never a fan of short stories until I discovered mystery anthologies edited by Otto Penzler but I am a huge fan of Christmas mysteries so I was thrilled to be granted the opportunity to read Golden Age Christmas Mysteries, a collection of 14 short stories from the early twentieth century edited by Penzler. The stories cover a whole range of styles from noir to heartwarming and I can honestly say, I enjoyed them all although, like in any collection, I liked some more than others. They were written by many of the greats from the Golden Age like Ellery Queen whose The Adventure of the Dauphin’s Doll was one of my favourites. But my absolute favourite was A Reversible Santa Claus by Meredith Nicholson, an author I was unfamiliar with before but whose works I will definitely be checking out in the future. So, if you’re like me and love Christmas Mysteries or well-written short mystery stories or have someone on your Christmas list who is a fan, you definitely need to check this one out.

I listened to an audiobook from Netgalley and Highbridge Audio narrated by Jonathan Sleep who does a terrific job bringing out all the thrills, chills, and more than few laughs from these stories.

[Liz Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebrated mystery and crime anthologist Otto Penzler brings us a new collection of Christmas mysteries, this time from the Golden Age. The collection of fourteen short stories comes from a variety of writers I’ve never heard of, and the stores ranged from creepy ghost stories to theft whodunnits, all within the delightful backdrop of Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed both the short stories themselves and the brief biographies Penzler includes of the authors themselves, giving us a glimpse into the writing careers of yesteryear. Although some of the references are quite dated and went right over my head, I was reallY pleased by the variety of stories included, a welcome change from today’s one-note abuse, violence, and murder novels.

I also appreciated that I could sit down and take in a story in thirty minutes or an hour. Penzler includes discussion questions at the end for small groups, making this a great book for crime-loving book clubs this Christmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact

Thank you to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tom Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to American mystery fiction, no one is as knowledgeable as Otto Penzler. Owner of the Mysterious Bookshop and Penzler Press, he has, through the American Mystery Classics series, brought numerous previously forgotten mystery novels back into print. Their latest release, Golden Age Christmas Mysteries, is a wonderful anthology of holidays themed mysteries.

The fourteen stories in this collection cover a wide range of authors who wrote during the first half of the 20th century. Some of the authors are more familiar as their novels have been republished as part of the American Mystery Classics series: Anthony Boucher, Carter Dickson, Ellery Queen, and Mary Roberts Rhinehart. But the anthology includes stories by Pat Frank, Meredith Nicholson, and Norrell Page, for example, who were all new to me but just as enjoyable as those writers whose work I had read before. It's a testament to.his editorial skill that Otto Penzler can craft a thoroughly diverse and entertaining anthology.

Whether new to Golden Age detective fiction or a long-term fan like myself this anthology will be a wonderful addition to your library. Plus, it will make a great Christmas gift for the reader in your life.

Thanks to Penzler Press and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.for this review. No other consideration was received in exchange for this review.

[Lilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Age Christmas Mysteries

Oh how interesting, informative, and historical. Different era’s in time all crime… some had some twists but good twists… the only one that was difficult for me to listen to was the Pearl Harbor one…(Hits too close to my modern day reality) Therefore, I will say I had to skip parts in order to keep listening but it was good one!!

I loved the narrator he was perfect… the music and background equally awesome!!!

Last chapter spoke of a drink the Tom and Jerry. I’m curious to try this classic cherished holiday drink that was popular in the 1920s.

Author Otto Penzler put these short crime stories together with love & respect. Giving attention to detail in each story with passion and admiration. (In my opinion) Allowing a reader like myself a chance to experience yesterday’s crime stories in a captivating way!!

Overall, I really enjoyed all the short stories and new information I learned!! A book I didn’t know I needed. I’m always fascinated by history and eager to hear new to me stories. I highly recommend if you enjoy good short crime stories!!

Thank you, NetGalley, HighBridge | Highbridge Audio!!

[Whitney LaCoste · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of very fun, entertaining stories in here. My favorites were "The Stolen Christmas Box" by Lillian de la Torre and "A Reversible Santa Clause" by Meredith Nicholson. "Death on Christmas Eve" by Stanley Ellin and "If Christmas Comes" by Steve Fisher were also very good but much darker in tone in spite of an overall Christmas setting. The opening and ending stories were extremely similar and frankly pretty boring ("Mystery For Christmas" and "The Wrong Santa Claus") and the rest were entertaining but mostly forgettable. There were also quite few little typos and issues in the introductory sections for the stories that gave a sloppy feel to the collection:

"Carr also enjoyed collaborated (should be collaborating) on Fatal Descent" page 55.

"He went to a familiar them (should be theme), not at all humours" page 109.

"Featured his famous sleuth, Jimmie Valentine (should be Jimmie Lavender), whose earliest adventures were collected in The Case-Book of Jimmy Lavender" page 326.

But it was still interesting to learn more about this period in the genre and a fun Christmas read.

[Gerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting collection of Christmas mysteries with several authors that I was familiar with and many that were new to me. There were short author bios before each story which were quite interesting and enlightening. I enjoyed them almost as much as the stories. I discovered that even though I wasn’t familiar with some of the authors, I was familiar with some of their work. Some had written for older movies and surprisingly, some had written for TV shows that I loved as a child and teenager, like Longstreet (a blind insurance investigator) and Starsky and Hutch among others. Some of the authors were ones that I was familiar with and had read previously like John D. MacDonald and Mary Roberts Rinehart. The stories were all new to me and there’s a good variety. Definitely something for all kinds of mystery readers. This will be a fun one to revisit during the holiday season sitting in front of the fire with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket.





#GoldenAgeChristmasMysteries #Netgalley

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for an introduction to many of the early mystery writers, this is a great book! While all are Christmas themed in some way or another, they are as varied and different as a box of chocolates. I did walk away with a feel for each writer's style, but at times found some of the language a bit challenge. As with all good short story anthologies, I found some I really enjoyed while others were not quite as entertaining for me. There were a few that were fairly easy to predict, while others had more than enough surprises to keep me guessing. All in all, I'd say this was an interesting read at Christmas or anytime you want to sample the early masters of the craft.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Michael Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a recent release in the American Mystery Classics. Otto Penzler, the major domo of the series, is the editor.

The golden age of American mystery stories is usually considered the 1920s and 30s. Penzler stretches it to include stories from 1917 to 1957. This is an entertaining collection. The stories all happen around Christmas time and many of them happen at Christmas parties. Ellery Queen's story starts by claiming that there is a law "that stories about Christmas must have children." Many of these stories obey that law.

One of my favorite Damon Runyon stories, "Dancing Dan's Christmas" is included. There is a story which has a huge plot hole because the author evidently has never seen blood in water. John D. MacDonald has an excellent noir flavored story.

This is a good idea well executed.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ALC.

Most people think of family, roaring fires, and fluffy white snow. I like to take a different approach: body under the tree and brandy soaked blackmail, ghost related family drama. Christmas used to be a time for ghost stories, and I'm all about it.

Otto Penzler has released so many wonderful collections of mysteries and detective novels, and I was so excited to get this one. We have some big name authors: Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts inehart, Stanley Ellin and Meredith Nicholson.

Some offerings will be more enjoyable than others, just like your family potluck. But it's a great listen around the holiday season to remind us of the creepy, ghosty and criminal of the holiday season.

4 stars.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover a collection of classic mysteries set against the backdrop of Christmas, where peace and goodwill are disrupted by crime and suspense. This anthology features stories from both legendary and forgotten authors, offering a diverse and captivating read for the holiday season.

This collection is full of fun stories and new-to-me authors. The book can be read cover-to-cover or one story at a time whenever you have a few minutes. It would make a great holiday gift for mystery lovers.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Mrs. Jackal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as the title says. This book is a collection of mysteries having to do with or taking place on Christmas by some notable mystery writers of the Golden Age. While most of the stories were quite good, a few were just ok. Overall though I think the hardest part about this book is simply that writing has changed quite a bit since the early 1900s. And so the writing style felt unfamiliar.
But this is a great book to snuggle up and read by yourself or with a loved one during long winter nights when you just need a little mystery and a little big of Christmas spirit.

[Jessica Debono · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

Was contemplating DNFing after the first 4 short stories. These were truly painful to get through, it was almost as if editing did not exist during the time period they were written.

However I quite enjoyed every other story after that. I’m glad I decided to give a bit more of a chance.

The stories were really quaint and almost sweet to listen to despite their content. You can tell they were written during a simpler time in life.

ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Leah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A set of quirky mysteries set around Christmas time, most of which written in the 40s/50s. Not my typical genre, but glad I gave it a shot.

I listened to the audio version, and while the narrator was not 'bad', I don't think he was the correct choice. When he spoke as the female characters it missed the mark a bit and pulled me out of the story.

Many thanks to the publisher/ author/ NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this arc.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this over a couple of weeks, a story or two at a time. I found the narrator rather flat which I think detracted from some of the stories, an eclectic mix of mysteries set around Christmas time. On the whole I was a bit disappointed with the book, mainly I think due to the narrator, some stories were rather mundane whilst none really stood out to me.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

This is a review of the audiobook.

[PeggySue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golden Age Christmas Mysteries
Otto Penzler
Narrator, Jonathan Sleep
This was a very enjoyable compilation of holiday mysteries by some excellent authors including Anthony Boucher, John Dickson Carr, Ellery McQueen, John D. McDonald, Damon Runyon, and my personal favorite, Mary Roberts Rinehart. This would be an excellent addition to anyone’s collection of Christmas Mysteries. Including mine, (hint, hint).
Thanks to NetGalley

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't recognize many names in this anthology, but that is probably more because of the era in which these stories were published -- early and mid-20th century. Most of these mysteries were quite good. I especially liked:"Death on Christmas Eve," Crime'S Christmas Carol," and "The Adventure of the Dauphin's Doll." This last story was written by Ellery Queen, and I think it's the first short story I've read by this famous author. I liked not only the story, but also its style.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories by Otto Penzler, many of which I hadn't read before (and I read a lot of christmas mystery stories.) Most were taken from the Ellery Queen magazine and some have aged better than others; the writing was certainly different at the time many of them were written. Of course, one of them stars the detective himself.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Golden Age Christmas Mysteries is not your cheery, cozy Christmas collection. For the most part, the stories are darker tales set at Christmas time. The stories and mysteries are well-done, but may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Thanks to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Julie Friar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of mysteries set around the Christmas period. Variety of themes and characters but all good.

Well written selection of short stories and well narrated book (I listened to the audiobook). Lots of characters for us to enjoy in well paced Christmas short stories.

[Dominique Kruger-Logan]

This was unfortunately a dnf for me. That is nothing to say about the book at all, I just could not get into it at this stage. I think for anyone wanting to get into the christmas spirit they would greatly appreciate it. It just was not the right book for me at this moment.