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Christmas Stalkings: Tales of Yuletide Murder
When the days grow short and cold weather forces cranky people together in cramped quarters, certain persons often turn to thoughts of getting rid of all the other people and having the fireside to themselves. Those certain persons are, of course, mystery writers. Luckily for the rest of us, their homicidal urges have been channeled into the creation of a baker's dozen of stories of Yuletide murder by such mystery writers as Elizabeth Peters, Robert Barnard, John Malcolm and Charlotte MacLeod herself.
Counterfeit Christmas / Charlotte MacLeod
The running of the deer / Reginald Hill
Liz Peters, PI / Elizabeth Peters
Angels / Medora Sale
The only true unraveller / John Malcolm
The January sale stowaway / Dorothy Cannell
The Santa Claus caper / Bill Crider
Family Christmas / Patricia Moyes
Miss Melville rejoices / Evelyn E. Smith
Two in the bush / Eric Wright
The fabulous Nick / Mickey Friedman
A political necessity / Robert Barnard
Fruitcake, mercy, and black-eyed peas / Margaret Maron
Counterfeit Christmas / Charlotte MacLeod
The running of the deer / Reginald Hill
Liz Peters, PI / Elizabeth Peters
Angels / Medora Sale
The only true unraveller / John Malcolm
The January sale stowaway / Dorothy Cannell
The Santa Claus caper / Bill Crider
Family Christmas / Patricia Moyes
Miss Melville rejoices / Evelyn E. Smith
Two in the bush / Eric Wright
The fabulous Nick / Mickey Friedman
A political necessity / Robert Barnard
Fruitcake, mercy, and black-eyed peas / Margaret Maron
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
647 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte MacLeod
92 books257 followersNaturalized US Citizen
Also wrote as Alisa Craig
Charlotte MacLeod, born in New Brunswick, Canada, and a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the multi-award-winning author of over thirty acclaimed novels. Her series featuring detective Professor Peter Shandy, America's homegrown Hercule Poirot, delivers "generous dollops of...warmth, wit, and whimsy" (San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle). But fully a dozen novels star her popular husband-and-wife team of Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn. And her native Canada provides a backdrop for the amusing Grub-and-Stakers cozies written under the pseudonym Alisa Craig and the almost-police procedurals starring Madoc Rhys, RCMP. A cofounder and past president of the American Crime Writers League, she also edited the bestselling anthologies Mistletoe Mysteries and Christmas Stalkings.
Also wrote as Alisa Craig
Charlotte MacLeod, born in New Brunswick, Canada, and a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the multi-award-winning author of over thirty acclaimed novels. Her series featuring detective Professor Peter Shandy, America's homegrown Hercule Poirot, delivers "generous dollops of...warmth, wit, and whimsy" (San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle). But fully a dozen novels star her popular husband-and-wife team of Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn. And her native Canada provides a backdrop for the amusing Grub-and-Stakers cozies written under the pseudonym Alisa Craig and the almost-police procedurals starring Madoc Rhys, RCMP. A cofounder and past president of the American Crime Writers League, she also edited the bestselling anthologies Mistletoe Mysteries and Christmas Stalkings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 19, 2016
This book has an assortment of stories and authors. These are not easy, light-hearted Christmas feel-good stories. They are mostly dark and none have what I would call happy endings.
I won't list all the stories here, but a couple of notable stories are:
FRUITCAKE, MERCY, and BLACK-EYED PEAS by Margaret Maron - A lawyer helps a woman who has been stealing baby items. But, why does she do it when she doesn't have a baby?
A POLITICAL NECESSITY by Robert Barnard - A politician plots to kill his wife at Christmas
Most of them are pretty good, a couple not quite as interesting as the others.
Many thanks to Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
I won't list all the stories here, but a couple of notable stories are:
FRUITCAKE, MERCY, and BLACK-EYED PEAS by Margaret Maron - A lawyer helps a woman who has been stealing baby items. But, why does she do it when she doesn't have a baby?
A POLITICAL NECESSITY by Robert Barnard - A politician plots to kill his wife at Christmas
Most of them are pretty good, a couple not quite as interesting as the others.
Many thanks to Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
November 28, 2025
'Christmas Stalkings'' a collection of thirteen Christmas-themed short stories by well-known crime writers was a fun way to read myself into the spirit of Christmas. Even though some of the stories are about murders, they're pleasantly free of violence and gore. A number of them are 'Christmas Special' appearances by the detectives who made their writers famous. Some are amusing. Most are clever. All of them are well-written. If you're looking for a collection of short stories that you can did into as you sip your eggnog and open yourself up to Christmas, I recommend 'Christmas Stalkings'.
Charlotte MacLeod, who was a co-founder and then President of the American Crime Writers League, seems to have known everyone in the crime-writing business. She's garnered stories from an impressive and diverse set of authors. Published in 1991, 'Christmas Stalkings' features stories from writers who made their reputations in the 70s and 80s. I was reading Science Fiction and not Crime back then, so many of the writers were new to me. I came away from this collection keen to read novels by Reginald Hill, Medora Sale, Patricia Moyes and Evelyn E Smith.
I've given each story a rating and a short review below.
COUNTERFEIT CHRISTMAS by Charlotte MacLeod ★★★
I almost skipped this story when I saw it featured Peter Shandy. A few years ago, I tried to read Charlotte MacLeod Christmas crib novel ‘Rest You Merry’, featuring Peter Shandy. I abandoned it on Christmas Eve unfinished. The only thing I enjoyed about it was writing a piece of doggrel as a review. If you’re curious, you can find it HERE.
Despite my earlier experience, I decided to give ‘Counterfeit Christmas’ a try. I’m glad I did. It was slight but charming story, full of Christmas spirit but free from maudlin sentimentality. I enjoyed watching Shandy come up with a clever and pleasant way of dealing with a counterfeiter.
Now I’m wondering if I judged ‘Rest You Merry’ too harshly.
THE RUNNING OF THE DEER by Reginald Hill ★★★★
I haven’t read any of Reginald Hill’s books, although I enjoyed the TV adaptation of his Dalziel and Pascoe stories. I had no idea that he had a series featuring Joe Sixsmith, a black Brit from Luton who used his redundancy money to set himself up as a Private Detective.
‘The Running of the Deer’ was a good introduction to Joe. He’s not your usual PI. He has no idea what he’s doing really. But he has knack for finding things out, even if it’s sometimes by accident. This story took him from Luton to the wilds of Cumbria where he floundered about on the hills, fell into a bog and drank with the locals until he finally figured out what was really going on. It was clever, down to earth and delivered with wry humour.
I’ll be reading more Reginald Hill, starting with ‘Blood Sympathy’
LIZ PETERS, PI by Elizabeth Peters ★★★
This was a smile. It was Elizabeth Peters having fun with a Christmas story in which she casts herself as a mystery writer who is a PI on the side. The style was a playful tilt at noir. The story was 'Gumshoe' meets 'A Christmas Carol', (right down to having a candidate for Tiny Tim) plus some satire at the dumb behaviour of men. This managed to be cozy, ironic and slightly snarky all at the same time.
Plus, I learned that the USA, where the right to bear arms is written into the constitution, banned women from having hatpins of ten inches in length in case women used them as a lethal weapon. Could there be a more phallic symbol of male fragility? If you're interested, check out this article in the Smithsonian Magazine
ANGELS by Medora Sale ★★★★
'Angels' is about a cold blooded assasination at a children's Christmas Pageant. The solution at the end is so rapid, if you blink you'll miss it. So I ought to be going - not cosy and a bit of a meh mystery. Instead I'm going - this really caught the atmosphere of a Christmas pageant at a posh girls' school, I liked the people, enjoyed the humour, found the idea original and thought the ending worked. I think that's all down to how Medora Sale writes.
The detective in this was borrowed from her six-book John Sanders/Harriet Jeffries Mystsery series. I'm going to give the first one. 'Murder On The Run' (1986) a try.
THE ONLY TRUE UNRAVELLER by John Malcolm ★★★★
On an unusually snowy Christmas Eve, two old friends walk through a cemetery, searching for a specific grave that one man wants to show the other. As the day darkens and the weather worsens, the civilised conversation between the two men develops an edge that builds into a sense of menace and then of doom. What was erudite becomes primal and deadly.
It’s beautifully done. The pace is perfectly controlled. The structure reminds me of Poe: inexorable, unhurried and chilling.
The story was published in 1991 but the language is that of an educated Englishman of the 1950s. It is rich, precise, complex but clear, giving the story a civilised tone deliberately at odds with th violent and visceral content.
THE JANUARY SALE STOWAWAY by Dorothy Cannell
The humour in this didn't work for me. It felt too much like a children's story so, I set it aside.
THE SANTA CLAUS CAPER by Bill Crider ★★
This was competently done but not my sort of thing. Neither of the two men in the story, both of whom were trying to date the same woman, interested me. They felt real enough, I just wouldn't want to spend time with either of them. The woman felt more like a concept than a person. The story didn't capture my interest because it was more about the two men than about solving the slight but clever mystery of who was stealing from the department store at Christmas.
FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Patricia Moyes ★★★
A sad, slightly dark tale, told in a gentle almost whimsical tone that made everything sound harmless and cosy when it was actually lethal and tragic.
I admired the storytelling. It's reminded me that I have Patricia Moyes' debut novel 'Dead Men Don't Ski' in my TBR. I must dig it out soon.
MISS MELVILLE REJOICES by Evelyn E. Smith ★★★★★
This was fun. Dark, quirky fun but fun all the same and with a Festive feel. Yes it's a story about an assassin but she's a civilised, interesting assassin who intends to kill someone who does not deserve to be allowed to live. True, killing on Christmas Eve is a little tacky but you have to play the hand you're dealt.
This was my first encounter with Miss Melville, Evelyn Smith's wonderful creation, but it won't be my last. I'm adding 'Miss Melville Regrets' (1986) to my shelves.
TWO IN THE BUSH by Eric Wright ★★★
A story about East End criminals sorting out their grievances at Christmas time was unlikely to win my heart. Even so, my curiosity pulled me into the story. I needed to know how the criminals were going to use the Salvation Army to take down their opponent.
THE FABULOUS NICK by Mickey Friedman ★★★★
A fun tale of Santa, posing as Chimney repair man, solving a crime that has resulted in a young boy hating Santa. This was simple but engaging. I enjoyed meeting Santa. The puzzle was interesting. And I found out just how much of a cookie addict Santa is.
A POLICTICAL NECESSITY ★★★★
I'll happily confess to bias here. A big part of my enjoyment of the story was my growing hope that a slime-ball Tory politician was going to get what he deserved rather than what he was certain he was entitled to. The rest of my enjoyment came from trying to figure out how that would happen. I didn't see the twist coming but I enjoyed it when it arrived and I enjoyed the satirical tone throughout.
I also learned about the existence of the Norwegian Christmas Gnome. It was mentioned so I had to look it up. Now I know who really delivers the presents in much of Scandinavia. If you're interested, heres a link to NISSE
FRUITCAKE, MERCY AND BLACK-EYED PEAS by Margaret Maron ★★★
A heartwarming tale with a distinctive North Carolina flavour. Set between Christmas and New Year's day, this story made me smile because it managed to be kind and credible while looking squarely in the eye of some difficult things. Not cosy in an unrealistic way, but human and gentle and full of the best kind of Christmas spirit.
Charlotte MacLeod, who was a co-founder and then President of the American Crime Writers League, seems to have known everyone in the crime-writing business. She's garnered stories from an impressive and diverse set of authors. Published in 1991, 'Christmas Stalkings' features stories from writers who made their reputations in the 70s and 80s. I was reading Science Fiction and not Crime back then, so many of the writers were new to me. I came away from this collection keen to read novels by Reginald Hill, Medora Sale, Patricia Moyes and Evelyn E Smith.
I've given each story a rating and a short review below.
COUNTERFEIT CHRISTMAS by Charlotte MacLeod ★★★
I almost skipped this story when I saw it featured Peter Shandy. A few years ago, I tried to read Charlotte MacLeod Christmas crib novel ‘Rest You Merry’, featuring Peter Shandy. I abandoned it on Christmas Eve unfinished. The only thing I enjoyed about it was writing a piece of doggrel as a review. If you’re curious, you can find it HERE.
Despite my earlier experience, I decided to give ‘Counterfeit Christmas’ a try. I’m glad I did. It was slight but charming story, full of Christmas spirit but free from maudlin sentimentality. I enjoyed watching Shandy come up with a clever and pleasant way of dealing with a counterfeiter.
Now I’m wondering if I judged ‘Rest You Merry’ too harshly.
THE RUNNING OF THE DEER by Reginald Hill ★★★★
I haven’t read any of Reginald Hill’s books, although I enjoyed the TV adaptation of his Dalziel and Pascoe stories. I had no idea that he had a series featuring Joe Sixsmith, a black Brit from Luton who used his redundancy money to set himself up as a Private Detective.
‘The Running of the Deer’ was a good introduction to Joe. He’s not your usual PI. He has no idea what he’s doing really. But he has knack for finding things out, even if it’s sometimes by accident. This story took him from Luton to the wilds of Cumbria where he floundered about on the hills, fell into a bog and drank with the locals until he finally figured out what was really going on. It was clever, down to earth and delivered with wry humour.
I’ll be reading more Reginald Hill, starting with ‘Blood Sympathy’
LIZ PETERS, PI by Elizabeth Peters ★★★
This was a smile. It was Elizabeth Peters having fun with a Christmas story in which she casts herself as a mystery writer who is a PI on the side. The style was a playful tilt at noir. The story was 'Gumshoe' meets 'A Christmas Carol', (right down to having a candidate for Tiny Tim) plus some satire at the dumb behaviour of men. This managed to be cozy, ironic and slightly snarky all at the same time.
Plus, I learned that the USA, where the right to bear arms is written into the constitution, banned women from having hatpins of ten inches in length in case women used them as a lethal weapon. Could there be a more phallic symbol of male fragility? If you're interested, check out this article in the Smithsonian Magazine
ANGELS by Medora Sale ★★★★
'Angels' is about a cold blooded assasination at a children's Christmas Pageant. The solution at the end is so rapid, if you blink you'll miss it. So I ought to be going - not cosy and a bit of a meh mystery. Instead I'm going - this really caught the atmosphere of a Christmas pageant at a posh girls' school, I liked the people, enjoyed the humour, found the idea original and thought the ending worked. I think that's all down to how Medora Sale writes.
The detective in this was borrowed from her six-book John Sanders/Harriet Jeffries Mystsery series. I'm going to give the first one. 'Murder On The Run' (1986) a try.
THE ONLY TRUE UNRAVELLER by John Malcolm ★★★★
On an unusually snowy Christmas Eve, two old friends walk through a cemetery, searching for a specific grave that one man wants to show the other. As the day darkens and the weather worsens, the civilised conversation between the two men develops an edge that builds into a sense of menace and then of doom. What was erudite becomes primal and deadly.
It’s beautifully done. The pace is perfectly controlled. The structure reminds me of Poe: inexorable, unhurried and chilling.
The story was published in 1991 but the language is that of an educated Englishman of the 1950s. It is rich, precise, complex but clear, giving the story a civilised tone deliberately at odds with th violent and visceral content.
THE JANUARY SALE STOWAWAY by Dorothy Cannell
The humour in this didn't work for me. It felt too much like a children's story so, I set it aside.
THE SANTA CLAUS CAPER by Bill Crider ★★
This was competently done but not my sort of thing. Neither of the two men in the story, both of whom were trying to date the same woman, interested me. They felt real enough, I just wouldn't want to spend time with either of them. The woman felt more like a concept than a person. The story didn't capture my interest because it was more about the two men than about solving the slight but clever mystery of who was stealing from the department store at Christmas.
FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Patricia Moyes ★★★
A sad, slightly dark tale, told in a gentle almost whimsical tone that made everything sound harmless and cosy when it was actually lethal and tragic.
I admired the storytelling. It's reminded me that I have Patricia Moyes' debut novel 'Dead Men Don't Ski' in my TBR. I must dig it out soon.
MISS MELVILLE REJOICES by Evelyn E. Smith ★★★★★
This was fun. Dark, quirky fun but fun all the same and with a Festive feel. Yes it's a story about an assassin but she's a civilised, interesting assassin who intends to kill someone who does not deserve to be allowed to live. True, killing on Christmas Eve is a little tacky but you have to play the hand you're dealt.
This was my first encounter with Miss Melville, Evelyn Smith's wonderful creation, but it won't be my last. I'm adding 'Miss Melville Regrets' (1986) to my shelves.
TWO IN THE BUSH by Eric Wright ★★★
A story about East End criminals sorting out their grievances at Christmas time was unlikely to win my heart. Even so, my curiosity pulled me into the story. I needed to know how the criminals were going to use the Salvation Army to take down their opponent.
THE FABULOUS NICK by Mickey Friedman ★★★★
A fun tale of Santa, posing as Chimney repair man, solving a crime that has resulted in a young boy hating Santa. This was simple but engaging. I enjoyed meeting Santa. The puzzle was interesting. And I found out just how much of a cookie addict Santa is.
A POLICTICAL NECESSITY ★★★★
I'll happily confess to bias here. A big part of my enjoyment of the story was my growing hope that a slime-ball Tory politician was going to get what he deserved rather than what he was certain he was entitled to. The rest of my enjoyment came from trying to figure out how that would happen. I didn't see the twist coming but I enjoyed it when it arrived and I enjoyed the satirical tone throughout.
I also learned about the existence of the Norwegian Christmas Gnome. It was mentioned so I had to look it up. Now I know who really delivers the presents in much of Scandinavia. If you're interested, heres a link to NISSE
FRUITCAKE, MERCY AND BLACK-EYED PEAS by Margaret Maron ★★★
A heartwarming tale with a distinctive North Carolina flavour. Set between Christmas and New Year's day, this story made me smile because it managed to be kind and credible while looking squarely in the eye of some difficult things. Not cosy in an unrealistic way, but human and gentle and full of the best kind of Christmas spirit.
December 19, 2016
This is a collection of short stories by a variety of popular mystery authors. It was first published in the '90s and reissued digitally this month.
I would have to say that the one by Elizabeth Peters was probably my favorite in this collection. They are all good though. Just remember that with short stories, you don't always get as much as you want or as complete with details. A fun holiday read, especially for mystery fans!
**Many thanks to NetGalley and Open Road Media for a copy to read and review**
I would have to say that the one by Elizabeth Peters was probably my favorite in this collection. They are all good though. Just remember that with short stories, you don't always get as much as you want or as complete with details. A fun holiday read, especially for mystery fans!
**Many thanks to NetGalley and Open Road Media for a copy to read and review**
December 27, 2018
What a wonderful holiday treat! Thirteen funny, charming and truly clever stories with a big theme of Christmas. A true delight to read and to savor at this special time of year. The first three are by authors I've delighted in and the rest are new-to-me authors that will be worth checking out in the new year.
So join in a little festive storytelling.
So join in a little festive storytelling.
January 10, 2018
This was a nice easy-read set of stories for the Christmas season. There are thirteen short crime/murder stories all by well-known crime writers. I enjoyed reading the book it was just a collection of cosy mysteries, not outstanding but entertaining enough and it was nice to have something seasonal to read
January 4, 2020
This excellent selection of 13 mystery stories set during the holidays includes authors ranging from Reginald Hill, Elizabeth Peters, Robert Barnard, Margaret Maron, and Eric Wright to the editor, Charlotte MacLeod. If you are a mystery lover looking for a little seasonal mayhem, this is your book.
December 27, 2017
A batch of little Christmas themed mystery stories. Some better than others but none of them memorable. At least they were short.
August 6, 2011
This collection of short stories didn't quite match up to MacLeod's first collection, Mistletoe Mysteries. The author list is just as impressive--including Elizabeth Peters, Robert Barnard, Reginald Hill, Dorothy Cannell, Patricia Moyes, and others--but the stories just weren't quite as good. I rejoiced to see a short story by Evelyn E. Smith included. I have enjoyed her novels featuring Miss Melville and looked forward to reading the short story. In "Miss Melville Rejoices" we have the older, self-appointed hit-woman setting her sights on a particularly repulsive former dictator who has decided to dress up as Santa for Christmas. That's what Miss Melville does, you see. She takes it upon herself to rid the world of slimey characters who for one reason or another are beyond the reach of justice. The story was adequate, but didn't have the same charm as the full-length novels--although it did have an interesting twist at the end. The best of the lot was MacLeod's own "Counterfeit Christmas" featuring her curmudgeonly Professor Shandy. Not that he's always prickly--but he does have a firm dislike for all the over-the-top decorating that goes on at Christmas at Balaclava College. And when counterfeiters try to take advantage of the festivities to pass some fake bills, he's more than happy to escape the blinky lights and track the criminal/s down.
Overall, I rate this collection as a two and a half out five. MacLeod's story earns a four and Smith's a solid three.
January 26, 2011
This book consists of a bunch of short stories by a variety of mystery authors. Each story was written specifically for this collection, and each story connects somehow with Christmas. I very much enjoy the clever book title.
I have read most of the books written by three authors, but nothing by any of the others. Some stories were good, some were really good, and some were hard to appreciate. Perhaps the stories in the last category were there because I didn't already know (and/or understand) characters in other books by that author. Or maybe couldn't adjust to the writing style. Overall, an interesting selection of stories with a variety of resolutions.
Here are the stories and authors:
Counterfeit Christmas by Charlotte MacLeod
The Running of the Deer by Reginald Hill
Liz Peters, PI by Elizabeth Peters
Angels by Medora Sale
The Only True Unraveller by John Malcolm
The January Sale Stowaway by Dorothy Cannell
The Santa Claus Caper by Bill Crider
Family Christmas by Patricia Moyes
Miss Melville Rejoices by Evelyn Smith
Two in the Bush by Eric Wright
The Fabulous Nick by Mickey Friedman
A Political Necessity by Robert Barnard
Fruitcake, Mercy, and Black-eyed Peas by Margaret Maron
I have read most of the books written by three authors, but nothing by any of the others. Some stories were good, some were really good, and some were hard to appreciate. Perhaps the stories in the last category were there because I didn't already know (and/or understand) characters in other books by that author. Or maybe couldn't adjust to the writing style. Overall, an interesting selection of stories with a variety of resolutions.
Here are the stories and authors:
Counterfeit Christmas by Charlotte MacLeod
The Running of the Deer by Reginald Hill
Liz Peters, PI by Elizabeth Peters
Angels by Medora Sale
The Only True Unraveller by John Malcolm
The January Sale Stowaway by Dorothy Cannell
The Santa Claus Caper by Bill Crider
Family Christmas by Patricia Moyes
Miss Melville Rejoices by Evelyn Smith
Two in the Bush by Eric Wright
The Fabulous Nick by Mickey Friedman
A Political Necessity by Robert Barnard
Fruitcake, Mercy, and Black-eyed Peas by Margaret Maron
August 27, 2012
This 1991 short story collection is editor Charlotte MacLeod's second holiday themed collection, after 1989's Mistletoe Mysteries.
SS: Counterfeit Christmas / Charlotte MacLeod -- The running of the deer / Reginald Hill -- Liz Peters, PI / Elizabeth Peters -- Angels / Medora Sale -- The only true unraveller / John Malcolm -- The January sale stowaway / Dorothy Cannell -- The Santa Claus caper / Bill Crider -- Family Christmas / Patricia Moyes -- Miss Melville rejoices / Evelyn E. Smith -- Two in the bush / Eric Wright -- The fabulous Nick / Mickey Friedman -- A political necessity / Robert Barnard -- Fruitcake, mercy, and black-eyed peas / Margaret Maron
SS: Counterfeit Christmas / Charlotte MacLeod -- The running of the deer / Reginald Hill -- Liz Peters, PI / Elizabeth Peters -- Angels / Medora Sale -- The only true unraveller / John Malcolm -- The January sale stowaway / Dorothy Cannell -- The Santa Claus caper / Bill Crider -- Family Christmas / Patricia Moyes -- Miss Melville rejoices / Evelyn E. Smith -- Two in the bush / Eric Wright -- The fabulous Nick / Mickey Friedman -- A political necessity / Robert Barnard -- Fruitcake, mercy, and black-eyed peas / Margaret Maron
December 21, 2018
A collection of short murder mysteries - many of them set around Christmas. Quite entertaining with a tremendous variety of authors - some of them I will have to follow up and read some of their other mysteries. A short introduction of each author is followed by their short story.
December 21, 2008
A collection of short Christmas mystery stories. Easy reads....not especially good but light reading for the holiday season.
December 25, 2020
Some of these short stories are better than others.
December 13, 2024
Short mysteries set in the Christmas season.
December 15, 2019
I had this in my to-be-read pile last Christmas, and I never got around to it. This is a collection of Christmas stories by various authors. Since I do appreciate the ability to read a quick, short story now and then, especially if it contains an element of mystery and a bit of mayhem, I looked forward to reading it. They are short, so you can read one in less than an hour. Unlike a lot of longer books, there are fewer characters, so you don’t get confused by what their purpose is, and for the most part, you can get a feel for what they are like.
The stories ranged from very good to ok, so I’m giving the book an average rating of 3 stars.
The stories ranged from very good to ok, so I’m giving the book an average rating of 3 stars.
January 3, 2017
I am glad that Open Road is publishing this as an ebook. This is a nice collection of short stories with crime, murder and mayhem that needs to be resolved so that Christmas can be enjoyed by most. Charlotte MacLeod has gathered an interesting collection of stories by a variety of authors that make this reader want more. More stories, and more time to retread old tales. I am looking forward to similar collections in the new year!
March 6, 2022
There wasn't one story in this anthology that I enjoyed.
January 2, 2025
The lady who loved Christmas, short stories, and her fellow mystery writers.
I object to Charlotte MacLeod being called "The American Agatha Christie" because it's absurd to label writers in such a way. However, the two women were both mystery fans themselves, enjoyed the company of their colleagues, and believed in promoting good mystery writing.
Although notoriously shy, Christie was an enthusiastic member of the famous London Detection Club, attended meetings when she was in England, and even served as president (with the stipulation that her friend Gladys Mitchell would take the chair.) She contributed to the round-robin books the club sold to fund operating expenses and she supplied many a complimentary comment for a book jacket.
Charlotte MacLeod collected two anthologies of Christmas mysteries, knowing that seasonal books sell well and that reading an outstanding short story encourages mystery fans to look for books by the author. I liked "Mistletoe Mysteries" and I think "Christmas Stalkings" is just as good.
I was familiar with some of the names, although I generally stick to mysteries written in 1950's or earlier. To me, the '80's and '90's are too close to have the charm of older mysteries and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these stories. MacLeod knew good stuff when she saw it and she picked winners. Her mystery-writing friends were from the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, which adds variety to the mix.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Dorothy Cannell's gentle, but sly "The January Sale Stowaway." Perhaps you have to be a woman old enough to remember the mob scenes when local department stores held January "White Sales." Never get between a determined housewife and a real bargain in bed linens or kitchen equipment!
I also loved John Malcolm's chilling cemetery setting for "The Only True Unraveller" and Robert Barnard's story of the spoils of politics "A Political Necessity." Truly, we can know very little about the people we sleep beside every night. Even the most trusting spouse can turn the tables in a disconcerting (not to mention dangerous) way.
Long-suffering teachers will chuckle at Medora Sale's "Angels." You have to work in education to know how many "extras" a teacher is expected to perform and how demanding the administration and the parents can be. Older women will recognize the wife in Patricia Moyes' "Family Christmas." Yes, Virginia, there was a time when the family breadwinner controlled the finances and his spouse had little or no economic clout. Today, even "trad wives" are more independent.
The quirkiest story is Reginald Hill's "The Running of the Deer." I was charmed by his sassy black detective Joe Sixsmith, a man who created a career from necessity but whose likable personality goes over well with people of all social classes. Five Joe Sixsmith mysteries are available in Kindle and I'm test-driving the first one.
I love short stories and so few are available now. I'm grateful to people like Charlotte MacLeod who made an effort to preserve them for my pleasure.
I object to Charlotte MacLeod being called "The American Agatha Christie" because it's absurd to label writers in such a way. However, the two women were both mystery fans themselves, enjoyed the company of their colleagues, and believed in promoting good mystery writing.
Although notoriously shy, Christie was an enthusiastic member of the famous London Detection Club, attended meetings when she was in England, and even served as president (with the stipulation that her friend Gladys Mitchell would take the chair.) She contributed to the round-robin books the club sold to fund operating expenses and she supplied many a complimentary comment for a book jacket.
Charlotte MacLeod collected two anthologies of Christmas mysteries, knowing that seasonal books sell well and that reading an outstanding short story encourages mystery fans to look for books by the author. I liked "Mistletoe Mysteries" and I think "Christmas Stalkings" is just as good.
I was familiar with some of the names, although I generally stick to mysteries written in 1950's or earlier. To me, the '80's and '90's are too close to have the charm of older mysteries and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these stories. MacLeod knew good stuff when she saw it and she picked winners. Her mystery-writing friends were from the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, which adds variety to the mix.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Dorothy Cannell's gentle, but sly "The January Sale Stowaway." Perhaps you have to be a woman old enough to remember the mob scenes when local department stores held January "White Sales." Never get between a determined housewife and a real bargain in bed linens or kitchen equipment!
I also loved John Malcolm's chilling cemetery setting for "The Only True Unraveller" and Robert Barnard's story of the spoils of politics "A Political Necessity." Truly, we can know very little about the people we sleep beside every night. Even the most trusting spouse can turn the tables in a disconcerting (not to mention dangerous) way.
Long-suffering teachers will chuckle at Medora Sale's "Angels." You have to work in education to know how many "extras" a teacher is expected to perform and how demanding the administration and the parents can be. Older women will recognize the wife in Patricia Moyes' "Family Christmas." Yes, Virginia, there was a time when the family breadwinner controlled the finances and his spouse had little or no economic clout. Today, even "trad wives" are more independent.
The quirkiest story is Reginald Hill's "The Running of the Deer." I was charmed by his sassy black detective Joe Sixsmith, a man who created a career from necessity but whose likable personality goes over well with people of all social classes. Five Joe Sixsmith mysteries are available in Kindle and I'm test-driving the first one.
I love short stories and so few are available now. I'm grateful to people like Charlotte MacLeod who made an effort to preserve them for my pleasure.
July 25, 2023
A New England college hosts a counterfeiting scrooge, an angelic chorister falls to earth, a tight-fisted patriarch realizes his days are numbered, and a politician presents his wife with an explosive gift. In Christmas Stalkings , bestselling mystery author Charlotte MacLeod gathers fellow partners in crime for a collection of capers that will keep you reading—and guessing—all through the night.
Spend the twelve days of Christmas enjoying tales of holiday mayhem. From secrets in a snowy graveyard to schemes in the Deep South to mischief in Manhattan, this stocking full of cozy stories is to die for.
Heather's Notes
I thought the majority of these stories where surprisingly good. They all had actually stories although short. The only one I didn't really care for was "Liz Peters, PI". Maybe it was part of a series and would have been more enjoyable, but as a standalone it didn't really work. Still overall a really good set of actual stories.
Spend the twelve days of Christmas enjoying tales of holiday mayhem. From secrets in a snowy graveyard to schemes in the Deep South to mischief in Manhattan, this stocking full of cozy stories is to die for.
Heather's Notes
I thought the majority of these stories where surprisingly good. They all had actually stories although short. The only one I didn't really care for was "Liz Peters, PI". Maybe it was part of a series and would have been more enjoyable, but as a standalone it didn't really work. Still overall a really good set of actual stories.
July 31, 2021
Someone the stories I enjoyed very much, some of them I' did not enjoy very
much. May be because I didn't understand a lot of the english dry humor, or
the words they use in their daily dialects. But don't let this stop you, dive into
the stories, you can read them in any order you like. I discovered new authors
that have been around but I didn't know them. It was pure enjoyment to read their
short stories. I plan on getting more books by these authors. I believe this is
part of the discovery of reading all the different stories. It's like going to the
library and checking out a lot of different books. I really liked this about the
way you read a lot of different stories, by different author's in their style of
Writing. I hope they will write more books like this one.
Debra H.
much. May be because I didn't understand a lot of the english dry humor, or
the words they use in their daily dialects. But don't let this stop you, dive into
the stories, you can read them in any order you like. I discovered new authors
that have been around but I didn't know them. It was pure enjoyment to read their
short stories. I plan on getting more books by these authors. I believe this is
part of the discovery of reading all the different stories. It's like going to the
library and checking out a lot of different books. I really liked this about the
way you read a lot of different stories, by different author's in their style of
Writing. I hope they will write more books like this one.
Debra H.
December 28, 2021
A very uneven collection of "Christmas" mysteries, some of which don't have much yuletide spirit. The benefit of an anthology like this is that you get wide range of mystery writers so there's a good chance you'll find someone you like. You'll probably also read several stories that don't appeal to you at all. There's everything from MacLeod's Peter Shandy frothy Xmas at Balaclave College to Robert Barnard's wife bombing cabinet member. It's worth reading, but be prepared for a bumpy ride.
June 23, 2023
Some of your favorite mystery writers are likely to be found in this collection of short stories. The villains may be the next door neighbor, or even someone living much closer, like a spouse. Horrors! And sometimes, turnabout is fair play. Whatever the season, these tales are perfect for a fast read in the evening, and may even elicit a chuckle when the evil person gets his or maybe even hers.
December 17, 2024
This is a collection of short stories set around the Christmas season. They are all meant to be mysteries, but they seemed like they told a little story and then just revealed the culprit without too much suspense and very little evidence.
I suppose for someone who likes short stories, this is how it is, but I've never really read many short stories so I wanted a little more meat to the story.
I suppose for someone who likes short stories, this is how it is, but I've never really read many short stories so I wanted a little more meat to the story.
December 12, 2023
This collection of shorts from a dozen authors is nice for busy times when you just have a short time for reading during the Christmas holidays. Some of the stories are humorous, but the material is dated. I think maybe it was published in 1991. Still, though, good to have on hand when you need a short break from busy work.
I was drawn in by the price of 99 cents from Amazon.
I was drawn in by the price of 99 cents from Amazon.
December 25, 2024
Seasonal stories
A series of holiday stories that might keep you entertained in between shopping, decorating and baking. Several good ones but most were quite predictable to me. I am of the opinion that good mysteries do not lend themselves to the short story but need more development.
A series of holiday stories that might keep you entertained in between shopping, decorating and baking. Several good ones but most were quite predictable to me. I am of the opinion that good mysteries do not lend themselves to the short story but need more development.
April 2, 2025
First picked this up in our public library. Dorothy Cannell is one of my favorite authors.
It's a comforting collection of warm Christmas stories. It was nice to be able to pick up a story and finish it in one night, at that busy time of year. Then settle into reading a few during a snow day. Some a little daring. Warm and inviting. Something to continue to read during the winter.
It's a comforting collection of warm Christmas stories. It was nice to be able to pick up a story and finish it in one night, at that busy time of year. Then settle into reading a few during a snow day. Some a little daring. Warm and inviting. Something to continue to read during the winter.
January 5, 2021
This was a PERFECT Christmas read. I didn't have time to get involved in a long novel and these short stories were JUST what I needed. The fact they are all Christmas-related is a big plus.
Some of the best of the recent mystery writers represented in 13 short stories, what's not to like?
Some of the best of the recent mystery writers represented in 13 short stories, what's not to like?
March 31, 2021
Christmas Stallings review
Christmas Stalking
Loved the stories. Very entertaining. I love mysteries and look forward to reading more. I want my busy friends to take a little time each day and relax with these stories.
Christmas Stalking
Loved the stories. Very entertaining. I love mysteries and look forward to reading more. I want my busy friends to take a little time each day and relax with these stories.
January 4, 2025
I liked almost all the stories; only a few authors disappointed (I'm looking at you Patricia Moyes). Like all anthologies, some are better than others but they all had pretty good plots with a Christmas twist.
January 9, 2025
A few of these stories didn't age well, one of the stories is about a bunch of anthropologists having a costume party on Christmas Eve and they dressed like the ethnic groups they study. It was however a good variety of christmas thrillers.
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