Cat Crimes for the Holidays

by Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), Ed Gorman (Editor), Larry Segriff (Editor)

Continuing the tradition of their beloved Cat Crimes anthologies, editors Martin H. Greenberg, Ed Gorman, and Larry Segriff have outdone themselves. Drawing on all-original contributions from the likes of Nancy Picard, Barbara Paul, John Lutz, Barbara Collins, Bill Crider, Jeremiah Healy, and Tracy Knight, Cat Crimes for the Holidays has a cat-related puzzle for nearly every holiday in the year. Whether your tastes run to cozy or bloodcurdling, whodunit or hard-boiled, Maine Coon or Scottish Fold, Cat Crimes for the Holidays guarantees hours of pure pleasure and delight.

Contents:
Dr. Couch saves a cat by Nancy Pickard
Ia Ia Ia Ia Cthulouie! by Carole Nelson Douglas
Auld lang what? by Barbara Paul
Autumn tethers by Tracy Knight
But once a year by John Lutz
Cold turkey by Graham Masterton
How the July fourth cat saved the day and ruined the night by Jan Grape
Like father, like son by Richard T. Chizmar
Longevity has it place by Jon L. Breen
Party animal by Morris Hershman
I suppose this makes me Sancho by Gary A. Braunbeck
Boxing day by Nick Hassam
Death of a glamour cat by Christine Matthews and Robert J. Randisi
To grandmother's house we go by Barbara Collins
Him. Gone? Good! by Jeremiah Healy
Non-lethals by Marlys Millhiser
The All-American by Peter Crowther and Stewart von Allmen
The old man who saw Newgrange by J.N. Williamson
The Easter cat by Bill Crider

Genres: Mystery, Animals, Short Stories, Anthologies, Cats, Christmas, Holiday

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Martin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.

For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually took my sweet time with this anthology, putting it away then revisiting it down the road. Overall, these whodunnits were well-written and most were light (but not “cozy”). The majority of the tales felt nostalgic and I was genuinely surprised to see that all were copyrighted in 1997! I’m looking forward to reading the other volumes in the Cat Crimes series and thoroughly enjoyed this beginning.

My Top Three:
1. “Auld Lang What?” by Barbara Paul
2. “To Grandmother’s House we Go” by Barbara Collins
3. “The Old Man who Saw Newgrange” by J.N. Williamson

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From friendly and fluffy to crotchety and cranky, felines are the heroes in these holiday themed stories. Many holidays are included here from old favorites like Christmas and Boxing Day to new or holidays like Martin Luther King Day. All of the authors whose work is collected in this anthology have extensive bodies of work in multiple genres. This is a great way to discover some new authors and find some new favorite fiction, whether it’s in short form or at novel length. Several of these authors are well known in the science fiction or fantasy novel market. Of the mystery writers, several have series of both hard boiled and cozy mysteries. As for me, there are at least six authors whose stories have inspired me to try their work at novel length. I will be sharing some of those titles here in reviewing them soon.

[Rhonda Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this one 3.5 stars based on an average of my individual ratings for the stories. There were a few I gave 4.5-5 stars to. Most were 3 stars for me. I also had a couple 2 star and one 1 star stories. Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag for me. Did NOT like the one where the cat was one of the victims. In a book for cat lovers? No!

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for cat lovers. Each chapter is a different author, different story, different holiday but each has a cat in it. As any book like this some authors & stories are better than others. The majority is quite delightful.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked Autumn Tethers the best!!

[Diane Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book had some funny catadventures in it.

[Kumari de Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming collection of short stories for cat lovers who enjoy mysteries. I had read a lot of Lillian Jackson Braun "The Cat Who. . . " books and think there is quite a market for cat lovers who enjoy mysteries. In some of these stories, like the first one, the cat plays a very prominent role in solving the mystery. In others the cat is a side character. So many authors causes the stories to be a somewhat hit or miss. The story that was told from the cat's point of view I know was meant to be hilarious but wasn't my cup of tea.

It's an easy book to pick up or put down if you are on vacation and visiting someone.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of variety of style, lots of intriguing plot lines, lots of cats - yep, makes it a fun, thought provoking read. Great way to discover new writers & contemplate what others might do when faced with the task of a short story incorporating cats, crime, holidays.

[Angie Boyter]

I wanted something that is JUST PLAIN FUN, but the quality of the stories was not up to my expectations. Pedestrian and not worth my time. I read about the first 1/3.