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Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries
Christmas is a mysterious, as well as magical, time of year. Strange things can happen, and this helps to explain the hallowed tradition of telling ghost stories around the fireside as the year draws to a close. Christmas tales of crime and detection have a similar appeal. When television becomes tiresome, and party games pall, the prospect of curling up in the warm with a good mystery is enticing—and much better for the digestion than yet another helping of plum pudding.
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.
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.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
570 people are currently reading
1806 people want to read
About the author
Martin Edwards
357 books802 followersMartin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
December 10, 2017
3.5*
Like any collection of short stories, this one is a mixed bag. Martin Edwards is, of course, an expert in the stories and authors selected here, but as with his other selections, and indeed any other selection, his tastes and favourites are somewhat different to mine.
And, let's not forget that some authors are better at writing short stories than others. The authors selected for this collection seem to represent some of the big names of mystery writing, but not necessarily the ones who were good at shorts.
The Blue Carbuncle (Arthur Conan Doyle) - 5*
One of my all-time favourites.
Parlour Tricks (Ralph Plummer) - 3*
Quick and fun but not difficult to solve.
A Happy Solution (Raymond Allen) - 2.5*
Convoluted.
The Flying Stars (G.K. Chesterton) - 3.5*
Ah, Father Brown, you observer of human frailty. Far superior to old biddy Marple but quite quaint ... unless you happen to catch the BBC tv series or the 1960s German adaptation.
Stuffing (Edgar Wallace) - 4*
Typical Wallace humour, I'd say.
The Unknown Murderer (H.C. Bailey) - 3.5*
Dark and unsettlingly evil.
The Absconding Treasurer (J. Jefferson Farjeon) - 2*
This one just felt like a rushed listing of plot points and character names.
The Necklace of Pearls (Dorothy L. Sayers) - 4*
A fun Christmas country house jewel theft story.
The Case if Altered (Margery Allingham) - 3.5*
A fun Christmas country house espionage story.
Waxworks (Ethel Lina White) - 4.5*
Waxworks turned out to be brilliant, tho probably better at home in a horror collection.
Cambric Tea (Marjorie Bowen) - 2.5*
Meh. Great concept but too drawn out. I guess, the length meant to give time for the suspicions to develop and linger, but it didn't quite work for me. Also, I had predicted the ending rather early on.
The Chinese Apple (Joseph Shearing) - 2*
This one just did not grab me at all. In fact, I had to read several paragraphs two or three times, and still managed to fall asleep.
A Problem in White (Nicholas Blake) - 2.5*
I should have enjoyed this one more than I did - we had a number of clues to solve the puzzle and I loved the setting: starting on a train and with a background story of a great train robbery. (And I actually had to imagine P.D. with the voice of Sean Connery - until he said he was "English on the outside, Scotch on the inside"...).
However, this one struck me as one where the author wanted to let us know how incredibly clever he is, and that dampened my enjoyment.
The Name on the Window (Edmund Crispin) - 3*
This was an interesting one, but then I do love a locked room mystery.
Beef for Christmas (Leo Bruce) - 3*
Much like The Name on the Window, this one was fun, even tho it bears a remarkable resemblance to a certain story featuring a certain Belgian gent.
Like any collection of short stories, this one is a mixed bag. Martin Edwards is, of course, an expert in the stories and authors selected here, but as with his other selections, and indeed any other selection, his tastes and favourites are somewhat different to mine.
And, let's not forget that some authors are better at writing short stories than others. The authors selected for this collection seem to represent some of the big names of mystery writing, but not necessarily the ones who were good at shorts.
The Blue Carbuncle (Arthur Conan Doyle) - 5*
One of my all-time favourites.
Parlour Tricks (Ralph Plummer) - 3*
Quick and fun but not difficult to solve.
A Happy Solution (Raymond Allen) - 2.5*
Convoluted.
The Flying Stars (G.K. Chesterton) - 3.5*
Ah, Father Brown, you observer of human frailty. Far superior to old biddy Marple but quite quaint ... unless you happen to catch the BBC tv series or the 1960s German adaptation.
Stuffing (Edgar Wallace) - 4*
Typical Wallace humour, I'd say.
The Unknown Murderer (H.C. Bailey) - 3.5*
Dark and unsettlingly evil.
The Absconding Treasurer (J. Jefferson Farjeon) - 2*
This one just felt like a rushed listing of plot points and character names.
The Necklace of Pearls (Dorothy L. Sayers) - 4*
A fun Christmas country house jewel theft story.
The Case if Altered (Margery Allingham) - 3.5*
A fun Christmas country house espionage story.
Waxworks (Ethel Lina White) - 4.5*
Waxworks turned out to be brilliant, tho probably better at home in a horror collection.
Cambric Tea (Marjorie Bowen) - 2.5*
Meh. Great concept but too drawn out. I guess, the length meant to give time for the suspicions to develop and linger, but it didn't quite work for me. Also, I had predicted the ending rather early on.
The Chinese Apple (Joseph Shearing) - 2*
This one just did not grab me at all. In fact, I had to read several paragraphs two or three times, and still managed to fall asleep.
A Problem in White (Nicholas Blake) - 2.5*
I should have enjoyed this one more than I did - we had a number of clues to solve the puzzle and I loved the setting: starting on a train and with a background story of a great train robbery. (And I actually had to imagine P.D. with the voice of Sean Connery - until he said he was "English on the outside, Scotch on the inside"...).
However, this one struck me as one where the author wanted to let us know how incredibly clever he is, and that dampened my enjoyment.
The Name on the Window (Edmund Crispin) - 3*
This was an interesting one, but then I do love a locked room mystery.
Beef for Christmas (Leo Bruce) - 3*
Much like The Name on the Window, this one was fun, even tho it bears a remarkable resemblance to a certain story featuring a certain Belgian gent.
November 28, 2020
A good collection of winter/Christmas mysteries and that's just my sort of read at this time of year. There were quite a few jewel heists and thefts. My favourites follow:
Parlour Tricks by Ralph Plummer - A satisfying mystery and the best part is in watching the thief tell on themself.
A Happy Solution by Raymond Allen - The chess solution here is very nicely done. The guilty party was clever to have thought out their timing, the moves and odds in his theft but alas, he's not the only clever one about. Well done.
Stuffing by Edgar Wallace- A charming tale. And a reminder that when it comes to holiday roasted fowl, to always check the inner carcass & the neck, people. My top favourite in the collection.
The Unknown Murderer by H.C Bailey- A truly deranged serial killer is being sought with seemingly disparate victims. One of my favourites in the collection.
The Case is Altered by Margery Allingham- a well-done story but for some reason the repetition of the description of a woman with "licked brandy-ball eyes" squicked & threw me out of the story. Otherwise a good mystery with very nice descriptions of the setting and a detective that's enjoyable to follow.
I didn't keep close track but I could have completely overlooked it being Christmas for some of these. They're still good stories but the feel was missing in some. There were authors who were "new to me" and I'll be seeking out more of their work. A few stories here were familiar to me and I can only chalk that up to having read a fair number of these sorts of collections over the last few years. I take that as a good thing that some obscure stories are obscure no more. On balance a good collection but just short of some of the others I've read in this reissue series. I'm glad I've read this one and will be continuing with the British Library Crime Classics series (mostly winter and Christmas themed for the next several weeks).
Recommended.
Parlour Tricks by Ralph Plummer - A satisfying mystery and the best part is in watching the thief tell on themself.
A Happy Solution by Raymond Allen - The chess solution here is very nicely done. The guilty party was clever to have thought out their timing, the moves and odds in his theft but alas, he's not the only clever one about. Well done.
Stuffing by Edgar Wallace- A charming tale. And a reminder that when it comes to holiday roasted fowl, to always check the inner carcass & the neck, people. My top favourite in the collection.
The Unknown Murderer by H.C Bailey- A truly deranged serial killer is being sought with seemingly disparate victims. One of my favourites in the collection.
The Case is Altered by Margery Allingham- a well-done story but for some reason the repetition of the description of a woman with "licked brandy-ball eyes" squicked & threw me out of the story. Otherwise a good mystery with very nice descriptions of the setting and a detective that's enjoyable to follow.
I didn't keep close track but I could have completely overlooked it being Christmas for some of these. They're still good stories but the feel was missing in some. There were authors who were "new to me" and I'll be seeking out more of their work. A few stories here were familiar to me and I can only chalk that up to having read a fair number of these sorts of collections over the last few years. I take that as a good thing that some obscure stories are obscure no more. On balance a good collection but just short of some of the others I've read in this reissue series. I'm glad I've read this one and will be continuing with the British Library Crime Classics series (mostly winter and Christmas themed for the next several weeks).
Recommended.
November 10, 2015
I've enjoyed Martin Edwards' Lake District Mystery series for a while now and I have also followed his blog where he discusses his enjoyment of classic mysteries. Well I can see that he has put that enjoyment to very good use. In these fifteen stories, chosen for their Christmas season setting, Edwards has created a collection of Golden Age mystery stories by authors both familiar and unknown. They vary in setting from the country estate on Christmas to the city home during a winter storm or a railway journey at the holidays. There are all sorts of detectives. Some you may recognize. More, you likely will not.
I found this collection completely engaging, with no real misses. Among my favorites: Conan Doyle's Blue Carbuncle, Stuffing by Edgar Wallace, Sayers' The Necklace of Pearls, The Case is Altered by Margery Allingham (I have decided I must read more of her ASAP), Waxworks by Ethel Lina White, and Cambric Tea by Marjorie Bowen. (I also like the one written under one of her pseudonyms.) I could add more, but then it would be almost the entire collection!
I recommend this for a cold winter's day (or evening), with a nice hot cup of tea or cocoa (checking for signs of poison first, of course) and then just read and enjoy.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I found this collection completely engaging, with no real misses. Among my favorites: Conan Doyle's Blue Carbuncle, Stuffing by Edgar Wallace, Sayers' The Necklace of Pearls, The Case is Altered by Margery Allingham (I have decided I must read more of her ASAP), Waxworks by Ethel Lina White, and Cambric Tea by Marjorie Bowen. (I also like the one written under one of her pseudonyms.) I could add more, but then it would be almost the entire collection!
I recommend this for a cold winter's day (or evening), with a nice hot cup of tea or cocoa (checking for signs of poison first, of course) and then just read and enjoy.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 17, 2023
December 17, 2023 Update Updated review to my current format (although this was from my pre-individual short story rating days) and fixed some outdated links.
All Is Calm and not so Bright
Review of the Poisoned Pen Press paperback edition (November 3, 2015) of the British Library Crime Classics paperback original (October 1, 2015).
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is an anthology of 15 crime fiction short stories with a Christmas theme. The collection is edited by Martin Edwards (author of The Golden Age of Murder) who also writes a short biographical introduction for each author. The book is from the British Library Crime Classics series of reprints which have been issued since 2012. The series concentrates on the “Golden Age” of British Crime writing from the inter-World War years, and specializes in authors that are currently not that well known and whose works may have otherwise gone out of print. The U.S. editions are published by Poisoned Pen Press.
The most up-to-date list of the series is at the British Library Crime Classics shop. If you do a Goodreads search using “British Library Crime Classics” you should also find most of them. The series includes what is now considered to be the first detective novel, The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Warren Adams from 1862. Previously, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins from 1868 was usually considered the first.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of cozy Christmas mysteries, especially those which were by authors new to me. You should read the note at the end of “A Problem in White” first, so that you know that you have to read the story carefully with the intent of solving the crime yourself. The actual solution is printed at the very back of the book.
The book includes (with detective names in brackets):
1. "The Blue Carbuncle” (with Sherlock Holmes) by Arthur Conan Doyle
2. "Parlour Tricks” (with Peter Mullinger) by Ralph Plummer
3. "A Happy Solution” (with Kenneth Dale) by Raymund Allen
4. "The Flying Stars” (with Father Brown) by G.K. Chesterton
5. "Stuffing” (with Inspector Malling) by Edgar Wallace
6. "The Unknown Murderer” (with Reggie Fortune) by H.C. Bailey
7. "The Absconding Treasurer” (with Detective Crook) by J. Jefferson Farjeon
8. "The Necklace of Pearls” (with Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers
9. "The Case is Altered” (with Albert Campion) by Margery Allingham
10. "Waxworks” (with Sonia, a journalist at the Oldhampton Gazette) by Ethel Lina White
11. "Cambric Tea” (with Dr. Bevis Holroyd) by Marjorie Bowen (a pen-name of Gabrielle Margaret Vere Long)
12. "The Chinese Apple” (n/a but Isabelle Crosland is the protagonist) by Joseph Shearing (another pen-name of G.M.V. Long)
13. "A Problem in White” (An inspector of the Tebay County Constabulary) by Nicholas Blake
14. "The Name on the Window” (with Professor Fen) by Edmund Crispin
15. "Beef for Christmas” (with Sergeant Beef) by Leo Bruce
All Is Calm and not so Bright
Review of the Poisoned Pen Press paperback edition (November 3, 2015) of the British Library Crime Classics paperback original (October 1, 2015).
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is an anthology of 15 crime fiction short stories with a Christmas theme. The collection is edited by Martin Edwards (author of The Golden Age of Murder) who also writes a short biographical introduction for each author. The book is from the British Library Crime Classics series of reprints which have been issued since 2012. The series concentrates on the “Golden Age” of British Crime writing from the inter-World War years, and specializes in authors that are currently not that well known and whose works may have otherwise gone out of print. The U.S. editions are published by Poisoned Pen Press.
The most up-to-date list of the series is at the British Library Crime Classics shop. If you do a Goodreads search using “British Library Crime Classics” you should also find most of them. The series includes what is now considered to be the first detective novel, The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Warren Adams from 1862. Previously, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins from 1868 was usually considered the first.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of cozy Christmas mysteries, especially those which were by authors new to me. You should read the note at the end of “A Problem in White” first, so that you know that you have to read the story carefully with the intent of solving the crime yourself. The actual solution is printed at the very back of the book.
The book includes (with detective names in brackets):
1. "The Blue Carbuncle” (with Sherlock Holmes) by Arthur Conan Doyle
2. "Parlour Tricks” (with Peter Mullinger) by Ralph Plummer
3. "A Happy Solution” (with Kenneth Dale) by Raymund Allen
4. "The Flying Stars” (with Father Brown) by G.K. Chesterton
5. "Stuffing” (with Inspector Malling) by Edgar Wallace
6. "The Unknown Murderer” (with Reggie Fortune) by H.C. Bailey
7. "The Absconding Treasurer” (with Detective Crook) by J. Jefferson Farjeon
8. "The Necklace of Pearls” (with Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers
9. "The Case is Altered” (with Albert Campion) by Margery Allingham
10. "Waxworks” (with Sonia, a journalist at the Oldhampton Gazette) by Ethel Lina White
11. "Cambric Tea” (with Dr. Bevis Holroyd) by Marjorie Bowen (a pen-name of Gabrielle Margaret Vere Long)
12. "The Chinese Apple” (n/a but Isabelle Crosland is the protagonist) by Joseph Shearing (another pen-name of G.M.V. Long)
13. "A Problem in White” (An inspector of the Tebay County Constabulary) by Nicholas Blake
14. "The Name on the Window” (with Professor Fen) by Edmund Crispin
15. "Beef for Christmas” (with Sergeant Beef) by Leo Bruce
January 9, 2017
This review does not include the first Holmes story because it is much more famous and better than the other stories in the book.
I am glad I finished this book - although the book definitely had that Christmas atmosphere, the first half was bad and silly, the second half was much better but not excellent. Recommended stories include: "The Chinese Apple" and "The Name on the Window".
I am glad I finished this book - although the book definitely had that Christmas atmosphere, the first half was bad and silly, the second half was much better but not excellent. Recommended stories include: "The Chinese Apple" and "The Name on the Window".
November 14, 2015
This is a wonderful anthology of short, delightful, Golden Age Christmas stories, mostly mysteries, put out by the British Library Crime Classics. There are stories by well known authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers and Edmund Crispen and then some lesser known, but quite talented, writers.
Each author has a little biography about them in front of their story which really adds something special. I liked the stories and they have stood the test the test of time.
So as Christmas season gets busy, take a little break and read a delightful short story that is sure to raise your Christmas cheer.
Each author has a little biography about them in front of their story which really adds something special. I liked the stories and they have stood the test the test of time.
So as Christmas season gets busy, take a little break and read a delightful short story that is sure to raise your Christmas cheer.
July 4, 2015
Invariably, an anthology of Golden Age mystery short stories is bound to be uneven; however, Martin Edwards, an English solicitor and a mystery writer in his own right, has compiled a mostly delightful batch of Christmas-themed British mysteries in Silent Night.
For the most part, the collection contains undeservedly forgotten authors as well as lesser-known works by well-known authors interspersed with “The Blue Carbuncle” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Case Is Altered” by Margery Allingham, and “The Flying Stars” by G.K. Chesterton. H.C. Bailey’s amateurish “The Unknown Murderer” was the exception in an otherwise excellent collection. I want to particularly note the excellent “Waxworks” by Ethel Lina White, with whom I was unfamiliar until Silent Night.
The collection contains my own beloved, sadly forgotten favorite, J. Jefferson Farjeon, of whom I cannot get enough. As far as I’m concerned the price would be worth it just to get Farjeon’s “The Absconding Treasurer,” but all readers will find lots to love as they while away the dreary days after Christmas — or take a break from the hectic days leading up to the holidays — with Silent Night.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, the collection contains undeservedly forgotten authors as well as lesser-known works by well-known authors interspersed with “The Blue Carbuncle” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Case Is Altered” by Margery Allingham, and “The Flying Stars” by G.K. Chesterton. H.C. Bailey’s amateurish “The Unknown Murderer” was the exception in an otherwise excellent collection. I want to particularly note the excellent “Waxworks” by Ethel Lina White, with whom I was unfamiliar until Silent Night.
The collection contains my own beloved, sadly forgotten favorite, J. Jefferson Farjeon, of whom I cannot get enough. As far as I’m concerned the price would be worth it just to get Farjeon’s “The Absconding Treasurer,” but all readers will find lots to love as they while away the dreary days after Christmas — or take a break from the hectic days leading up to the holidays — with Silent Night.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2016
This is a wonderful collection of Golden Age detective stories all set around the festive Christmas season. Martin Edward's Introduction whets the appetite for what's to come and each story is introduced with a useful couple of paragraphs which put the stories in context and give some basic information about each author.
Because it's an anthology of different authors you never know what's coming next and the styles are so varied. I really appreciated the opportunity to sample a range of different styles of writing, and try several authors I hadn't come across before. I will certainly be checking out the books of J. Jefferson Farjeon, H. C. Bailey and Leo Bruce.
Thank-you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for providing this book for review
Because it's an anthology of different authors you never know what's coming next and the styles are so varied. I really appreciated the opportunity to sample a range of different styles of writing, and try several authors I hadn't come across before. I will certainly be checking out the books of J. Jefferson Farjeon, H. C. Bailey and Leo Bruce.
Thank-you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for providing this book for review
December 19, 2019
This time of year has been really hectic and my reading time has been much more sparse. Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is a collection of short stories with a bit of a holiday theme from authors I've heard of and many I haven't. There are a couple that were just okay, but the majority were really well written and fun to read. This collection has been perfect for reading when I get a chance now and then. It's hard to pick just a few standouts, but some of my favorites were The Blue Carbuncle, The Case is Altered, Waxworks, The Flying Stars, Stuffing, and The Chinese Apple. I definitely recommend this collection. I've added a few new authors to my list to read as well.
December 17, 2018
There's nothing like tales of yuletide criminology. This was an excellent collection. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
December 1, 2021
One of several seasonal Golden Age short story collections put together by the British Library Crime Classics. Christmas in England in the Golden Age of mystery is a time to gather in country houses with family and friends, to have goose and plum pudding, to play games of charades, perform homespun theatricals, and perhaps perform a magic trick or two. The authors of the stories in this collection perform some tricks of their own--revealing the solutions to mysteries of missing jewels, purloined bank notes, and, of course, a murder or two. Readers will find familiar stories by Doyle and Sayers as well as a few stories never reprinted before. ★★★★
"The Blue Carbuncle" ~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Doyle's Christmas classic featuring Holmes, a hat, a goose, and a most valuable gem.
"Parlour Tricks" ~Ralph Plummer: A simple but clever story of a retired policeman and a magician who made more than a glass of water disappear.
"A Happy Solution" ~Raymond Allen: A young man uses the solution to a chess problem to prove his fiancée innocent of theft.
"The Flying Stars" ~G. K. Chesterton: The Flying Stars are diamonds and they disappear during a Christmas pantomime. Father Brown is able to see exactly where the stars have flown.
"Stuffing" ~Edgar Wallace: Like Doyle before him, Wallace plays a trick with a Christmas bird.
"The Unknown Murderer" ~H. C. Bailey: Reggie Fortune is looking forward the the holiday and his marriage, but becomes involved with a particularly nasty murderer who doesn't mind using children's parties as their killing field.
"The Absconding Treasurer" ~J. Jefferson Farjeon: When it's time to pay out the Christmas Club monies, the money is gone and so is the treasurer. It's natural for the club members to think that Mr. Parkins had run off with the cash. But Detective X. Crook knows well that things aren't always what they seem.
"The Necklace of Pearls" ~Dorothy L. Sayers: A valuable string of perfectly matched pearls goes missing at a classic country house Christmas party. It is up to Lord Peter Wimsey to see where they've gone before the culprit can make off with them permanently.
"The Case Is Altered" ~Margery Allingham: Campion finds himself in the middle of an espionage case when he spends Christmas at a friend's country estate and manages to save a young man from getting in over his head.
"Waxworks" ~Ethel Lina White: A visit to the waxwork hall of horrors at Christmas time. Various murders have happened in the local waxworks and Sonia, a young reporter looking for a story, decides to spend the night and investigate...this is perhaps not the best idea for a Merry Christmas.
"Cambric Tea" ~Marjorie Bowen: Christmas with a dose of jeaolousy, treachery, distrust, and maybe a dollop of arsenic in the cambric tea.
"The Chinese Apple" ~Joseph Shearing: Isabelle Crosland returns to England after living in Italy for many years to meet her niece for the first time. Her niece is all alone in the world now and the solicitors ask her to take the girl back to Florence. The niece isn't exactly what she expects... [Contains one of the most bizarre conversations I've read in a short story.]
"A Problem in White" ~Nicholas Blake: A train becomes stuck in the snow and the odd assortment of people in one of the compartments discuss a recent train robbery to pass the time. One of their number takes offense to something said and goes to another compartment. He winds up murdered and the reader is challenged to solve the crime. Solution at the back of the book.
"The Name on the Window" ~Edmund Crispin: An impossible crime--a man if found stabbed to death in an 18th C pavilion. There's heaps of dust on the floor, only set of footprints (the victim's), and only one way into the building (windows all locked). The dead man managed to write what appears to be the name of his murderer in the grime on the window...but appearances can be deceiving...
"Beef for Christmas" ~Leo Bruce: A rich man tells Sergeant Beef that he has been receiving threatening notes (apparently from one of his family members) telling him to stop spending his money so recklessly or be prepared to die. Beef is invited to the family festivities at Christmas and a corpse is in the offing...but it isn't Merton Watlow and it looks like a suicide...
First published on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
"The Blue Carbuncle" ~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Doyle's Christmas classic featuring Holmes, a hat, a goose, and a most valuable gem.
"Parlour Tricks" ~Ralph Plummer: A simple but clever story of a retired policeman and a magician who made more than a glass of water disappear.
"A Happy Solution" ~Raymond Allen: A young man uses the solution to a chess problem to prove his fiancée innocent of theft.
"The Flying Stars" ~G. K. Chesterton: The Flying Stars are diamonds and they disappear during a Christmas pantomime. Father Brown is able to see exactly where the stars have flown.
"Stuffing" ~Edgar Wallace: Like Doyle before him, Wallace plays a trick with a Christmas bird.
"The Unknown Murderer" ~H. C. Bailey: Reggie Fortune is looking forward the the holiday and his marriage, but becomes involved with a particularly nasty murderer who doesn't mind using children's parties as their killing field.
"The Absconding Treasurer" ~J. Jefferson Farjeon: When it's time to pay out the Christmas Club monies, the money is gone and so is the treasurer. It's natural for the club members to think that Mr. Parkins had run off with the cash. But Detective X. Crook knows well that things aren't always what they seem.
"The Necklace of Pearls" ~Dorothy L. Sayers: A valuable string of perfectly matched pearls goes missing at a classic country house Christmas party. It is up to Lord Peter Wimsey to see where they've gone before the culprit can make off with them permanently.
"The Case Is Altered" ~Margery Allingham: Campion finds himself in the middle of an espionage case when he spends Christmas at a friend's country estate and manages to save a young man from getting in over his head.
"Waxworks" ~Ethel Lina White: A visit to the waxwork hall of horrors at Christmas time. Various murders have happened in the local waxworks and Sonia, a young reporter looking for a story, decides to spend the night and investigate...this is perhaps not the best idea for a Merry Christmas.
"Cambric Tea" ~Marjorie Bowen: Christmas with a dose of jeaolousy, treachery, distrust, and maybe a dollop of arsenic in the cambric tea.
"The Chinese Apple" ~Joseph Shearing: Isabelle Crosland returns to England after living in Italy for many years to meet her niece for the first time. Her niece is all alone in the world now and the solicitors ask her to take the girl back to Florence. The niece isn't exactly what she expects... [Contains one of the most bizarre conversations I've read in a short story.]
"A Problem in White" ~Nicholas Blake: A train becomes stuck in the snow and the odd assortment of people in one of the compartments discuss a recent train robbery to pass the time. One of their number takes offense to something said and goes to another compartment. He winds up murdered and the reader is challenged to solve the crime. Solution at the back of the book.
"The Name on the Window" ~Edmund Crispin: An impossible crime--a man if found stabbed to death in an 18th C pavilion. There's heaps of dust on the floor, only set of footprints (the victim's), and only one way into the building (windows all locked). The dead man managed to write what appears to be the name of his murderer in the grime on the window...but appearances can be deceiving...
"Beef for Christmas" ~Leo Bruce: A rich man tells Sergeant Beef that he has been receiving threatening notes (apparently from one of his family members) telling him to stop spending his money so recklessly or be prepared to die. Beef is invited to the family festivities at Christmas and a corpse is in the offing...but it isn't Merton Watlow and it looks like a suicide...
First published on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
June 6, 2025
3.75⭐
This book is a real treat with a collection of some oldie but goodie detective crime short stories by some still famous and some nearly all but forgotten authors.
1. The Blue Carbuncle - Arthur Conan Doyle 4.25⭐
2. Parlour Tricks - Ralph Plummer 3⭐
3. A Happy Solution - Raymund Allen 3⭐
4. The Flying Stars - G. K. Chesterton 3⭐
5. Stuffing - Edgar Wallace 4⭐
6. The Unknown Murderer - H. C. Bailey 3.5⭐
7. The Absconding Treasurer - J. Jefferson Farjeon 3.5⭐
8, The Necklace of Pearls - Dorothy L. Sayers 4.5⭐
9. The Case Is Altered - Margery Allingham 3⭐
10. Waxworks - Ethel Lina White 5⭐
11. Cambric Tea - Marjorie Bowen 4⭐
12. The Chinese Apple - Joseph Shearing 4.5⭐
13. A Problem in White - Nicholas Blake 4⭐
14. The Name on the Window - Edmund Crispin 3⭐
15. Beef for Christmas - Leo Bruce 4⭐
This book is a real treat with a collection of some oldie but goodie detective crime short stories by some still famous and some nearly all but forgotten authors.
1. The Blue Carbuncle - Arthur Conan Doyle 4.25⭐
2. Parlour Tricks - Ralph Plummer 3⭐
3. A Happy Solution - Raymund Allen 3⭐
4. The Flying Stars - G. K. Chesterton 3⭐
5. Stuffing - Edgar Wallace 4⭐
6. The Unknown Murderer - H. C. Bailey 3.5⭐
7. The Absconding Treasurer - J. Jefferson Farjeon 3.5⭐
8, The Necklace of Pearls - Dorothy L. Sayers 4.5⭐
9. The Case Is Altered - Margery Allingham 3⭐
10. Waxworks - Ethel Lina White 5⭐
11. Cambric Tea - Marjorie Bowen 4⭐
12. The Chinese Apple - Joseph Shearing 4.5⭐
13. A Problem in White - Nicholas Blake 4⭐
14. The Name on the Window - Edmund Crispin 3⭐
15. Beef for Christmas - Leo Bruce 4⭐
December 30, 2019
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is collection of short historical Christmas mysteries from well know Authors. The stories that are included in this compilation are:
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is the first book I have read of Martin Edwards and I enjoyed reading this book. However, this book makes me go and look for more books by the authors and that was the reason that Martin Edwards compile this collection of stories. I also enjoy that Martin Edwards at the beginning of each short story provides the reader with information about the book and the author.
I recommend this book
The Blue Carbuncle by Arthur Conan Doyle
Parlour Tricks by Ralph Plummer
A Happy Solution by Raymund Allen
The Flying Stars by G.K. Chesterton
Stuffing by Edger Wallace
The Unknown Murderer by H. C. Bailey
The Absconding Treasurer by J Jefferson Farjeon
The Necklace of Pearls by Dorothy L. Sayers
The Case Is Altered by Margery Allingham
Waxworks by Ethel Lina White
The Chinese Apple by Joseph Shearing
A Problem in White by Nicholas Blake
The Name on the Window by Edmund Crispin
Beef For Christmas by Leo Bruce
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries is the first book I have read of Martin Edwards and I enjoyed reading this book. However, this book makes me go and look for more books by the authors and that was the reason that Martin Edwards compile this collection of stories. I also enjoy that Martin Edwards at the beginning of each short story provides the reader with information about the book and the author.
I recommend this book
November 4, 2015
Silent Nights is a collection of short stories written by some of the top mystery writers of the Golden Age. Some of the authors will be familiar to you, others won't. Although they're all set during the Christmas season, there is very little holiday spirit to be found in them, so don't pick this book up expecting to make merry.
Most of the mysteries seem to involve some sort of puzzle, and country house settings are found in quite a few. (Of course-- everyone goes to their country house for Christmas, don't they?) Editor Martin Edwards' introduction to the book and his individual introductions to each short story are interesting and informative, so I suggest that you don't skip them. One of the interesting tidbits I learned was that several authors represented in this volume wrote stories Alfred Hitchcock later made into films.
Having already read another British Library Crime Classic, Resorting to Murder, I knew what to expect. Many of the authors are no longer well known, but others-- like G.K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers-- are included here. On the whole I enjoyed Silent Nights more, although the quality of the stories is still a bit uneven. My favorites include Edgar Wallace's "Stuffing," J. Jefferson Farjeon's "The Absconding Treasurer," Sayer's "The Necklace of Pearls," Ethel Lina White's "Waxworks," Marjorie Bowen's "Cambric Tea," and "The Chinese Apple" by Joseph Shearing (nom de plume of Marjorie Bowen). Of these, Farjeon's and White's stories were used by Hitchcock. "A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake (pseudonym of Cecil Day-Lewis) was unique in the puzzle category. The solution is not included in the story itself, but at the end of the book, giving readers time to mull over the clues and form their own conclusions.
If you're a fan of Golden Age mysteries, you're still going to find a new-to-you story or two. If you're a novice like I am, they'll probably all be totally unfamiliar. Since these were written many decades ago when outlooks were quite different, you will run into a racial slur now and again. I chose not to be offended and instead was pleased at how attitudes have changed. I also found it interesting to see how popular crime fiction has changed over time.
These British Library Crime Classics being released in the U.S. by Poisoned Pen Press are both entertaining and enlightening, and I recommend them.
Most of the mysteries seem to involve some sort of puzzle, and country house settings are found in quite a few. (Of course-- everyone goes to their country house for Christmas, don't they?) Editor Martin Edwards' introduction to the book and his individual introductions to each short story are interesting and informative, so I suggest that you don't skip them. One of the interesting tidbits I learned was that several authors represented in this volume wrote stories Alfred Hitchcock later made into films.
Having already read another British Library Crime Classic, Resorting to Murder, I knew what to expect. Many of the authors are no longer well known, but others-- like G.K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers-- are included here. On the whole I enjoyed Silent Nights more, although the quality of the stories is still a bit uneven. My favorites include Edgar Wallace's "Stuffing," J. Jefferson Farjeon's "The Absconding Treasurer," Sayer's "The Necklace of Pearls," Ethel Lina White's "Waxworks," Marjorie Bowen's "Cambric Tea," and "The Chinese Apple" by Joseph Shearing (nom de plume of Marjorie Bowen). Of these, Farjeon's and White's stories were used by Hitchcock. "A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake (pseudonym of Cecil Day-Lewis) was unique in the puzzle category. The solution is not included in the story itself, but at the end of the book, giving readers time to mull over the clues and form their own conclusions.
If you're a fan of Golden Age mysteries, you're still going to find a new-to-you story or two. If you're a novice like I am, they'll probably all be totally unfamiliar. Since these were written many decades ago when outlooks were quite different, you will run into a racial slur now and again. I chose not to be offended and instead was pleased at how attitudes have changed. I also found it interesting to see how popular crime fiction has changed over time.
These British Library Crime Classics being released in the U.S. by Poisoned Pen Press are both entertaining and enlightening, and I recommend them.
December 31, 2022
First of all, I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of short story collections, especially those written by multiple authors, as they tend to be a mixed bag, IMO. So take my reviews with a grain of salt.
The stories below were also a mixed bag, with me forgetting some of them a day after reading them while others have managed to still stick out a couple weeks on from finishing the book.
"The Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's hard to go wrong with any Sherlock Holmes story and Edwards's inclusion of it in this story collection sets the book off on the right foot. ****
"Parlor Tricks" by Ralph Plummer - If you appreciate magic tricks, you may like this one more than I did. **
"A Happy Solution" by Raymund Allen - I discovered that the only thing worse than chess is reading about it. **
"The Flying Stars" by G. K. Chesterton - I thought this story was rather ho hum. The only thing that bumped it up to 3 stars was Father Brown's wise words at the end. ***
"Stuffing" by Edgar Wallace - ***
"The Unknown Murderer" by H. C. Bailey - ****
"The Absconding Treasurer" by J. Jefferson Farjeon - ****
"The Necklace of Pearls" by Dorothy L. Sayers - I'd never read a Lord Peter Wimsey story before but I was impressed with both the detective and the story. ****
"The Case is Altered" by Margery Allingham - ****
"Waxworks" by Ethel Lina White - I was impressed by the strength of this female character, written in an era where female protagonists were often portrayed as weak and in need of rescue by a man. Sonia was vulnerable yet strong. The mystery was definitely terrifying. ****
"Cambric Tea" by Marjorie Bowen - I really liked the mystery and suspense of who the poisoner was in this story. *****
"The Chinese Apple" by Joseph Shearing - This was a creepy mystery. I couldn't wait to find out what happened in the end. *****
"A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake (Cecil Day-Lewis) - I liked the mystery of this story but I did not like how the story ended without me understanding it. The reader is given all of the clues to the assailant(s) throughout the story and the reader has to go back and look for them. Not my favorite way a story ends. ****
The stories below were also a mixed bag, with me forgetting some of them a day after reading them while others have managed to still stick out a couple weeks on from finishing the book.
"The Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's hard to go wrong with any Sherlock Holmes story and Edwards's inclusion of it in this story collection sets the book off on the right foot. ****
"Parlor Tricks" by Ralph Plummer - If you appreciate magic tricks, you may like this one more than I did. **
"A Happy Solution" by Raymund Allen - I discovered that the only thing worse than chess is reading about it. **
"The Flying Stars" by G. K. Chesterton - I thought this story was rather ho hum. The only thing that bumped it up to 3 stars was Father Brown's wise words at the end. ***
"Stuffing" by Edgar Wallace - ***
"The Unknown Murderer" by H. C. Bailey - ****
"The Absconding Treasurer" by J. Jefferson Farjeon - ****
"The Necklace of Pearls" by Dorothy L. Sayers - I'd never read a Lord Peter Wimsey story before but I was impressed with both the detective and the story. ****
"The Case is Altered" by Margery Allingham - ****
"Waxworks" by Ethel Lina White - I was impressed by the strength of this female character, written in an era where female protagonists were often portrayed as weak and in need of rescue by a man. Sonia was vulnerable yet strong. The mystery was definitely terrifying. ****
"Cambric Tea" by Marjorie Bowen - I really liked the mystery and suspense of who the poisoner was in this story. *****
"The Chinese Apple" by Joseph Shearing - This was a creepy mystery. I couldn't wait to find out what happened in the end. *****
"A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake (Cecil Day-Lewis) - I liked the mystery of this story but I did not like how the story ended without me understanding it. The reader is given all of the clues to the assailant(s) throughout the story and the reader has to go back and look for them. Not my favorite way a story ends. ****
December 21, 2019
Cicha noc to antologia opowiadan kryminalnych w swiatecznym, brytyjskim klimacie.
Wszystkie opowiadania sa z pierwszej polowy XXw. i przypadaja na okres zlotej epoki brytyjskiej powiesci detektywistycznej.
Kazde z 15 opowiadan rozpoczyna krotka notka o pisarzu, ale cykl rozpoczyna opowiadanie pana, ktorego nie trzeba przedstawiac😉, Arthura Conan Doyla, ojca Sherlocka Holmesa.
Musze przyznac, ze w tym zbiorku odnalazlam nie tylko nastroj swiat, ale tez klimat tamtych czasow. A starzy, dobrzy detektywi, ktorzy swoja inteligencja i dedukcja potrafia rozwiazywac zawile sprawy kryminalne skutecznie przeniesli mnie w swoj swiat. Nie jest krwawo, ale jest interesujaco.
Szkoda tylko, ze to bardzo krociutkie opowiadania, troche bylo mi tego malo.
Dla milosnikow brytyjskiej klasyki detektywistycznej.
Wszystkie opowiadania sa z pierwszej polowy XXw. i przypadaja na okres zlotej epoki brytyjskiej powiesci detektywistycznej.
Kazde z 15 opowiadan rozpoczyna krotka notka o pisarzu, ale cykl rozpoczyna opowiadanie pana, ktorego nie trzeba przedstawiac😉, Arthura Conan Doyla, ojca Sherlocka Holmesa.
Musze przyznac, ze w tym zbiorku odnalazlam nie tylko nastroj swiat, ale tez klimat tamtych czasow. A starzy, dobrzy detektywi, ktorzy swoja inteligencja i dedukcja potrafia rozwiazywac zawile sprawy kryminalne skutecznie przeniesli mnie w swoj swiat. Nie jest krwawo, ale jest interesujaco.
Szkoda tylko, ze to bardzo krociutkie opowiadania, troche bylo mi tego malo.
Dla milosnikow brytyjskiej klasyki detektywistycznej.
December 12, 2022
The Standouts:
- The Blue Carbuncle (Arthur Conan Doyle)... aaah Sherlock...
- Parlour Tricks (Ralph Plummer)... so ridiculous but absolute gold
- The Flying Stars (G.K. Chesterton)... first Father Brown story! I need more!
- Waxworks (Ethel Lina White)... a haunted wax-figures gallery?! sooo good
- The Necklace of Pearls (Dorothy L. Sayers)... my introduction to Peter Whimsy!
- Cambric Tea (Marjorie Bowen)... melodramatic but good!
The Meh:
- Unknown Murderer (H.C. Bailey)... odd writing style and dialogue
- A Happy Solution (Raymund Allen)
- The Case is Altered (Margery Allingham)
- The Name on the Window (Edmund Crispin)
The Really Meh:
- Stuffing (Edgar Wallace)... so baffled, nothing made sense
- The Absconding Treasurer (J. Jefferson Farjeon)
- The Chinese Apple (Joseph Shearing)
- A Problem in White (Nicholas Blake)
- The Blue Carbuncle (Arthur Conan Doyle)... aaah Sherlock...
- Parlour Tricks (Ralph Plummer)... so ridiculous but absolute gold
- The Flying Stars (G.K. Chesterton)... first Father Brown story! I need more!
- Waxworks (Ethel Lina White)... a haunted wax-figures gallery?! sooo good
- The Necklace of Pearls (Dorothy L. Sayers)... my introduction to Peter Whimsy!
- Cambric Tea (Marjorie Bowen)... melodramatic but good!
The Meh:
- Unknown Murderer (H.C. Bailey)... odd writing style and dialogue
- A Happy Solution (Raymund Allen)
- The Case is Altered (Margery Allingham)
- The Name on the Window (Edmund Crispin)
The Really Meh:
- Stuffing (Edgar Wallace)... so baffled, nothing made sense
- The Absconding Treasurer (J. Jefferson Farjeon)
- The Chinese Apple (Joseph Shearing)
- A Problem in White (Nicholas Blake)
February 16, 2017
This volume in the British Library Crime Classics series is really very, very good.
Fifteen 20-ish crimes at Christmas, by a range of top-rate golden-age writers. authors who could write, as well as plot.
From Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton, Edgar Wallace, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Marjorie Bowen (one of Britain's greatest 20thC authors), Nicholas Blake, and Edmund Crispin.
Fifteen 20-ish crimes at Christmas, by a range of top-rate golden-age writers. authors who could write, as well as plot.
From Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton, Edgar Wallace, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Marjorie Bowen (one of Britain's greatest 20thC authors), Nicholas Blake, and Edmund Crispin.
December 3, 2015
To use a Christmas analogy, this book is like a half eaten tub of Quality Street - there's a few green triangles and a couple of purple ones, but what you've mostly got is the toffee pennies and strawberry cremes that nobody really likes, even when they've had a few too many port and lemons! Ethel Lena White's story was the standout for me, and of course Dorothy L Sayers and Margery Allingham were good, along with a few others but there was a lot of filler. Always the risk with a book of short stories though.
December 31, 2015
This a rare event for me...5* for a collection of short stories. There wasn't a bad one amongst them, and I do love to read Christmas stories over the Christmas holidays. Lots of snow, lots of villains...and all in that fabulous Agatha Christie style. Great.
November 9, 2025
1. The Blue Carbuncle - 1892 - A.C. Doyle - How did Lady Morcar's stolen carbuncle end up inside a goose. And by whom.
2. Parlour Tricks - 1930 - R. Plummer - Can the stolen money been found.
3. A Happy Solution - 1916 - Who stole the cheque.
4. The Flying Stars - G.K. Chesterton - Flambeau and three large diamonds.
5. Stuffing - E. Wallace - What will be discovered in the turkey
6. The Unknown Murderer - H.C. Bailey - Can Reginald Fortune discover the guilty party of two deaths and one attempted murder.
7. The Absconding Treasurer - J.J. Farjeon- The money and the treasurer of the Club have gone missing.
8. The Necklace of Pearls - D.L. Sayers - Lord Peter Wimsey uncovers the pearl necklace thief.
9. The Case is Altered - M. Allingham - Albert Campion saves a man from blackmail.
10. Waxworks - E.L. white - Can reporter Sonia be the first person to survive a night at the Waxworks museum.
11. Cambric Tea -M. Bowen- Dr Holroyd's patient believes his wife is poisoning him.
12. The Chinese Apple - J. Shearing - Returning to London Isabelle Crosland is confronted with a murder.
13. A Problem in White - N. Blake - A train, a blizzard and a death.
14. The Name on the Window - E Crispin- Fin Gervase finds the murderer after a locked room death.
15. Beef for Christmas - L. Bruce. Sergeant Beef finds the murderer.
Enjoyable short stories
2. Parlour Tricks - 1930 - R. Plummer - Can the stolen money been found.
3. A Happy Solution - 1916 - Who stole the cheque.
4. The Flying Stars - G.K. Chesterton - Flambeau and three large diamonds.
5. Stuffing - E. Wallace - What will be discovered in the turkey
6. The Unknown Murderer - H.C. Bailey - Can Reginald Fortune discover the guilty party of two deaths and one attempted murder.
7. The Absconding Treasurer - J.J. Farjeon- The money and the treasurer of the Club have gone missing.
8. The Necklace of Pearls - D.L. Sayers - Lord Peter Wimsey uncovers the pearl necklace thief.
9. The Case is Altered - M. Allingham - Albert Campion saves a man from blackmail.
10. Waxworks - E.L. white - Can reporter Sonia be the first person to survive a night at the Waxworks museum.
11. Cambric Tea -M. Bowen- Dr Holroyd's patient believes his wife is poisoning him.
12. The Chinese Apple - J. Shearing - Returning to London Isabelle Crosland is confronted with a murder.
13. A Problem in White - N. Blake - A train, a blizzard and a death.
14. The Name on the Window - E Crispin- Fin Gervase finds the murderer after a locked room death.
15. Beef for Christmas - L. Bruce. Sergeant Beef finds the murderer.
Enjoyable short stories
February 16, 2019
There’s something for every mystery lover in this enjoyable British Library Crime Classics collection of fifteen short mystery stories set during the holidays, ranging from well-known stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, Edgar Wallace, and Margery Allingham to rarely reprinted stories by H.C. Bailey, J. Jefferson Farjeon, Ethel Lina White, Nicholas Blake, and other authors. The editor Martin Edwards has provided an informative introduction for each story including background on the author. Just one niggle: the table of contents in the ebook version shows the story titles but doesn’t list the authors.
December 27, 2021
Does murder ever take a holiday? Not by the looks of the classic British short stories included in Silent Nights!
And what terrific Christmas stories! Each one is a delightful, perfect present much as we would expect to find under the Christmas tree. And each one is different, from sweet to comic to dark and, yes, haunting. A true delight to read at this time of year.
And each author is a master of crime writing, from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who gives a final unexpected twist in "The Blue Carbuncle," to slight-of-hand trickery in G.K. Chesterton's "The Flying Stars." There's other notable leaders of the genre, including Dorothy L. Sayers and her Lord Peter Wimsey, but for those who haven't delved into many lesser knowns from the Golden Era of Crime Detection, there are new authors to fall for, such as Ethel Lina White, H.C. Bailey, Edgar Wallace, Marjoire Bowen and Edmund Crispin. You will be looking for more works by these talented writers, for sure.
And what terrific Christmas stories! Each one is a delightful, perfect present much as we would expect to find under the Christmas tree. And each one is different, from sweet to comic to dark and, yes, haunting. A true delight to read at this time of year.
And each author is a master of crime writing, from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who gives a final unexpected twist in "The Blue Carbuncle," to slight-of-hand trickery in G.K. Chesterton's "The Flying Stars." There's other notable leaders of the genre, including Dorothy L. Sayers and her Lord Peter Wimsey, but for those who haven't delved into many lesser knowns from the Golden Era of Crime Detection, there are new authors to fall for, such as Ethel Lina White, H.C. Bailey, Edgar Wallace, Marjoire Bowen and Edmund Crispin. You will be looking for more works by these talented writers, for sure.
December 4, 2017
As most short story collections are, I felt this was uneven. Four stories, especially Ethel Lina White's "Waxworks," were terrific. For those alone, this would be worth seeking out if you're a Golden Age mystery fan and want some reading specifically for the Christmas season. I'm glad I finally managed to read one of these British Library Crime Classics! I will certainly try another one.
December 27, 2022
Overall, I enjoyed the stories in this collection. There were a couple I didn’t enjoy as much as some of the others but it was fun to see all the different tales on classic crime stories set at the holidays. This was a fun, festive read and I recommend it to any mystery lover.
January 3, 2025
Merry Christmas
December 15, 2021
Getting myself in the mood for the holidays I spotted this classic crime collection in a charity shop and had to make it mine.
There are a nice selection of some known and some forgotten to the mists of time authors. Standout stories were The Blue Carbuncle, The Chinese Apple and Waxworks - which was very creepy! I enjoyed A Problem in White for the inclusion of a solution at the end.
Some stories are very dated, and the style of modern crime and suspense is a world away from these. That said there is something nice about cozying up with a good locked room mystery or suspenseful tale.
There are a nice selection of some known and some forgotten to the mists of time authors. Standout stories were The Blue Carbuncle, The Chinese Apple and Waxworks - which was very creepy! I enjoyed A Problem in White for the inclusion of a solution at the end.
Some stories are very dated, and the style of modern crime and suspense is a world away from these. That said there is something nice about cozying up with a good locked room mystery or suspenseful tale.
December 21, 2022
A fabulous collection of murder mysteries set on or around Christmas, many by known authors and some by those who've fallen into obscurity over time.
December 23, 2022
There are some gems in this short story collection but there are some clunkers too. I enjoyed reading some mystery authors I had not read before.
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