Description
Twelve festive crime stories set in New York City’s beloved mystery bookstore
The prompt for the story requires three elements: that it be set at Christmastime, that it involve a crime of some kind, or the suspicion of one, and that it be set at least partially in the bookstore. And from these loose structural guidelines, diverse tales took flight. The dozen tales included in this volume are among the finest to be produced in this annual tradition, sure to charm any reader looking for a holiday-themed escape.
Included herein are the ingenious “Snowflake Time” by Laura Lippman; Lyndsay Faye’s tale of vengeance “A Midnight Clear”; the challenging brainteaser, “A Christmas Puzzle,” by Ragnar Jónasson; “Hester’s Gift,” an impossible crime story by Tom Mead; the suspenseful “The Christmas Party” by Jeffery Deaver; Thomas Perry’s hilarious comedy of errors, “Here We Come A-Wassailing;” and other tales appropriate for the season, collected and introduced by Otto Penzler. The result is, objectively speaking, the finest “stocking stuffer” that a mystery fan could hope to find.
Reviews
"Each tale’s brevity makes it easy to dip into and out of the collection, and the mix of big names . . . with lesser-knowns offers a spirited survey of contemporary crime fiction." — Publishers Weekly
"The stories are all refreshingly good-natured and, in the spirit of the season, lean toward peace on earth and good will to most. A must for every mystery lover’s wish list." — Kirkus
"This collection is stellar, and each story does a fine job of highlighting both the store and the Yuletide season." — BookReporter
"With crimes ranging from theft to death, these stories' plots will have you second-guessing everything, but throughout all of them, the cozy bookshop remains a reliable (if occasionally murder-rific) setting." — Oprah Daily
"The variety of plot agendas represented (from revenge to redemption) should guarantee something to please every reader this holiday season." — Wall Street Journal
"If you like books, bookstores, and booksellers, you’ll love this miscellany of seasonal hijinks that highlights different storytellers, styles, and subgenres. It’s also an ideal stocking stuffer for the bibliophile in your life." — CrimeReads
"Mystery fans will find some of their favorite writers up to holiday no-good in Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop. . . . Even if you just pay attention to the conversations between characters, there are so many recommendations of excellent mysteries you may have missed that Christmas Crimes sometimes feels like a book club and gift guide all in one." — Minnesota Star Tribune
Standalone Ebook
9781613165737
COMING SOON