Christmas Mystery Short

In The Twelve Ghosts of Christmas, you will even be chilled by the stories in the introduction to the book, never mind the devilish dozen true tales about eerie time slips, gory premonitions, heart-stopping exorcisms, heartbreaking tales of lost love, graveyard tricksters, and sinister old hags. Listen to a story about the devil that tempted a bishop with pleasures of the flesh in "The Missing Room" and of the titanic, ominous force that turned a 3,000-ton ship upside down and sent its crew of 75 into limbo, never to be seen again.

This is a short story set in the Narcoscape of the Book of Dreams series. It is named "Dreaming of a White Christmas" and was originally printed in the collection A Cozy Christmas. In this brief installment, Nicodemus Smith has her hands full tracking down a lost philanthropist who fancies himself to be Santa Claus. Enjoy the yuletide oddness with Nic and the gang no matter what the season. I'll see you on the dreamside, ---Melanie

I must have missed the "Santa Clause"… When I won an all-inclusive vacation to a luxury mountain resort over the holidays after entering a sweepstakes on the back of my cereal box, I assumed it was Fate announcing it was finally Merri Bianchi’s time to relax and have a little fun. But you know what they say about assumptions.... As it turns out I neglected to read the fine print, aka the "Santa Clause," and now I’m dressed as an Elf working my red-and-white striped stockings off at Santa’s Toyshop to make sure every parent finds the perfect gift for their precious little snowflake ...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year," the old song tells us. But that doesn't mean the people celebrating it are always so nice. Criminals get the Christmas spirit, too! In this collection of hilarious short stories, you'll see what the thieves, killers, psychos and scumbags are up to come the holidays...and it's not caroling door to door. Well, not unless they're casing the neighborhood for a break-in, as a rag-tag gang does in the title story.

Christmas, the happiest time of year. Plum puddings, candy canes, carols by the fireside. But outside, the mist lies deep and still. Frost gnaws at your fingertips. Shadowy forms lurk in the evergreens. It’s the season for ghost stories.

From the creator of Dalziel and Pascoe comes a fantastic collection of crime stories complete with a foreword by Mick Herron.

A vicar nailed to a tree in Yorkshire. The theft of a priceless artefact during a fire. A detective forced to tell the truth for 24 hours. A body hidden in a basement. From the restless streets of London to the wilds of the Lake District, displaying all his trademark humour, playfulness and clever plotting, this landmark collection brings together the very best of Reginald Hill’s short stories for the first time, complete with a foreword from Val McDermid.

In the happily hectic holidays, it's a treat to slip away to a comfy corner with a hot beverage and a tasty treat, and curl up in a favorite chair for a few moments peace with a cozy holiday story. The twelve short stories in this collection are in a variety of genres to provide something for every taste as you enjoy a short, sweet retreat on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Along with every entertaining story, the author has provided a favorite holiday recipe for the goodies enjoyed by her characters.

It's a secret Santa whodunnit! "No doughnuts on Tuesdays!" "No Christmas trees allowed!" When their Grinchy landlord posts a stack of crazy proclamation flyers, it rattles an oddball assortment of residents in an apartment complex. But then on a quiet night in, festive gifts mysteriously appear on doorknobs and doormats-- and the game of Guess Who is afoot. The evening turns into a maze of clues as tenants tally gifts, prowl the halls, chase shadows and even run into a little romance before the surprising culprit is caught. And no, it's not the landlord! Ha-ha This holiday short story is ...

Simply Media presents Agatha Christie 4 Short Story Poirot Collection, Set 7: The Cornish Mystery, The Double Clue, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, The Lemesurier Inheritance.

Watson visits Sherlock Holmes at Christmastime and finds him contemplating a battered old hat, brought to him by the commissionaire Peterson after it and a Christmas goose had been dropped by a man in a scuffle with some street ruffians. Peterson takes the goose home to eat it, but comes back later with a precious carbuncle that his wife found in the bird's crop.

From an irresponsible baron whose body is discovered beneath a silver birch tree, to a classic detective duo solving a historic case as the lights go out across Europe, and an exclusive Tony Hill and Carol Jordan story, the characters McDermid conjures are enigmatic and dangerous. These evocative, atmospheric tales will shock and delight.

A cozy, closed door holiday romance with small town charm, a protective werewolf and Christmas cheer, perfect for reading by the fireside as you curl up under a cozy blanket. Emma Clarke has just moved to Pinecrest. Taking over the library fulfills all of her dreams . . . well . . . almost. The only thing that’s missing is someone to share it all with. Lucas Greystone, a handsome stranger with an electric touch keeps finding ways to escort Emma home. After discovering a hidden room in the library, Emma is determined to learn the secrets of Pinecrest and Lucas. As a spark reignites between...

From the twice CWA Dagger shortlisted author of The Twelve Strange Days of Christmas come 12 never-before-published stories to transport you to the macabre world of inexplicable phenomena. With returning characters from the Essex Witch Museum series and a weirdly wonderful tale for each day of Christmas, these spooky stories are the perfect companion for long, dark winter nights.

When her beloved dog passes away just before Christmas, Gloria isn't sure about her best friend's advice. Holiday hilarity ensues when a new cat shows up on her doorstep each day. Who's leaving the cats? And why? Will Gloria's Christmas go up a poof of pet fur, or will it prove to be the most purrfect holiday ever?

A VERY John Jordan Christmas! It's the most wonderful time of the year. And the most stressful. But John Jordan is determined to give his friends and family a very merry Christmas. In order to do so, he'll have to be the man his family and friends have come to expect him to be--a kind, wise, compassionate counselor, and an attentive father, son, husband, and friend--all while his own life lies in ruin. Can John bring joy to those he loves? Can he save Christmas and help his best friend to have a romantic and meaningful Christmas wedding? Find out in A John Jordan Christmas.

From the authors of Cozy Mystery Magazine - a collection of cozy Christmas-themed travel mysteries and scrumptious holiday recipes for our mystery fans. A short and sweet treat.

Private investigator Jade O'Reilly thought her worst Christmas dilemma involved finding the perfect gift for her significant other. That was before she agreed to help Agnes Sturgis, the crankiest old biddy in all of Sweetwater, NC. Every day, for the 12 days leading up to Christmas, Agnes wakes up to a yard filled with Christmas decorations. But in Agnes's opinion, "they're not decorations; they're property damage!"

Flagged down by Inspector LaStrade of Scotland Yard as they walk through the icy winter streets, Holmes and Watson are transported to the home of the aristocratic Lady Whitebread. Once there, she tells them her traditional holiday centerpiece has vanished in the midst of the Christmas dinner - right under the very noses of her guests. The decoration? An enormous work of the jeweler's art centered upon a three inch round emerald called...the Christmas Jewel.

This book is a collection of four short stories from the unconventional mind of Al Macy. The Christmas Planet Jake Corby’s family convinces him to celebrate Christmas on a Disneyland-like planet run by creatures who walk on two legs but resemble schnauzers in elf costumes. When the Corby family arrives, Jake finds that the setup is not quite as innocent as it appears. A Pirate’s Life Down and out scavenger Alex Hale comes across a derelict spaceship belonging to mutineer Jan Breck. There’s a price on her head. Her beautiful head. Will he turn her in and get the reward? Sophia, ...