Crime for Christmas

I got this book for Christmas 2008 and I saved it to read over Christmas 2009 and I am really happy I did. It was perfect to fit in around family visits across the country. Richard Dalby has composed a wonderful anthology of crime stories all set around Christmas-tide. The stories are varied in time, style, content and the type of crime committed: "A pair of Muddy Shoes" is a traditional, macabre ghost story whereas many of the sleuths known for their logical/ evidence-based approach, such as Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple, are also included. There are also some really beautiful pieces of writing such as Hardy's "The grave by the handpost". The last and longest story by Wilkie Collins is the perfect heart-warming end to the book and show more fills you with faith in the goodness of humanity. show less

Crime For Christmas (1991) edited by Richard Dalby. Even though this collection is almost 35 yore old, the stories are timeless, as all great tales are. There are thrills, scares, mysterious doings, and surprise ending abound. Like any collection there are stories that are funnier, deadlier, more creative and better written but if the stories stood alone, each would be a true special present.
The great writers of the genre are represented here. Christie, Conan Doyle, Edgar Wallace, Wilkie Collins and even Thomas Hardy for the more classical reader. Tossed in with the brilliant tales are almost a dozen more to amuse and entertain you. There is even a spooky ghost story to help set the mood around your open hearth. While I don’t have show more that, we do like to make a small campfire late in the day out in the back of the house at Christmas to gain some of the atmosphere. Either way you will find some good tales to entertain children, old folks and all between who want to hear a good Christmas tale that isn’t “A CHRISTMAS CAROL.”
You may not know all the stories, or even the authors, but this is a jolly wonderful collection that will entertain for years to come. I personally read at least one of these stories each Christmas and need find them not interesting. show less