Crime fiction holiday stories

 

Merry Christmas! At this time of year when joy, peace, and happiness take center stage, the murder and mayhem of crime fiction might feel a little out of place. Luckily, there are plenty of mystery authors who get into the spirit of the season with holiday oriented crime fiction stories and novels. When “Twas the Night Before Christmas” is over and the kids are snuggly in bed, treat yourself a crime fiction holiday story with one of these mischievous thrillers!

Anne Perry is known for her Victorian era Christmas novels, and her latest – A New York Christmas – is a crime fiction holiday story you won’t want to miss. Set in New York City in 1904, this mystery follows British darling Jemima Pitt as she accompanies her soon-to-be-married friend Delphinia across the pond for a high society wedding. When Jemima arrives, she begins to sense there may be more to this fairy tale than meets the eye – and her investigation leads her down a dangerous path of scandal, betrayal, greed, and murder.

For a classic crime fiction Christmas, look no further than Agatha Christie. The Queen of Crime fiction penned a crime fiction holiday story for each of her famous sleuths. In Hercule Poirot’s Christmas – the 20th book in the long running mystery series – Poirot helps track down a brutal killer who strikes a less-than-likeable victim on Christmas Eve. Miss Marple also gets in on the holiday fun in the Christmas caper “A Christmas Tragedy,” in which the famous female detective visits a health resort and suspects that one of the guests plans to murder his wife.

Recently republished for the first time since the 1930’s, J. Jefferson Farjeon’s Mystery in White is quintessential crime fiction holiday story with thrills and chills that have nothing to do with the winter weather. Passengers on Christmas train find their holiday plans derailed when their train is forced to stop in the village of Hemmersby on Christmas Eve. They take cover in a local farm house, but when a murderer strikes, the passengers must uncover the secrets of the house – and of one other – in this classic Christmas mystery.

For a little holiday fun, check out the crime fiction satire The Fat Man: A Tale of North Pole Noir by Ken Harmon. Painting the classic Christmas tale with a touch of noir, Harmon’s crime fiction holiday story features a hardboiled elf caught in a dangerous North Pole made only for those on the Naughty List. When Gumdrop Coal has had enough of anti-Sant-aism and bratty kids lurking at the bottom of every chimney, he decides to issue his own form of justice. Suddenly, things spiral out of control and Gumdrop is on the run, framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Now, he must find the real culprit before Christmas goes down for good.

With so many crime fiction holiday stories for your enjoyment, it’s sure to be a silent night – and a suspenseful one! Sending tidings of comfort and joy – and best wishes for a Merry and Mysterious Christmas!