A Tell-Tale History of Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook by Andrew McAleer

Mystery magazine Crimestalker Casebook was founded in 1997, by Edgar winner John McAleer and best selling mystery author Andrew McAleer. The magazine features original short-short mysteries, articles, interviews, and mystery poetry honoring classic crime fiction figures.

Crimestalker short stories rarely exceed 1,200 words, favor traditional mysteries, and avoid gratuitous sex, gore, and graphic language. In December 2025, Crimestalker released its first issue under its expanded name – Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook. Although the magazine hasn’t quite reached its third decade, one could argue it’s been nine decades in the making.

The backstory… 

Crimestalker was born at an unusual time. In 1997, few paper mystery magazines existed and on-line mystery magazines were likewise scarce. Crimestalker was created to give established and new mystery authors another home to publish their work. Over the years we’ve published authors like, Gold & Silver Dagger winner Peter Lovesey, Derringer winner Kris Neri, and Edgar winner Gregory Mcdonald. (Historical Note: Kris Neri’s “My Shadow’s Shadow” was the first story accepted by Crimestalker.)

Crimestalker interviews have been equally impressive: Robert B. Parker, William Link, Margaret McLean, and William G. Tapply. 

Feature articles honoring mystery icons include: Rumpole of the Bailey (this one actually received written praise from Sir John Mortimer himself!), Nero Wolfe, Thorndyke, and even a wonderful piece on Sam Spade by Murder, She Wrote showrunner Tom Sawyer. 

Thanks to the Short Mystery Fiction Society (founded in 1996), Crimestalker has had the honor of being received in the award-winner’s circle taking a Derringer Award and Derringer nomination.

Although irregularly released, Crimestalker published semi-annually. In 2015, I released what I thought would be the last issue. My father had passed away and I was busy knocking in a few boards after an Uncle Sam deployment. Then, the fickle finger of fate struck. 

A mystery story written by my father in the 1930s, “The Case of the Illustrious Baker,” was discovered. The story features London-based detective Henry von Stray and appears in A Casebook of Crime (Level Best Books). Since Henry was created during the Golden Age of Detection—by an author I admire very much—I couldn’t resist the temptation to get the Crimestalker presses rolling again. An expanded magazine name honoring the Golden Age of Detection with the name of a classic detective born during the Golden Age, was in order. Hence, Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook.

The comeback issue features brilliant “Golden Age” cover artwork by Level Best Designs and, all new stories from some of today’s top mystery writers, like: Barb Goffman, John M. Floyd, Libby Cudmore, Michael Bracken, Gay Toltl Kinman, Stephen D. Rogers, and Shawn Reilly Simmons. Plus, an interview with Mystery Readers International’s very own Janet A. Rudolph, a stirring tribute to a Golden Age author, and an original clerihew by Edgar winner Art Taylor.

For now, Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook submissions are by invitation only. December 2025 Kindle version now available at: www.amazon.com  

For hardcopy information visit: www.henryvonstraymysteries.com and say hello via the contact button. 

*** 

Andrew McAleer is the best-selling author of the Detective Henry von Stray classic British crime series created by Edgar winner John McAleer. Von Stray’s adventures appear in A Casebook of Crime Volume One. A second von Stray collection, A Casebook of Crime Volume Two, is scheduled for release in March 2026 (Level Best Books). Mr. McAleer taught classic crime fiction at Boston College and served in Afghanistan as a U.S. Army Historian before returning to public service in the criminal justice system. www.Henryvonstraymysteries.com

Cartoon of the Day: Cats!

Cats!

CHRISTMAS MYSTERY SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGIES AND NOVELLAS

Here's my list of Christmas Mystery Short Story Anthologies and Novellas. There may be some overlaps from my other lists, as well as omissions. Let me know, and I can easily update.

For the Christmas Mystery Novel lists by author, go here: Authors A-E,  Authors F-L, Authors M-Z.

Happy Holidays. Be sure and check back for Boxing Day Mysteries.

SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGIES

Adrian, Jack: Crime at Christmas.
Andrew, Donna, Barb Goffman & Marcia Talley (editors): Homicidal Holidays: Fourteen Tales of Murder and Merriment.
Asimov, Isaac (ed.): Twelve Crimes of Christmas.
Avocato, Lori. Sugarplums and Scandal.
Bedford, Jean (ed): Moonlight Becomes You.

Benedict, Laura, Carolyn Haines, & Lisa Morton (ed): Haunted Holidays.
Browning, Abigail (ed.): Murder Most Merry.
Burton, Tony (ed.): By the Chimney with Care; Carols and Crimes, Gifts and Grifters; Dying in a Winter Wonderland.
Cornwell, Bernard: Sharpe's Christmas--Two Short Stories.
Bill Crider, Terence Faherty, Wendi Lee, & Aileen Schumacher: Murder, Mayhem, and Mistletoe
Dalby, Richard (ed.): Crime for Christmas; Mistletoe & Mayhem.
Doyle, Arthur Conan: "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle".
Edwards, Martin (ed.): Crimson Snow (British Library Crime Classics); A Surprise for Christmas; Silent Nights; Who Killed Father Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries.
Floyd, John (ed.): The Gift of Murder.
Fowler, Christopher: "Bryant & May and the Secret Santa".
Gayford, Cecily (ed): Murder Under the Christmas Tree: Ten Classic Crime Stories for the Festive Season.
Godfrey, Thomas (ed.): Murder for Christmas--26 Tales of Seasonal Malice.
Goffman, Barb (et al., eds.): Chesapeake Crimes--Homicidal Holidays.
Greenberg, Martin H (ed.): Cat Crimes for the Holidays; Holmes for the Holidays; Santa Clues; More Holmes for the Holidays; Twelve Crimes of Christmas.
Halliday, Gemma (ed): Cozy Christmas Capers: 19 Holiday Short Stories.
Harris, Charlaine (ed.): Wolfsbane and Mistletoe.
Hartman, J. Alan (ed.): Santa Rage: A Killer Claus Compendium.

Heald, Tim (ed.): A Classic Christmas Crime.
Hochensmith, Steve: Naughty: Nine Tales of Christmas Crime.
Holmes, Dee: Silent Night.
James, P.D.: The Mistletoe Murder and other stories.
Knight, Stephen (ed.): A Corpse at the Opera House; Murder at Home; Crimes for a Summer Christmas; More Crimes for a Summer Christmas.
Lovesey, Peter (Forward by): The Usual Santas: A Collection of Crime Christmas Capers.
MacLeod, Charlotte (ed.): Mistletoe Mysteries--Tales of Yuletide Murder; Christmas Stalkings--Tales of Yuletide Murder.
McCoy, Judi, Katherine Hall Page, Joanne Pence, et al: Mistletoe and Mayhem.

McDermid, Val: Christmas is Murder
Manson, Cynthia (ed.): Christmas Crimes; Merry Murder; Murder Under the Mistletoe; Mystery for Christmas; Murder at Christmas.
Marks, Jeffrey (ed.): Canine Christmas.

O'Connor, Carlene, Maddie Day, Peggy Ehrhart: Christmas Scarf Murder.
O'Regan and Paul Kane (ed): Death Comes at Christmas

Penzler, Otto (ed.).: Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop; The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries; Golden Age Christmas Mysteries.
Simenon, Georges: A Maigret Christmas and Other Stories; also published as Maigret's Christmas, Nine Stores (1976), Translated by Jean Stewart (UK).
Slater, Susan: Crooks, Crimes and Christmas.
Soles, Caro (ed.).: Blood on the Holly.
Todd, Charles. A Christmas Witness. 

Walling, R.A.J., Three Christmas Mysteries. Three Noel Pinson Mystery Stories.

Wilson, Gahan: Murder for Christmas: 26 Tales of Seasonal Malice.

Christmas Crimes: Stories from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine: stories by Ron Goulart, Edward D. Hoch, John Dickson Carr, Anne Cleeves, and more.

NOVELLAS

Allan, Barbara: Antiques Fruitcake.
Baker, Deb: Murder Trims the Tree.
Barritt, Christy. Pranced.
Bennett, Jenna: Contingent on Approval.
Berry, Linda (and others): The Last Noel.
Block, Barbara (and others): Murder Most Merry.
Brewer, Steve (and others): The Last Noel; Sanity Clause (e-novella).
Burke, Christina: Queenie Baby: Pass the Eggnog.
Calhoun, Lynn: Santa Puppy.
Coco, Nancy: All I Want for Christmas is Fudge.
Collins, Kate:  Missing Under the Mistletoe.
Coward, Mat (and others): The Last Noel.
Dane, Catherine (and others): The Last Noel.
Early, Barbara: Gold, Frankincense, and Murder.
Emrick, K.J.: The Ghost of Christmas.
Faherty, Terence (and others): Murder, Mayhem and Mistletoe.
Fluke, Joanne (and others): Candy Cane Murder; Gingerbread Cookie Murder.

Genova, Rosie: The Seven-Course Christmas Killer.
Hathaway, L.B.: A Christmas Case: A Posie Parker Novella.
Jaffarian, Sue Ann: The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary. 
Kelly, Diane: Death, Taxes, and Mistletoe Mayhem.
Kelner, Toni L.P. (and others): Murder Under the Tree.
Khan, Vaseem: A Yuletide Murder in Old Bombay.

Langtree, Leslie: Merry Christmas Murder: a Merry Wrath Mysteries.
Martin, Nancy: Slay Belles.
Mitcheltree, Tom (and others): How Still We See Thee Lie.

Nardi, Christa: Holidays, Hijinks & Murder; Holly and Holidays, Another Murder.
O'Donohue, Clare: Cathedral Windows.
Pence, Joanne: Cook's Christmas Capers.

Prose, Nita: The Mistletoe Mystery.

Raybourn, Deanna: Silent Night--A Lady Julia Christmas Novella.
Robb, J.D. (and others): Silent Night.
Shelton, Connie: Holidays Can Be Murder.
Stout: Rex: Christmas Party.

Unger, Lisa: Christmas Presents.
Walker, Martin: Bruno and the Carol Singers.
Walling, R.A. J.: Three Christmas Mysteries: Three Noel Pinson Mystery Stories.

Ward, Tamara: Jade O'Reilly and the 12 Days of Christmas.
Winston, Lois: Elementary, My Dear Gertie.

There are so many short stories that appear in magazines that I can't list them all...but here's one..

Robert Lopresti "Christmas Dinner," AHMM

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: AUTHORS M-Z

Here is the third post of my alphabetical by author Christmas Crime Fiction (novels) Lists: Christmas Mysteries: Authors M-Z. Still to come updated lists: Christmas Short Story Anthologies and Novellas; Boxing Day, and Solstice Mysteries.

Here are the links that complete my Christmas Mysteries list: Check out Christmas Crime Fiction, Authors A-E,  Authors F-L.

As always, let me know if I've forgotten an author or title. Post in comments below.

Happy Holiday Reading!

AUTHORS M-Z

Macbride, Stuart: Cold Granite; 12 Days of Winter.
MacDonald, John D.: Pale Gray for Guilt.
MacInerney, Karen: Mistletoe Murder; Mistletoe Murder.
Macko, Elaine: Armed.
MacLeod, Charlotte: The Convivial Codfish; Murder Goes Mumming; Rest You Merry; Christmas Stalkings; Mistletoe Mysteries; Counterfeit Christmas.
MacPherson, Rett: A Comedy of Heirs; The Blood Ballad.
Macy, Meg: Have Yourself a Beary Little Murder

Malliet, G. M.: Death of a Cozy Writer.
Malmont, Valerie: Death, Snow, and Mistletoe.
Manos, Blanche: Moonlight Can Be Murder

Manansala, Mia P.: Blackmail and Bibingka 
Marantz, Bill: Christmas Eve Can Kill You.
Markham, Marion: Christmas Present Mystery (juvenile).
Markowitz, Jeff: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder.
Marks, Jeffrey: Canine Christmas.

Maron, Margaret: Corpus Christmas; Rituals of the Season; Christmas Mourning.
Marsh, Carole: Haunted Christmas Tree Mystery.
Marsh, Ngaio: Tied Up in Tinsel.
Marston, Edward: A Christmas Railway Mystery.
Masson, Deborah. Hold Your Tongue.
Matesky, Amanda: Murder is a Girl's Best Friend.
Mathews, Francine. Death on a Winter Stroll.

Matthews, Meyer: I'll Be Alone for Christmas.

Maughman, W. Somerset: Christmas Holiday.
McBain, Ed: And All Through the House; Downtown; Ghosts; Sadie When She Died.
McClintick, Malcolm: Death of an Old Flame.
McCloy, Helen: Mr Splitfoot.
McClure, James: The Gooseberry Fool.
McConnon, Maggie: Bel, Book, and Scandal.
McCrumb, Sharyn: Nora Bonesteel's Christmas Past.
McDonald, C.S.: Merry Murder.
McGinley, Patrick: Goosefoot.
McGowan, Claire: The Dead Ground.
McGown, Jill: Murder at the Old Vicarage.
McHugh, Mary: High Kicks, Hot Chocolate, and Homicides.
McKevett, G.A.: Cooked Goose; Poisoned Tarts; Murder in Her Stocking.
McKinley, Jenn: On Borrowed Time.
McLean, Donna: A Sparrow Falls Christmas.
McLintick, Malcolm: Death of an Old Flame.
McMullen, Mary: Death by Bequest.

McNicol, DB: Slay Ride.
McPherson, Catriona: The Reek of Red Herrings; Hop Scot
Meade, Amy Patricia: The Christmas Fair Killer
Mehl, Nancy: There Goes Santa Claus.
Meier, Leslie: The Christmas Cookie Murder; Mistletoe Murder; Mail Order Murder; A Winter Wonderland; Christmas Carol Murder; Eggnog Murder; Gingerbread Cookie Murder.
Menuhin, Karen Baugh: Murder at Malrose Court.

Meredith, Anne: Portrait of a Murderer.
Meredith, D. R.: Murder by Sacrilege.
Meredith, David W.: The Christmas Card Murders.
Michaels, Kasey: High Heels and Holidays; Bowled Over.
Michaels, Sharon. Missing Santas. 

Miles, Terry: Dog Gone Christmas.
Milne, A.A.: A Table Near the Band; Christmas Party.
Mims, Jay: The Five Santas.
Miner, Valerie: Murder in the English Department.
Minichino, Camile: The Helium Murder; The Oxygen Murder.
Misto, Joh: The Devil's Companions.
Mitchell, Gladys: Dead Men's Morris; The Dancing Druids; Murder in the Snow; Groaning Spinney; Death Comes at Christmas.

Moncrieff, Ada: Murder Most Festive; Murder at Midwinter. 
Monroe, Willow: Mall Santa Murder.
Moore, Christopher: The Stupidest Angel--A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror.
Moore, Judy: Murder in Vail.
Morgan, Lorna Nicholl: Another Little Christmas Murder.
Morrell, David: The Spy Who Came for Christmas.
Morrigan, Laura. The Cat Who Stole Christmas.

Mortimer, John: A Rumpole Christmas.
Morton, Mandy: Ghost of Christmas Paws.
Moyes, Patricia: Season of Snows and Sins; Who Killed Father Christmas?.
Mugavero, Liz: Purring Around the Christmas Tree.

Muldoon, Meg: Murder in Christmas River; Madness in Christmas River.

Muller, Marcia: There's Nothing to be Afraid Of.
Munoz-Renfroe, Ileana: Ghostly Gift
Murphy, Shirley Rousseau: Cat Deck the Halls; Cat Coming Home; Cat Bearing Gifts.
Murry, James S. and Darren Wearmouth: You Better Watch Out.

Myers, Ann: Feliz Navidead.
Naigle, Nancy: Christmas Joy.
Nash, Anne: Said with Flowers.
Neel, Janet: Death's Bright Angel.

Nabb, Magdalen: Death of an Englishman.

Nelson, Hugh: The Season for Murder.
Nesbo, Jo: The Redeemer.
Nesser, Hakan: Woman with Birthmark; The Darkest Day.
Nixon, Joan: The Christmas Eve Murder.
Norden, Robert: Death Beneath the Christmas Tree.
Norton, Jemima: The Mistletoe Bride.

Ockley, Martha: The Advent of Murder.
O'Connell, Carol: Judas Child.
O'Connor, Carlene: Murder at an Irish Christmas.
Oldham, Nick: Bad Tidings.

O'Marie, Sr. Carol Anne: Advent of Dying; Murder in Ordinary Time; A Novena for Murder.
O'Nan, Stewart: Last Night at the Lobster.
Oust, Gail: Ginger Snapped; The Twelve Dice of Christmas.

Page, Katherine Hall: The Body in the Big Apple; The Body in the Bouillon; The Body in the Sleigh.
Paige, Shelton: Merry Market Murder.
Painter, Kristen: Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case.
Pajer, Bernadette: The Edison Effect.
Palmer, William: The Dons and Mr Dickens.
Papazoglou, Orania: Rich, Radiant Slaughter; Charisma.

Parker, Ann. Mortal Music.
Parker, Gary E.: Death Stalks a Holiday.
Parker, Robert: The Widening Gyre.
Parra, Nancy J: Flourless to Stop Him.
Patterson, James: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross; The 19th Christmas; The Christmas Mystery.
Paul, Barbara: A Chorus of Detectives.
Pearl, Jack: Victims.

Pearson, Carol Lynn: A Stranger For Christmas.
Pelecanos, George: Nick's Trip.
Pence, Joanne: Two Cooks A-Killing; The Thirteenth Santa.
Penhallow, Sara: The Christmas Tree Farm Murders.
Penny, Louise: A Fatal Grace; How the Light Gets In.
Perry, Anne: A Christmas Beginning; A Christmas Grace; A Christmas Guest; A Christmas Journey; A Christmas Secret; A Christmas Visitor; Silence in Hanover Close; A Christmas Promise; A Christmas Garland; A Christmas Odyssey; A Christmas Secret; A Christmas Hope; A Christmas Deliverance... and more.
Perry, Carl J.: Bells, Spells, and Murders. 

Pershing, Amy: An Eggnog to Die For.
Peters, Elizabeth: He Shall Thunder in the Sky; Trojan Gold.
Peters, Ellis: A Rare Benedictine; The Raven in the Foregate.
Philips, Scott: The Ice Harvest.

Pine, Alex: The Christmas Killer; The Night Before Christmas
Plakcy, Neil: Dog Have Mercy.
Pleiter, Allie: It Came upon a Midnight Shear
Pomidor, Bill: Mind Over Murder.
Pouliot, Carol: RSVP to Murder.

Pronzini, Bill: Snowbound.
Pryce, Malcolm: Don't Cry For Me Aberystwyth.
Pulver, Mary Monica: Original Sin.

Purser, Ann: Murder on Monday.
Quashie, Colin: Spirits in a Material World.
Queen, Ellery: The Finishing Stroke; Cat of Many Tails; Calamity Town; The Egyptian Cross Mystery; Murder at Christmas.
Quentin, Patrick: Follower.

Quigley, Mindy: Sleep in Heavenly Pizza

Quilford, Sally: Mistletoe Mystery. 
Quinn, Spencer: Santa 365; It's a Wonderful Woof 
Radford, E. & M.A.: Who Killed Dick Whittington.
Radtke, Carmen: The Mystery of the Christmas Bauble. 

Raphael, Lev: Burning Down the House.
Rawlins, Linda. Misty Winter.
Rawls, Randy: Jingle's Christmas.
Ray, Robert J.: Merry Christmas, Murdock.

Redmond, Heather. A Christmas Carol Murder.
Reilly, Linda: Claws for Celebration; You Feta Watch Out. 
Reinsmith, Richard: Body for Christmas.
Richards, Emilie: Let There be Suspects.

Richey, Sheri: Silent Night Dynamite; A Tough Nut to Crack.
Rickman, Phil: Midwinter of the Spirit.
Riggs, John R.: Haunt of the Nightingale.
Riley, Kelly Ann: Homespun Holidays.
Ripley, Ann: The Christmas Garden Affair.
Ripley, J.R.: How the Finch Stole Christmas.
Ripley, Mike: Mr. Campion's Christmas

Rizer, Fran: A Corpse Under the Christmas Tree.
Rizzolo, S.K.: The Rose in the Wheel.
Robb, J.D.: Holiday in Death; Apprentice in Death; Brotherhood in Death; Festive in Death.
Robbins, Lori: Murder in Third Position.

Roberts, Gillian: The Mummer's Curse; Philly Stakes.
Roberts, Sheila: On Strike for Christmas; The Nine Lives of Christmas.
Robinson, David W: Christmas Crackers, A Murder for Christmas.
Robinson, Peter: Past Reason Hated; The Price of Love and Other Stories (collection).
Rockwell, Patricia: Papoosed.

Roger, Janet: Shamus Dust.
Roosevelt, Elliott: The White House Pantry Murder.
Roper, Gail: Caught in the Act.
Rosenfelt, David: The Twelve Dogs of Christmas; Deck the Hounds; Dachshund Through the Snow; Silent Bite; Best in Snow; Santa's Little Yelpers; The More the Terrier; Twas the Bite Before Christmas.
Rosett, Sara: Mistletoe, Merriment and Murder; Menace at the Christmas Marker; Murder on a Midnight Clear.

Ross, L.J.: Ryan's Christmas. 
Ross, Rosemary: Christmas Candy Corpse.
Rotch, Lawrence: Mistletoe and Murder.
Rowe, Jennifer: Death in Store; Love Lies Bleeding.
Rubino, Jane: Fruit Cake; Homicide for the Holidays.

Ruell, Patrick: Red Christmas.
Russell, Alan: St. Nick.
Russell, Michael: The City in Darkness.
Ryan, Annelise: Lucky Stiff.
Ryan, Jenna: Mistletoe and Murder.
Rise, Nicole: A Mistletoe Murder
Sample, Cindy: Dying for a Dance.
Salonen, Debra. Montana Secret Santa.

Sanders, Lawrence: The Fourth Deadly Sin.
Santangelo, Elena: Poison to Purge Melancholy; Double Cross.
Santangelo, Susan: Mistletoe Can Be Murder: Every Wife Has a Story.

Sarsfield, Maureen: Murder at Beechlands.

Saums, Mary: When the Last Magnolia Weeps.
Sawyer, Corinne Holt: Ho Ho Homicide.
Sayers, Dorothy L.: The Nine Tailors.
Schaler, Karen: Christmas Camp.

Scherf, Margaret: The Gun in Daniel Webster's Bust.
Schneider, Maria: Executive Sick Days.
Schumacher, Aileen: Framework for Death.
Schweizer, Mark: The Alto Wore Tweeds; The Christmas Cantata.
Scott, Laura: Her Mistletoe Protector.
Sedaris, David: Holidays on Ice.
Sedley, Kate: The Christmas Wassail.

Seedorf, Julie: The Discombobulated Decipherers.
Sefton, Maggie: Fleece Navidad.
Sellars, M.R.: Perfect Trust.
Serafin, David: Christmas Rising.
Shaber, Sarah: Shell Game (aka Burying Ground).

Shannon, Dell: No Holiday For Crime.
Shaw, J.D: Yule Be the Death of Me.
Shaw, M.B.: Murder at the Mill.
Shea, Susan: Dressed for Death in Burgundy.
Shelton, Connie: Sweet Holidays; Holidays Can Be Murder.
Shelton, Paige: Merry Market Murder; A Christmas Tartan.
Sibley, Celestine: Spider in the Sink.
Simenon, Georges: Maigret's Christmas.

Slan, Joanna Campbell: Handmade, Holiday, Homicide.
Sleeman, Susan: The Christmas Witness; Christmas Conspiracy; High-Caliber Holiday.
Smith, Barbara Burnett: Mistletoe From Purple Sage; Tis the Season for Murder (with Fred Hunter).
Smith, Fiona Vetch: The Pantomime Murders

Smith, Frank: Fatal Flaw.
Smith, George Harmon: The Christmas Angel.
Smith, Joan: Don't Leave Me This Way.
Smith, Karen Rose: Slay Bells Ring.
Smith, Terrence: The Devil and Webster Daniels.
Smoak, Amanda: Generals' Row.

Smucker, Judy Clemens. To Thine Own Self Be True.
Spain, Nancy: Cinderella Goes to the Morgue.

Spielman, Rosalie: Home for the Homicides.

Sprinkle, Patricia: A Mystery Bred in Buckhead.
Stagge, Jonathan: The Yellow Taxi.
Stanley, J. B.: The Battered Body.
Stevens, Robin: Mistletoe and Murder.
Stone, Jean: A Vineyard Wedding.
Stout, Rex: And Four to Go.
Strohmeyer, Sarah: Bubbles All the Way.
Swanson, Denise: Murder of a Barbie and Ken; Murder of a Stacked Librarian.
Symons, Julian: The Detling Secret.

Steadman, Catherine: The Family Game.

Stevenson, Benjamin: Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret

Swanson, Peter: The Christmas Guest.

Talley, Marcia: Occasion of Revenge.
Tate, Valerie: The Reindeer Caper.
Taylor, Elizabeth Atwood: The Cable Car Murder.
Taylor, Hudson: Death of a Christmas Tree Man.
Taylor, Sarah Stewart: O' Artful Death.
Temple, Lou Jane: Death is Semisweet.
Tesh, Jane: Mixed Signals.
Tesler, Nancy: Slippery Slopes and Other Deadly Things.
Thames, Nancy: Waiting for Santa.
Theorin, Johan: The Darkest Room.
Thomas, Billie: Murder on the First Day of Christmas.
Thomas, Lisa: Sharpe Edge.

Thomas, Wendall. Drowned Under.
Thompson, Carlene: The Way You Look Tonight.
Thompson, Victoria. Murder on St Nicholas Avenue.
Thynne, Molly. The Crime at the Noah's Ark.

Todd, Charles: The Walnut Tree.
Tooke, John: On the Twelfth Day of Christmas.
Tope, Rebecca: Trouble in the Cotswolds; A Cotswold Christmas Mystery.
Tourney, Leonard D.: Knaves Templar.
Toussaint, Maggie: Death, Island Style.

Tremayne, Peter: The Haunted Abbot.
Trent, Gayle: Clause of Death.
Trent, Teresa: The Deadliest Christmas Pageant Ever.
Trocheck, Kathy: A Midnight Clear.
Trocheck, Kathy Hogan (as Mary Kay Andrews): Fatal Fruitcake; Blue Christmas; Christmas Bliss.
Tyson, Wendy: Seeds of Revenge. 

Underwood, Michael: A Party to Murder.
Unger, Lisa: Christmas Presents.

Upson, Nicola. The Christmas Clue.

Unsworth, Barry: Morality Play.
Vandiver, Abby L.: Baby, It's Cold Outside
VanLeeuwen, Jean: The Great Christmas Kidnapping Caper.
Verburg, C.J.: Silent Night Violent Night.
Very, Pierre: L'assassinat du Pere Noel (The Murder of Father Christmas).

Victor, Cynthia: What Matters Most.
Viets, Elaine: Murder With All the Trimmings.

Wait, Lea: Shadows on a Maine Christmas; Thread the Halls.
Wainwright, Noreen: Crime at Christmas.
Walker, Persia: Darkness and the Devil behind Me.
Waller, Gail & Jim Gilber: A Kudzu Christmas.
Walsh, Thomas: The Resurrection Man.
Ward, Donald: Our Little Secret.
Washburn, Livia: The Gingerbread Bump-Off; The Christmas Cookie Killer.
Webb, Peggy: Elvis and the Blue Christmas Corpse.

Webber, Heather: Trouble Under the Tree.
Weir, Charlene: A Cold Christmas.
Weiss, Kirsten: Deja Moo.
Welk, Mary: Deadly Little Christmas; A Merry Little Murder.
Wenger, Christine: It's a Wonderful Knife.
Wentworth, Patricia: The Clock Strikes 12. 
Wescott, T.C.: Slay Bells ... are you Listening?
White, Anne: Cold Winter Nights.
Wilder, Stacy: A Christmas Conundrum.

Wildwind, Sharon: First Murder in Advent.
Wilkinson, Kerry. No Place Like Home.

Willan, Jane: The Hour of Death.
Williams, David: Murder in Advent.
Williams, Paul. Twelve Days.
Willig, Lauren: The Mischief of the Mistletoe.
Windsor, Patricia: The Christmas Killer.
Wingfield, R.D.: Frost at Christmas.
Winston, Lois: Drop Dead Ornaments; Elementary, My Dear Gertie; Handmade Ho-Ho Homicide.
Wishart, David: Last Rites. 
Witting, Clifford: Catt Out of the Bag.
Wolzien, Valerie: Deck the Halls With Murder; 'Tis the Season to be Murdered; We Wish You a Merry Murder.

Woods, Darrow: The Book of Christmas Joy

Woods, Rachel: Merry Christmas Murder
Woods, Sherryl: Christmas at White Pines.
Wright, Eric: The Man Who Changed His Name.
Yaffe, James: Mom Meets Her Maker.

Young, Kelly: Christmas Tree Mystery
Young, Suzanne: Murder by Yew; Murder by Christmas.

Zelvin, Elizabeth: Death Will Get You Sober.
Zoltack, Nicole: Mistletoe, Marriage, & Murder.

Check out the first two lists: 

Christmas Mysteries: Authors A-E, Christmas Mysteries, Authors F-L.

CHANUKAH (HANUKAH) MYSTERIES

The Jewish Holiday of Chanukah (no matter how you spell it - Hanukah, Hanukkah) starts Sunday night. Because the holiday lasts eight days, you will have plenty of time to read these books and stories! Let me know if I've missed any authors or titles. Put a note in the comments. This is an updated list for 2025. Happy Chanukah!

Want some chocolate with your reading? Make Sufganiyot! Chocolate Donuts or Hannukah Gelt Cookies!

Hanukkah Mystery Novels 

A Crafty Christmas by Molly Cox Bryan
As Dog is My Witness by Jeff Cohen

Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle (mostly about Christmas but Hanukah is mentioned)
Beautiful Lie the Dead by Barbara Fradkin
Strength to Stand by Sheyna Galyan
Festival of Deaths by Jane Haddam
Hanukkah Gelt by T. Lee Harris
Out of the Frying Pan into the Choir by Sharon Kahn
Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry by Harry Kemelman

Murder at the Minyan by Shlumat E. Kustanowitz
Gone But Knot Forgotten by Mary Marks

The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page (mostly about Christmas but Hanukah is mentioned)
Dog Have Mercy by Neil Plakcy
Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley (a Chrismukkah house party) 

Chanukah Guilt by Rabbi Ilene Schneider
The Tattooed Rabbi by Marvin J. Wolf
Mom Lights a Candle by James Yaffe

Children's Hanukah Mysteries

Rabbi Rocketpower and the Mystery of the Missing Menorahs - A Hanukkah Humdinger! by Rabbi Susan Abramson and Aaron Dvorkin and Ariel DiOrio
Too Many Latkes: A Chanukah Mystery by Sonia Zylberberg
The Mohel from Mars by Miri Ariel
The Case of the Disappearing Chanukah Candles by Ellen Roteman
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming by Lemony Snicket.

Hanukkah Mystery Short Stories

"Mom Lights a Candle" by James Yaffe, appeared in Mystery: The Best of 2002, ed. by Jon L. Breen.

"Hanukah" by Morris Hershman in Cat Crimes for the Holidays, ed. by Martin Greenberg, Edward Gorman and Larry Segriff
"The Worse Noel" by Barb Goffman in The Gift of Murder, ed. by John M. Floyd
"A Great Miracle Happened There" by Alan Orloff in Black Cat Weekly (Issue 119, 2023)

"Death on the List" by B.K. Stevens (AHMM, January 1999)

For more info on Jewish short story mysteries, check out Steven Steinbock who blogs on Criminal Brief, the Mystery Short Story Web Log Project.
"Navidad" by Elizabeth Zelvin, EQMM, January 2011
"No Candles for Antiochus" by Barry Ergang
Murder is no Mitzvah: Short Stories about Jewish Occasions, edited by Abigail Browning
The Latke in the Library & Other Mystery Stories for Chanukah by Libi Astaire

Mystery Chanukah Anthologies

The Melancholy Menorah (Jewish Regency Mystery Stories Book 4), Libi Astaire
The Latke in the Library and Other Mystery Stories for Chanukah, Libi Astaire
36 Candles: Chassidic Tales for Chanukah, Libi Astaire

Murder is No Mitzvah: Short Mysteries About Jewish Occasions, Abigail Browning
Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hanukkah Noir, edited by Tod Goldberg

Jewish Noir, Edited by Kenneth Wishnia

Jewish Noir II, edited by Kenneth Wishnia and Chantelle Aimee Osman

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: Authors F-L // Christmas Crime Fiction

Today, I continue my Christmas Mystery/Crime Fiction list, with books by Authors F-L. It's amazing how many mysteries are set during the holidays, but it's such a stressful time, I shouldn't be all surprised.

Christmas Crime Authors F-L. Be sure and check the previous list Christmas Mysteries, Authors A-E. I've updated today's list, but please let me know if I've forgotten an author or book. Please comment below.

More authors and titles to come. Be sure and come back to check--also Winter Solstice, Boxing Day, and New Year's. 

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: AUTHORS F-L

Fairstein, Linda A.: The Deadhouse; The Crime and the Crystal; A Small World of Murder.
Farjeon, J.J.: Mystery in White: A Christmas Crime Story.
Faricy, Mike: Suspect Santa

Farrow, John: City of Ice.

Farrow, Sharon: Hollyberry Homicide.
Fawcett, Quinn: Siren Song.
Fennelly, Tony: Home Dead for Christmas.
Fenris, Morris: Miracle of Christmas Boxed Set.

Ferrars, E.X.: Smoke Without Fire; The Small World of Murder; The Crime and the Crystal.
Ferris, Monica: Crewel Yule; A Stitch in Time.

Finch, Charles: The Fleet Street Murders.
Finnis, Jane: A Bitter Chill.
Fishback, Beatrice: Winter Writerland.
Fitt, Mary: Death Starts a Rumor.

Fitzsimmons, P.J.: The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning.

Fletcher, Jessica (Donald Bain): A Little Yuletide Murder; Manhattans and Murder. 
Fletcher, Jessica and Terrie Farley Moran: Murder, She Wrote: A Killer Christmas.

Flower, Amanda: A Plain Disappearance; Candy Cane Crime.
Fluke, Joanne: Sugar Cookie Murder; Plum Pudding Murder; Candy Cane Murders; Gingerbread Cookie Murder; Christmas Caramel Murder; Christmas Cake Murder.
Flynn, Brian: The Murders Near Mapleton: Exit Sir John.
Foley, Rae: Hundreth Door; Where is Mary Bostwick?.
Follett, Ken: Whiteout.
Ford, Leslie: The Simple Way of Poison.
Forest Katie (writing as Mona Marple): Yule Be Sorry.

Fowler, Earlene: The Saddlemaker's Wife.
Fowler, Mark L.: White Christmas
Fox, Sarah: Yeast of Eden; Baking Spirits Bright. 
Frankland, Maria: Last Christmas

Fraser, Anthea: The Nine Bright Shiners; White Christmas with a Wobbly Knee; Snowballs and Scotch Mist; Christmas Mourning.
Frazer, Andrea: Snowballs and Scotch Mist; Christmas Morning.
Frazer, Margaret: The Servant's Tale; The Widow's Tale.
Freeburn, Christina: Not a Creature Was Stirring.

Fremlin, Celia: The Long Shadow.
Freydont, Shelley: A Merry Little Murder; Silent Knife.
Frommer, Sara Hoskinson: Witness in Bishop Hill.
Frost, The Killer's Christmas List. 

Frost, Jacqueline: Twelve Slays of Christmas; 'Twas the Knife Before Christmas.
Fruttero, Carlo & Franco Lucentini: Enigma in Luogo di Mare.
Furlong-Bolliger, S.: Christmas in Killarney.
Furst, Clyde Bowman: The Observations of Professor Maturin.
Fry, Patricia: A Picture-Purrfect Christmas.

Gaardner, Jostein: The Christmas Mystery.
Gagnon, Michelle: Kidnap and Ransom.
Galenorn, Yasmine: Ghost of a Chance.
Gano, John: Inspector Proby's Christmas.

Garner, Deborah: Sleigh Bells at Moonglow.
Garner, James Finn: Politically Correct Holiday Stories--For an Enlightened Yuletide Season (collection).
Garnet, A. H.: The Santa Claus Killer.
George, Anne: Murder on a Bad Hair Day.
Gerber, Daryl Wood: Wreath between the Lines.
Gilchrist, Aimee: Mele Kalikimaka Murder. 

Gilruth, Susan: Death in Ambush.
Giroux, E. X.: Death for a Dietician.
Gold, Ginny: Gingerdead Man.
Goldenbaum, Sally: A Holiday Yarn; Trimmed with Murder.

Gonda, Judith: Murder in the Christmas Tree Lot.
Goodhind, J.G.: The Ghost of Christmas Past.
Goodman, Jonathan: Murder on the Aisle.
Gordon, Alan: Thirteenth Night; The Moneylender of Toulouse.
Gorman, Edward: Murder on the Aisle.
Gouze, Roger: A Quiet Game of Bambu.
Grabenstein, Chris: Hell for the Holidays; Slay Ride.
Grace, Alexa: Deadly Holiday.
Grace, C.L.: The Merchant of Death.
Grace, Margaret: Mayhem in Miniature; Manhattan in Miniature.

Grafton, Sue: E is for Evidence.
Graham, Heather: The Last Noel; A Season of Miracles.
Granger, Ann: A Season for Murder; Dead in the Water.
Grant, Ellie: Treacherous Tart.
Graves, Sarah: Wreck the Halls.
Greeley, Andrew: The Bishop and the Three Kings.
Green, Christine: Deadly Partners.
Greenwood, Kerry: Murder in the Dark; Forbidden Fruit.
Greenwood, Patrice. As Red as Any Blood.

Gregory, Lena: Mistletoe Cake Murder.
Gregory, Susanna: A Conspiracy of Violence.
Griffey, Jackie: The Nelson Scandal.
Griffiths, Elly. Smoke and Mirrors.

Grimes, Martha: Jerusalem Inn; The Old Fox Deceived; The Man with a Load of Mischief.
Guest, Judith: Killing Time in St. Cloud.
Gunn, Victor: Death on Shivering Sand.
Gunning, Sally: Ice Water.
Gustafson, Johana: Yule Island.
Haddam, Jane: Not a Creature Was Stirring; A Stillness in Bethlehem.
Hager, Jean: The Last Noel.
Haines, Carolyn: Buried Bones; A Gift of Bones.
Hall, Parnell: A Puzzle in a Pear Tree.
Hall, Robert Lee: Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder.
Hallet, Janice: The Christmas Appeal

Halliday, Gemma: Christmas in High Heels.
Hallinan, Timothy: Fields Where They Lay.
Hamilton, Victoria: White Colander Crime.
Hammett, Dashiell: The Thin Man.
Handler, David: The Snow White Christmas Cookie.

Hannah, Darci: Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off.
Hannah, Sophie: Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot's Silent Night.

Hardwick, Richard: The Season to be Deadly.
Hare, Cyril: An English Murder.
Harmon, Ken: The Fat Man--A Tale of North Pole Noir. 

Harnetiaux, Trish. White Elephant.
Harper, Karen: The Queene's Christmas.
Harris, Charlaine: Shakespeare's Christmas.

Harris, Joanne: Chocolat.
Harris, Lee: The Christmas Night Murder.
Harrison, Janis: Murder Sets Seed.
Hart, Carolyn: Sugarplum Dead; Merry, Merry Ghost.
Hart, Ellen: Vital Lies; Murder in the Air.
Hart, Roy: Seascape with Dead Figures.
Harvey, John: Cold Light.

Hathway, L.B. The Vanishing of Dr Winter.
Haven, Heather: The CEO Came DOA; Iced Diamond; Christmas Trifle
Hay, Mavis Doriel: The Santa Klaus Murder.
Heald, Tim: Classic Christmas Crime.
Healy, Mel: Black Marigolds.
Heath, Sandra: Mistletoe Mischief.
Hechtman, Betty: You Better Knot Die.
Heistand, Jo: A Recipe for Murder.

Hellmann, Libby: Set the Night on Fire.
Hemlin, Tim: A Catered Christmas.
Hennrickus, Julie: A Christmas Peril.

Hess, Joan: A Holly, Jolly Murder; O Little Town of Maggody.
Hesse, Jennifer David: Bell, Book & Candlemas; Yuletide Homicide.
Heyer, Georgette: Envious Casca; A Christmas Party.
Hiassen, Carl: Tourist Season.

Hill, Joe: NOS4A2.
Hill, Reginald: Death's Jest Book; A Clubbable Woman; Red Christmas.
Hilton, John Buxton: Death in Midwinter.
Hinkemeyer, Michael: A Time to Reap.
Hochgatterer, Paulus: The Sweetness of Life.
Hodgkin, Marion Rous: Dead Indeed.
Holland, Isabelle: A Fatal Advent.
Holliday, Susi. The Deaths of December.
Hollis, Lee: Death of a Christmas Caterer.
Holmes, Dee. The Unexpected Gift.
Holms, Joyce: Thin Ice.
Honigford, Cheryl: Homicide for the Holidays. 

Howell, Dorothy: Slay Bells and Satchels.
Howie, Edith: Murder for Christmas.
Howlett, John: The Christmas Spy.
Hughes, Cledwyn: The Inn Closes for Christmas; The Different Drummer.
Hughes, Mary Ellen: Wreath of Deception.
Hume, Fergus: The Coin of Edward VII.
Hunter, Alan: Landed Gently.
Hunter, Ellen Elizabeth: Murder on the Candlelight Tour; Christmas Wedding; Murder at the Holiday Flotilla.
Hunter, Evan: Come Winter.
Hunter, Fred: Ransom for a Holiday; 'Tis the Season for Murder; Homicide for the Holidays.
Husom, Christine: The Iced Princess.
Hyatt, Georgette: Envious Casca.

Hyzy, Julie: Hail to the Chef.

Iams, Jack: Do Not Murder Before Christmas.
Indridason, Arnaldur: Voices.
Innes, Michael: A Comedy of Terrors; Christmas at Candleshoe; There Came Both Mist and Snow.

Ireland, Liz: Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings; Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's
Irving, Karen: Jupiter's Daughter.
Iron, Graham: Hardcastle's Actress.

Ivie, Judith: Drowning in Christmas.
Jackson, Melanie: Murder on Parade; Requiem at Christmas.
Jackways, K.M.: Murder for a Song

Jaffe, Jody: Chestnut Mare, Beware.

Jahn, Cathie: Add One Dead Critic.
Jahn, Michael: Murder on Fifth Avenue.
James, CeeCee: The Frosty Taste of Scandal.

James, Miranda: Six Cats a Slayin'.
James, P. D.: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories (collection).
Jarvis, Nancy Lynn: Buying Murder.
Jecks, Michael: The Boy Bishop's Glove Maker.
Jeffers, H. Paul: Murder on Mike.
John, Cathie: Add One Dead Critic.
Johns, Madison: The Great Christmas Caper; Meows, Magic & Elves.
Johnsen, Kjersti Harland: Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge

Johnson, Craig: Death Without Company; Christmas in Absaroka; Spirit of Steamboat.
Johnson, Sybil: Ghosts of Painting Past. 

Johnston, Antony. The Dog Sitter Detective's Christmas Tail.

Jonasson, Ragnar. Whiteout.
Jones, Gin: Old-Fashioned Holiday Homicide.

Jones, Valona: In the Wick of Time.

Jordan, Cathleen: A Carol in the Dark.
Jordan, Jennifer: Murder Under the Mistletoe.

Kales, Jenny: Spiced and Iced.
Kane, Henry: A Corpse for Christmas (aka Homicide at Yuletide).
Kaplan, Arthur: A Killing for Charity.
Kappes, Tonya: Freshly Ground Murder, Tangled Up in Tinsel; Christmas, Criminals, and Campers; Eggnog Extortion & Evergreens; Elves, Evergreens, & Evidence; Santa Claus Surprise.
Kashian, Tina: Stabbed in the Baklava; Mistletoe, Moussaka Murder.  

Katz, Fred: Not a Creature Was Stirring.
Kaufman, Karin: The Witch Tree.
Kavanaugh, Brian: A Canterbury Crime; Calamity at Crime Cottage.
Kaye, M. M.: Death in the Andamans.
Kellerman, Faye: Sacred and Profane.
Kelley, Lee Charles: 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas.
Kelly, Mary: The Christmas Egg.
Kelly, Sofie: A Midwinter's Tail.
Kelner, Toni L.P.: Mad as the Dickens.

Kendrick, Stephen: Night Watch.
King, John: The Big Mouth.
King, Laurie R.: A Monstrous Regiment of Women.
Kingsbury, Kate: No Clue at the Inn; Ringing in Murder; Shrouds of Holly; Slay Bells; Decked with Folly; Mistletoe and Mayhem; Herald of Death; The Clue is in the Pudding; Mulled Murder; A Merry Murder
Kinsey, T.E.: Christmas at The Grange; A Merry Murder.

Kirk, JD: Eastgate.
Kirby, Peter. The Dead of Winter. 
Kisor, Henry: Season's Revenge.
Kitchin, C.H.B.: Crime at Christmas.

Kitson, Bill: Killing Christmas.
Klavin, Andrew: When Christmas Comes.
Klein, Libby: Silent Nights are Murder.

Kleinholz, Lisa: Exiles on Main Street.
Knight, Alanna: The Dagger in the Crown.
Knight, Bernard: Crowner's Quest.
Knight, Kathleen Moore: They're Going to Kill Me.
Koch, Edward I.: Murder on 34th Street.
Koontz, Dean R.: Mister Murder; Santa's Twin; Robot Santa.
Krotow, Geri: A Santa Stabbing.

Kuhn, Cynthia: The Study of Secrets.
Lake, M.D.: A Gift for Murder; Grave Choices.
Landreth, Marsha: The Holiday Murders.
Lane, Vicki: In a Dark Season.
Langley, Bob: Death Stalk.
Langston, Josh & Barbara Galler-Smith: Christmas Beyond the Box.
Langton, Jane: The Shortest Day--Murder at the Revels; The Memorial Hall Murder.
Lanyon, Josh: So This is Christmas.
Lanyon, Josh & Sarah Black: I'll be Dead for Christmas.
Lathen, Emma: Banking on Death.

Latimer, Rupert: Murder After Christmas.
Lavene, Joyce and Jim: Treacherous Toys; A Dickens of a Murder; Murder Fir Christmas.
Lawley, Cate: Makin' a List.
Lawrence, Alfred: A Christmas Killing.
Lawrence, David: Cold Kill.
Lawrence, Hilda: Blood Upon the Snow; Death of a Doll.
Lawrence, Treat: Q As in Quicksand.

Leach, Christopher: A Killing Frost.
Lee, Amanda: Better Off Thread.
Lee, Ashton: A Cherry Cola Christmas.
Lee, Simon: The First Lockdown Christmas Mystery. 

Leitch, Fiona: A Cornish Christmas Murder; The Cornish Christmas Pantomime. 
Leon, Donna: Blood from a Stone.
Levine, Joan & Gail Owens: The Santa Claus Mystery.
Levine, Laura: Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge.
Lewin, Michael Z.: The Enemies Within.
Lewis, Ted: Carter's Law.

Licio, Adriana. A Mystery Before Christmas.
Lin, Harper: Fur-Miliar Felines; Killer Christmas.
Little, Constance: The Black-Headed Pins.
Livingston, Nancy: Quiet Murder.
Loan-Wilsey, Anna: Anything But Civil.
Locke, M. Louisa: Kathleen Catches a Killer.
Locke, William J.: A Christmas Mystery.
Lockridge, Richard: Dead Run.
London, Collette: The Peppermint Mocha Murder.
Long, Manning: Vicious Circle.
Lord, Christopher: The Christmas Carol Murders.
Lovegrove, James: Sherlock Holmes and The Christmas Demon.

Loweecey, Alice: Veiled Threat. 

Lourey, Jess: December Dread.
Luber, Philip: Deadly Convictions.
Ludwig, Ken: The Game's Afoot OR Holmes for the Holidays.
Lynn, Sherry: Murder Under the Mistletoe

Lyttek, Susan. Plundered Christmas.  

More to come. Here's a link to the first list (that's been updated since posting). Christmas Mysteries, Authors A-E.