BOXING DAY MYSTERIES // Boxing Day Crime Fiction

Today is Boxing Day (the Day after Christmas). I've put together several lists that cover 1400 mysteries that take place at Christmas, and although I'm sure several of the mysteries on the list continue mystery and mayhem through Boxing Day, the day after Christmas. I've only found a few mysteries that focus or start specifically on Boxing Day.

One Boxing Day Mystery is Nicholas Blake's Thou Shell of Death (1936). Nicholas Blake is the pseudonym of Cecil Day Lewis, the late British poet laureate.

Thou Shell of Death features Fergus O'Brien, WWI flying ace. Fergus receives four letters predicting that he will be murdered on Boxing Day. Despite this, or maybe because of this, he plans a party and invites all the suspects (there are several people who might want to do him in) plus private detective Nigel Strangeways. O'Brien does die, and it's up to Nigel Strangeways with the help of Inspector Blount of Scotland Yard to solve the crime. This is Blount's first appearance in the series. Thou Shell of Death is an oldie but goodie, especially if you like houseparty mysteries.

There are three other novels that focus on Boxing Day. A frozen body is found on Boxing Day in Viveca Sten's In Harm's Way. Another mystery is Gilbert Adair's The Act of Roger Murgatroyd that takes place entirely on Boxing Day. This is part of his series of novels about Evadne Mount, and is clearly a play on Agatha Christie novels. In another Boxing Day mystery, Death at Sandringham House by C.C. Benison, Her Majesty the Queen, along with her housemaid Jane Bee, investigates. 

Thanks to Aubrey Nye Hamilton for the Boxing Day addition of Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer. It's a British Crime Library Classic, and I enjoyed reading it.

Keith Raffel points out that the murder in A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny takes place the day after Christmas.. Boxing Day, for sure.

And, if you're unfamiliar with Boxing Day, it's the day after Christmas, when "servants and tradesmen traditionally would receive gifts from their superiors." Today it's a National Holiday in most of the British Commonwealth and former British colonies.

As far as why it's called Boxing Day, there are several different theories:

A ‘Christmas Box' in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. 

Boxing Day was a day off for servants and when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.

A box to collect money for the poor was placed in Churches on Christmas day then opened the next day.

Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck. If the voyage were a success the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents given to the poor.

Are there any other Boxing Day Mysteries I've forgotten?

Cartoon of the Day: Cats at Christmas

 

TYPEWRITERS: Christmas Gift Ads from the TWENTIETH CENTURY

I have a softspot for Typewriters. I don't collect typewriters (no space or I would), but I do take photos of them.. and occasionally post here on Mystery Fanfare. But for today, here Typewriter gift ads for Christmas from the 1920s through the 1970s. Happy Holidays! 

Chanukah Mysteries // Hanukkah Crime Fiction

Chanukah (no matter how you spell it - Hanukah, Hanukkah) starts on Christmas this year! Because the holiday lasts eight days, you will have plenty of time to read these books! Let me know if I've missed any authors or titles. Put a note in the comments. This is an updated list for 2024. 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
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

Cartoon of the Day: Santa's Reindeer

Now you know!

 

Merry Murder with a Santa Noir: Guest Post by Jeri Westerson

Santa Noir? What the heck? Actually, I wrote a paragraph of it for a Facebook post with an image I shared of a bearded bro sort of Santa, just a few lines of parody taking from several noirs and hardboiled crime stories I enjoy. 

All my friends and followers seemed to like it so much that I decided to expand on it and wrote a short story, bringing in all the tropes from Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and others to make a world-weary Santa dread the investigation of the murder of one of his reindeer in a sort of seedy version of Christmas Town, going all out for the humor. Santa laments in the story, in a parody of the words of Sam Spade, “When someone murders one of your flying reindeer, you’re supposed to do something about it.” And it’s up to him to bring down the culprit. 

You just don’t know what’s stuck in your head until you get on the parody kick and then it just flows out to make a humorous tale; a drunken penguin desperate to snitch on his pals for just one more hit; one of the reindeer addicted to candy canes (“he’s on the cane”) and willing to talk to Santa, but only alone under a frozen bridge; and a mob boss walrus that sounds suspiciously like Sidney Greenstreet from Casablanca who owns the Blue Penguin café and wants to make a deal. 

It’s definitely an admiring hat tip to all the books and stories I have loved over the years. Even Frosty the Snowman makes an appearance. And when other writers and readers know these stories just as intimately, then, well…it’s just a community sharing in the joke. 

The title “Last Pole on the Left” is reminiscent of Where the Sidewalk Ends or One Way Street, wonderful noir films from the 1950s, where people get caught up in their own corruption with really no way out. That’s the fun of noir anyway, to see how tangled the characters can get as they try to worm their way out of trouble and only get themselves deeper in by foolish choices. When I wrote my fifteen-book series the Crispin Guest Medieval Noir novels, they were definitely along the same lines, with a hero who just couldn’t get out of his own way, but managed to do the right thing, though still losing it all and getting knocked around a bit too. 

I wanted to lighten it up with this short story. 

It’s all in good fun to bolster your holiday spirit, but keep it away from the kiddies. This isn’t the Santa they’re looking for. But it just might be the Santa we need. 

Find it on Draft2Digital or Amazon: https://a.co/d/cJfhkIG

***

Jeri Westerson is currently writing a Sherlockian pastiche, An Irregular Detective Mystery series, with a former Baker Street Irregular as a new sleuth under the guidance of Sherlock Holmes. Westerson writes medieval mysteries, Tudor mysteries, several historical standalones, and a few paranormal series. See JeriWesterson.com for the entire oeuvre. 

CATHERINE AIRD: R.I.P.

So sorry to hear about the passing yesterday of Diamond Dagger author Catherine Aird at the age of 94. She was one of my favorite writers in the 'Golden Age' tradition. I've read all of her books and enjoyed them. I was privileged to have her as a bus seat companion on a CWA trip many years ago. Such a delightful journey. I will cherish the memory.

Catherine Aird was the author of more than twenty crime novels and story collections, most of which feature Detective Inspector C. D. Sloan. She held an honorary M. A. from the University of Kent and was made an M.B.E. Her other works include Amendment of Life and Little Knell. She lived in England. Apart from writing the successful Chronicles Of Calleshire she also wrote two collections of short stories as well as writing and editing a series of village histories. Having made a significant contribution to crime writing published in the English Language, Catherine Aird was awarded the 2015 Crime Writers Association Diamond Dagger.

Here's a a link to Martin Edwards' memory of Catherine Aird. 

Here's a link to Catherine Aird's work.

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: 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.
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. 

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

Cartoon of the Day: Reindeer

WINTER SOLSTICE CRIME FICTION // WINTER SOLSTICE MYSTERIES

I love the Winter Solstice. I love light, so I'm glad the days will now begin to lengthen.

I put together a huge list of Christmas Mysteries again this year, and I'm sure some of those authors/titles reference the Winter Solstice. Here are a few that really center on the Winter Solstice. This is an updated list. Let me know if there are any titles/authors I should add.

Winter Solstice Mysteries

Cleeves, Ann: The Darkest Evening
Farren, C.: Winter Solstice Murders; The Solstice Murders; Winter Solstice Murders Notebook
Fitt, Mary: Death and the Shortest Day
Hess, Joan: A Holly Jolly Murder
Higgs, Steve: Solstice Goat

Johnson, Erin: Solstice Spirits
Langton, Jane: The Shortest Day: Murder at the Revels
Mankel, Henning: Italian Shoes
Marsh, Ngaio: Off with His Head
Mitchell, Gladys: The Dancing Druids

Murphy, Lois: Soon.

Oldre, Bonnie: Silent Winter Solstice
Snow, Melanie: Witch's Tail
Watson, Sophia: Solstice

True Crime: 

Sweeney, Martin: Death in the Winter Solstice

And, if you want to celebrate your Winter Solstice in chocolate, check out this Buche de Noel aka Yule log on my other blog, DyingforChocolate.com.

 

Maureen Jennings: Appointee to the Order of Canada!

Congratulations, Maureen Jennings, New Appointee to the Order of Canada!!!

From the Crime Writers of Canada:

Maureen Jennings has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada. The announcement was made today (December 18, 2024) by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. 

“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future. Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.” 

Maureen is a talented writer with a keen eye for setting, character and dialogue. She has helped put historical crime fiction on the Canadian literary map. She has published four series of novels as well as nonfiction, short stories and stage plays. 

This year, the Crime Writers of Canada presented its 2024 Grand Master Award to Maureen. CWC established the Grand Master Award in 2014 to recognize a Canadian crime writer with a substantial body of work who has garnered national and international recognition. The award is presented biennially, and is selected by a jury chosen by the Chair of Crime Writers of Canada, with advice from the board. 

To quote the London Free Press, "Maureen Jennings is not only just about the best crime novelist in Canada, she’s among the best writers anywhere - a national and international treasure." 

Maureen is a prolific author of non-fiction, short stories and book series featuring Christine Morris, Detective Murdoch, and D.I. Tom Tyler. The Detective William Murdoch television series, set in Victorian era Toronto, was optioned in 2003 by Shaftesbury Films. The tv series, Murdoch Mysteries, is shown in over 120 countries and features innovative crime-solving techniques, social justice subplots and surprise guest appearances. 

Maureen also co-developed the television series Bomb Girls, based on the experiences of young women working in British munitions plants during the Second World War. The series first aired early in 2012 and very quickly rose to become the highest-rated new drama on Canadian television. 

In 2011, Maureen was awarded the Grant Allen award for her on-going contribution to Canadian crime writing. The award, honoring Canada's crime-writing pioneers, is given out annually at the Scene of the Crime Festival on Wolfe Island. 

Maureen has received eight Awards of Excellence (formerly known as the Arthur Ellis Awards) nominations from Crime Writers of Canada in the Best Novel and Short Story categories. In 2014, the 180th anniversary of the city of Toronto, the Toronto Star named her one of 180 people whose influence has raised the city’s profile. 

Maureen's latest project, The Paradise Café series, is set in Depression-era Toronto and features Private Investigator Charlotte Frayne. Maureen is an exceptional talent, a generous mentor and strong supporter of Canadian crime and mystery writers. Her prolific publishing history includes the following: 

Fiction 

Detective Murdoch Series (8 novels) John Wilson Murray, who was appointed as Ontario's first government detective in 1875, "was an important inspiration" for Jennings and led to the development of the character William Murdoch. Christine Morris Series (2 novels) Detective Inspector Tom Tyler Series (4 novels) Paradise Café Series (4 novels) 

Non-fiction 

The Map of Your Mind: Journeys Into Creative Expression (filled with common-sense advice and encouragement, intended as a guide into the creative self.)

Cartoon of the Day: Santa's Senior Moment

 

CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES: AUTHORS M-Z

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

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
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.
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.
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.

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, 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.

ICELANDIC CHRISTMAS BOOK TRADITION: Jolabokaflod

Iceland is a hot spot for tourists, but it's also known for Jolabokaflod or The Christmas Book Flood. And this holiday tradition in Iceland involves chocolate, as well as books! The holiday really takes off on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, every family member is given a brand-new book, and then you cozy up in your favorite reading place or in front of the fire with a mug of hot cocoa. You spend the rest of the evening reading. This is how Icelandanders celebrate Christmas each year. It's called Jolabokaflod -- "Christmas Book Flood."

Jolabokaflod started during World War II, when paper was one of the few things not rationed in Iceland. Because of this, Icelanders gave books as gifts while other commodities were in short supply, turning them into a country of bookaholics to this day, according to jolabokaflod.org. 

Read More here:

Cartoon of the Day: Holiday Gifts

 

Julian Fellowes to Adapt Donna Leon's Commisarrio Brunetti Series

Donna Leon's Detective Brunetti Series TV News: 

Donna Leon's Detective Brunetti Series has already been adapted to the TV screen--in German but set in Venice (Donna Leon's Brunetti Mysteries). If you can get past the fact that the dialogue is in German, it's a good mystery series. It's available on MHz. But now, comes news that Julian Fellowes is set to write and executive produce a TV adaptation of Donna Leon’s contemporary Commissario Brunetti book series, which is in development at 20th Television. This is exciting news!

From Deadline:

The project was originated and set up at the studio by Fellowes’ longtime friend and mentor, producer Ileen Maisel who died in February at the age of 68. She had been in the 20th Television fold since 2018 when she signed a first-look deal with its former division Fox21. Maisel will be credited as an executive producer on the Brunetti series alongside writer Fellowes, Gesine Lubben, PK Fellowes and Lawrence Elman. Author Leon will co-executive produce. Playwright Felix Legge will serve as co-writer and producer.

Read more here. 

HT: Lesa Holstine

The Chelsea Detective Christmas Special!

The Chelsea Detective Christmas Special is available today on AcornTV. The Christmas episode stars Adrian Scarborough. This special will also serve as the start of Season 3, which will be comprised of four 90 minute episodes that will continue into 2025. 

Looking forward to watching! 

Happy Holidays!

Cartoon of the Day: Dog Philosopher

RICHARD OSMAN NEWS: Thursday Murder Club and We Solve Murders series

Richard Osman has sold North American rights to a sixth book in his bestselling Thursday Murder Club series as well as a second book in his recently launched We Solve Murders series to Pamela Dorman at Pamela Dorman Books.The as-yet-untitled books will be published in fall 2026 (Thursday Murder Club) and in fall 2027 (We Solve Murders).

Cartoon of the Day: Christmas Presents

 From Tom Gauld:

THE WOLFE PACK AWARDS 2024: Nero Award and Black Orchid Novella Award

The Wolfe Pack announced the Nero Award for the best American Mystery written in the tradition of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories: 

Ariel Lawhon: The Frozen River. 

The Black Orchid Novella Award, presented jointly by The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, celebrates the novella format popularized by Stout:

T. M. Bradshaw: "Double Take." It will be published in the July 2025 issue of AHMM. 

Honorable mentions for the Black Orchid Novella Award include Peter Hoppock's "Precipice"; Andrew Kass's "Deadline"; Jenny Ramaley's "Workplace Rules for a Fire-Breathing Dragon"; and Ella Rutledge's "Murder at the Y.T.D."

***

 HT: In Reference to Murder

M.J. Rose: R.I.P.

Such sad news. Author M.J. Rose: R.I.P.  (1953-2024)Taken way too young. M.J. Rose was a brilliant author and friend and support to so many people in the mystery community. My sympathy and love go out to her family and friends at this sad time. May her memory be a blessing.

On Shelf-Awareness

Very sad, shocking news. M.J. Rose (Melisse Shapiro), author, marketer, Author Buzz founder, a founder of International Thriller Writers, co-owner of 1,001 Dark Nights, died suddenly yesterday.

M.J. Rose

She was a remarkable person, always full of ideas, sharp, challenging, warm, a striking personality, and a true friend to so many authors and others in the book world. As Jenn Risko, co-founder and publisher emerita of Shelf Awareness, said, "M.J. Rose was a much-loved author, publisher, and force of excellence and innovation for our industry. She started Author Buzz when we started the Shelf and she quickly became known to us as the patron saint of authors, tirelessly working with those who wanted better marketing. She had more ideas on how to do it better than anyone, and was constantly searching for the new ones. She was a huge and dear friend to us all and will be greatly missed."

And Shelf publisher Matt Baldacci said: "I first met Melisse in 1999 when we at St. Martin's published her prescient book How to Publish and Promote On-Line. The very title and timing of that book speaks volumes about how she thought and how she helped people. She has been a confidante and friend since that time, and will be greatly missed."

M.J. was always busy, seemed always to be writing, and exploring a variety of genres, and creating her own genres. Altogether she wrote 19 novels and three books on marketing, her first career. (With Doug Clegg, she wrote Buzz Your Book.) Lip Service was her first novel, which she self-published in 1998. As she proudly noted on her website, it was "the first e-book and first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house."

She also wrote the thrillers In Fidelity, Flesh Tones, and Sheet Music. She introduced Dr. Morgan Snow, a sex therapist, in the Butterfield Institute Series, which included The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex, and The Venus Fix. The Reincarnationist, which the Fox TV show Past Lives was based on, was part of a series of books focused on reincarnation, including The Memoirist, The Hypnotist, and The Book of Lost Fragrances. Her more recent work included Forgetting to Remember, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams, The Last Tiara, and Cartier's Hope.

With partners Liz Berry and Jillian Stein, she ran 1,001 Dark Nights, which began producing series of novellas based on the Arabian Nights but retold through paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and erotic romance stories. The company expanded with the Blue Box Press imprint.

TV NEWS: Lynley: A New Adaptation in 2025

Lynley, a new adaptation of the Inspector Lynley mysteries by Elizabeth George, is coming to BritBox in 2025. 

Cast: Leo Suter as DI Tommy Lynley and Sofia Barclay as DS Barbara Havers 

Creator: Steve Thompson, who also wrote Vienna Blood and Sherlock Director: Ed Bazalgette, who also directed Marie Antoinette and The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die 

Producer: Suzanne McAuley, who also worked on Magpie Murders and Love/Hate 

Production Company: Playground, that also produced Wolf Hall and All Creatures Great and Small   

The series is expected to premiere in mid-2025. This new series will be distinct from the previous BBC series, which aired from 2001–2008 and starred Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small. The previous series is currently available to stream on BritBox. The cast of Lynley, the new show, also includes Daniel Mays, Niamh Walsh and Michael Workeye. Filming began in Ireland in August 2024.

Best Mystery Book Blogs and Websites in 2024: MYSTERY FANFARE

Just saw that my blog Mystery Fanfare has been ranked #7 of 80 Best Mystery Blogs and Websites for 2024 by FeedSpot! Thanks to all my readers and followers. Who knew?!!?

We're also  #10 on 60 Best Mystery Blogs and Websites in 2024 that includes different blogs and rankings and most of my friends.

Not sure how this all works, but we're happy to be included on both FeedSpot lists. 

For those of you coming to MysteryFanfare for the first time, I blog daily about all things mystery!  

www.mysteryfanfare.com

To access the FeedSpot lists, use links above. 

Here's what appeared on the FeedSpot list below. (these links are not active)

Call for Articles: Mystery Readers Journal: London Mysteries Part II (41:1)

Call for Articles: Mystery Readers Journal: Mysteries Set in London, Part II! (41:1); Spring 2025

We received so many articles, reviews, and author essays that we have divided the London Mysteries issue of Mystery Readers Journal into two issues. We have space for more articles, essays, and reviews, so if you'd like to contribute, please let me know. 

janet @ mysteryreaders . org 

Deadline for Part II, London Mysteries: January 20, 2025. 

We're looking for articles, reviews, and Author essays about Mysteries that focus on Mysteries set in London. 

Author Essays are first person, about yourself, your books, and the "London" connection. 500-1000 words. Treat this as if you're chatting with friends and other writers in the bar or cafe (or on zoom) about your work and the "London" setting in your mysteries. Be sure and cite specific titles, as well as how you use London in your books. Add title and 2-3 sentence bio. 

Reviews: 50-250 words. 

Articles: 500-1000 words. Deadline for London Mysteries (41:1) articles, reviews, author essays: 

January 20, 2025  

Send to: Janet Rudolph, Editor. janet @ mysteryreaders . org  

Please let us know if you're planning to send an article, review, or author essay! 

***

Subscribe to Mystery Readers Journal for 2025: 

Themes: London Mysteries II; Retail Murder; Northern California; Thrillers.

Cartoon of the Day: The Christmas Present