CHRISTMAS MYSTERY ROUND-UP!

If you read this blog, you know I post lists of crime fiction with all the holiday settings from New Year's Day through New Year's Eve (Halloween, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day, and all the rest). Christmas, of course, features the most mysteries, so I divide this list into 5 posts. Here's the list to links for this year's Christmas Crime Fiction, celebrating authors A-Z. 

Let me know if any Authors/Titles are missing, so I can update. Happy Holidays!

Christmas Mysteries: Authors A-E

Christmas Mysteries: Authors F-L

Christmas Mysteries: Authors M-Z

Christmas Mysteries: Short Story Anthologies and Novellas

Boxing Mysteries to come! (December 26)

NO COMMENT: Christmas Gift Ads from the 1950s

No Comment: Christmas Gift Ads from the 1950s.

 

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.-- 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:

Christmas Specials: Death in Paradise and Return to Paradise Air Dates

We finally got U.S. broadcast dates for the Death in Paradise and Return to Paradise Christmas specials. 

Both will air on BritBox.

Be sure and note that these specials are usually the first episode of the new season which will air in 2026.

Death in Paradise: December 29.

Streaming December 29 E1 • Christmas Special 2025

Mervin returns to Saint Marie, juggling a puzzling festive murder and the uneasy first meeting with his charismatic yet elusive half-brother.

Return to Paradise: December 25.

Streaming December 25 E1. Christmas Special 2025.

Festive chaos erupts as Humphrey tackles holiday cases while Martha rushes to complete a secret plan before a life-changing surprise.

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.

 

Cartoon of the Day: Holiday Scheduling

Happy Caturday!