The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries

Anyone who cares about the best mystery writing of the past century and beyond would be lucky to receive this thick volume during the holidays. . . . One of the joys of the collection is how many are delightfully funny. . . . Note that many of these stories turn on simple theft, of diamonds or candlesticks or a lottery ticket; they hark back to simpler days before the modern thriller began to provide endless serial killers and ax murderers for our edification. To read today's talented crime writers can be a pleasure, but it's good to be reminded that they build on the work of others whose talents remain undimmed. -- The Washington Post [A] magnificent collection of any kind of Christmas murder that mystery fans could ever desire. -- The Plain Dealer, Grade: A+ Pure malicious deliciousness. -- The Christian Science Monitor My favorite mystery peddler has put together his best collection ever. . . . If you love mysteries, and enjoy the holidays (or even if you don't), you'll love The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries. --Nina Sankovitch, Huffington Post Less noisy but just as entertaining as 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. . . . Includes many of the best Yuletide whodunits of the past 100 years. -- Richmond Times-Dispatch [Penzler] knows this turf. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram A feast of 59 (loosely) Christmas-themed stories for mystery and crime-fiction lovers. -- The Seattle Times None of these arresting holiday tales turns out at all the way you might expect. . . . [The book] could last a diligent reader all the way to Easter. -- The Virginian-Pilot A future classic. . . . Penzler, the prime minister of crime fiction, delivers the goods once again with . . . a collection of holiday whodunits that'll have you eyeing the department-store Santa with suspicion. -- Book Page More femmes fatales, double crossing and deceit than you can sh