Very enjoyable seasonal “selection box” of four Christmas stories from my favourite of the great British women writers of detective fiction.Some may be familiar to Allingham fans, but all show her skill at, and facility for, deft characterisation within the short story form.

Here we have three tales of Albert Campion, two featuring detection and deduction, the other a domestic scene involving his wife, Amanda, and Red Setter, Poins. The remaining story has an amusing take on a Victorian Christmas.

These are sure to put readers into a Christmas mood, with wintry landscapes, and hints of the supernatural. Santa is also around, and there was, to me, a rather comforting and nostalgic feeling of a simpler age.

Highly recommended.