Get ready to cozy up by the fire with "Death Comes at Christmas." This collection of eighteen chilling tales offers a diverse range of mysteries, from the quaint and cozy to the dark and disturbing. Whether you prefer a lighthearted whodunit or a spine-tingling thriller, this anthology has something to satisfy your holiday cravings. There's just something special about mysteries during the holiday season! Some were better than others, but a fun read nontheless to get in the vibe.

“𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬. 𝐀 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲. 𝐎𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞… 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭?”

I liked that many of these crime-themed short stories recognized that the festive season is both joyful and sorrowful for many. Some of the stories felt a bit unfinished, partly due to length or trying to create a cliffhanger of sorts, which didn’t always work for me. However, there were some favourites that I really loved.

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗬𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 by Helen Field is a riveting sequel of sorts to A Christmas Carol.
𝗢 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 by J.T. Ellison has Tell Tale Heart vibes, with its 1930s Irish setting that is part ghost story, part tale of terror.
𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 by David Bell might be my favourite of all - it is a touching tale of grief and connection.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿 by Alexandra Benedict features characters from The Christmas Jigsaw Murders; I loved catching up with Edie and Sean, and getting a glimpse of their lives beyond the novel.
𝗨𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 by Tom Mead feels like a Golden Age detective ghost story that Poirot himself might have solved.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 by Claire McGowan seems like a holiday tribute to the Agatha Christie short story Jane Gets A Job, with its mistaken identity switch and title character, Jayne.
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 by Vaseem Khan uses characters from the Malabar House novels; I loved this modern tribute to a locked room mystery set in India that makes me want to search out the series!

Death Comes at Christmas contains stories of grief, deception, ghosts of the past, and memories. It has a mix of stories of varying lengths that truly does have something for everyone to enjoy, especially during the holiday season. Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was just the most amazing collection of short stories. I absolutely loved every one of them!! They all had such intriguing writing and it was so impressive to have them suck me in when they were so short in length.

Some of these mysteries didn't have answers? And for being short, a few dragged. Disappointing for the most part

This was a pleasant change, as I usually shy away from compilations of short stories. To be honest, I was not thrilled with every story in the book, some ended too abruptly or the ending was too ambiguous. However, I found myself enjoying the format of just picking up the book and reading a story here or a story there. It made for a very quick read. Some of the stories I thoroughly enjoyed, so I would call this book a win! Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced read copy.

This was a really great assortment of Christmas-themed short stories
There was great range with some stories having violent and disturbing conclusions, while others were more traditional Golden Age style
All in all, very satisfying

Death Comes at Christmas!

If you were looking for a Christmas Mystery and thriller short story collection - then Death Comes at Christmas is the book you need!

With 18 short stories, they’re truly is some thing for everyone! Whether you were looking for something Along the lines of a cosy mystery, Or something that gives you the Christmas, You can be sure to find it within this collection!

I loved this book so much that I’m likely going out to get a hardcopy version of it so I can have it for many Christmas seasons to come!

This is a nice alternative to all the Christmas rom-coms flooding the bookstore. However, the lineup was somewhat un-even with some stories grabbing my attention which others felt like a chore.

Thank you to Titan books, and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

This collection is the perfect blend of cosy festive cheer and crime. Each story is unique and stands out on its own. While the theme may be the holidays and crime the way each author brings this to life is completely different. Each story stood up on its own and I have to say I enjoyed each one. I personally liked Christmas Yet to Come the most but each one was enjoyable and distinctive. O’Regan and Kane have curated the perfect collection for crime fans that will be a must read on cold winter nights.

As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

An interesting collection of 18 murder mysteries set during Christmas time. It's filled with unexpected twist and outcomes, one of my favorite stories were The Red Angel, and Christmas Lights. From revenge, loss, animal traps and bare Christmas trees - It's a perfect book to read on a holiday or by the fire!

Death Comes at Christmas, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, is an enchanting yet chilling anthology that blends festive cheer with classic crime. This 18-story collection gathers work by celebrated crime authors, including Tom Mead, Vaseem Khan and Belinda Bauer, all delivering holiday-themed mysteries that run the gamut from locked-room puzzles to domestic dramas. Set in snow-covered landscapes and cosy country houses, these tales of murder, secrets and betrayal reveal that the Christmas season isn’t all joy and goodwill. With each author demonstrating a distinct style, readers are treated to a variety of whodunits, some highlighting psychological tension and others evoking classic crime tropes.

What sets this collection apart is its mix of tones and subgenres, making it an ideal read for both seasoned crime fans and those seeking a festive twist on suspense. The juxtaposition of Christmas spirit with dark motives intensifies the atmosphere, creating a unique and engaging experience that’s perfect for cosy winter nights. Whether it’s the charm of a winter wonderland or the unexpected twists in each story, Death Comes at Christmas keeps readers on edge, promising added intrigue with every new story.

I appreciate NetGalley and Titan Books giving me the ARC of Death Comes at Christmas You. In return, I will give an honest review.

 I enjoyed this collection of stories. Every single one was different. While some stories stood out to me.

“Marley’s Ghost” by Sarah Hilary had an excellent ending.  “Christmas Lights” was a heart-wrenching tale of grief and loss. “The Red Angel” warns of becoming lost in the unknown. “Secret Santa” is about a man with a crush on his coworker. That story had a plot twist that I was not expecting. I found “The Wrong Party” to be one of the funnier stories I’ve read in the collection. One cold night in “Frostbite”, Ellen encounters a man from her past. “The Naughty List” was a satisfying end for a man receiving strange messages about his past wrongdoings. Of all the stories, “Christmas Yet to Come” was my favorite. It showcases characters from the classic Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Marley may be deceased, but his legacy of ruthlessness lives on in his descendants. But he has met his match. Overall, it was a wonderful collection of stories perfect for those who love Christmas and mysteries.

 
I would like to thank Marie O’Regan; Paul Kane; C.L. Taylor; J. T. Ellison; David Bell; Sarah Hilary; Claire McGowan; Fiona Cummins; Angela Clarke; Alexandra Benedict; Susi Holliday; Tina Baker; Sam Carrington; Liz Mistry; Tom Mead, Marie O’Regan; Paul Kane; C.L., NetGalley and Titan Books, for giving me an advanced copy.

Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane have gTathered together eighteen short stories, each with a Christmas theme, from a wide array of authors, some familiar, some not so familiar. With Christmas approaching, this is the perfect book to while away the hours on these dark autumnal nights.

As you would expect, some stories grab your attention more than others, but this is due to personal taste – I am sure the stories I liked the most will not be everyone’s favourites and vice versa. I am a big fan of the books of C. L. Taylor and Angela Clarke and so I was pleased to see that stories by these authors were included.

Despite the stories all being Christmas themed, the plots are varied, some being scarier than others! I did feel that some of them could have been longer as I was enjoying them so much.

If you are looking for a book in the lead up to Christmas, one that you can dip in and out of, Death Comes at Christmas is just the book.

If you like short stories, reading crime and Christmas - this is the book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed dipping in and out of this collection of short festive stories from a myriad of great crime authors. It's a perfect gift for friends and family who like to read books of a darker nature and its perfect over the holiday season when it can be challenging to sit down with a novel because of everything else going on. With this book, if time is limited, you can treat yourself to one story. If you do find some uninterrupted reading space, you can keep going to find out what festive theme will be explored in the next story.

Like most short story collections where more than one author contributes, there are some I loved and others which were fine but didn't necessarily quite hit the mark for me. But that's books in general. We can't all like the same things and what a boring world it would be if we did. One of the other advantages is that this collection will help you find new authors and you can check out their back catalogue.

Some of my favourites were:

How to commit murder in a book shop by C L Taylor
Christmas yet to come by Helen Fields
Last Christmas by Fiona Cummins
Postmarked Murder by Susie Holliday
A deadly gift by Angela Clarke
Marley's Ghost by Sarah Hilary

My absolute favourite was Icarus by Belinda Bauer. As a writer as well as a reader, this felt like a masterclass in achieving something very moving, Christmas and crime themed in very few words. It was marvellous story.

Death comes at Christmas is out now, so you can purchase it in time for the holidays as a gift for others or for yourself.

Oh I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. I wished I’d read the throughout December but I could t wait as there are many of my favourite authors in this book. It’s honestly brilliant! Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book I couldn't set down and binge read in a few hours. A mixture of Christmas crime stories from different authors that are surely enough to intrigue and sadden you all at once. I would read another one like this in a heartbeat!

There is alot of fun packed into this collection of Holiday themed short stories. I love that you can read them quickly and also be entertained with each story and the characters in them. It was a nice change of pace to read something that got right into the heart of the story so quickly. I definitely enjoyed this collection and recommend other readers add this to your reading list.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the electronic copy.

This was a lot of fun!! I enjoyed reading the short stories from various authors. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Death Comes at Christmas is a lovely collection of Christmas themed crime fiction, edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Titan Books, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

Something about the peace/love/joy holiday vibe has inspired crime fiction writers to serve up murder and mayhem for over a hundred years, and this collection of largely previously unpublished short form fiction showcases 18 top shelf writers doing it up in style.

It's a strong collection with stories running the gamut from 3-5 stars, weighted toward the upper end. As always, it's a lot of fun to read the editors' introductory notes. The stories themselves are included without author's/editors' notes, but the publisher has included short author bios in the back of the book. Many of the included authors will be familiar to readers (Tom Mead, Claire McGowan, Samantha Hayes, Angela Clarke, Liz Mistry, Fiona Cummins, and several others), whilst some will likely provide a nice introduction for new authors to follow. They're all adept and quite readable. There's not a clunker in the lot (which is a bit surprising).

Four stars. Highly recommended and worthwhile. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, home reading, and gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I'm not sure why Christmas and crime fiction are such an inevitable pairing, but there is something about the crime short story format in particular that works well. The majority of collections available, such as the British Library Crime Collections, are made up mostly or entirely of Golden Age-era authors, so it was refreshing to read Death Comes At Christmas, which features a range of contemporary crime and thriller authors. Complete with a beautiful cover design, this would make the perfect stocking filler for the bookworm in your life.