By

Francine Paino a.k.a. F. Della Notte

     Thanksgiving fell at the end of November this year, making Christmas feel like tomorrow instead of a few weeks away. The urgency to get everything done makes it more challenging to stay in the true spirit of what Christmas is supposed to mean. Add to that the extreme commercialism that, despite our best efforts, most of us fall into at least a little, and spirituality falls to the wayside. Enter the curmudgeons who think it’s all crass, and we have a diverse group to interest.
     My offering? Instead of the commercialized pap on TV with Christmas movie after movie adding to the wreckage of the true spirit of Christmas, I prefer good mysteries with a holiday theme. Here are a few of my favorites – and not so favorite, but judge for yourselves. Of course, the list leads with the gold standard in Christmas stories.
     A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by Charles Dickens. It’s not a mystery in the truest sense of the genre, but the first time one reads it, one must wonder if Scrooge will have that epiphany. And after that, no matter how well we know the story, we cannot help but take the voyage with poor old cranky, miserable Ebenezer as he evolves from a miser and a wretched human being into a man who becomes revered by all. Even if we don’t reread the book, according to the Internet Movie Base, there are over 100 films to choose from. After our re-acquaintance with Scrooge, many other worthy stories with a holiday theme are available.
     My favorite contemporary is THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS by David Morrell. This five-star mystery is set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Morrell combines the artsy community and the beauty of Santa Fe with an outstanding spy mystery that will keep you turning the pages and holding your breath. Excellent storytelling and scene setting.
     Another five-star mystery is HERCULE POIROT’S CHRISTMAS by Agatha Christie.  Hercule’s holiday turns out to be anything but restful and merry. He’s a guest at Gorston Hall, where family intrigues and secrets are revealed and are deadly.
     DANCING WITH DEATH, by Joan Coggin, written in 1947, is interesting and fun most of the time. The middle is a bit verbose, but still an entertaining read. It takes place during the aftermath of the Second World War. Despite the ongoing rationing and shortages, Duds Lethbridge dreams of celebrating Christmas with an old-fashioned house party, the way it was before the war. She invites several friends and family to stay for the week to relieve the continued dreariness, hoping to recreate the prewar Christmas spirit, but nothing stays the same. Within a short time, Duds regrets having started this.
     New Year’s Day approaches, and Duds looks forward to being rid of her houseguests, but one of them turns up dead, and it’s believed to be suicide. In a panic, Duds sends for her dear friend and amateur detective Lady Lupin, but things get progressively worse. Everyone has a motive for wanting this guest dead.  In the end, the mystery is solved, but Duds and her guests will remember this Christmas celebration forever – for all the wrong reasons.
     MURDER ON THE CHRISTMAS EXPRESS, by Alexandra Benedict. A fun book for the season. Not the quality of Murder on the Orient Express, but it examines relationships in the setting of a train derailment and crime.
     Keeping within the confines of mysteries, for curmudgeons and sunshiners alike, If you are not in the mood to read a full-length novel, or just don’t have time, here are a couple of Christmas-themed short stories.
     THE TRINITY CAT, by Ellis Peters. Edith Pargeter, writing as Ellis Peters, first published The Trinity Cat in 1976. Sadly, crimes don’t stop because it’s Christmas, and we do well to remember that victims are not numbers, they are relatives and friends, people we know and love, even in fiction. In the Trinity Cat, beloved old Miss Patience Thompson is found murdered on Christmas morning. There are no clues to help Sgt. Moon solve the crime, until the town’s local black furry, no-name feline and local resident, called Trinity Cat, inserts himself into the mystery. Can he help, or is he just another mouser looking for number one?
     THAT’S THE TICKET. In this Mary Higgins Clark Christmas story, Wilma and Ernie Bean of New Jersey have hit the jackpot. On Christmas Eve, they’re holding the winning lottery numbers. Wilma, who is in Philadelphia visiting her sister, doesn’t know, but hubby Ernie does, and he can’t control himself. Pinning the tickets to his undershirt to keep them safe, he hits the bars in celebration, envisioning how he intends to surprise Wilma when she returns home the next day. He didn’t mean to tell anyone, but liquor loosened his tongue, and a barfly named Loretta loosened the pin holding the tickets. After hearing Ernie’s story, Loretta volunteers to drive the inebriated man home. She relieves him of his tickets after he passes out on the bed.
     The next day, hungover and terrified, Ernie asks a neighbor to pick Wilma up at the train station, and at home, it doesn’t take Wilma long to find out what happened. The only question remaining is whether or not this will be the worst Christmas of their lives or whether or not Wilma can con the con artist and get the tickets back from the thieving Loretta?
     So, whichever side of the Christmas sentiments you fall under, enjoy some good reads to relieve the stress of the holiday.
     I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy New Year, and may all your readings in 2025 be satisfying and fun!