A sample of deadly holiday gifts

Santa’s helpers, a sugar plum fairy, cozy carolers and children at the fireside are the usual cast of characters for holiday scenes.  But for any mystery fan, a lurking shadow is all that’s needed for an enjoyable winter read.  Here are some Christmastime homicides.

A Christmas Tragedy

by Agatha Christie

This “Kindle short” story finds Miss Marple at a resort wondering if a man is about to murder his wife.

The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries

Edited by Otto Penzler

Sixty holiday-themed crime short stories by such authors as Sara Paretsky, Ed McBain, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, John D. MacDonald and John Mortimer.

Christmas Is Murder

by C. S. Challinor

An English manor house in the country during the holidays, a blizzard and a body.

Christmas Carol Murder

by Leslie Meier

When the owner of a mortgage company who is profiting mightily from other’s misfortunes is found dead, suspects abound.

The Christmas Secret

by Anne Perry

Unsavory secrets swirl around an English village vicar during the holidays.

Silent Night: A Spenser Holiday Novel

by Robert B. Parker and Helen Brann

Parker’s longtime agent, Brann, completed this unfinished manuscript.  Spenser helps the operator of an unlicensed shelter who has been receiving threats.

Murder She Wrote: Murder Never Takes a Holiday

by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Two holiday-themed mysteries, “Manhattans & Murder”and “A Little Yuletide Murder,” are combined in one volume.