Christmas Crimes at The Mysterious Bookshop

by Otto Penzler (Edited by)

The Mysterious Bookshop is a wonderful place to visit in person. Luckily for those who can’t get there, Penzler publishes many titles. This time, he has collected seasonal stories that were first given to the store’s favored customers as a holiday gift. Now they can be read by bibliophiles everywhere.

Here are stories that follow three rules-they had to be seasonal, there needed to be a crime and, at least in part, must take place in a bookstore. From there, writers created their own engaging tales.

Some of the authors included in this volume are Lyndsay Faye, Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Ragnar Jonasson and Tom Mead. There are sure to be finds here for readers with varied tastes.

This book would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Penzler had indeed offered a gift to readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers-Mysterious Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Each tale’s brevity makes it easy to dip into and out of the collection, and the mix of big names . . . with lesser-knowns offers a spirited survey of contemporary crime fiction.”
― Publishers Weekly

“The stories are all refreshingly good-natured and, in the spirit of the season, lean toward peace on earth and good will to most. A must for every mystery lover’s wish list.”
― Kirkus