I’ve been a fan of the Waugh, Greenberg, and Asimov anthologies. This Avon paperback appeared in 1981. I liked Ellery Queen’s “The Dauphin’s Doll,” Edward D. Hoch’s “The Problem of the Church Steeple,” Stanley Ellin’s “Death of Christmas Eve,” and August Derleth’s “The Adventure of the Unique Dickensians.” If you’re looking for mystery stories to put you in the Christmas spirit, I recommend The Twelve Crimes of Christmas. GRADE: A-
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION: Noel, Noel! by Isaac Asimov
CHRISTMAS PARTY by Rex Stout
DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPLIFTING EARLY by Robert Somerlott
THE NECKLACE OF PEARLS by Dorothy L. Sayers
CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS by Alice Scanlan Reach
THE CHRISTMAS MASQUE by S. S. Rafferty
THE DAUPHIN’S DOLL by Ellery Queen
BY THE CHIMNEY WITH CARE by Nick O’Donohoe
THE PROBLEM OF THE CHRISTMAS STEEPLE by Edward D. Hoch
DEATH ON CHRISTMAS EVE by Stanley Ellin
THE ADVENTURE OF THE UNIQUE DICKENSIANS by August Derleth
BLIND MAN’S HOOD by John Dickson Carr
THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS by Isaac Asimov
Hmm, I would have sworn I had read this one – I know I’ve read a number of the stories – but apparently I haven’t.
Good choice!
Jeff, there used to be three or four paperback collections like THE TWELVE CRIMES OF CHRISTMAS published every year. No longer…
The cover looks familiar, but I’m sure I haven’t read it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Alice Scanlan Reach before, nor Nick O’Donohoe. Perfect for the season with little time.
Beth used to read a short story a day. I remember she liked mine in the anthologies Gary Warren Niebuhr did. (I think I have copies someplace)
If I ever don’t have tons of books backlogged for review, I’ll want to re-read Rest Ye Merry by Charlotte MacCleod for laughs, and maybe the one by Marion Babson (I think it was the 12 deaths of Christmas)
Maggie, I enjoy these Christmas crime collections. I have a dozen or so and save them for FFB each year to share with you and the others. What better way to get into the Holiday spirit!
should have said Beth liked mine for the brevity
Happy Christmas, George, only two days to go!
This is a pretty good anthology. Certainly, Derleth’s “The Adventure of the Unique Dickensians.” is a classic.
Rick, Derleth is a underrated writer. I’m going to try to post a FFB review of one of his books in 2017.
Great choice, George! You can’t go wrong with Asimov/Waugh/Greenberg anthologies.
Jerry, I’m with you on Asimov/Waugh/Greenberg anthologies. I should have bought more of them when they were plentiful. Now, I buy them every time I run across them…which isn’t that often anymore.
George, really?
I enjoy these Christmas crime collections.
Shouldn’t Christmas be a time of love? 🙂
But anyway, I wish everybody a Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you’re having and especially all the best for the New Year!
PS:
I’m sure I’ve read some of these stories – but I just can’t remember them …
So sometimes when I read some story (again …) after a few pages I start to think – this looks really familiar …
Wolf, I have the same experience when reading short stories from the past. I read so much back then and didn’t keep careful records of my reading the way I do now.
A wonderful lineup of Christmas mystery stories, George. I’m particularly curious about Asimov’s tale.
Prashant, Asimov wrote some very clever mysteries. And many of his SF stories and novels had mystery elements to them (like where is the Second Foundation?).