CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES - 20 Thriller Classics in One Volume presents an eclectic collection that intertwines the festive spirit of Christmas with the intrigue and suspense of mystery literature. This anthology spans a broad spectrum of literary styles, from the gothic and supernatural to detective fiction and psychological thrillers, reflecting the diverse ways in which the theme of mystery can intersect with holiday cheer. The collection stands as a testament to the versatile narrative power of Christmas, incorporating works that range from eerie ghost stories to ingenious tales of deduction, each shedding light on the darker corners of the holiday season. The authors contributing to this anthology are luminaries of 19th and early 20th century literature, each with their own unique contribution to the genres of mystery and suspense. Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Wilkie Collins, among others, offer stories that not only highlight their mastery of narrative tension but also reflect the historical and cultural climates of their respective eras. These stories, while diverse, collectively explore themes of redemption, revelation, and the ever-present contrast between light and shadow during the holiday season, thus providing a rich tapestry of cultural and literary insights. CHRISTMAS MYSTERIES invites readers to explore the multifaceted traditions of the holiday season through a lens of mystery and suspense. It promises a journey through the varied landscapes of human emotion and cultural celebration, making it a valuable addition to any literary collection. The anthology serves not only as an engaging compendium of thrilling tales but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the ways in which mystery and the yuletide spirit converge to reveal profound truths about humanity and society. This volume is recommended for those eager to delve into the intersection of festive joy and the tantalizing allure of the unknown.

The Edgar Award-winning editor collects sixty of his all-time favorite holiday crime stories—from Arthur Conan Doyle and Thomas Hardy, to Sara Paretsky and Ed McBain. • “Anyone who cares about the best mystery writing of the past century and beyond would be lucky to receive this thick volume during the holidays." —The Washington Post This collection touches on all aspects of the holiday season, and all types of mysteries. They are suspenseful, funny, frightening, and poignant. Included are puzzles by Mary Higgins Clark, Isaac Asimov, and Ngaio Marsh; uncanny tales in the tradition of A Christmas Carol by Peter Lovesey and Max Allan Collins; O. Henry-like stories by Stanley Ellin and Joseph Shearing, stories by pulp icons John D. MacDonald and Damon Runyon; comic gems from Donald E. Westlake and John Mortimer; and many, many more. Almost any kind of mystery you’re in the mood for--suspense, pure detection, humor, cozy, private eye, or police procedural—can be found in these pages. FEATURING: - Unscrupulous Santas - Crimes of Christmases Past and Present - Festive felonies - Deadly puddings - Misdemeanors under the mistletoe - Christmas cases for classic characters including Sherlock Holmes, Brother Cadfael, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Ellery Queen, Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse, Inspector Ghote, A.J. Raffles, and Nero Wolfe.

"Seven Keys to Baldpate" – A young novelist William Magee travels to the Baldpate Mountain resort, seeking for solitude and inspiration for his greatest novel yet. Soon after he gets in, he finds out that he is not the only one there, for there are seven keys to the place and seven people with various stories of why they are there. "Love Insurance" – The American branch of Lloyds' insurers is specialized in unusual policies, but one day an impoverished Lord Harrowby showed up with the strangest claim of them all. He wants an insurance against his fiancée Cynthia Meyrick breaking off their engagement. "Inside the Lines" – World War I has started, Britain has gone up against Germany, and few Americans are stranded at Gibraltar desperate to catch a boat back home. Spies are everywhere and Germans are plotting to blow up the English troop at Gibraltar. "The Agony Column" (Second-Floor Mystery) – Geoffrey West is an American in London. Since arriving he has been fascinated by the Agony Column, a personal advertisements in newspapers. One morning he spots an American tourist girl reading the same section, decides to place an ad to catch her attention, and soon they start corresponding. "Fifty Candles" – Young Winthrop is in love with Mary Wills and longs to marry her. His pursuit of her will lead him to a party in the home of a former employer, a millionaire with more enemies than friends. Millionaire is killed at the party, no one can be ruled out as a suspect, and some clues point to Winthrop. "Charlie Chan Series" - Charlie is a Chinese American detective who lives on Hawaii and works for the Honolulu Police Department, but often travels around the world investigating mysteries and solving crimes.

"Seven Keys to Baldpate" – A young novelist William Magee travels to the Baldpate Mountain resort, seeking for solitude and inspiration for his greatest novel yet. Soon after he gets in, he finds out that he is not the only one there, for there are seven keys to the place and seven people with various stories of why they are there. "Love Insurance" – The American branch of Lloyds' insurers is specialized in unusual policies, but one day an impoverished Lord Harrowby showed up with the strangest claim of them all. He wants an insurance against his fiancée Cynthia Meyrick breaking off their engagement. "Inside the Lines" – World War I has started, Britain has gone up against Germany, and few Americans are stranded at Gibraltar desperate to catch a boat back home. Spies are everywhere and Germans are plotting to blow up the English troop at Gibraltar. "The Agony Column" (Second-Floor Mystery) – Geoffrey West is an American in London. Since arriving he has been fascinated by the Agony Column, a personal advertisements in newspapers. One morning he spots an American tourist girl reading the same section, decides to place an ad to catch her attention, and soon they start corresponding. "Fifty Candles" – Young Winthrop is in love with Mary Wills and longs to marry her. His pursuit of her will lead him to a party in the home of a former employer, a millionaire with more enemies than friends. Millionaire is killed at the party, no one can be ruled out as a suspect, and some clues point to Winthrop. "Charlie Chan Series" - Charlie is a Chinese American detective who lives on Hawaii and works for the Honolulu Police Department, but often travels around the world investigating mysteries and solving crimes.

Paradise is a piece of land near a thirteenth-century Cathedral in England and a quiet small town nearby is a hotbed of local gossip. Mark Ransford is a local doctor and a guardian of Mary and Dick Bewery. His assistant Pemberton Bryce is in love with Mary, but Dr. Ransford doesn't approve it. One day, after a visit to the doctor's house, a certain man finds death as he falls from the Cathedral. Bryce is convinced that Dr. Ransford is involved in the death and starts an investigation. Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863-1933) was an English author and journalist, one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Golden Age. After his journalist career Fletcher first started writing poems, then historical fiction, and finally moved on to write detective mysteries.

In the middle of winter a young novelist William Magee travels to a summer tourist town seeking for solitude and inspiration for his greatest novel yet. He gets to the Baldpate Mountain resort, and even though the hotel is closed he makes an arrangement with the caretaker and gets the key to the hotel. But soon after he gets in, he finds out that he is not the only one there, for there are seven keys to the place and seven people with various stories of why they are there. Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist and playwright best known for his mystery novels. His first novel Seven Keys to Baldpate was a major success and it was adapted into several movies and plays. Even greater success came with his series of detective novels featuring Chinese American detective Charlie Chan. Many of his novels were made into movies.

G.F. Watts by G.K. Chesterton is a detailed autobiography of George Frederic Watts. George Frederic Watts OM RA was a British painter and sculptor associated with the Symbolist movement. Watts became famous in his lifetime for his allegorical works, such as Hope, Love, and Life. These paintings were intended to form part of an epic symbolic cycle called the "House of Life", in which the emotions and aspirations of life would all be represented in a universal symbolic language.