Christmas in Tranquility, New Jersey, means togetherness for the Italian-American Ferrara family—and an unexpected reunion for Alberta Scaglione. But someone has murder on their holiday wish list . . . Alberta is delighted that her estranged daughter has arrived in Tranquility, even if Lisa Marie has an ulterior motive. Her son, Alberta’s twenty-one-year-old grandson, Sergio, hasn’t been heard from in six months, shortly after taking up with a woman named Natalie. Maybe Alberta and her crime- reporting partner-in-sleuthing granddaughter, Jinx, can track him down before Christmas? After some fruitless searching, the Ferraras take a break to attend the Mistletoe Ball, a fundraiser for the local hospital. But the night takes a chilling turn when a snowman decoration splits open, revealing a body. Lisa Marie screams that it’s Natalie—and screams again when she sees a man emerge from behind some Christmas trees. The good news is they’ve found Sergio. The bad news: he’s a prime suspect for murder. It seems Sergio’s former squeeze had some shady secrets. And with more than one family member’s future at stake, Alberta and Lisa Marie will have to put their past behind them and work together, or it’ll be a blue, blue Christmas . . . Includes Italian recipes from Alberta’s kitchen! “Imagine the Golden Girls starting a detective agency and you’ll get the general idea of J.D. Griffo’s charming Ferrara Family mystery series.” —Criminal Element

“As entertaining as ever.” —The Horn Book Hazel and Daisy trade mistletoe for a murder investigation and set out to save the day (Christmas Day that is!) in this fabulously festive fifth novel of the Wells & Wong Mystery series. Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are spending the Christmas holidays in snowy Cambridge. Hazel is looking forward to a calm vacation among the beautiful spires, cozy libraries, and inviting tea-rooms. But there is danger lurking in the dark stairwells of ancient Maudlin College and two days before Christmas, there is a terrible accident. At least, it appears to be an accident—until the Detective Society looks a little closer, and realizes a murder has taken place. Faced with several irritating grown-ups and fierce competition from a rival agency, they must use all their cunning and courage if they’re going to find the killer before Christmas dinner.

As the acknowledged "Queen of Crime," P. D. James was frequently commissioned by newspapers and magazines to write a special short story for Christmas--and here, together, are four of the best. P. D. James's understanding of human nature illuminates each of these stories, making them ideal reading for the darkest days of the year. Each treats the reader to her masterfully atmospheric storytelling, a mystery to be solved, and enjoyable puzzles to keep the reader guessing. With wry humour, she pays tribute to her English crime-writing forebears, delighting in the secrets that lurk beneath the surface at enforced family gatherings and in old country houses--from the title story about a strained family reunion on Christmas Eve, to another about an illicit affair that ends in murder, and two cases that introduce James's poet-detective Adam Dalgliesh as a young detective sergeant.

The warmth of Katie Fforde and the festive charm of Trisha Ashley – Christmas sparkles with Fiona Harper! This Christmas, ex-WAG Louise Thornton is starting her new life, away from the paparazzi – and her cheating husband. Un-manicured, back on carbs and holding herself together courtesy of some seriously good foundation, Louise will make things perfect for her son, right up until he leaves for his dad's on the big day. Then she'll be free to curl up and cancel Christmas. But it turns out escaping the fame goldfish bowl comes with some perks: peace and quiet, no baying press, plus regular battles with her Mr Darcy-esque new neighbour to keep her edge. And the best thing about a real, country Christmas is that there's always lots of mistletoe to be found...

Murder Under The Mistletoe - Ultimate Christmas Murder Mystery Collection weaves a chilling tapestry of mystery and intrigue against the festive backdrop of the holiday season. This anthology amalgamates a dazzling array of literary styles, from the methodical deductions of the archetypal detective to the suspenseful ambiance of psychological thrillers. Reflecting the rich literary context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, each story within this collection, helmed by iconic figures like Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, thrives on the diverse interpretations of the yuletide spirit intermingled with dark and often profound narratives. The selected works stand as a testament to the versatility and depth of the murder mystery genre, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the human propensity for moral ambiguity under the veil of holiday cheer. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from various cultural and literary backgrounds, bring a wealth of experience and innovation to the anthology. Their collective works, embedded in historical, cultural, and literary movements ranging from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction to the intricate plot twists of Gothic mysteries, offer a panoramic view of changing societal norms and the unending quest for justice amidst chaos. Authors such as Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe, among others, contributed foundational texts that have shaped the contours of crime and detective literature. This collection acts as a crucible, melding these diverse voices into a singularly gripping narrative on crime, set against the contrasting innocence of Christmas. Murder Under The Mistletoe is a compelling invitation to readers seeking to explore the shadows cast by the festive lights through the lens of master storytellers. For those fascinated by the interplay between societal festivity and the darker aspects of human nature, this anthology promises a journey through varied landscapes of suspense, framed by the universal theme of holiday gatherings. Beyond its entertainment value, the collection offers invaluable insights into the evolution of the murder mystery genre and encourages a dialogic engagement with the works of some of its greatest practitioners. It is an essential volume for readers desiring not just a tale of mystery and suspense but a richer understanding of the cultural and literary forces that shape these narratives.

A collection of four historically-set Christmas romances includes Candace Camp's "By any other name," in which a gentleman pursues a lady in disguise who is seeking her brother in the gaming hells of Edinburgh.

Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them? Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.