Like a Christmas pudding. A good mixture that satisfies. Pick up a copy now!
A marvelous collection of short stories from Val. Some but not all centred around Christmas. I have been a fan of Val's fiction for a number of years but this is my first foray into her short stories. Val is known as a crime writer and though there are some elements of crime in this collection she also has some supernatural elements. A story that caught my attention was what you could call alternative history? Sherlock Holmes getting involved in foiling the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and therefore changing history. Will he succeed? You will need to buy the book, read the story and find out. As I said a good mixture of the supernatural, crime and that staple of many a good story, Revenge! I would recommend this collection of stories as there is something for everyone. If you like Val's writing I would urge you to pick up a copy as I'm sure you will find something in it that you'll enjoy. Highly commended.
A varied and gripping short story collection, perfect for dipping into over the festive season, or indeed any cold winter’s evening.
I have enjoyed many of Val McDermid’s novels but had never read any of her short stories before this collection. I was not disappointed; her writing is as masterful as ever in this book. There is a wide variety of locations, from her native Scotland, to settings as far afield as St Petersburg and Sarajevo. The colourful cast of characters includes references to some of her own creations, plus famous figures real (Eric Blair) and fictional (Sherlock Holmes) among others. Stories even play out on the sidelines of real historical events.
Each story is gripping, building inexorably to a climax, many involving some effective, gripping twists and turns, especially surprising given the short story form. It’s hard to single any story out because, although varied, I enjoyed them all equally.
Some were directly relevant to Christmas, others not so much; however, the whole collection is perfect for dipping into over the festive season or indeed any cold winter’s day or night.
Recommended for existing Val McDermid fans, and a perfect introduction to anyone who has not come across her work before.
A great collection of short stories perfect for the festive season
Christmas is a busy period, so the time and concentration for reading can often elude even the most dedicated of us. Short stories are the perfect solution and if some of them are Christmas-themed then all the better. Dark tales of murder can also reflect the festive mood, especially after being in close proximity to our nearest and dearest over the holidays.
This is a great collection of stories whose settings range from an English country house, to Russia, the USA, and an isolated Highland landscape. There are foul deeds and gory murders, spiced with some very dark humour. And interesting and clever extrapolations from history with some very well-known characters intervening in famous events. The stories include many female protagonists on the side of both good and evil, so you never know who to suspect.
While some of the stories are Christmas-themed, not all are, which is perfect for grinches and those who don’t enjoy the festive season. It’s a great book to pick up and put down over several days as each story stands alone and gives plenty of food for thought. When you have a minute you can read another: none is much more than 20 pages so you don’t need to allocate a lot of time. May be enjoyed with a mince pie and a cheeky snifter!
Once again, Val McDermid proves that she's today's number one British crime writer, with this book of twelve amazing, inspired short stories.
In the twelve short stories which make up Val McDermid's Christmas is Murder collection, the author treats us to a smorgasbord of content: police investigations, featuring characters we know and love from her full length novels, supernatural events, comic but potentially dangerous scenarios, vengeful murders and mysterious cold cases. It seems her versatility knows no bounds! Anyone who isn't already a fan will be won over by the sheer ingenuity of the writing.
But for utter brilliance, the story that stands out for me is 'Holmes for Christmas'. As the title suggests, the story features Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in a case that takes them to Europe and beyond and eventually sees them experiencing and influencing events which were to change the whole course of history. The ease and speed with which the reader can believe that they are reading Conan Doyle is incredible and the clever twists of the plot are nothing short of inspired.
You may not agree with my choice, it would be easy to make a case for any one of the twelve stories being the best but I think it would be hard to disagree that this is an outstanding collection, a jewel in the crown of the queen of crime.
Great collection of short murder stories for a cold winter's evening.
Great collection of short murder stories for a cold winter's evening.
There is something about the cold weather that lends itself to a good crime fiction atmosphere. It's great to curl up in the warm with a book of short stories that chill you and warm you at the same time.
These are perfect for just that.
With every story in this book, you are pulled right in instantly. How does Val McDermid manage it in so few words? There are funny stories and disturbing stories, told by the investigators (some of whom you will already know), by bystanders and by the perpetrators. A wonderful collection to read at Christmas when you're too busy to sit and read a whole book.
What a fabulous book! Val McDermid is an amazing wordsmith, pulling you straight into her stories in so few words. The shortest story in this book is a mere 5 pages yet you don't feel short-changed - you are fully invested in the narrator and their story immediately. There are no abrupt endings or the need for more information - they are all perfect as they are. You meet a wide variety of characters, including investigators, bystanders, famous characters and the perpetrators themselves, giving an interesting variety of perspectives and settings. And even though it is billed as ‘A chilling short story collection’, the tones of the stories are varied and even amusing. This is a perfect selection for people who want to try reading mysteries but can’t commit to a whole book – just dip in when you can. A very entertaining read.
McDermid has ensured there’s a eclectic variety of relationships, crimes, twists and turns to suit everyone and as a collection of quick reads “Christmas is Murder” is definitely one of the best.
As a huge fan of Val McDermid - Scotland’s Queen of Crime - I was looking forward to diving into Christmas is Murder.
I was very pleased to see that fan favourite, clinical psychologist Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan, opened the collection with an intriguing story of revenge, requiring Tony’s traditional empathetic investigating. What followed was another eleven absorbing stories, perfect for any age reader and any time of the year, as not all are Christmas related. As with all short story collections, there is usually a mix of good and just ok stories. As it happens I enjoyed all included here, although I was slightly lost with the ‘Holmes for Christmas’ but only due to my lack of knowledge on the historical Scottish Unionist and Nationalist factions.
McDermid has ensured there’s a eclectic variety of relationships, crimes, twists and turns to suit everyone and as a collection of quick reads Christmas is Murder is definitely one of the best.