The allure of immersing oneself in a captivating mystery novel during the frosty winter months is a tradition deeply rooted in the hearts of crime fiction enthusiasts. This tradition, particularly fond of Christmas-themed mysteries, dates back to the Golden Age of detective fiction, post World War II, when renowned authors like Dorothy L. Sayers, Anthony Berkeley, John Dickson Carr, and the legendary Agatha Christie penned their most famous works. Christmas was a time when new mysteries graced the bookshelves, with Agatha Christie’s publisher ensuring a fresh release every December, giving rise to the popular tradition of acquiring “a Christie for Christmas.”
The allure of these mysteries was not just their timely release; many were set against the backdrop of the holiday season. For instance, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot’s Christmas revolves around a family gathering disrupted by a shocking death on Christmas Eve. Dorothy L. Sayers’s The Nine Tailors commences on New Year’s Eve and Gladys Mitchell’s Groaning Spinney, a classic Christmas mystery, was reprinted in 2017 as Murder in the Snow: A Cotswold Christmas Mystery.
At first glance, the pairing of Christmas and crime might seem odd. Murder is hardly a festive event. However, taking a closer look, it becomes apparent that the juxtaposition is part of the appeal. The holiday season is characterized by upheaval; typical routines are replaced by busyness, travel, family stress, and unpredictability. In contrast, crime fiction, particularly a classic whodunnit, provides a predictable order: a crime occurs, an investigation ensues, discoveries are made by some form of detective, and ultimately, we are rewarded with a satisfying conclusion where the perpetrator is revealed.
Besides, there’s the readability factor. Mysteries are known for their fast-paced narratives and tightly woven plots that keep readers engrossed until they realize they’ve finished the book in one sitting. These are the kinds of books we reach for when we have a cozy afternoon to spend curled up with a good read.
Publishers and authors have recognized readers’ fondness for cozy murder mystery books during Christmas and have responded by expanding the occasional Christmas crimes of the Golden Age into a whole sub-genre, with styles catering to every reader’s taste. You can find cozy Christmas murder mysteries with plenty of holiday puns in their titles as well as murder thriller books for sale that delve into the secrets and isolation of families gathered for the holidays.
Murder is meant to be shocking, a crime not only against the victim but also against our expectations of a predictable, safe, and orderly life. What could be more shocking than a murder during a season meant to be joyful and festive? A story about murder at Christmas is transgressive, underlining that friends and family might not know each other as well as they think they do. But even as they shock us, Christmas mysteries reassure us: a murder might occur, but someone will solve it, the guilty will be punished, and all will return to normal. This premise is as comforting to readers today as it was post World War I.
If you’re already a fan of Christmas crime or are looking to explore the many stories of festive murder available, here are a few suggestions. The third book in the cozy Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries features a family welcoming a long-lost cousin home for the holidays. But amateur sleuth Lila Macapagal anticipates trouble, and she’s proven right when her dubious cousin becomes a murder suspect.
If you prefer your Christmas crimes darker, a slow-burning, suspenseful Nordic thriller might be just right for you. Winter in a remote Icelandic town of just ten residents is eerie enough for newcomer Una. It becomes even spookier when she starts to uncover secrets kept for generations.
Or perhaps you’d like a whole series of holiday crimes? In Alexandra Benedict’s latest Christmas mystery, a killer sends clues in the form of a festive jigsaw puzzle and challenges sleuth Edie O’Sullivan to solve the mystery before four people die on Christmas Eve.
Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned reader of Christmas crimes or picking one up for the first time, there’s plenty of reading material to keep you engrossed. So make a cup of hot chocolate, curl up with a cozy blanket, and prepare to solve some festive murders.