edited by Otto Penzler,
Vanguard Press, 2010
Each year, for the past seventeen years, Otto Penzler, owner of the legendary Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, has commissioned an original story by a leading mystery writer. The requirements were that it be a mystery/ crime/suspense story, that it be set during the Christmas season, and that at least some of the action take place in The Mysterious Bookshop. In most cases, the authors also make reference to the store's owner, Penzler himself.
Now, all of these stories have been collected in one volume. Contributors include Lawrence Block, Mary Higgins Clark, Ed McBain, Anne Perry, and Donald E. Westlake. Some of the tales are humorous, others suspenseful or even mystifying. I enjoyed some more than others, but all were well-written, as would be expected, and I got a kick out of the different ways the authors chose to include the bookshop and its owner. I am also inspired to try some of their other stand-alone work.
A great read, and an excellent choice for the mystery reader on your gift list.
Showing posts with label Christmas fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas fiction. Show all posts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The Gingerbread Cookie Murder
by Joanne Fluke,
Kensington Books, 2010
This book is a Christmas anthology, and also includes the stories The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine, and Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier.
Story one: I was somewhat disappointed that this was not a full-length Fluke novel as the murder had to unfold and resolve so quickly. In this story, Ernie Kusak is the neighbour who gets on everyone's nerves with his loud music and noxious Christmas lights during the holiday season. It's not much of a surprise that he turns up dead near a platter of Hannah's gingerbread cookies. But who killed the multi-million dollar lottery winner? - His ex-wife, Lorna? Another neighbour who'd had run-ins with Ernie? And does the framed lottery ticket in Ernie's bathroom have any link to the crime? I enjoyed the story, but the wrap-up happened too quickly for my liking.
Story two: When Jaine Austen visits her parents at Tampa Vistas for the holidays, she's in for more of the usual: her parents' bickering, showing her off to the neighbours, and overindulging her cat. What she doesn't expect is the death of resident eligible bachelor, retired plastic surgeon, Dr. Preston McCay. Who done it? - One of the several ladies he's strung along? His much younger fiancee? The community handyman? Doc Wilkins? All of them have a reason, and it's up to Jaine to sort out the suspects. I enjoyed this story enough to put Levine's Jaine debut on my reading list, though I did find the addressing of the reader throughout somewhat distracting.
Story three: Lucy Stone is many things - wife, mother, grandmother, and part-time reporter. When local boy Nemo Anderson disappears, it hits Lucy and the community hard. Lucy had met the boy and his mother, Ocean, and knows something of the unconventional life they must lead with Ocean's partner, Rick. As the police conduct their own investigation, Lucy conducts a search for answers, praying all the while for the boy's safe return. Was there really a large black woman in a puffy burgundy coat, who drove Nemo away in a white SUV, or were the lad's mother and guardian in some way responsible for his vanishing? This was my favourite story in the anthology. Not only did Meier include recipes (as did Fluke), but the plot unfolded at an appropriate pace and came to a satisfying conclusion.
Kensington Books, 2010
This book is a Christmas anthology, and also includes the stories The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine, and Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier.
Story one: I was somewhat disappointed that this was not a full-length Fluke novel as the murder had to unfold and resolve so quickly. In this story, Ernie Kusak is the neighbour who gets on everyone's nerves with his loud music and noxious Christmas lights during the holiday season. It's not much of a surprise that he turns up dead near a platter of Hannah's gingerbread cookies. But who killed the multi-million dollar lottery winner? - His ex-wife, Lorna? Another neighbour who'd had run-ins with Ernie? And does the framed lottery ticket in Ernie's bathroom have any link to the crime? I enjoyed the story, but the wrap-up happened too quickly for my liking.
Story two: When Jaine Austen visits her parents at Tampa Vistas for the holidays, she's in for more of the usual: her parents' bickering, showing her off to the neighbours, and overindulging her cat. What she doesn't expect is the death of resident eligible bachelor, retired plastic surgeon, Dr. Preston McCay. Who done it? - One of the several ladies he's strung along? His much younger fiancee? The community handyman? Doc Wilkins? All of them have a reason, and it's up to Jaine to sort out the suspects. I enjoyed this story enough to put Levine's Jaine debut on my reading list, though I did find the addressing of the reader throughout somewhat distracting.
Story three: Lucy Stone is many things - wife, mother, grandmother, and part-time reporter. When local boy Nemo Anderson disappears, it hits Lucy and the community hard. Lucy had met the boy and his mother, Ocean, and knows something of the unconventional life they must lead with Ocean's partner, Rick. As the police conduct their own investigation, Lucy conducts a search for answers, praying all the while for the boy's safe return. Was there really a large black woman in a puffy burgundy coat, who drove Nemo away in a white SUV, or were the lad's mother and guardian in some way responsible for his vanishing? This was my favourite story in the anthology. Not only did Meier include recipes (as did Fluke), but the plot unfolded at an appropriate pace and came to a satisfying conclusion.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
On Strike for Christmas
by Sheila Roberts
St. Martin's Griffin, 2007
Joy's had it with husband, Bob Humbug. After all the personal sacrifices she's made over the years to accommodate his dislike of social gatherings, it's time he saw just how much he'd miss if she stopped taking charge of the holiday. It's time for a strike.
When Joy shares her idea with her knitting group, the Stitch 'n Bitchers, Sharon (called Yulezilla by her husband), Laura, and Kay jump at the chance to join her and teach their men a lesson. Only Carol, whose husband died two years earlier, and Jerri, who is battling cancer, opt to sit the strike out.
Many will relate to the feelings these women express, and Roberts provides a light, fun read. Of course, it's not only the men who have something to learn, and as the plot progresses, the women, too, are exposed to some eye-openers.
I love reading Christmas stories at this time of year, and this was a great choice. Need to relax and de-stress? This is the perfect book to read by the fire.
St. Martin's Griffin, 2007
Joy's had it with husband, Bob Humbug. After all the personal sacrifices she's made over the years to accommodate his dislike of social gatherings, it's time he saw just how much he'd miss if she stopped taking charge of the holiday. It's time for a strike.
When Joy shares her idea with her knitting group, the Stitch 'n Bitchers, Sharon (called Yulezilla by her husband), Laura, and Kay jump at the chance to join her and teach their men a lesson. Only Carol, whose husband died two years earlier, and Jerri, who is battling cancer, opt to sit the strike out.
Many will relate to the feelings these women express, and Roberts provides a light, fun read. Of course, it's not only the men who have something to learn, and as the plot progresses, the women, too, are exposed to some eye-openers.
I love reading Christmas stories at this time of year, and this was a great choice. Need to relax and de-stress? This is the perfect book to read by the fire.
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Lump of Coal
by Lemony Snicket
HarperCollins, 2008
A thinking, talking, moving lump of coal dreams of becoming an artist, or at least proving useful in a barbecue. Rejected first by a snooty art gallery owner, then by the owner of an inauthentic Korean restaurant, the lump of coal despairs of ever finding success. Will his encounter with one of Santa's helpers bring about his very own Christmas miracle? Read the book yourself to discover its satisfying conclusion.
Told in a style similar to Snicket's engaging Series of Unfortunate Events.
HarperCollins, 2008
A thinking, talking, moving lump of coal dreams of becoming an artist, or at least proving useful in a barbecue. Rejected first by a snooty art gallery owner, then by the owner of an inauthentic Korean restaurant, the lump of coal despairs of ever finding success. Will his encounter with one of Santa's helpers bring about his very own Christmas miracle? Read the book yourself to discover its satisfying conclusion.
Told in a style similar to Snicket's engaging Series of Unfortunate Events.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Angel of Bastogne
by Gilbert Morris
Broadman & Holman, 2005
Ben Raines is a seasoned hard-nosed reporter who needs a vacation. His plans to spend Christmas, a holiday he spurns, is thwarted when his editor assigns him the task of writing the newspaper's annual front-page Christmas article.
Ben decides to do an anti-It's a Wonderful Life tale by finding the men who served in his father's unit during the Second World War. Willy Raines was wounded while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers and Ben wants to show that their lives were not worth saving, that one person's actions don't make a difference.
Of course, Ben finds something entirely different as he goes on his journey of discovery. And in doing so, he finds new hope, direction, and fulfillment in living.
An emotionally satisfying story in the tradition of It's A Wonderful Life and Skipping Christmas (by Grisham).
Broadman & Holman, 2005
Ben Raines is a seasoned hard-nosed reporter who needs a vacation. His plans to spend Christmas, a holiday he spurns, is thwarted when his editor assigns him the task of writing the newspaper's annual front-page Christmas article.
Ben decides to do an anti-It's a Wonderful Life tale by finding the men who served in his father's unit during the Second World War. Willy Raines was wounded while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers and Ben wants to show that their lives were not worth saving, that one person's actions don't make a difference.
Of course, Ben finds something entirely different as he goes on his journey of discovery. And in doing so, he finds new hope, direction, and fulfillment in living.
An emotionally satisfying story in the tradition of It's A Wonderful Life and Skipping Christmas (by Grisham).
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: a Christmas story
by Lemony Snicket
McSweeney's Books, 2007
A Christmas book by Lemony Snicket, author of the Series of Unfortunate Events?! Yes, indeed. Sort of.
A runaway latke has to explain his role in Hanukah to different Christmas symbols he meets along his way.
Informative and humorous, with simple but clever illustrations.
McSweeney's Books, 2007
A Christmas book by Lemony Snicket, author of the Series of Unfortunate Events?! Yes, indeed. Sort of.
A runaway latke has to explain his role in Hanukah to different Christmas symbols he meets along his way.
Informative and humorous, with simple but clever illustrations.
Friday, December 12, 2008
What Child is This?: A Christmas Story
by Caroline B. Cooney
Delacourte Press, 1997
Liz's family celebrates Christmas in a big way, but Liz still feels she's missing something. Matt and Katie are foster kids shuffled from home to home, never sure where they'll be spending the next holiday. Liz and Matt both envy Tack's family, who run the River Wind Inn and seem to have it all together.
When Matt and Katie's social worker gives them a chance to make a Christmas wish, Katie wishes for a family. But Pollard won't allow her wish to be printed and hung on a tree. After all, "Christmas is about little things" and no one is going to give her a family for Christmas. Matt knows this is true, but he still thinks Katie's wish deserves to be posted, so he prints it off and hangs it on the wish tree at River Wind Inn.
When Katie's wish is taken from the tree, each learns what Christmas is truly all about.
A satisfying story that will touch your heart (if you have one!).
When Katie's wish is taken from the tree, each learns what Christmas is truly all about.
A satisfying story that will touch your heart (if you have one!).
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A Highland Christmas
A Hamish Macbeth Mystery
by M.C. Beaton
Warner Books, 1999
Christmas in Locdubh, Scotland, promises to be a dismal affair, with the Calvinist element firmly against any secular display. And Constable Hamish Macbeth's hands are full with a frightened old woman whose cat has gone missing, a forlorn little girl in need of friends, and the mysterious theft of some holiday goods. Can he make everything right by Christmas Day?
Beaton is a wonderful author who creates memorable characters, and Macbeth is a hilarious protagonist. If reading this doesn't fill you with Christmas cheer, nothing will!
by M.C. Beaton
Warner Books, 1999
Christmas in Locdubh, Scotland, promises to be a dismal affair, with the Calvinist element firmly against any secular display. And Constable Hamish Macbeth's hands are full with a frightened old woman whose cat has gone missing, a forlorn little girl in need of friends, and the mysterious theft of some holiday goods. Can he make everything right by Christmas Day?
Beaton is a wonderful author who creates memorable characters, and Macbeth is a hilarious protagonist. If reading this doesn't fill you with Christmas cheer, nothing will!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Family Blessings
by Fern Michaels,
Pocket Books, 2005
At this time of year, I do like a good Christmas read. This story starts in late November and carries the reader through the Christmas season.
A freak tornado sweeps through Larkspur, Pennsylvania and lifts Cisco's house from its foundations just before Thanksgiving. As if that's not bad enough, her beloved triplet grandchildren, all newlyweds, seem to be having marital problems. Secrets and lack of communication are at the heart of it all. Will the couples get their priorities straight and their marriages back on track, or are three divorces in the offing?
This ought to lighten your Christmas stress. But someone should have told the author not to create characters whose names start with similar sounds - I mean Cisco, Sam, Sonia, Sara, Zach, and (Father) Stanley? A bit much, don't you think?!
You might want to try Michaels' No Place Like Home first. It is her previous Christmas novel, in which these characters are introduced.
Pocket Books, 2005
At this time of year, I do like a good Christmas read. This story starts in late November and carries the reader through the Christmas season.
A freak tornado sweeps through Larkspur, Pennsylvania and lifts Cisco's house from its foundations just before Thanksgiving. As if that's not bad enough, her beloved triplet grandchildren, all newlyweds, seem to be having marital problems. Secrets and lack of communication are at the heart of it all. Will the couples get their priorities straight and their marriages back on track, or are three divorces in the offing?
This ought to lighten your Christmas stress. But someone should have told the author not to create characters whose names start with similar sounds - I mean Cisco, Sam, Sonia, Sara, Zach, and (Father) Stanley? A bit much, don't you think?!
You might want to try Michaels' No Place Like Home first. It is her previous Christmas novel, in which these characters are introduced.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Librarian's Night Before Christmas
a picture book
by David Davis
Illustrated by Jim Harris,
Pelican Publishing, 2006
Love the premise, but very hit and miss in terms of how well the concepts are presented in rhyme.
by David Davis
Illustrated by Jim Harris,
Pelican Publishing, 2006
Love the premise, but very hit and miss in terms of how well the concepts are presented in rhyme.
- example of a hit: "He was bearded and gabbed like a good storyteller/ And he grinned like a writer with a New York bestseller."
- example of a miss: "Santa charged through the door, and his black knee boots shone/ He bowed as he asked, "Need interlibrary loans?"
Borrow it from the library (like I did) if you want to, but don't bother making it a purchase. Not even for your favourite librarian or library worker. (I'm a librarian, but could care less if this made it onto my personal bookshelf.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)