12 Christmas mysteries for your holiday season

I read this entertaining and slightly gritty novella by a new-to-me author in a single sitting thanks to its quick pacing and tight prose. It features one of my favorite types of characters in Mikayla, a slick con artist trying to fly under the radar. But Mikayla’s annual Christmas Eve train trip goes awry when she meets recently divorced Ashton and they are both thrown into a shocking murder investigation. Think The Polar Express meets Murder on the Orient Express. Content warnings apply. (Open door.) More info →

Brigid says: An amusing short story featuring thriller writer and occasional sleuth, Sophie Katz. It's Christmas time in San Francisco and Sophie’s sister needs help event planning a tech-millionaire’s Swan Lake flash mob-inspired marriage proposal. But all those plans fly south when Sophie finds the prima ballerina dead and the engagement ring missing. Now she has to track down the culprit and help save her sister’s livelihood in more ways than one. I had never read this series before and was able to jump right in and quickly fell in love with Sophie’s cat, Mr. Katz. More info →

Tempest Raj, secret room builder and former stage magician, has arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland just in time for a yuletide museum heist. Staying with her grandparents in a vacation rental overlooking the castle, they soon learn that a local museum has been robbed and the case seems impossible to solve. With a delightful sense of place and lots of delicious food descriptions, I devoured this short story with no murder. While it is officially #1.5 in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. More info →

How I simply adore this series and its adorable community of creatures! This festive short story is an excellent place to meet (or reacquaint yourself) with the delightful townsfolk of Shady Hollow. The Winter Solstice evergreen tree has been stolen so it is up to local reporter Vera Vixen to find it before the holiday arrives. Luckily she has the help of her kind friends and a few clever hunches to go on. A mystery without a murder, this cozy tale is just perfect with a cup of coffee and a slice of pie on a cold winter afternoon. More info →

One of my favorite gifts last year, I was ecstatic to unwrap the lovely hardcopy of this holiday themed follow-up to The Appeal on Christmas morning. Janice Hallett writes fascinating mixed media mysteries filled with emails, texts, letters, transcripts, and handwritten notes that I just can’t put down. The Fairway Players have found themselves at the center of another mystery when a dead body is found at the theatre. (It’s giving Only Murders in the Building season 3 at Christmastime.) Luckily lawyers Femi and Charlotte are back to review the evidence and solve the case. As a bonus, it can be read without reading its predecessor and I can confirm the beautiful print copy makes an excellent present for mystery readers. More info →

Miriam Quiñones, Miami cooking show host, is looking forward to visiting her parents in Punta Cana with her young son from Christmas to Three Kings Day. Her plan is to relax and enjoy her time off but of course, mysterious happenings have followed pregnant Miriam. Things get even more suspicious when she embarks on a surprise trip to Old San Juan for work. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to the missing telanovela heartthrob. Filled with lush tropical locales, delectable food, and delightful side characters, this third in the series can be read as a standalone. The audiobook is fantastic as performed by one of my favorites, Frankie Corzo. More info →

Oh what fun it is to read a fabulous romystery! I told Anne this 2024 Fall Book Preview title was legit created in a lab for me. It has a ton of my favorite things: a locked room setting, smart comedy, intriguing flashbacks, steamy chemistry, and SO. MUCH. BANTER. The story begins with Maggie Chase, cozy mystery writer, and Ethan Wyatt, tough guy thriller author, receiving identical mysterious invites to spend the holidays abroad. They find themselves smack dab in the middle of a real-life whodunnit at the estate of enigmatic best-selling murder author Eleanor Ashley. The clever plot and layered romance had me turning the pages as fast as I could. (Closed door.) More info →

Ernest Cunningham, quick-witted expert on Golden Age mysteries, keeps finding himself caught up in real life murders to solve and this Christmas is no exception. When an important person from Ernest’s past wakes up covered in blood with a magician’s dead body nearby, Ernest agrees to help clear their name. I loved how the holiday weather in Australia mirrors the typical December forecast in my south Florida home. Plus, the festive format of this fair play whodunit revolves around an Advent calendar and presents under the tree. Filled with jolly humor and twisty turns, this third book in the series can totally be read as a standalone. It's got the comedy of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the entertainment of a BBC Christmas special, and the magic of the Now You See Me movies. More info →

Agatha Raisin is back at it in this long running series and by “it,” I mean solving murders in her Cotswolds village of Carsely. Having always dreamt of the perfect Christmas, she is determined to make the season merry and bright. Those plans are quickly put to the side when Agatha gets hired by a local widow who is sure someone is out to get her. Now Agatha must catch the culprit before the holidays are ruined. While there are romantic subplots that are built throughout the series, this festive cozy mystery would be a jolly spot to jump right in! (I suggest picking this one up in print since the audiobook is one of the rare Agatha Raisin titles not performed by my preferred narrator, Penelope Keith.) More info →

Family secrets and inheritance puzzles abound in this twisty tale. Lily Armitage joins her extended family at Endgame house for the holidays for the first time since her mother died over twenty years ago. With Lily’s Aunt Lillian recently passing, the annual Armitage family Christmas game has turned deadly as this year’s prize is the deed to the grand home. I really enjoyed all the Clue board game vibes and nods to Agatha Christie’s books. Fans of puzzles will be keen on the anagrams, word searches, and fun games included in the book and even as part of the acknowledgements. I highly recommend this one in print to get the most out of these brainteasers! More info →

Delicious Filipino food and family drama abound in this third installment from the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series. The story begins with Tita Rosie on cloud nine because Lila’s cousin Ronnie is finally back in town to start a new winery after years away. The excitement is short lived when one of Ronnie’s main investors suddenly dies while Lila and the rest of the family are busy testing recipes for Shady Palm’s annual Winter Bash. Once the death is ruled a murder and Ronnie named the prime suspect, Lila sets aside her concerns about his recent return to help prove his innocence. With both the Winter Bash and Simbang Gabi (nine days of Christmas masses) quickly approaching, Lila is determined to stop the true killer before they strike again. This series is great in print and audio as narrated by Danice Cabanela. More info →

Reminiscent of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, this Molly the Maid novella is a sweet and jolly tale. It's Secret Santa time at the Regency Grand Hotel and there are strange happenings afoot. Normally, Molly’s cases involve murder so I was glad to find this one less deadly and more heartwarmingly personal. I am always fond of Molly’s kindness and uniquely charming personality. The novella is cute in hardcover and would make a lovely gift for those who enjoy the series, which is best read in order. More info →