Christmas murder or ghost story

[MissyB1]

I usually read Hercule Poirot’s Christmas around this time, but I know it too well now. I might read the 4:50 from Paddington again, as I love that one too. But I need something new, preferably something Christmassy but with a good murder plot, or maybe a spooky story?

There's a short story by Frederick Forsyth, "The Shepherd", set around Christmas, though Christmas isn't really the focal point.
No murder involved, I'm afraid 🙂 but a ghost story of sorts.

MR James wrote his stories to be told at christmas, although I don't recall any with a specifically christmas theme. And again, for good spooky stories not necessarily with a festive theme the books of Jonathan Aycliffe are very good (although some of them are set in winter and/or around xmas).

Thou Shell of Death for another GA country house murder mystery? It's not remotely spooky but witty and plotty. By Nicholas Blake (pseudonym for Cecil Day-Lewis).

You need Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick, and the brand new sequel, The Christmas Stocking Murders.

They deliver Christmas mystery in spades, with a hilarious hero/narrator.

Great suggestions, I've been busy looking them all up!

I got this today.

Just ordered Murder at Holly house and The Christmas Stocking murders.

The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance is set at Christmas. Includes ghosts and murder.

The Santa Claus murder is good - one of the British library reprints

Yes, I add my vote for M. R. James. Have you ever watched the Mark Gatiss documentary on James? It's on youtube and IPlayer – it's wonderful.

Quite lightweight but I enjoyed Jane Austen and the twelve days of Christmas.

Snow Child is good.

I've downloaded this, looks right up my street.

Tied Up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh isn't bad. Set in the requisite country house and similar types to Agatha Christie characters. Written in 1972 so a bit like later Christies iykwim

I've enjoyed Rupert Latimer, Murder After Christmas, written in the 40s but republished in one of the classic reprint series.

The Winter Spirits (collection of short ghost stories set around Christmas)

Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick

The three books by Alexandra Benedict- The Christmas Murder Game, Murder on the Christmas Express and The Christmas Jigsaw Murders

The Act of Roger Murgatroyd by Gilbert Adair

Martin Edwards has also edited at least four collections of Golden Age crime short stories set around Christmas.

Do you like Peter James ? I came across this today while looking fir a new Roy Grace for DH https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/house-on-cold-hill-book-peter-james-9781447255949?price=4.20

It's a haunted house story and sounds very good