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The Coziest Crimes Come Wrapped in Tinsel
Let’s be real—Christmas is the perfect time for a murder. Not a real one, obviously (I like my cocoa blood-free), but give me a snowed-in estate, a missing heirloom, and someone clutching a poisoned figgy pudding, and I’m in heaven.
Christmas mystery books scratch that very specific seasonal itch: we want warmth and twinkle lights… but we also want secrets, lies, and at least one body turning up under the tree. And the best ones balance festive charm with just enough darkness to keep you flipping pages long after the eggnog’s gone cold.
Whether you’re into cozy village sleuthing, Golden Age whodunits, or modern thrillers with a frosty twist, this list has something for every kind of mystery lover.
More Murder Under the Mistletoe: Other Books by the Same Authors
If you’ve already devoured a few of these snowy whodunits, chances are the author has more where that came from. A few quick hits to add to your wishlist:
- Agatha Christie (obviously): Murder for Christmas is iconic, but don’t skip The Sittaford Mystery, which features a séance, deep snow, and a shocking twist.
- Catherine Bruns (author of Penne Dreadful): Her “Cookies & Chance” series is delightfully deadly—and yes, there’s a holiday entry.
- P.D. James: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories includes four short mysteries with her signature elegance and bite.
Sometimes you don’t need a new author—just a new season.
Author Spotlight: The Sleuthy Elves Behind the Books
Let’s take a moment to toast the authors bringing the mayhem to your mulled wine.
- Agatha Christie basically invented the modern holiday mystery. Her Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (1938) remains one of the most perfectly plotted Christmas mysteries ever. Did she write it in a snow globe? Probably.
- C.J. Tudor, of The Chalk Man fame, brings her signature eerie dread to wintry short stories in A Sliver of Darkness. Her style: think Stephen King meets your favorite true crime podcast.
- Jacqueline Frost (a.k.a. Julie Anne Lindsey) is the queen of festive cozies. Her “Christmas Tree Farm Mystery” series is Hallmark meets homicide.
- Francine Mathews, with her “Merry Folger” Nantucket mysteries, adds maritime flair and real-world gravitas—she was a CIA analyst, so you know her murders come with receipts.
These authors prove that beneath every jingle bell lurks a lie. And maybe a body.
Fun Facts & Frosty Stats about Christmas Mystery Books
Let’s unwrap some bookish trivia like it’s a suspiciously square-shaped gift under the tree:
🎄 Hercule Poirot’s Christmas has never gone out of print since 1938. That’s over 80 years of festive murder.
🕵️♀️ Holiday mysteries see a spike in Google searches every November—“Christmas mystery books” averages 6,600 monthly searches during peak season (November–December).
📺 Murder, She Wrote: A Christmas Secret is based on the beloved series and has its own cult following. (Yes, Jessica Fletcher celebrates Christmas with a corpse or two.)
💀 The cozy mystery genre accounts for 40% of holiday-themed fiction sold in the U.S., according to Nielsen BookScan.
So yes, there’s data behind your guilty pleasure.
What Inspired the Trend of Holiday Murder?
Holiday-themed mysteries go way back—Charles Dickens practically started it with A Christmas Carol (minus the stabbing).
But the real boom came with mid-century British crime fiction: snow, country estates, and twisted family secrets were basically the genre’s love language. Add the rise of “cozy” mysteries in the 1990s (thank you, Murder, She Wrote), and suddenly, mystery lovers had a new Christmas tradition: murder over mince pies.
Bonus inspiration:
- Classic films like The Thin Man (1934)
- The locked-room puzzles of John Dickson Carr
- Holiday true crime episodes on Dateline and Criminal
- Christmas Mystery Books
6 Snowy Sleuthfests to Satisfy Your Inner Festive Detective
🎁 Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a dead millionaire in a locked room. The Lee family gathers for a tense holiday reunion—and someone doesn’t make it to the pudding. Enter Hercule Poirot, eyebrows and all.
Why it fits: Twisty plot, snowed-in setting, and a killer who planned the murder as meticulously as your mom plans Christmas dinner.
3 Fun Facts:
- First published in 1938, it’s one of Christie’s darkest holiday tales
- Adapted for TV by Agatha Christie’s Poirot series
- Inspired by real British family dramas of the 1930s
Goodreads review:
“The best of Agatha’s holiday whodunits. The setting is pure Christmas chaos, and the mystery? Delicious.”
🎄 Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
Holly White (yes, that’s her name) returns home to help at her family’s Christmas tree farm… and finds herself tangled in tinsel and murder. A cozy, quirky delight.
Why it fits: Cozy village vibes, flirty small-town romance, plus an actual Christmas tree farm. Think Gilmore Girls meets Miss Marple.
3 Fun Facts:
- First in the “Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries”
- Includes cookie recipes—yes, really
- Became a TikTok favorite in 2022
Goodreads review:
“I never thought I’d say this, but this cozy murder made me feel warm and fuzzy. Also, I want to marry the sheriff. More Christmas Mystery Books”
❄️ The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories by P.D. James
A sharp, smart collection of four short mysteries, all with a festive twist. P.D. James proves you can keep it classy while dropping bodies under the tree.
Why it fits: Literary prose, holiday ambiance, and just the right amount of blood in the snow.
3 Fun Facts:
- Released posthumously in 2016
- One story was originally written for The Daily Mail
- James was once dubbed “The Queen of Crime” after Christie
Goodreads review:
“Brilliant and chilly. Each story feels like a snow globe filled with lies.”
🌨️ Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict
A locked-room mystery on a snow-stalled train. Secrets, sabotage, and a race against time to uncover the killer.
Why it fits: Classic structure, modern voice, and ALL the Christmas chaos.
3 Fun Facts:
- Written as a feminist homage to Christie
- Includes a playlist and riddles
- A Goodreads Choice nominee
- Christmas Mystery Books
Goodreads review:
“If Murder on the Orient Express and Love Actually had a baby… this would be it.”
🕯️ An English Murder by Cyril Hare
Published in 1951, this one’s a classic manor-house mystery: political tensions, deep snow, and a body by the fire. It’s criminally underrated.
Why it fits: Vintage vibes, sharp social commentary, and a Christmas Eve to die for.
3 Fun Facts:
- Longlisted by the British Library Crime Classics
- Author was a judge in real life
- Features a rare Jewish detective in Golden Age fiction
Goodreads review:
“A forgotten gem. Snow, secrets, and a very British body count.”
🎅 Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany
It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York—a town that runs on holiday cheer and local murder. When the parade’s designer turns up dead, shop owner Merry Wilkinson steps in.
Why it fits: Punny, fun, and full of holiday spirit (and gossip). Think Stars Hollow with more homicide.
3 Fun Facts:
- Book 1 in the “Year-Round Christmas” series
- Author also writes under pen names
- The town of Rudolph is inspired by real upstate NY villages
Goodreads review:
“This book is peppermint-scented murder perfection. I laughed, I guessed wrong, I baked cookies.”
How They Stack Up: Comparison Table
| Book Title | Setting | Tone | POV | Festive Factor | Mystery Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hercule Poirot’s Christmas | Country manor | Classic/dark | 3rd person | 🎄🎄🎄🎄 | Locked-room whodunit |
| Twelve Slays of Christmas | Small town farm | Cozy/light | 1st person | 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 | Cozy amateur sleuth |
| The Mistletoe Murder | Various (UK) | Literary | Mixed | 🎄🎄🎄 | Short story mystery |
| Murder on the Christmas Express | Train | Modern twist | 3rd person | 🎄🎄🎄🎄 | Locked-room suspense |
| An English Murder | Manor house | Vintage/political | 3rd person | 🎄🎄🎄 | Golden Age classic |
| Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen | Festive village | Humorous/cozy | 1st person | 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 | Cozy town mystery |
FAQs About Christmas Mystery Books
What makes a Christmas mystery book different from other mysteries?
They combine classic mystery elements—like murder, suspense, and secrets—with festive settings, traditions, and seasonal charm.
Are Christmas mystery books all cozy?
Not at all! While many are cozy and lighthearted, others are dark and twisty. There’s something for every taste.
Is Hercule Poirot’s Christmas part of a series?
Yes, it’s one of the many Hercule Poirot novels by Agatha Christie, but it can be read as a standalone.
Can I read Christmas mysteries outside of the holidays?
Of course! They’re especially fun in winter, but the suspense works year-round. Murder doesn’t check the calendar.
Are there Christmas thrillers, not just mysteries?
Yes—some books lean more toward thriller territory, like The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine.
Where can I find more books like these?
Check out publishers like Crooked Lane Books, Poisoned Pen Press, and Sourcebooks—they specialize in seasonal mystery gems.
