As the book blurb acclaims, this is a wonderfully diverse
collection of 17 short stories by some of the genre's best-
known and talented mystery writers. I found them to be as
varied and unique as the authors who penned them, ranging
from funny to suspenseful -- and everything in between. I
thoroughly enjoyed each one. If you're looking for the
perfect gift for a mystery lover, I recommend this
collection.
Each year, for the past 17 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 must take place in The
Mysterious Bookshop. These stories were then produced as
pamphlets, 1,000 copies, and given to customers of the
bookstore as a Christmas present.
Now, all of these stories have been collected in one
volume — Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop. Some of the
tales are humorous, others suspenseful and still others
mystifying. This charming one-of-a-kind collection is a
perfect Christmas gift, appropriate for all ages and tastes.
Contributors include: Charles Ardai, Lisa Atkinson,
George Baxt, Lawrence Block, Mary Higgins Clark, Thomas H.
Cook, Ron Goulart, Jeremiah Healy, Edward D. Hoch, Rupert
Holmes, Andrew Klavan, Michael Malone, Ed McBain, Anne
Perry, S. J. Rozan, Jonathan Santlofer, Donald E.
Westlake