A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. The Black Bag Left on a Doorstep - Catherine Louisa Pirkis (1893) Loveday Brooke, P.I. is sent in to investigate a jewellery robbery at Craigen Court, but she seems more intesterested in a bag left on a doorstep
2. The Hole in the Wall - G.K. Chesterton (1921) At a Fancy-Dress party at Prior Park Estate a murder occurs but by whom and why
3. Death on the air - Ngaio Marsh (1937) - Can can Septimus Tonks be killed by his radio and why.
4. Persons or Things Unknown - Carter Dickson (1938) Home owner tells a tale set in 1660 and the mystery of a murder in a locked room
5. Dead Man’s Hand - E.R. Punchon (1953) - Will he really get away with murder of his employer Colonel Bennett
6. The Christmas Eve Ghost - Ernest Dudley (1948) - The Hotel has a ghost but who is it
7. Dick Whittington’s Cat - Victor Canning - (1950) - who does steal the bracelet
8. A Surprise for Christmas - Cyril Hare (1956) - How does a Christmas tree bring problems
9. On Christmas Day in the Morning - Margery Allingham (1950) - How was the postman killed
10.Give Me a Ring - Anthony Gilbert (1955) As the London fog quickly descends, Gillian Hinde out shopping on Christmas Eve becomes lost and on entering a shop for help her life changes dramatically
11. Father Christmas Comes to Orbins -Julian Symons (1963) - who is bookseller Rossiter Payne really
12. The Turn-Again Bell - Barry Perowne (1959).The Legend of the church bell’s one ring on Christmas Eve

A collection of twelve vintage crime stories all with a Christmas theme. The stories are a varied mix of style and pace. My favourites would possible be Persons or Things Unknown - Carter Dickson (1938) where the homeowner tells a tale set in 1660 and the mystery of a murder in a locked room, and The Christmas Eve Ghost - Ernest Dudley (1948) - The Hotel has a ghost but who is it.
Overall an enjoyable collection of well-written stories.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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