mandylovestoread's review
4.0
A fun, quick Christmas read
So happy to have found this book of short Crime Christmas stories. Enjoyed most of them on this Sunday afternoon
So happy to have found this book of short Crime Christmas stories. Enjoyed most of them on this Sunday afternoon
bgg616's review
3.0
It mystifies me that the vast majority of fiction with Christmas themes is either romances or mysteries. There are very few novels in comparison, so at this time of year I find myself reading mysteries, an occasional romance and some YA books. This collection is described as "festive". I would hesitate to use this adjective for this collection. A majority of these short stories feature murders, often brutal, and not cozy Agatha Christies of the "oh look! There's a body in the garden" variety. I was surprised by this. I am a great fan of psychological mysteries and police procedurals, and avoid those that are too overtly violent. The best thing about this series is that the proceeds from the sales of this collection benefit organizations fighting domestic abuse.
crolovr's review
4.0
The Holiday books I usually read are sweet holiday romances. This is the first book I have read of Holiday short stories filled with crime. Some of the stories are funny and there are others that are disturbed, dark and creepy. I can honestly say I loved them all! If you want a change from the usual sweet holiday romances, then pick this book up! All the profits from the sale of this anthology will be donated to frontline domestic abuse charities.
faysieh's review
4.0
Short but extremely powerful stories from established writers, some of whom I have come across before, and others I haven't.
I don't usually read short stories, but when I do I am often pleasantly surprised and enjoy the clever way in which a whole story can be written with so few words! Occasionally I have read an anthology which has far from impressed me but with Afraid of the Christmas Lights I was bowled over by the punch each story had. Many were quite dark and many contained superb twists, and all of them had a link to the festive season.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. If you like thrillers and crime reads and anything with a sense of the dark side of human nature, then this is a read which will counteract the sweetness of all those Christmas chocolates!
I don't usually read short stories, but when I do I am often pleasantly surprised and enjoy the clever way in which a whole story can be written with so few words! Occasionally I have read an anthology which has far from impressed me but with Afraid of the Christmas Lights I was bowled over by the punch each story had. Many were quite dark and many contained superb twists, and all of them had a link to the festive season.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. If you like thrillers and crime reads and anything with a sense of the dark side of human nature, then this is a read which will counteract the sweetness of all those Christmas chocolates!
animone11's review
4.0
I read this anthology with Pigeonhole, thank you for the opportunity.
I don’t normally read short stories but I was attracted by the fact that they are all Christmas-themed (some more than others) and that the authors are all big crime/thriller names.
All the stories (bar one) were excellent, each one causing some degree of chill to crawl up my spine.
I don’t normally read short stories but I was attracted by the fact that they are all Christmas-themed (some more than others) and that the authors are all big crime/thriller names.
All the stories (bar one) were excellent, each one causing some degree of chill to crawl up my spine.
books_from_the_shed's review
5.0
*Thank you to Pigeonhole *
Brilliant anthology of stories. All very different but all enjoyable. Some more Christmas themed than others. Kudos to all the authors as I imagine its difficult writing a short story that's gripping.
Brilliant anthology of stories. All very different but all enjoyable. Some more Christmas themed than others. Kudos to all the authors as I imagine its difficult writing a short story that's gripping.
laurahastoomanywips's review
5.0
Read and enjoyed via the Pigeonhole, huge thanks to them & authors for enabling.
This was an anthology of Christmas themed tales/short stories, often very "noir" by several well known crime authors.
I don't think there was a "bad" one enjoyed all of them which is highly unusual but not a great surprise given experience of the previous anthology "Afraid of the Light".
Highly recommend plus it's for Charity.
This was an anthology of Christmas themed tales/short stories, often very "noir" by several well known crime authors.
I don't think there was a "bad" one enjoyed all of them which is highly unusual but not a great surprise given experience of the previous anthology "Afraid of the Light".
Highly recommend plus it's for Charity.
kerasalwaysreading's review
4.0
This was a terrifyingly fun, festively thrilling anthology of holiday themed short stories from some great names in thriller writing.
My favorites were:
*** Breadwinner - Sophie Hannah, where a judge is ruling on what to give both parties in a divorce. That was a fun one and a very interesting take on what people bring to a marriage and what they lose when they leave said marriage.
*** An Unexpected Present - Phoebe Morgan, where a wife takes matters into her own hands when dealing with her abusive husband, then spends a wonderful Christmas Day with her children without him.
*** The Switch - James Delargy, where a woman who is going to the electric chair after killing her family has a strange confession at the last minute. This was really unique.
*** Secret Santa - Jo Furniss, where we follow a group of friends through the years at Christmas, but with a thrilling twist.
*** A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas - Robert Scragg, which was my FAVORITE, where a girl rescues a "lost" dog from an abusive owner, who keeps coming back for his dog... until she takes matters into her own hands to keep the sweet pup with her for good.
I received a digital copy of this book from Kate Rock Tours in exchange for a tour stop post on Instagram and review.
My favorites were:
*** Breadwinner - Sophie Hannah, where a judge is ruling on what to give both parties in a divorce. That was a fun one and a very interesting take on what people bring to a marriage and what they lose when they leave said marriage.
*** An Unexpected Present - Phoebe Morgan, where a wife takes matters into her own hands when dealing with her abusive husband, then spends a wonderful Christmas Day with her children without him.
*** The Switch - James Delargy, where a woman who is going to the electric chair after killing her family has a strange confession at the last minute. This was really unique.
*** Secret Santa - Jo Furniss, where we follow a group of friends through the years at Christmas, but with a thrilling twist.
*** A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas - Robert Scragg, which was my FAVORITE, where a girl rescues a "lost" dog from an abusive owner, who keeps coming back for his dog... until she takes matters into her own hands to keep the sweet pup with her for good.
I received a digital copy of this book from Kate Rock Tours in exchange for a tour stop post on Instagram and review.
pawstoodream's review
4.0
Christmas and crime a good combination. I loved these short stories.
Enjoyable read for Christmas time. Good authors and my god! what wild imagination they have to come up with these stories. Some are darn creepy but so much fun.
I highly recommend these Christmas short stories. Fast read too!
Enjoyable read for Christmas time. Good authors and my god! what wild imagination they have to come up with these stories. Some are darn creepy but so much fun.
I highly recommend these Christmas short stories. Fast read too!
alisonannk's review
5.0
An excellent collection of short stories written by a group of extremely talented crime writers. I LOVED the previous anthology "Afraid of the Lights" and this was just as good, if not better.
The collection also raises money for domestic abuse charities so I am considering it as Christmas gifts for a few family/friends. There's not one bad story and there are a real range of styles and plots. Even some humour too! Definitely something in here for everyone.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for access to this great book. I really hope there is another one in the works!
The collection also raises money for domestic abuse charities so I am considering it as Christmas gifts for a few family/friends. There's not one bad story and there are a real range of styles and plots. Even some humour too! Definitely something in here for everyone.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for access to this great book. I really hope there is another one in the works!