A review by bgg616
Afraid of the Christmas Lights: An Anthology of Crime Stories by S.R. Masters, Miranda Jewess, Clare Empson, Heather Critchlow, Phoebe Morgan, James Delargy, Kate Simants, N.J. Mackay, Adam Southward, Jo Furniss, Victoria Selman, Harriet Tyce, Val McDermid, T.E. Kinsey, Robert Scragg, Elle Croft, Mark Billingham, Sophie Hannah, Dominic Nolan, Rachael Blok, Sara Collins

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.