EXCERPT: Galway, Ireland, 2019

It could be said that everything that happens is good news for somebody. How driving along a motorway, at two o'clock in the morning shortly before Christmas, with a dead Santa Claus in the back of his cab could ever be good news for Ben Miller was anybody's guess. (The Stolen Santa Sack by Sean Gibbons)

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Eleven authors. Eleven stories. One festive collection! Perfect for fans of crime fiction, short stories, thrillers — and Christmas!

Deck the halls with tales of murder!

To get you in the mood for Christmas, Sapere Books has brought eleven of their authors together in this thrilling, festive short story anthology.

From dead bodies in Victorian London, to fraudulent identities in modern-day Cheltenham and a dead Santa in Galway, each story in this collection follows a mystery in the lead-up to Christmas.

Follow Charles Dickens as he turns private investigator.; a feisty couple challenging the status quo in 17th century England; a young woman unmasking fraudulent psychics in Victorian Brighton; an enigmatic policeman manning the streets of Prague; a strong-willed female detective taking down criminals in Wales; and a law-enforcement team investigating a death on a small Scottish island.

MY THOUGHTS: A quick and quirky read. This enjoyable collection of murders based around Christmas time contains a ghost who appears in a wedding photo, a dead Santa, a Russian policeman with a sense of humour, and even Charles Dickens makes an appearance! The times span from Victorian to current day, and the locations include London, Wales and Ireland.

While some of the stories rely heavily on Christmas and all the traditions and customs that come along with it, in others the fact that it is Christmas is just a misfortune of timing.

Most of the authors are unfamiliar to me, but I have read one or two previously.

Definitely recommended if you want a little mayhem in the guise of theft and murder in your Christmas stocking. My personal favourite was Footprints in the Snow by JC Briggs.

#MidwinterMysteries #NetGalley

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THE AUTHORS: Graham Brack - Away in a Manger
J C Briggs - Footprints in the Snow
Keith Moray - Lost and Found
Cora Harrison - The Spirit of Christmas
Sean Gibbons - The Stolen Santa Sack
Marilyn Todd - Will Power
Gaynor Torrance - Christmas Spirits
David Field - The Essex Nativity
Kim Fleet - Secret Santa
MJ Logue - Stir Up Sunday
Linda Stratman - The Christmas Ghost

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Sapere Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Midwinter Mysteries for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage

Sapere have got some of their authors together and produced a Christmas themed selection of short stories

Some hit the mark others not quite but overall this was an enjoyable collection

Recommended

I liked most of the authors featured in this short story collection and was more than happy to read this book.
The story are set at Christmas time and, even if I'm not a big fan of short stories, they were entertaining and made you crave for more.
A good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

My thanks to Netgalley And Sapere publishers for a copy of Midwinter Mysteries fo an honest review.

As a rule I’m not a great fan of short stories, I find them a bit hit and miss, but from the description of this anthology I thought it worth a try as I mainly read thrillers , and enjoy a festive story at this time of year.
Unfortunately ,for me, although all the tales were well written, the book on the whole was more miss than hit Therefore I have only given this an average score

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Sapere Books, in return for an honest review. This is a lovely collection of 11 short mystery stories, all centering around the Christmas holidays. Each ends with a link to the author’s other works so you can check out their entire collection. The oldest story is during the reign on Charles II, up through the Victorian era and into modern day. The settings are Prague, the UK and the US. Another reviewer likened these to small bites and I think that’s accurate. This is an excellent introduction to authors you might not, otherwise, have an opportunity to read. As with any collected works, I enjoyed some more than others; found some a bit difficult to follow and appreciated learning about new authors. I’ve already looked up several to purchase. If you like anthologies, I recommend this book.

Sapere Books provide a festive crime and mystery short story collection from authors they publish or will publish soon. What it serves as so effectively is an opportunity to experience authors you may never have come across before and find that their writing and storytelling appeals so much that their full length novels beckon, I certainly found this to be the case. This is perfect reading fare for this time of the year in the run up to Christmas, with a wide range of stories set in the present and the past, including the 17th Century with Charles II's reign and the Victorian period. The authors represented in this selection of 11 stories are Graham Brack, JC Briggs, Keith Moray, Cora Harrison, Sean Gibbons, Marilyn Todd, Gaynor Torrance, David Field, Kim Fleet, MJ Logue and Linda Stratmann.

In Prague, Lieutenant Josef Slonsky sets out to police the Chrismas Market and the performance of the Nativity play, only to find crime does not stop for the festive season. Charles Dickens is stuck at Fareaway Abbey as a snow blizzard rages outside, succumbing to his hosts and other guests desire for him to tell a ghost story, but constantly aware of a guest who is desperate to leave. In West Uist in Scotland, the morning after a ceilidh, Skipper McTavish is found dead, a police station is broken into and a snuffbox is missing. In London in 1858, a poor blind boy, Sammy, is brutally and forcibly displaced from his begging spot singing carols outside Hamleys, and a gold bullion heist takes place. In Galway, Ireland, a taxi driver finds himself with a dead Santa in his cab and his sack missing, and just cannot stop himself from investigating. A female photographer in the Victorian era finds photographs of the Kent wedding taken from her studio. In Cardiff, two police officers stop off at a toy store to buy Christmas presents, only to find more than they bargained for. In Essex in 1895, echoes of the birth of Christ resonate when a homeless couple, the woman expecting a baby, seek refuge. In Cheltenham, PI Eden Gray looks for a stalker of an elderly woman. In London 1665, justice and dignity is preserved despite the orders of Charles II's spymaster. In Brighton in 1871, the spirit of Christmas and forgiveness finally find a woman haunted by a ghost.

I think most readers will find stories that capture their imagination here. My favourites were Christmas in Prague with Lieutenant Slonsky, DI Jemma Huxley and her visit to a toystore at Christmas in Cardiff, Charles Dickens and the desperate to leave guest and the secret Santa role played by an elderly woman in Cheltenham. If you fancy festive Christmas crime and mystery, then this short story collection is an ideal read and gift! Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.

Midwinter Mysteries: A Christmas Crime Anthology presents eleven short stories from Sapere Books authors, with Christmas Themes. For writers more accustomed to longer form, a short story can be a challenge, but most of these authors manage it very well.

Away in a Manger by Graham Brack: it’s Christmas Eve and Lieutenant Josef Slonský’s plan to take his junior colleagues out for a drink is somewhat thwarted when Captain Lukas sends them out on patrol, but what better way to blend in than with a hot wine cup in hand? While Officers Jan Navrátil and Kristýna Peiperová check out the Nativity Play, Slonský chats with his friend Valentin. Nearby, an English tourist is berating Officer Krob about her stolen handbag, and it turns out to be not an isolated incident. But Slonský’s careful observations and quick action by the Officers soon have the thieves in custody. 5/5

Footprints in the Snow by J C Briggs: Snowbound at Fareaway Abbey, at his host’s request Charles Dickens shares with the gathered company a haunting Christmas story before solving a locked-room murder mystery. 5/5

Lost and Found by Keith Moray: accordion player Murdo (Skipper) McTavish dies after their Boxing Day Ceilidh. It looks like natural causes, but there is the matter of the twice-stolen snuffbox. 5/5

The Spirit of Christmas by Cora Harrison: when blind Sammy is pushed from his usual singing spot in front of William Hamley’s toyshop by a big brute carrying a raucous tune, his brother Alfie fears for the effect on their earning potential. Their dog Mutsy is missing, and Little Olly has defected to the new singer. But the next morning it’s apparent that it’s something else entirely. Alfie helps Inspector Denham solve a very puzzling case. 5/5

The Stolen Santa sack by Sean Gibbons: Cab driver Ben Miller’s fare is Santa, courtesy of Inspector Martin Folan. Some clever dialogue in this tale of a dead Santa, a missing Santa sack, crooked cops, gangsters and a gambling scan. Initially amusing, ultimately confusing. 3/5

Will Power by Marilyn Todd: Photographer Julia McAlister returns from a job to find her studio forcibly entered and her latest bundle of prints stolen. She reassures the new bride of Barton Kent, Annabelle Parsons that the negatives are safe. But Annabelle’s reaction to one of them causes the whole tragic tale of a lost love to emerge, and Julia’s suspicions are aroused. 5/5

Christmas Spirits by Gaynor Torrance: After hours wasted at a false alarm, DI J Huxley is headed back to the station when she spots the new Marchmont Toy Emporium megastore. She gets Sergeant Dan Broadhead to pull over, figuring a quick half hour will solve the problem of many still-unbought Christmas gifts. Inside, she tries to get assistance from a very unhelpful elf and soon realises something fishy is going on. 5/5

The Essex Nativity by David Field: just before Christmas, DS Jack Enright and his visiting uncle Percy (of Scotland Yard) are called to an outbuilding at Colonel Channing’s farm. The intruders bring to mind a certain couple in another stable long ago. Having ensured the welfare of the couple, Jack and Percy head to the antique store for Esther’s gift, but Percy is distracted… 5/5

Secret Santa by Kim Fleet: recovering from the ‘flu that laid her low over Christmas, PI Eden Grey finds an unsigned note under her door: “Who is following me?” it’s enough to raise her from her languor to discover who is being followed, who is doing the following, and why. An intriguing tale. 5/5

Stir up Sunday by M J Logue: Thankful Russell is ordered by the King’s spymaster to retrieve a stolen manuscript, penned by the King himself, in time for printing by Christmas Eve. It’s a distasteful document, purportedly a recipe book, but filled with Royally unkind wit. Thankful’s wife, Thomazine is outraged and upset over the whole prospect, but a very satisfactory solution is devised. 5/5

The Christmas Ghost by Linda Stratmann: Psychic Mina Scarletti is summoned by Mrs Calverdon to hear what her son, Roland, dead almost five years, is trying to tell her. She sees him, sitting in his favourite chair, but cannot hear him. Mina gives her some helpful advice. 5/5

Perfect little bites of the series these authors are known for, a marvellous little taste to stimulate further consumption.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Sapere Books

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, the writers in this collection, and Sapere Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

With the holiday season just around the corner, I was happy to receive this collection of mysteries. Filled with short stories by a number of authors—most of whom I have never read—this was sure to be a wonderful early gift that any lover of mysteries could enjoy. I’ll jot down a brief summary of each piece and provide an overarching sentiment about the collection thereafter, for those who are interested.

Away in a Manger, by Graham Brack
Graham Brack takes readers to Prague, where Lieutenant Josef Slonský is working on Christmas Eve. Wanting to help some of the other members of his team see crime in action, Slonský convinces them to head down to the town square. While he partakes in a cup of hot wine, the others watch a short nativity play. A thief makes a grab for a woman’s wallet and the chase is on. This will be one Christmas that Slonský will not soon forget.

Footprints in the Snow, by J.C. Briggs
In this J.C. Briggs piece, Charles Dickens is stuck in a winter storm with a household and chooses to tell an impromptu story to pass the time. When his tale of a ghost appears to cause one guest to react, Dickens is surprised, but does not make much of it. However, the following morning, the same guest seems to have put himself in quite the predicament, with only a trail of footprints in the snow to explain his actions.

Lost and Found, by Keith Moray
In the small community of West Uist, Torquil McKinnon is hosting a small gathering, which includes a rag-tag group set to act as a band for the upcoming Hogmanay Dip and Nip. The following day, McKinnon learns that one of the group was found at his dining table, dead from an apparent attack of angina. Furthermore, the snuffbox in which he kept his pills was nowhere to be found. When someone commits a petty crime at the local police precinct, everyone begins to wonder if there is something to tie the death and crime together. Torquil and his fellow coppers will have to do some sleuthing before the Hogmanay Dip and Nip takes over their thoughts.

The Spirit of Christmas, by Cora Harrison
While doing some begging on the street, a young, blind boy hears his dog and minder being dragged away. Worried, Sammy tries to follow without seeing a thing and is barely saved from being killed. When his older brother, Alfie, arrives to collect him, there is much wrong with the situation. Not only is Sammy bruised, but someone has stolen a large amount of gold bullion. While Alfie processes this, he discovers a body. Alfie takes a moment to scan the scene and feels he may have an idea of what’s taken place.

The Stolen Santa Sack, by Seán Gibbons
Ben Miller enjoys driving his cab around Galway, even if he sometimes gets some odd requests. When a member of the police asks him to transport a man dressed as Santa to a hotel, he is happy to oblige. However, somewhere along the way, this Father Christmas ends up with a dagger in his chest and his sack is missing. Miller tried to stay out of it all, but cannot help sleuthing, as it seems all the coppers want is the contents of the sack. Lost in all of this is the question about what to do with the dead man in the red suit!

Will Power, by Marilyn Todd
Julia McAllister is great at her work, even if Victorian England is not ready to welcome a woman into the profession of photographer. Still, she runs her business as best she can, handling a handful of customers with a variety of requests. Julia dabbles into photography of both the living and dead, which only adds new and exciting wrinkles to her work, as well as a peppering of danger on the odd occasion. This holiday season is one of those times.

Christmas Spirits, by Gaynor Torrance
DI Jemima Huxley and her partner are on the lookout for a recently spotted murder suspect. While scanning the city, they come upon one of Cardiff’s most talked about toy stores, just in time for Huxley to ponder holiday gifts. When they find themselves being ignored by the staff, DI Huxley and her partner end up in the middle of a battle for that ‘must-have’ toy, though it is far from the scenario they might have expected. Forced to fend for themselves, DI Huxley must go above and beyond, while trying not to extinguish her holiday spark!

The Essex Nativity, by David Field
Jack Enright is in the holiday spirit, but has yet to be able to convince his mother to let him host the festivities. As Jack and Esther have come to realise, when Constance says something, you nod and go about your day. During a meal with his uncle, Percy, both coppers are called to the scene of a rural farm, where they discover a couple trying to stay warm and in the midst of delivering a baby. Percy takes up the leadership role and discovers that one of his active cases might have a new lead, forcing him to rush and make a call to Scotland Yard, while also seeking a doctor for the young couple. What follows is a feast and a touching revelation about the strength of the Christmas spirit.

Secret Santa, by Kim Fleet
Eden Grey is a hard-working private investigator with many resources at her disposal. When Eden receives an anonymous note at her office, she cannot help but begin a little surveillance effort, watching a man appear to stalk a much older woman. After confronting this mystery man, Eden learns his story, which only opens new avenues of investigation. Now, Eden must decide what to do and how to go about substantiating the claim made to her.

Stir Up Sunday, by M.J. Logue
Thankful Russell runs a popular printing shop in the 17th century. When he and his wife, Thomazine, are visited by a member of King Charles II’s Court, they agree to print a document said to be some of His Majesty’s recipes. However, it would seem someone wants the manuscript for themselves, breaking into the shop and trying to steal it. Thomazine, the brains of the family, posits that this could be more than a collection of hearty meal ideas, tied to the recent Cromwell uprising. What follows is a race to discover the truth so that Thomazine and Thankful can enjoy their Christmas together.

The Christmas Ghost, by Linda Strathman
Mina Scarletti has a way of communicating with those who have passed on and is summoned to the home of a grieving mother. Mina soon learns that the woman’s son died in a freak accident one past Christmas Eve and she hopes to be able to see her beloved boy. While Mina breaks the news that she cannot sense the boy in the house, she reveals an interesting piece of advice that might help salve the woman’s ongoing pain.

Having made my way through the collection, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with what I read. These authors do know how to put together a wonderful set of stories, impressing the reader with a vast array of settings, characters, and approaches. While I know that I have read two of the full-length series hinted at above, there are now a number of others I am interested in finding and hopefully adding to my ongoing long list of series I follow. The publisher did well in gathering these authors together with the general Christmas theme running through their writings. I hope others are dazzled as much as I have been with this collection.

Kudos, writers of this collection, for a great set of short pieces. There’s nothing like a little mystery to heighten the excitement of the holiday season.

An anthology of short stories with a midwinter theme written in a modern style, which I usually steer clear of. This one had very well written stories, not all that I would put into the old fashion category of mysteries. But nevertheless, they held my interest and I found them rather good even though the ending od each story left me hanging which seems the way with many modern writings.

"Midwinter Mysteries" includes eleven short stories all with a Christmas theme. Some are set in the past and some in the present, but all are entertaining in their own way. When you have such a varied collection of stories like this, there will always be some you like more than others. I was already familiar with most of the authors who contributed to the collection from their full-length novels, but there were a few authors who were new to me. Collections like this are perfect for discovering new authors and I enjoy short stories set around the holidays.

Graham Brack has become one of my favorite authors. I love his Josef Slonsky novels so I'm not surprised his story "Away in a Manger" is my favorite of the book. Brack packs plenty of Slonsky's wit in this short story set at a Nativity play in Prague. I also really enjoyed Marilyn Todd's "Will Power" featuring London photographer Julia McAllister. I've read one of Todd's novels and liked reading more about Julia and her unique way of helping others. Two other stories in the collection that I really liked are from authors I hadn't read before. Kim Fleet's "Secret Santa" features PI Eden Grey and I was surprised at the author's ability to develop such a complex plot in a short story. The other story I want to mention is "The Christmas Ghost" by Linda Stratmann. This is a sweet story set in 1871 Brighton England in which Mina Scarletti helps a sad old woman who misses her son.

I highlighted a few of my favorites, but there are several other great stories in this collection. Even though Christmas mysteries are usually on the lighter side, a couple of the stories would have been better with a little more substance. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much. Fans of any of these authors will be happy to have the chance to "spend Christmas" with their favorite characters as well as meeting new characters from unfamiliar authors.

I received this book through NetGalley through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.