As it gets close to Christmas, librarians are often asked for unusual holiday books. This year, my pick may be The Usual Santas: A Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers. These aren’t the typical Christmas stories. Eighteen Soho Crime authors present holiday offerings, and a few are quite twisted. Peter Lovesey introduces the collection, and ends it with his own story, a perfect Christmas ghost story.
The stories take place all over the world, “Sweden, North Korea, Thailand, Ireland, New York City, Utah, Italy, France, Denmark and England”. There are dark and wicked stories in the second section called “Silent Night”, in which Colin Cotterill, Ed Lin, Stuart Neville, Tod Goldberg, Henry Chang, and James R. Benn truly do write “The Darkest of Holiday Noir”. In fact, Ed Lin’s “Martin” was just creepy.
In “Joy to the World”, Helene Tursten, Mick Herron, Martin Limon, Timothy Hallinan, Teresa Dovalpage, and Mette Ivie Harrison present “Various Acts of Kindness at Christmas”. I have to admit my favorite section, though, was the final one, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, which meant “And Other Holiday Secrets”. I did think Lene Kaaberbel and Agnete Friis’ story was dark enough to fall in the previous division. But, I loved stories here. Sujata Massey took us back to 1921 with Bombay’s first woman solicitor. Gary Corby also took us to the past with a story of Machiavelli and Cesare Borgia. Cara Black’s Paris is recognizable, but instead of an Aimee Leduc story, she tells a story of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes. There’s a Jane Austen story by Stephanie Barron.
But, it’s Peter Lovesey’s ghost story, “Supper with Miss Shivers” that provided an answer to a mystery, and a delightful Christmas ending.
Twisted, satisfying. The Usual Santas was not usual at all. It’s a perfect Christmas gift or pre-holiday gift for someone who wants something a little different to read this year.
The Usual Santas: A Collection of Soho Crime Christmas Capers. Soho Press, Inc., 2017. ISBN 9781616957759 (hardcover), 416p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.
This has been on my 'hold' list since you first mentioned it.
I have this waiting for me on the hold shelf at the library
Me three! I'm waiting for my library hold on this one to hit my branch.
I think the answer for this anthology is the same for any collection – some I didn't care for. I liked some, and I loved a few of the stories.