Crimson Snow - (British Library Crime Classics) by Martin Edwards (Paperback)

About the Book

"Crimson Snow brings together a dozen vintage crime stories set in winter. Welcome to a world of Father Christmases behaving oddly, a famous fictional detective in a Yuletide drama, mysterious tracks in the snow, and some very unpleasant carol singers. There's no denying that the supposed season of goodwill is a time of year that lends itself to detective fiction.On a cold night, it's tempting to curl up by the fireside with a good mystery. And more than that, claustrophobic house parties, with people cooped up with long-estranged relatives, can provide plenty of motives for murder."--Page 4 of cover.

Book Synopsis

Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder

"Edwards's second winter-themed anthology in the British Library Crime Classics series is a standout. As in the most successful of such volumes, the editor's expertise results in a selection of unusual suspects, expanding readers' knowledge." --Publishers Weekly STARRED review

Crimson Snow brings together a dozen vintage crime stories set in winter. Welcome to a world of Father Christmases behaving oddly, a famous fictional detective in a Yuletide drama, mysterious tracks in the snow, and some very unpleasant carol singers. There's no denying that the supposed season of goodwill is a time of year that lends itself to detective fiction.

On a cold night, it's tempting to curl up by the fireside with a good mystery. And more than that, claustrophobic house parties, with people cooped up with long-estranged relatives, can provide plenty of motives for murder.

Including forgotten stories by major writers such as Margery Allingham, as well as classic tales by less familiar crime novelists, each story in this selection is introduced by the leading expert on classic crime, Martin Edwards. The resulting volume is an entertaining and atmospheric compendium of wintry delights.

Review Quotes

Crimson Snow (out January 2017 in the US) is the latest in the British Library Crime Classics, an amazing series of short stories collections and full-length novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Through this series I have been introduced to many talented mystery authors who had been forgotten over the years....This collection is a wonderful addition to the series....I love a good murder mystery at Christmas time and these did not disappoint.--Jennifer Lowe "Goodreads"

Crimson Snow is a collection of short stories in the British Library Crime Classics series. The stories were written between 1906 and 1992 which goes to show that a good, seasonal crime story is a pretty timeless thing and, although most are pure detective stories, some have an air of ghost stories giving an eeirie cast to the book.--Jane Skudder "NetGalley"

Crimson Snow, an entry in the excellent British Library Classic Crime series, is a group of shorts stories set at Christmas or in the winter....This well-rounded collection would make a great stocking-stuffer.-- "Library Thing"

Crimson Snow, and what a apt title that is, is a most enjoyable read for the season.--Guy Savage "SwiftlyTiltingPlanet"

A great collection; the tales have been well chosen, and this makes for quite gripping festive reading.--Kristy H "NetGalley"

A lovingly curated collection of Christmas time mysteries - most of them firmly in the Golden Age thematically or in spirit - with a few outstanding picks.--Vanessa Bedford "NetGalley"

Again a wonderful book edited by Martin Edwards - these books have a lovely introduction to all the authors who write in this anthology, and filled with short stories woven around winter. The stories are vintage crime and are like a trip memory lane....Well crafted, good storylines and a real pleasure to read.--Leyla Johnson "NetGalley"

Edwards's second winter-themed anthology (after 2015's Silent Nights) in the British Library Crime Classics series is a standout. As in the most successful of such volumes, the editor's expertise results in a selection of unusual suspects, expanding readers' knowledge. (starred review)-- "Publishers Weekly"

I agree with reviewer Patto that this is among the best British Library Crime Classics short story collections....I recommend this book to all golden age mystery fans.--Aaron Brown "NetGalley"

I love a vintage murder mystery story and this book is full of them, all with a Christmas theme. It would make a brilliant gift for anyone who enjoys this genre. The stories are all good classics of their time, which keep you guessing right to the very end. Nothing too gory just good old detective work. Also worthy of note, are the introductions which tell you about the authors and their literary careers, all very interesting and inspiring. Grab a glass of something, sit down in front of a roaring fire and enjoy!--Katrina Oliver "NetGalley"

I love reading short stories and having a book centered on a specific theme just makes it that much better for me. This collection from Martin Edwards gave me more enjoyment than any I've read in a long time....A lovely collection of short stories to curl up with when it's cold outside or when you wish it was cold outside. Thanks to the British Library Crime Classics for giving us another gem of a collection to add to our list of favorite volumes.--Judith Lesley "Goodreads"

If you're looking for a collection of crime stories to read after Christmas lunch then this would be ideal. All the stories are well written and have stood the test of time.--Jill Weekes "Jillysheep"

In this imaginative anthology, Edwards president of Britain's Detection Club has gathered together overlooked criminous gems by such old pros as Edgar Wallace, Margery Allingham, Julian Symons and Michael Gilbert, to name only the most famous. Fans of the world's first consulting detective won't want to miss Christmas Eve, a short play by S.C. Roberts in which the winsome Violet de Vinne consults Holmes and a smitten Watson about the theft of Lady Barton's pearls.--Michael Dirda "Washington Post"

The stories are well-chosen and Martin Edwards' introduction and notes are ever-useful. An excellent gift for lovers of classic mystery stories.--Eric Bruce "Amazon"

About the Author

MARTIN EDWARDS is an award-winning crime writer best known for two series of novels set in Liverpool and the Lake District. He is a series consultant for British Library Crime Classics, Chair of the Crime Writers' Association, and President of the Detection Club. The Golden Age of Murder, his study of the Detection Club, was published in 2015 to international acclaim, and won the Edgar, Agatha, H.R.F. Keating and Macavity awards for the year's best book about the genre.