Book review: The Mistletoe Murder by P D James - A perfect Christmas present!

 I’ve just come across The Mistletoe Murder - small volume of four short stories by P D James.  I didn’t know that P D James regularly wrote short stories for newspapers and magazines that were published at Christmas.  A bright spark has diligently trawled through the archives and chosen four of these Christmas short stories for a beautifully presented hardback edition.

As you’ll have guessed, the stories are all set at Christmas with tightly written plots and sharp characterisation that work really effectively, even though there is limited scope to develop character and plot within a short story that’s only a few thousand words long.  The settings are, as you would expect Christmas in a large house, with two of the four stories starring Dalgleish, although in one he hasn’t even reached the lofty rank of Chief Inspector.  Val McDermid’s foreword provides a lovely introduction and felt like a bridge between the modern day and the time long past when these stories are set.

I often find it hard to choose the right present for friends – and yes, I do like to buy books, but it’s not always easy to get it absolutely right. The Mistletoe Murder however is absolutely perfect.  I can see a number of my friends and family settling down for a read after a soporific Christmas meal, finishing the first story then gently falling asleep and snoring, with the book on their lap and a brightly coloured paper Christmas hat sitting somewhat askew on their head! 

In case you want to look at this book in other media, it’s available in both e book and as an unabridged audiobook , so you can enjoy these superb short stories in either traditional or more modern formats.

I’m sure The Mistletoe Murder will be a hugely popular Christmas present, so I suggest you order a copy now!

Romancrimeblogger