Christmas has served as a fertile background for mystery fiction for a very long time, perhaps because it has the appearance of a time of peace and love while being so deeply at odds with violence, crime, and even murder. Many of the stories in this anthology have been written by some of the greatest Golden Age authors, undoubtedly inspired by the juxtaposition of the disparate elements of love and hate. There is a cliché about anthologies (and clichés become clichés because they are true) that compares them to a good party, where you see old friends and meet new ones—and this collection is a wonderful example. It offers such giants of the genre as Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts Rinehart, John D. MacDonald, and John Dickson Carr while introducing you to such lesser-known writers as Norvell Page, Meredith Nicholson, and Pat Frank. The range of subjects and styles may be surprising, ranging from truly chilling to heart-warming to hilarious to puzzling. This is no accident, of course, since genuinely talented authors have their own voices and, like snowflakes, no two are alike. Golden Age Christmas Mysteries is the perfect gift for the season, to be read on a cold, snowy night, in a comfortable chair near a blazing fire. "The collection evokes a welcome sense of nostalgia. . . . [It] stands out as consistently strong and would make an ideal stocking stuffer. Even better, it’s suitable for dipping in and out of over time or doing an immediate deep dive." ― Criminal Element "This anthology delivers a festive yet thrilling collection of 14 Christmas-themed detective stories drawn from the Golden Age of Crime. Penzler’s skill as an editor shines. . . . For fans of classic detective fiction, especially those who enjoy the contrast between holiday cheer and crime, this anthology offers a mixture of chilling plots, clever puzzles and atmospheric settings." ― Crime Fiction Lover "Yet another delightful compilation of stories. [Otto Penzler] knows his mysteries." ― Dayton Daily News Otto Penzler , the creator of American Mystery Classics, is also the founder of the Mysterious Press (1975); Mysterious Press.com (2011), an electronic-book publishing company; and New York City’s Mysterious Bookshop (1979). He has won a Raven, the Ellery Queen Award, two Edgars (for the Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection , 1977, and The Lineup , 2010), and lifetime achievement awards from Noircon and The Strand Magazine . He has edited more than 80 anthologies and written extensively about mystery fiction.