Crime books at Christmas

Discover our edit of the most gripping crime novels set over the Christmas period.

Escape from it all this holiday season by delving into these gripping crime novels where worse things than family quarrels over the TV remote are the norm. Here's our pick of the very best Christmas crime novels.

Murder in Advent

by David Williams

The cathedral town of Litchester is the backdrop to this monumental breakdown of morality when the murder of the Dean’s Verger leads merchant banker Mark Treasure to discover that not all is what it at first seems.

The Darkest Day

by Håkan Nesser

Just before Christmas, the Hermansson family are gathering to celebrate father Karl-Erik and eldest daughter Ebba’s joint landmark birthdays. Before the weekend is over, two members of the Hermansson family are missing, and it’s up to Inspector Barbarotti to determine exactly what has happened. 

The Secret of Annexe 3

Book cover for The Secret of Annexe 3

Twists and turns pepper this exciting seasonal story from one of Britain’s favourite Detectives Chief Inspector Morse. A corpse still in fancy dress and hardly a single guest at the Haworth registered under a genuine name promises for an ‘unputdownable’ thrill this holiday season.

Murder at the Old Vicarage

Book cover for Murder at the Old Vicarage

A violent crime in a snow-locked village set the stage for Jill McGown’s Murder at the Old Vicarage. This gripping novel is Jill McGown's classic homage to Agatha Christie, with a decidedly uncosy twist.

Whiteout

by Ken Follett

Book cover for Whiteout

Filled with startling twists and chock-full of jealousies, distrust, and hidden rivalries that uncover dark secrets after a dozen vials of a deadly virus go missing, Whiteout is the ultimate knife-edge drama to get engrossed in this Christmas.

No Place Like Home

by Kerry Wilkinson

Get stuck into the drama-filled No Place Like Home that tells the story of Craig Macklin returning to his no-prospect hometown thirteen years after leaving it behind. Despite the seasonal sense of jollity that it being Christmas brings, there are secrets from which Craig cannot escape.

A Holly, Jolly Murder

Book cover for A Holly, Jolly Murder

A little old lady with a penchant for pagan rituals applied magick, and Celtic mysticism opens this chilling murder mystery from author Joan Hess. 'Tis the season for a ho-ho-homicide.