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marclair05's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
kim22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
shanaqui's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Silent Nights is another anthology of crime/mystery stories in the British Library Crime Classics series -- edited as always by Martin Edwards. I think this may even have been the first one in the series, which means it contains an Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock story (Conan Doyle being conspicuous by his absence from the more recent anthologies, presumably owing to running out of Holmes stories that fit the theme) and even a Dorothy L. Sayers story.
It's a fun collection, with a couple of authors I'd be curious to read more books from (such as Marjorie Bowen). I raised my eyebrows a bit about including back-to-back stories by the same author, one under a pseudonym... but they're somewhat different in tone, so it didn't feel too samey.
As ever, it's a collection greater than the sum of its parts, which is a phrase I've typed about these anthologies so often that perhaps I should just assume people will take it as read. Each individual story is mildly entertaining, some more questionable than others, but as a group they're an interesting cross-section. Or archaeological dig through time, really, since they're in chronological order...
It's a fun collection, with a couple of authors I'd be curious to read more books from (such as Marjorie Bowen). I raised my eyebrows a bit about including back-to-back stories by the same author, one under a pseudonym... but they're somewhat different in tone, so it didn't feel too samey.
As ever, it's a collection greater than the sum of its parts, which is a phrase I've typed about these anthologies so often that perhaps I should just assume people will take it as read. Each individual story is mildly entertaining, some more questionable than others, but as a group they're an interesting cross-section. Or archaeological dig through time, really, since they're in chronological order...
mike_brough's review against another edition
4.0
A number of old favourites and a couple that were new to me.
just_a_reader_anya's review against another edition
3.0
Favorites:
The Blue Carbuncle. This was a classic tale of winter mystery told by one of the most esteemed names in the genre of mystery and suspense! Additionally, the reader will gauge a strong sense of satisfaction from the ending.
A Happy Solution. This story executed a mysterious storyline through strategy and employed the factor of timing in the plot! Readers (especially chess-players) will find this short story entertaining as it doesn’t stray from the facts but provides a puzzle!
The Unknown Murderer. For readers searching for a darker genre of mystery, this one is for you! This short story features classic murder mystery elements that will put you on edge and give you the heebie-jeebies.
The Necklace of Pearls. This short story was fun, quick, and a cute story to settle down to in the holiday season. Readers will find this story both light and engaging and also find an equal balance of comedy and mystery.
Waxworks. Waxworks is another story on the creepier end of the spectrum. Readers will be instantly drawn in and have a fun time flipping through the pages in this gripping mystery!
Individual category-specific ratings:
Character development: ★★☆☆☆
Due to this being an anthology of short stories, there is little character development to be observed.
Pacing: ★★★★☆
Most works featured in this collection have the perfect pacing for short stories! Readers will be drawn in and have a fun time unravelling the mysteries as they flip the pages. While there are a few exceptions, pacing throughout can be called excellent.
Plot: ★★★★☆
Readers may be pleasantly surprised by how engaging each mini plot is. Each story has a unique and exciting plot which suits the story and purpose well. Every story features classic aspects of an effective story arch and overall the anthology is quite gripping.
Coherence: ★★★☆☆
Some stories may be harder to read due to older text while others appear slightly convoluted. The anthology is not so difficult to read that the joy is robbed from it, however some stories may be harder to understand than others due to odd wording or strange phrasing.
Enjoyability: ★★★☆☆
Whilst this anthology had a nicely congruent collection of stories, most of the enjoyability came from solving out the mysteries in the context of the genre rather than in the context of the holidays/ Winter. There are better anthologies that focus more accurately on one theme or the other.
Suspense/Mystery: ★★★★☆
The anthology provided the amount of suspense and mystery we were hoping for! New sets of suspects, setting, and other classic elements of mystery can be observed in each short story. Fans of mystery will enjoy this book thoroughly!
The Blue Carbuncle. This was a classic tale of winter mystery told by one of the most esteemed names in the genre of mystery and suspense! Additionally, the reader will gauge a strong sense of satisfaction from the ending.
A Happy Solution. This story executed a mysterious storyline through strategy and employed the factor of timing in the plot! Readers (especially chess-players) will find this short story entertaining as it doesn’t stray from the facts but provides a puzzle!
The Unknown Murderer. For readers searching for a darker genre of mystery, this one is for you! This short story features classic murder mystery elements that will put you on edge and give you the heebie-jeebies.
The Necklace of Pearls. This short story was fun, quick, and a cute story to settle down to in the holiday season. Readers will find this story both light and engaging and also find an equal balance of comedy and mystery.
Waxworks. Waxworks is another story on the creepier end of the spectrum. Readers will be instantly drawn in and have a fun time flipping through the pages in this gripping mystery!
Individual category-specific ratings:
Character development: ★★☆☆☆
Due to this being an anthology of short stories, there is little character development to be observed.
Pacing: ★★★★☆
Most works featured in this collection have the perfect pacing for short stories! Readers will be drawn in and have a fun time unravelling the mysteries as they flip the pages. While there are a few exceptions, pacing throughout can be called excellent.
Plot: ★★★★☆
Readers may be pleasantly surprised by how engaging each mini plot is. Each story has a unique and exciting plot which suits the story and purpose well. Every story features classic aspects of an effective story arch and overall the anthology is quite gripping.
Coherence: ★★★☆☆
Some stories may be harder to read due to older text while others appear slightly convoluted. The anthology is not so difficult to read that the joy is robbed from it, however some stories may be harder to understand than others due to odd wording or strange phrasing.
Enjoyability: ★★★☆☆
Whilst this anthology had a nicely congruent collection of stories, most of the enjoyability came from solving out the mysteries in the context of the genre rather than in the context of the holidays/ Winter. There are better anthologies that focus more accurately on one theme or the other.
Suspense/Mystery: ★★★★☆
The anthology provided the amount of suspense and mystery we were hoping for! New sets of suspects, setting, and other classic elements of mystery can be observed in each short story. Fans of mystery will enjoy this book thoroughly!
kristinasshelves's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, a decent Christmas short story collection from the golden age of mystery! Some of the stories were fantastic, some were alright and I skipped a few due to the writing styles.
Standouts:
The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle- can't go wrong with Sherlock Holmes. Putting this first set the bar too high for the collection, but I understand wanting author recognition to draw in readers.
The Necklace of Pearls by Dorothy L. Sayers- my first from her and makes me want to read more. A fun take on a locked room mystery.
Waxworks by Ethel Lina White-more of a psychological thriller/suspense than mystery
Cambric Tea by Marjorie Bowen- more predictable suspense than a mystery, but well written nonetheless. I find it interesting that there is another story from a different pen name of this author included, but I skipped that one. This author seems all over the place with her style.
Standouts:
The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle- can't go wrong with Sherlock Holmes. Putting this first set the bar too high for the collection, but I understand wanting author recognition to draw in readers.
The Necklace of Pearls by Dorothy L. Sayers- my first from her and makes me want to read more. A fun take on a locked room mystery.
Waxworks by Ethel Lina White-more of a psychological thriller/suspense than mystery
Cambric Tea by Marjorie Bowen- more predictable suspense than a mystery, but well written nonetheless. I find it interesting that there is another story from a different pen name of this author included, but I skipped that one. This author seems all over the place with her style.
hpuphd's review
3.0
Martin Edwards is great and finding forgotten fiction for today’s readers, though this collection might fall slightly below his usual high standard. The best thing about it is that it introduced me to the wonderful work of Marjorie Bowen, who has two stories included.
jbleyle63's review
4.0
Initially I was hesitant to purchase this collection since many of the stories were already familiar to me and available in other books I already own, especially Doyle's "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." Ultimately it is one I'm glad to own for the stories and authors introduced to me. New favorites include Ethel Lina White's suspenseful "Waxworks," Leo Bruce's "Beef for Christmas" and Edgar Wallace's "Stuffing." Martin Edwards well researched introductions proved manna to my love of British Golden Age mysteries and the selections were curated so that I even enjoyed rereading the old familiar tales. Overall kudos to the British Library Crime Classics line which has me eager to explore beyond the two books I've read from them.
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting collection of stories set around the festive period. Some were fun and interesting, a couple started well but the ending fell flat and some I struggled with.