X Is for Xmas

Christmas is a time for giving, for receiving. . . and for murder. We've collected ten Christmas stories, old and new, that will spike your eggnog, trim your tree, and hopefully add a dash of spice to your Christmas cheer. Included are: "A Christmas Pit," by John Gregory Betancourt; "A Reversible Santa Claus," by Meredith Nicholson; "A Stake of Holly," by Lillian Stewart Carl; "Believing in Santa," by Ron Goulart; "Death Will Trim Your Tree," by Liz Zelvin; "Ho Ho Homicide," by Sue Ann Jaffarian; "Mr. Wray's Cash Box," by Wilkie Collins; "Murder on Santa Claus Lane," by William G. Bogart; and two tales by Johnston McCulley, creator of Zorro: "Thubway Tham's Chrithtmath" and "Death Play Santa Claus."