Cecily Gayford
Cecily Gayford is an author of crime and mystery books, best known for her book
Murder on Christmas Eve, the second book in the
Murderous Christmas Stories series. She is also the editor of
Murder in a Heatwave, The Dead of Winter, and
Murder in the Falling Snow.
Murder on Christmas Eve is one of those few titles that can be read at any point over the festive season, as the stories aren’t completely linked to any one day. It’s a collection of winter stories in which the weather is more important than the festivities. They are gentle, flowing mysteries that don’t always feature a murder, and when they do, the murders aren’t gory or scary. Instead, these stories are just funny/elegant mysteries that showcase the best of each author's talents.
From a Santa Claus hell-bent on revenge to missing diamonds taken away by a mysterious visitor, these are stories to enjoy at the beach or in front of a campfire.
Some of the authors in
Murder on Christmas Eve have had the best Christmas-themed collection in one volume. These stories are all collected together and feature a common thread of crime and Christmas linking them. Such stories make you think and, in most cases, leave you scratching your head over what really drove someone to commit the crimes highlighted in the story. The stories also feature flawed characters that make you question the human condition.
Even though each story is set at Christmas, the revelation is not always immediately obvious- sometimes it's mentioned, and in other instances, there are subtle clues about the setting all covered in the feel of the winter which sends chills throughout the story.
Each tale is unique, and the intrigue in each keeps readers guessing, not knowing the outcome or what happens next. Some stories include clever twists, and the authors hint at what might have happened or what might have motivated some characters. This does not redeem the criminals, but it somehow shows the intricacy of right and wrong and how we, as humans, navigate these factors in the world around us.
In the end, this is an intriguing short story collection, with each author bringing their unique tastes and characters to please their fans and introduce new ones to the authors and their work. It’s proof that crime does not stop because of the holidays or season, and through these crimes, the true nature of people is revealed.
Related Authors
Fans of Cecily Gayford also enjoy these authors:
- Richard Osman, author of the Thursday Murder Club Series.
- Jane Harper, author of the Aaron Falk Series.
- Val McDermid, author of the Inspector Karen Pirie Series.
- Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus Series.
- Dennis Lehane, author of: Shutter Island.
Cecily Gayford: F.A.Q
What was the first book Cecily Gayford wrote?
The first book written by Cecily Gayford was The Forward Book Of Poetry 2010, published in 2009.
What was the most recent book Cecily Gayford wrote?
Their most recently released work was Murder in the Falling Snow on November 3rd, 2022.
Are there upcoming new books by Cecily Gayford?
Cecily Gayford does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has Cecily Gayford written?
Cecily Gayford has written 7 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 1 book in the Forward Books of Poetry Series, 6 books in the Murderous Christmas Stories Series.