Another option could be to look into local library collections. They might have mystery short story compilations that include tales set on Christmas Eve. Some libraries even have digital collections that you can access for free, which makes it easier to discover these types of stories.
Another theme is often the idea of secrets. The Christmas Eve setting can be used to hide or reveal secrets. Maybe a character has a dark past that comes to light because of the murder, or perhaps the murderer is hiding among the holiday revelers with a secret motive. In many of these stories, the characters are brought together for the Christmas celebrations, and the murder forces them to confront not only the crime but also their own hidden aspects. For example, in some stories, a family gathering on Christmas Eve turns into a nightmare when a murder occurs, and it is revealed that there were long - held family secrets that contributed to the event.
One short Christmas eve story is about a lonely old man. On Christmas eve, he was sitting by his fireplace feeling sad as he had no family left. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. When he opened it, a group of carolers were there. They sang for him and then invited him to their Christmas dinner at the church. It made his Christmas eve filled with warmth and joy.
One story could be about a family on Christmas Eve. As they were sitting by the fireplace, they heard strange scratching noises on the roof. When they looked out the window, they saw a dark figure with glowing eyes. It disappeared as quickly as it came. It left them feeling uneasy for the rest of the night.
A lesser - known but great Christmas murder story is 'The Christmas Killer' by an indie author. It tells the story of a serial killer who strikes during the Christmas period. The small - town setting and the festive backdrop create a really interesting and suspenseful story. The author does a great job of building tension as the characters try to figure out who the killer is while still trying to enjoy the Christmas holidays.
Another great one is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. In this story, a woman kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and then cleverly disposes of the evidence by cooking the lamb. The story has a darkly humorous twist.
Another is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. In this story, a pregnant woman kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb when he tells her he is leaving. She then cooks the lamb and serves it to the police officers who come to investigate, getting rid of the murder weapon in a very clever way.
Sure. One might be a heartwarming story about a family's reunion on Christmas Eve. Another could be about the magic that happens on Christmas Day in a small town.
One of the well - known short murder stories in fiction is 'A Jury of Her Peers' by Susan Glaspell. It delves into the mystery surrounding a murder where the women in the story seem to uncover things that the men overlook. And 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Poe is also a classic. It tells of a man's revenge - driven murder of his acquaintance by walling him up alive in a catacomb.
In a small town, there was an abandoned asylum. A group of teenagers dared each other to spend the night there. One by one, they started to disappear. The last one left saw a figure in a white coat with a bloody scalpel. He ran for his life but was chased down. His body was found the next day outside the asylum gates, his eyes wide open in horror.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band' is also among the best. Sherlock Holmes uses his brilliant deductive reasoning to solve a seemingly impossible murder case. The story is filled with suspense, from the strange circumstances surrounding the death to Holmes' step - by - step unravelling of the mystery.