The Christmas season is one of comfort and joy, sparkling lights and steam rising from cups of mulled wine at frosty carol services. A season of goodwill, as families and friends come together to forget their differences and celebrate.

Unless, of course, you happen to be harbouring a grudge. Or hiding a guilty secret. Or you want something so much you just have to have it - whatever the cost. In A Very Murderous Christmas, ten of the best classic crime writers come together to unleash festive havoc, with murder, mayhem and twists aplenty.

From a murder aboard a snow-bound train to a pantomime costume that takes on a life of its own, these are mysteries as rich and satisfying as a Christmas dinner.

Contributions by: Margery Allingham, Adrian Conan Doyle, John Dickson Carr, Anthony Horowitz, G K Chesterton, Nicholas Blake, Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter, Gladys Mitchell, John Mortimer, Edward Hoch