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American publishers claim that Americans do not want to read books set in Canada, so except for a few authors who have found widespread acceptance, Canadian authors are under-represented in the crime fiction category. BLOOD ON THE HOLLY is an anthology edited by Caro Soles containing 24 short stories by members of the Crime Writers of Canada and their friends, The usual suspects are represented. Maureen Jennings gives us a peek into the childhood of Detective William Murdoch (Wreckwood) and Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks plans a lonely Christmas (Blue Christmas). In Chestnuts Roasting, Lyn Hamilton paints the picture of a not-to-bright burglar who get smart at just the right time and Linwood Barclay tells us how a dead elf comes to be in the trunk of Zack Walker's car. Stephen Gaspar warns us to be careful of fruitcake in Christmas Can Be a Killer and, to continue the food theme, we have The Parrot and Wild Mushroom Stuffing by JC Szasz and Buon Natale Johnny Toronto by Dennis Richard Murphy. Retired judge Ellis Portal and his wife solve a crime while sitting at home (Water Like a Stone by Rosemary Aubert) while Camilla Macphee and her assistant Alvin Ferguson attend the Christmas Lights across Canada ceremony on Parliament Hill with unexpected results (Turning on the Christmas Lights by Mary Jane Maffini) And one should never underestimate a spurned female. She'll always get her own back (Lucky by RG Willems and As Long As We Both Shall Live by Rick Mofina). All 24 tales of Christmas mayhem are readable. Some are quite funny. Americans read books set in exotic locations. Perhaps Canada is too similar to the US. Why do we read Lyn Hamilton's books, set in many foreign countries but not Mary Jane Maffini's books set in Toronto? 'Tis a puzzlement. However, this collection is great fun. Run out and buy yourself a merry little Canadian Christmas.
Reviewed by Barbara Franchi, November 2007
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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