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The Twelve Strange Days of Christmas

Published by Point Blank
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
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About The Book

Stop Press: Two stories, 'Easily Made' and 'Death Becomes Her', were nominated for a Crime Writers Association Short Story Dagger!

Nothing says Christmas more than a good old fashioned ghost story on a dark winter's night, so sit back and enjoy a little pinch of Yuletide mayhem.

These extraordinary tales, one for each day of Christmas, explore the odd, the peculiar and the downright chilling, from a Strange encounter with an Icelandic Shaman, to a psychic policewoman, lively winged beasts and warnings from the recently departed.

Some of these stories appeared in the ebook The Strange Casebook, 2018.

About The Author

Syd Moore is best known for her Essex Witch Museum Mysteries (Strange Magic, Strange Sight, Strange Fascination, Strange Tombs and later in 2020, Strange Tricks). The series was shortlisted for the Good Reader Holmes and Watson Award 2018. She has twice been shortlisted for the CWA Short Story Dagger in 2019 and 2020. Her debut screenplay, Witch West, which she developed from an original idea, has been optioned by Hidden Door Productions and will be released in Autumn 2021. She lives in Essex.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Point Blank (October 27, 2020)
  • Length: 208 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781786076809

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Raves and Reviews

‘A dozen short stories for the shortest of days, bringing together Moore's unique blend of the supernatural with comedy, feminism and, sometimes, cats. Spooky and sassy.’

– Sunday Times Crime Club

'From a master of the macabre comes a wonderfully weird collection of uncanny tales for the festive season. Channeling classic ghost story writers such as M.R. James but putting her own, unique spin of these mysterious miniatures, Moore crafts the ideal gruesome response to all that Christmas schmaltz and sentiment.'

– Waterstones Bookseller Favourite

'This is a great collection of seasonal stories just right to be popped into a Christmas stocking. Recommended.'

– Mystery People

Praise for Syd Moore:

Strange Magic is that rarest of things: a book which sets out unashamedly to entertain, and does so with wit, style, and erudition. I gleefully submitted to a tale of witchcraft, feminism, mysterious strangers, historical atrocities, plucky heroines and ghastly apparitions – and came away more proud than ever to be an Essex girl.’ Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth

'A fun and thrilling read, one hugely impressive element is that Moore uses her light tone and intricate character relationships to address some serious points - ranging from people trafficking through to the derogatory stereotype of the Essex Girl. Lead character Rosie Strange is a woman to be admired with her ballsy, no-nonsense attitude, excellent boots and compelling family history. I can't wait to see more of Rosie, Sam and the Essex Witch museum in the future.' Cathi Unsworth, author of Weirdo

‘Dennis Wheatley meets Caitlin Moran.’ Starburst

'The Strange novels are a breath of fresh air for fans of supernatural mysteries...all fantastic books...I can’t recommend them highly enough' Paranormal Underground

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More books from this author: Syd Moore

More books in this series: The Essex Witch Museum Mysteries