Crimes of Christmas Past

Three holiday mysteries fill this volume, from the ancient world to Victorian London.

Saturnalian Gifts

December, AD 63—As former gladiator Leonidas approaches his one-year anniversary of freedom, his old trainer, Aemil, asks him to open the upcoming Saturnalian games. But before Leonidas can experience a qualm at feeling the arena's sand under his feet, Nero demands his presence. A senator has been robbed, and Nero commands Leonidas and Cassia to find the thief, at once.

The task proves much more complicated than they anticipate, plunging Leonidas and Cassia into danger once again on the chaotic streets of Ancient Rome.

Mrs. Holloway's Christmas Pudding

December, 1882—Cook Kat Holloway tries to discover who has poisoned a dinner guest at the Mayfair mansion where she's employed, at the same time she's tasked with cooking up the perfect Christmas feast. Kat frantically works to finish it all, fearing she'll have to choose between stopping a murderer and cherishing her few precious Christmas moments with her daughter.

A Matter at New Year's

January 1823—Returning home from a New Year's Eve gathering in London in 1823, former infantry officer Robert Archer stumbles upon a trio of were-beasts who can't be up to much good. When the next morning, the body of a murdered man is found near the place Robert encountered the weres, he reasons they've hunted and killed the unfortunate gentleman.

To his shock, the were-beasts, who dress in the finest Bond Street attire, seek out Robert to enlist his help to prove their innocence.