In case you didn't know, Wolfmont has, for the last three years, published anthologies of short crime fiction, with the theme of crimes around the winter holiday season. By the sale of those books, we have been able to donate a total of over $6,600 to the Toys for Tots Foundation.

This fourth book will be our largest thus far to help Toys for Tots, with 278 pages of great stories.

The 2009 anthology contains nineteen fantastic stories of winter holiday crime from some very talented and generous authors. Here is the roster:

Our goal in 2008 was to raise at least $3,000 more for these kids, and we made it, overtopping our goal to reach $3,300.

Our goal with THE GIFT OF MURDER is to be able to push our total for the four years up to over $10,000 for Toys for Tots!

We have stories not only of Christmas crime, but Chanukah and Kwanzaa, and some stories that combine all three!

"This is the perfect book for that harried, too-busy holiday season, when there's little time to devote to a novel but enough time between bouts of shopping, baking, and wrapping to devote to short crime fiction. And Barb Goffman's 'The Worst Noel' may even give you some criminal ideas about how to doctor that holiday baking so that this will be the last Christmas you have to deal with that one obnoxious relative...."

Corey Wilde,
The Drowning Machine book reviews

"The Gift of Murder is a treat for anyone who enjoys short stories.... Treat yourself or a family member or friend to a collection of holiday stories with a crime twist. It's a pleasant book for mystery fans, and it will benefit children. What a wonderful way to put yourself in a holiday spirit."

Lesa Holstine,
Lesa's Book Critiques

“From Earl Staggs’ heartwarming story of second chances to Barb Goffman’s tale of holiday revenge gone wrong, this book is one present to buy for yourself. You won’t be able to make yourself give it away.”

Margaret Fenton,
author of Little Lamb Lost

"Wolfmont Press has succeeded again in amassing a stirring collection of winter holiday short stories from established and rising stars in the mystery author community to benefit Toys for Tots. This anthology is chock full of tales of unexpected gifts, justice and redemption; unique sleuths such as Jingle Bell, the elfin Santa Investigator; and how the search for that hot new toy (the curly-haired doll or X-Treme Super Spy Survival Pack) or that gift for beloved Mom when you have no money can lead to crime, even murder. 'Yule be sorry' if you miss out on this ideal companion to a cup of hot cocoa and a crackling fire!"

- —Beth Groundwater,
author of the Claire Hanover gift basket designer mysteries
and the Mandy Tanner river ranger mysteries