Holiday Mystery Books Novels & Stories

Something strange happens in Rafe's house, especially in Luna's room. A very old magic book, the Grimoire, opens by itself. The room feels even stranger when ghostly laughter is heard. Then suddenly a clear sentence breaks the silence. "I must hurry with this plan," says a mysterious voice, and then the Grimoire disappears as if it had never been there. The story moves to the wilds of Borneo, a different and secret place. Here many helicopters, supported by air force planes, are searching for something important.

"Let me show you our science fiction section for younger readers. There's a new series that just came out that might be perfect..." Thirty minutes and several hundred dollars later, I left with a stack of books, including a signed first edition of "Starstruck," which the clerk assured me was popular with "smart, space-loving kids." I also had a bagful of advanced puzzles from the hobby shop next door. As I loaded my purchases into the car, I felt strangely satisfied. This wasn't part of the business plan, wasn't necessary for our charade to succeed. But it felt right. Few hours later, my phone had buzzed with a text from Ava:

“Were these any help, detective?” “I’m afraid not,” I said, defeated. I was in a bit of a daze after staring at projected newsprint on the dim screen. I leaned on the desk and looked around the building absentmindedly until my eyes finally settled on a small sign hanging on a table covered with a neat stack of books. “Warning: The Library is Not Responsible for Nightmares!” I read out loud, walking over to look at the books. Well-worn volumes with pink skulls grinning back at me from stickers on their spines. Dracula. Frankenstein. The Invisible Man.

All I have to do is ignore them, and I'll be fine. -------------------------------- "I really hate being in the library." Hilary complained. They were sent to the library to research about the history of their town through old newspaper articles. "Shut up, and help us. Come on." Henry, her twin brother said. "Hey, guys. Look at this." Xavier found a news article dated thirty years ago." Xavier announced. Everyone gathered around him, except for Landon. "Young boy found dead at the boy's locker room?" Olga read title of the headline.

By the time they were finished, they had collected a chemistry set, a Teddy Bear, an old-fashioned set of Jacks, pick-up sticks, a sled, a Trouble game, and a few other things. "Would you like anything else?" Mr. Cummings asked, smiling like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Speaking of which-. "Yes. Do you have the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?" Taren asked. "Sure do." Mr. Cummings moved from behind the counter and approached a shelf filled with books. "It's in here somewhere-." He browsed through the books and then he jumped in surprise. "Ah ha! Here it is!" He pulled a book off the shelf and then headed back behind the counter. "Your daughter will really like this when y

We were ready. The ball would start when daylight faded and twilight emerged. I peered in the mirror my ice blue eyes were alert and ready for trouble my hair ribboned down my back resting at my waist. Tonight would be my last in the pack. Vivian was slipping on cleanly polished boots before double checking her silver moon necklace around her neck. Out of habit I played with my own matching necklace my fingers looping around the intricate chain. Matching. A gift from our mother. “Well let’s do the best job we can and then skedaddle.” Vivian joked running a brush through her hair once more.

And Noah, in front of everyone, let go of my hand to pass a gift box to Heidi. "Heidi, your Christmas present." Heidi excitedly tore it open. When she pulled out the worn pocket watch inside, she pouted. "Noah, you're so rich. Why are you giving me something this old?" Noah smiled without answering. But I froze completely. I'd seen that pocket watch before, in the portrait of Noah's late father.

Christmas was the reading of the book. This Christmas, Don's book was a novel—Norwegian, which was not a coincidence, a novel by the same writer whose essays were in the Norway reading programme. The novel was called The Dark Year, and it was about a man who spent a winter alone in a cabin in the far north of Norway, experiencing the full darkness for the first time. Don had been saving it since September, when he had finished the essays. He had placed it on the shelf above his desk, the designated holding place for the Christmas book, and had not opened it once.

After our final paper for the semester, Gracie and her friend, Melody, drove me home in Melody's car, and once again, I allowed them to convince me to attend a final-year student's birthday party. By tomorrow, most students will leave for the holiday, and before the weekend, the Dorm will be empty. Unlike other semesters where a few students might decide to stay behind. It's the Christmas holiday. A time for family, friends, parties, and reunions. I doubt anyone would stay back at the Dorm. So tonight would be more like one last fun before the Christmas break. I caved and went for the party, pushing the thoughts of EMK and the fact that he might come for me any moment, far away from my mind.

The city skyline twinkled with leftover holiday lights, snow dusting the railing like powdered sugar, but the real view was Astrella, curled up beside me in nothing but my oversized flannel shirt, unbuttoned just enough to tease those perfect tits, legs bare and crossed, her laptop balanced on her thighs. She'd insisted on this 'morning read-aloud' after pounding out that filthy story last night, her eyes gleaming with that wicked writer’s spark. "Dax, baby," she'd purred, handing me the printed pages, still warm from the printer, edges crisp. "Now, read my latest. Out loud. Every dirty word. It's inspired by us... kinda." I smirked, flipping it open to the first page, 'Snowbound Enemies: A