Thorne at Christmas

Tom Thorne #9.5 included

by Mark Billingham

Available together in ebook for the first time ever, this duo of brilliant short stories featuring a guest appearance by DI Tom Thorne showcases the crime writing talent of number one Sunday Times bestseller Mark Billingham.Underneath the Mistletoe Last NightWhen young Jack finds 'Father Christmas' dead beneath the tree, DI Tom Thorne, who has volunteered to work on Christmas Day, must get to the truth with the help of his reliable team and some incriminating evidence.Stepping UpWhen a retired boxer is persuaded to join an exercise class by his daughter, he sees a woman whose face has haunted him for forty years. He used to be a minder for underworld criminals and Zoe was always in their circle. So when she gets in trouble with another class member, he's there to protect her, as he used to - whatever it takes.

Genres: Crime, Christmas, Mystery, Fiction, Short Stories, Thriller

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2013

About the author

Also writes as Will Peterson with Peter Cocks.

Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idea why it took me so long to discover Mark Billingham, but, this year, I finally got around to reading some of the Tom Thorne books and I love them. If you have, as I am sure you must have, discovered Thorne earlier than me, then you will have some idea of what is in this ebook, containing two short stories. Obviously, this will not be full of jolly seasonal spirit, but there is some light among the darkness. We have unrequited love, gangsters, some suspicious suicides and, oh yes, Santa found dead under the tree...

Billingham captures perfectly the way that the Christmas season makes everything more extreme. People who go to work that day rather than stay at home to have their personal failures magnified, the feeling of loss and lonliness that many experience. Of course, Thorne is his usual, slightly grumpy, argumentative self. Personally, I wouldn't have him any other way. Just be aware that this is a short read - it probably took me about twenty minutes from start to finish. As Mark Billingham has become one of my favourite crime authors, I really enjoyed this, and I am sure that I will read it again.

[R Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*

The first short story was a straight 1.5* on the proviso that there was no surprise element and was a school-type story.

The second was a worthy 3* rounded down as feel that the ending needed more of a finesse.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I feel I should complain about the format of this. It opens with an extract from The Dying Hours, the latest Tom Thorne novel. For one thing this should probably be at the back but it was really bad that the extract was put in with no mention of what it actually was. There I was reading a prologue and chapter from a book I've already read thinking "this seems familiar" because the publishers cocked up. Still, my thoughts on the short stories themselves:

Underneath the Mistletoe Last Night: Thorne is called into a murder scene on Christmas Day where a boy has found that Santa has been murdered. It's actually the boy's father and Thorne uses his great intuition to work it. Everyone you want in a Thorne short story, although it felt like it was resolved a little too quickly.

Stepping Up: This was an odd little story about a former criminal-minder who protects a woman he meets at an exercise class. I suppose it was all about not being able to do the things you used to be able to do when you get old. Cheery, festive stuff...

Not the greatest collection ever but certainly an enjoyable treat for Thorne fans as we await the next book!

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a great big MEH!

I almost didn't read this because it starts with a portion of The Dying Hours, and I thought that was all it was. The Christmas story was the best part, that second story didn't really make too much sense to me.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this kindle delight from Mark Billingham. Two short stories, "Underneath the Mistletoe Last Night", which was my favourite, and "Stepping up". Also contains a preview of "The Dying Hours" the most recent Tom Thorne novel.

[Ann James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the other books by Mark Billingham, but totally confused with this collection of very brief stories (all read in 30mins). Think I'm more suited with his other novels that have more depth.

[Gill's likes reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short stories to read when you have time to kill. It was nice to have short stories about DCI Thorne.

[Gerald Hornsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great couple of short stories. Mark is the master of British crime fiction in both short and long forms.

[Amara · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars
One of the most hateful MCs I've ever encountered. He does not consider women to be human, autonomous beings. This book is drenched in sexism. From the case we start with to the MC's inner thoughts. It was painful to read. Then there's fatphobia, ageism and homophobia. 0.5 points for the prose that flowed pretty well, but honestly this should go straight in the garbage

[Sarah Baines · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

OK, I really enjoyed the excerpt from The Dying Hours and I loved the first story Underneath the Mistletoe Last Night, however, I wasn't so keen on Stepping Up - the second short story. I think it would have worked as a full length novel but as a short story - not so much.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two short stories featuring Detective Thorne. The first was much stronger than the second. Overall pretty average.

[Zoya · Rating 2 out of 5]

too little, really just smt the author put together in a time span of one pint.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, short stories. Easy read, nothing super memorable about either story but both enjoyable.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

First story ok, second a bit strange

[Tracey Sinclair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two very short and pretty unexciting short stories, only one of which features Thorne. Don't be fooled by the reading time - much of that is a preview of a Thorne novel.

[Andrew Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second short doesn't feature Thorne at all but still is very good. That first one though almost teared me up at the end.

[Julie Birkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet but interesting

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just 2 little short stories but nice easy reads.

[Mysticpt · Rating 2 out of 5]

2+ - nothing very special here. Thorne not in the 2nd story and not much point in the first story.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series.

[Jane Fenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the first story, not so keen on the second....

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter rubbish. Mark Billingham is one of my favourite authors, but this was just waste of time, and money.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Father Christmas mystery and a taster of the next book - a good festive "put me on" to the new book.