The Demons of December

Much loved Greek Detective Hermes Diaktoros - often regarded as the Greek Hercule Poirot - returns in this seasonal short story specially written for Christmas. As Christmas approaches on the Greek island of Armonos, Ilias Kourakos is found dead on the floor of his bakery, seemingly struck down as he was preparing the traditional sweet treats of the season. But Ilias was a young man in excellent health, so what could possibly have killed him? When Hermes arrives to make a special delivery, he finds the islanders divided over an outsider's business proposal which could make some of them very rich but push others into bankruptcy. Does the proposal have a connection to Ilias's death? Or is there a more sinister force at work, in the form of December's dreaded demons? This short story is sure to delight Hermes's many fans, as he sets out to solve a baffling, wintry mystery, steeped in dark superstition yet alight with Christmas magic.