CHRISTMAS STALKINGS

Continuing in the tradition of her 1989 collection, Mistletoe Mysteries, MacLeod and 12 others offer 13 Christmas-themed stories of, mostly, the ""Bah, humbug!"" variety. Eric Wright's Salvation Army scam--a twist on a twist on a twist--is mildly diverting, and Robert Barnard's domestic imbroglio, with its gift-wrapped bomb, is drolly told, while Margaret Maron welcomes the New Year southern-style--with fruitcake, stolen diapers, and a Faulknerian illegitimacy. Dorothy Cannell, in cloying voice, tackles the January sales; Mickey Friedman, New York-style, hassles the neighbors; and editor MacLeod, whose oversweet author introductions will make you want to put coal in her stocking, brings forged twenties to Peter Shandy's attention at the Balaclava Agricultural College Christmas fete, then opts for a saccharine denouement. Also included are tepid outings from Reginald Hill, Elizabeth Peters, Patricia Moyes, Evelyn E. Smith, Bill Crider, John Malcolm, and Medora Sale. For last-minute shoppers only.