Christmas is a time for giving, for receiving. . . and for murder. We've collected ten Christmas stories, old and new, that will spike your eggnog, trim your tree, and hopefully add a dash of spice to your Christmas cheer. Included are: "A Christmas Pit, " by John Gregory Betancourt, "A Reversible Santa Claus, " by Meredith Nicholson, "A Stake of Holly, " by Lillian Stewart Carl, "Believing in Santa, " by Ron Goulart, "Death Will Trim Your Tree, " by Liz Zelvin, "Ho Ho Homicide, " by Sue Ann Jaffarian, "Mr. Wray's Cash Box, " by Wilkie Collins, "Murder on Santa Claus Lane, " by William G. Bogart, and two tales by Johnston McCulley, creator of Zorro: "Thubway Tham's Chrithtmath" and "Death Play Santa Claus.