Should satisfy every reader’s sleuth-tooth....A good way for fans of crime writing to discover new favorite authors.
Wicked little stories from old hands and relative neophytes drawn from George’s writing classes. Don’t miss her own sly contribution.
Entertaining.
"This brilliant anthology of short stories by some of the most outstanding women now writing mysteries and crime fiction...is a truly glorious collection"
George's all-original anthology showcases 18 stories by established women mystery writers and five by relative unknowns. While not every entry is a winner, the wide variety of styles and settings will please most mystery fans. Especially strong are Linda Barnes's "Catch Your Death," a classic tale of love gone wrong told by an appealing narrator, and Stephanie Bond's satisfyingly twisty "Bump in the Night." In "Gold Fever," Dana Stabenow fits quick characterizations, an exotic locale (Alaska) and a tidy plot into a few pages. Marcia Talley's tightly written "Can You Hear Me Now" is modest in ambition-but who doesn't like to see a rude cellphone user get his comeuppance? Among the newcomers, Z. Kelley's "Anything Helps" is particularly notable for its charm. Other contributors include Carolyn Hart, Laura Lippman and S.J. Rozan. (Aug.)
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This is a sometimes uneven but ultimately worthwhile collection of short stories from female mystery writers. Each involves one or both of the two "deadly sins" of lust and greed. Standout stories include "Can You Hear Me Now?," Marcia Talley's revenge fantasy about obnoxious cell phone users; Linda Barnes's "Catch Your Death," notable mostly for clever Sherlock Holmes references; Gillian Linscott's "Enough to Stay the Winter," a gripping suspense tale set in the south of France in 1921; and newcomer Barbara Fryer's sexy, pulse-quickening "The Runaway Camel." Unfortunately, two of the weaker stories start off the book, so readers should feel free to skip around rather than read cover to cover. Surprisingly, editor George's own story falls apart in its conclusion, an unusual slip for one of modern mystery's best. Overall, this anthology is a great way for mystery lovers to enjoy less time-consuming works from favorite authors and discover new ones.
—Amy Watts
Greed and lust are the driving forces in 23 new stories by female authors. Among the best offerings from more practiced veterans are Nancy Pickard's paean to the comforts of cake ("Dark Chocolate"); Marcia Talley's eavesdropping on a cell-phone user ("Can You Hear Me Now?"); Wendy Hornsby's ricochet through Jack London's life ("The Violinist"); Laura Lippman's portrait of a middle-aged woman as crafty as she is invisible ("Cougar"); S.J. Rozan's soliloquy of a frame-up ("Cold, Hard Facts"); Linda Barnes's valentine to Sherlock Holmes lovers ("Catch Your Death"); and editor George's inheritance boomerang ("Lusting for Jenny, Inverted"). Less successful are outings by Carolyn Hart, Dana Stabenow, Marcia Muller and eight others. Newcomer Barbara Fryer tops the list of past and present students of George with "The Runaway Camel," an offbeat look at an obsessed fan who becomes the victim of an obsession herself. As you might expect, George, known for many virtues that don't include concision (Careless in Red, 2008, etc.), does let her contributors run on, but on the whole she pieces together a readable if not terribly innovative anthology.
George’s all-original anthology showcases 18 stories by established women mystery writers and five by relative unknowns. . . . The wide variety of styles and settings will please most mystery fans.” — Publishers Weekly
“[A] worthwhile collection of short stories from female mystery writers....This anthology is a great way for mystery lovers to enjoy less time-consuming works from favorite authors and discover new ones.” — Library Journal
“Wicked little stories from old hands and relative neophytes drawn from George’s writing classes. Don’t miss her own sly contribution.” — Seattle Times
“Entertaining.” — Richmond Times-Dispatch
“This brilliant anthology of short stories by some of the most outstanding women now writing mysteries and crime fiction...is a truly glorious collection” — Globe and Mail (Toronto)
“Should satisfy every reader’s sleuth-tooth....A good way for fans of crime writing to discover new favorite authors.” — Bellingham Herald (WA)
