About the Book
Members of the Detection Club, the most prestigious group of crime writers in the world, celebrate the eightieth birthday of their former president - the original king of cozy crime, Simon Brett - with this stunning collection of all-new short stories.
A long-married crime-writing couple plot murder most horrid, with a jaw-dropping twist . . . A group of school friends dig up a long-buried dark secret . . . A widower joins a local amdram society, with surprisingly dramatic results . . . A deranged fan stalks a celebrated TV personality . . . An online romance turns sour . . . and much, much more.
From police procedurals to the sharpest satire, from historical mystery to dark and twisted chillers, these twenty-two original tales, written by some of Britain's most remarkable bestselling authors, are essential reading for crime and mystery fans.
With stories by Abir Mukherjee, Aline Templeton, Alison Joseph, Andrew Taylor, Ann Cleeves, Catherine Aird, Christopher Fowler, David Stuart Davies, Elly Griffiths, Frances Brody, John Harvey, Kate Ellis, L.C. Tyler, Liza Cody, Lynne Truss, Martin Edwards, Michael Jecks, Michael Ridpath, Michael Z. Lewin, Peter Lovesey, Ruth Dudley Edwards - and last, but very much not least, Simon Brett, who's brought back his much-loved amateur sleuth, washed-up actor Charles Paris, to tread the boards once again.
About the Author :
The Detection Club is the oldest and most prestigious society of crime writers in the world. Founded in 1930, its presidents include world-renowned authors including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, Simon Brett, whom this collection honours, and Martin Edwards, its editor.
All the authors contributing to this short story collection are current members of the society, and have topped bestseller lists, won awards including MBEs, OBEs, Daggers, Anthonys and Edgars, and have seen their detectives appear on radios and TV screens around the world.
The current president of the Detection Club, Martin Edwards' novels include the Lake District Mysteries and the Rachel Savernake books, most recently Hemlock Bay. His non-fiction includes a multi-award-winning history of crime fiction, The Life of Crime. He has received three Daggers, including the CWA Diamond Dagger, as well as two Edgars, and four lifetime achievement awards. A former Chair of the CWA, he is consultant to the British Library's Crime Classics and is a one of the UK's premier crime fiction anthologists.
Review :
Each story is atmospheric, playing with structure, form, and the reader's expectations of classic murder mysteries
Original and a fine salute to Brett and his work
Lots of acting, lots of playing, a fair amount of meta. Happy birthday!
Fresh and original
Memorable. Future such anthologies will be welcome
Top-notch talent . . . Entertaining
A remarkable compilation of fresh and unexpected stories from the best in the genre
This superior tribute anthology boasts an impressive roster of British talent
An entertaining buffet for mystery fans
An excellent collection-every one of the stories is a treat to read-and a fine introduction to British crime fiction
