Murder in the Rough

February 28, 2011
Jeffrey Cummings brings a contagious energy to his narration of these 15 tales of murder, suspense, and other acts of criminality all set, in one way or other, in the world of golf. Anthologist Penzler has gathered a sharp who's who collection of authors, everyone from old pros like Lawrence Block and H.R.F. Keating to such younger players as Steve Hamilton and Laura Lippman. Cummings tackles each story with a genuine enthusiasm. His reading of Block's perfectly understated "Welcome to the Real World" packs a real punch in its last unexpected line. With a discerning delivery, Cumming embraces each story on its own merit, adapting pace, tone and characters to the needs of the tale being told. Some of his readings are better than others, just as the stories themselves vary in quality, but for the most part he hits the mark more often than not. Standouts are Laura Lippman's "A Good **** Spoiled," William G. Tapply's "Unplayable Lies," and Bradford Morrow's creepy "The Hoarder." Whether the listener is a golf fan or crime story fan, there is something for everyone. A Mysterious Press paperback.

April 17, 2006
Penzler, the mystery genre's jack-of-all-trades (editor, publisher, bookseller), showcases golf in this enjoyable all-original anthology, the fourth entry in his sports crime series (Murder at the Racetrack
, etc.). Authors who would qualify for the senior tour turn in some of the best performances, including Lawrence Block's wry "Welcome to the Real World" and Jonathan Gash's "Death by Golf," in which Lovejoy performs an uncharacteristic good deed. Also on the senior circuit are H.R.F. Keating, who reaches back to golf's beginnings in "Miss Unwin Plays by the Rules," and William Tapply, who spins the best caddy story in "Unplayable Lies." Ken Bruen's brutal "Spittin Iron" and Ian Rankin's "Graduation Day," which features a very tricky shot, add an international flavor, while Laura Lippman, sole distaff member, offers the clever "A Good **** Spoiled." Other contributors include Steve Hamilton, Bradford Morrow, John Sandford and Simon Brett. There are a few hooks and slices, but just about everyone breaks par.