Deadly Pleasures

September 9, 2013
The Crime Writers’ Association marks its Diamond Jubilee year with an anthology that’s a smorgasbord of delicacies including a few pungent unfamiliar items just begging to be tasted. Among the 18 contributors are such well-known authors as Ann Cleeves, whose “The Pirate” offers a surprise twist; Peter Robinson, whose “Enchantress” mixes legend with mystery; and Lindsey Davis, whose whimsical “Zounds!” features a ghostly cast. Christopher Fowler’s “Bryant and May in the Field” shows the Peculiar Crimes Unit in its best light, with its trademark blend of logic and whimsy. The spare scenery of Iceland in Michael Ridpath’s “The Polar Bear Killing” is matched by his sharp clear prose. The late Margaret Yorke’s “Threescore and Ten,” the volume’s only reprint, tugs at the heartstrings before justice arrives in an unusual way.

Starred review from November 1, 2013

Veterans mingle smoothly with newcomers in this collection specially commissioned for the Crime Writers' Association's (CWA) Diamond Jubilee. Nicely dovetailing longer stories such as Simon Brett's twisty "The Frame" with whip-smart shorties such as Ann Cleeves's "The Pirate," the anthology never feels slapped together. If, like me, you've wanted to catch up with Michael Ridpath's Icelandic mysteries, start with "The Polar Bear Killing." If you are intrigued by new voices, Claire McGowan's chilling "The Last Resort" won't disappoint you. A great addition is a selection from the late Margaret Yorke ("Threescore and Ten"), the only story that wasn't written directly for this compendium; she died in 2012. VERDICT CWA's annual anthology is always reliable, but this entry is particularly strong. It covers a broad spectrum of reading interests, mixes big names with newer ones, and successfully blends longer stories with brief ones. Wit, psychological tension, twisted plots, and traditional procedurals are all represented. Editor Edwards is to be commended.

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