Death by Dickens

by Anne Perry (Editor)

"Genuinely witty interpolations and extrapolations of the plays, in which Shakespeare and mystery both profit from the resulting cross-pollination."--Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories, British Literature, Mystery Thriller

Hardcover

First published March 2, 2004

About the author

Anne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.

Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".

Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.

Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my brothers would say of the title of this book that he's already experienced death by Dickens -- through boredom. And perhaps he did say it when I received this book for Christmas from another family member several years ago. I'd started reading this back then and only recently picked it up again, so I must've experienced my own boredom, though I am a Dickens fan.

The stories are well written and readable for the most part (a couple were either confusing or lazy in parts), though none are real standouts. They run the gamut from clever and cheesy (but then I've never cared for 'A Christmas Carol' remakes) to modern and philosophical (Brendan DuBois' story about an unlikely use of an old manuscript and anti-Semitism).

I was surprised that I liked the two Pickwick stories, as that is my least favorite of Dickens' novels. And I think I enjoyed Peter Tremayne's story the most; it offers a rendering of how Dickens might've been inspired to finish his 'Our Mutual Friend,' along with nods and winks to Wilkie Collins and the soon-to-come detective genre.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is right up my alley. Mystery shorts based on and/or inspired by Dickens and his work!!! I was in heaven reading these clever, intelligent and fun mystery shorts stories! A Stake of Holly had to be my favorite and was a perfect opener for this this book!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of short story collections but this book is exceptionally good. It is edited by Anne Perry, one of my favorite authors. She asked ten of her peers to write a book based upon or featuring a character from one of Charles Dickens' stories. The collection features Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Pip, Fagin, Mr. Pickwick and others. It is a great collection and, as a huge Dickens fan, a joy to read. The authors include: Lillian Stewart Carl, Bill Crider, P.N. Elrod, Martin Edwards, Carolyn Wheat, Marcia Talley, Carole Nelson Douglas, Peter Tremayne, Brendon DuBois, Gillian Linscott and Anne Perry. I highly recommend this book.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories by a variety of wonderful authors. Multiple perspectives on the works and characters created by Dickens and set during various time periods. A joy.

[Brandon Byrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book purports to have a really awesome premise: a bunch of mystery short stories based around books by Charles Dickens. However, out of 11 stories, only 2 or 3 actually seemed like mysteries with the rest basically fan fiction. And of those 2 or 3, the plots were fairly linear without any good twists. If the book had never claimed to be mystery, it would have been fairly enjoyable. But to waste the great title of "Death by Dickens" on a bunch of stories in which only a couple people actually die is just a big disappointment.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this anthology was a little uneven. A couple of the stories were outstanding, most were okay and at least one just left me cold. Happens with all anthologies in one form or another but there weren't as many that really stood out for me.

Maybe it would have helped if I had read more Dickens but he's never been my favorite (I dislike books that start with the introduction of dozens of characters - I can never keep them straight).

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not very familiar with much of the source material, but i enjoyed this collection. I did like the variety (most set in Dickens' time, but some more modern; most set in his stories, but some set in his life; in some the murder mystery was central, but in others it's peripheral), and i liked Peter Tremayne's story best:)

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of mystery short stories based on Dickens characters and settings. Most of the stories were quite entertaining. However if one is not familiar with most of Dickens work the subtilties and plot twists may be obscure. Overall an engaging light read.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's an anthology edited by one of my favorite mystery writers. A bunch of good contemporary mystery writers each took a bit of a Dickens story and wrote a new short mystery story around it.

[Kelly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven quality, uneven use of Dickens' characters and of Dickens as a character. Since I never did make it all the way through "Great Expectations" it's not surprising that I wasn't that crazy about the stories based on it.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 1 out of 5]

These short stories are supposed to be told in the style of Dickens and revisiting some of his characters, but they are just awful. Bad writing, poor plot construction, boring and predictable all through. Urgh! Waste of time.

[Diane Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good twist on Dickens' stories. Very enjoyable.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A-. compilation, Victorian England