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Murder for Revenge
A collection of stories from twelve fiction writers about people willing to kill for justice or revenge includes contributions from Lawrence Block, Shel Silverstein, Joyce Carol Oates, Mary Higgins Clark, Eric Lustbader, Peter Straub, and Joan Hess.
Audio Cassette
First published March 9, 1998
About the author
Otto Penzler
385 books548 followersOtto Penzler is an editor of mystery fiction in the United States, and proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, where he lives.
Otto Penzler founded The Mysteriour Press in 1975 and was the publisher of The Armchair Detective, the Edgar-winning quarterly journal devoted to the study of mystery and suspense fiction, for seventeen years.
Penzler has won two Edgar Awards, for The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection in 1977, and The Lineup in 2010. The Mystery Writers of America awarded him the prestigious Ellery Queen Award in 1994, and the Raven--the group's highest non-writing award--in 2003.
Otto Penzler founded The Mysteriour Press in 1975 and was the publisher of The Armchair Detective, the Edgar-winning quarterly journal devoted to the study of mystery and suspense fiction, for seventeen years.
Penzler has won two Edgar Awards, for The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection in 1977, and The Lineup in 2010. The Mystery Writers of America awarded him the prestigious Ellery Queen Award in 1994, and the Raven--the group's highest non-writing award--in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 18, 2020
Like its companion book, Murder for Love, Murder for Revenge consists of a thematic collection of new short stories specially written for this volume in 1998. Prepared by noteworthy authors, they range in length from 4 pages to 99 pages, the latter being an outlier.
Not as good IMHO as Murder for Love, the stories in this collection are, naturally darker but generally reasonably entertaining.
Not as good IMHO as Murder for Love, the stories in this collection are, naturally darker but generally reasonably entertaining.
September 16, 2010
Overall this was a so-so read up until the last two stories. The last two If either can be called that. One was more like a to-do list and Straub's "story" was a small novel...over 100 pages. I tried to read it, but ended up skimming it after the first 60 pages or so. Then skipped to the end. No redemption there either.
October 4, 2014
A remarkable collection of stories notable for both their diversity and their range of expression. I was particularly taken by Peter Straub's venture into the depths of the unforseen. Joyce Carol Oates offers up a morality play where all is not what it seems. Do not judge this book by it's cover.
February 9, 2022
"Murder for Revenge." The theme is stated pretty clearly in the title of the anthology, and yet there is nothing clear-cut about revenge. Contemplating it is a sinful joy, taking vengeance releases a frightening adrenaline-powered atavism that is its own kind of crazy high, but then, once the act is consummated, the shame and guilt set it. Maybe it's a bit like sex that way. Hell, revenge isn't "like sex," it is explicitly sexual, even when it's accomplished to right a wrong that has nothing to do with infidelity.
The stories in this collection are almost all uniformly strong, the offerings coming from both titans in the crime genre like Lawrence Block, and those who usually do this stuff under a penname, like Joyce Carol Oates.
There are straightforward offers, like Vicky Hendricks' "West End," which is about a woman who decides to poison her insufferable husband while on an outing aboard a yacht. In most hands, this would read like the screen treatment for a "Lifetime," movie, but it's elevated by the skill and conviction of the authoress.
There are also some off-kilter works like the aforementioned Joyce Carol Oates' "Murder-Two," which is about an oedipal love triangle (!) between a dead mother, her son, and her son's lawyer. It's written in a headlong, stream-of-consciousness style that usually doesn't work with hardboiled, but again, Ms. Oates could probably pull off a Proustian science fiction space opera just by the sheer force of her skill and imagination.
My favorite tale is probably Dave Morrell's "Front Man," written as a kind of simpatico tribute to famed teleplay writer Stirling Siliphant. Morell is best known for afflicting the world with his creation Johnny "YOU JUST DON'T TURN IT OFF!" Rambo, but here he works at a different speed, bringing the reader deep into the world of an ageing screenwriter who has as much skill as ever, but is being blackballed simply because he's old.
Alas, the thing that keeps this collection from being great, and instead makes it simply very good, is the final (and by far longest) story "Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff," by Peter Straub. The guy's supernatural works may be great, but here his gothic, overwrought style mars the action and brings the previously smoothly flowing collection to a grinding halt. Others, however, may beg to differ, and end up digging the Straub story the most.
What do I know, right? Recommended, regardless.
The stories in this collection are almost all uniformly strong, the offerings coming from both titans in the crime genre like Lawrence Block, and those who usually do this stuff under a penname, like Joyce Carol Oates.
There are straightforward offers, like Vicky Hendricks' "West End," which is about a woman who decides to poison her insufferable husband while on an outing aboard a yacht. In most hands, this would read like the screen treatment for a "Lifetime," movie, but it's elevated by the skill and conviction of the authoress.
There are also some off-kilter works like the aforementioned Joyce Carol Oates' "Murder-Two," which is about an oedipal love triangle (!) between a dead mother, her son, and her son's lawyer. It's written in a headlong, stream-of-consciousness style that usually doesn't work with hardboiled, but again, Ms. Oates could probably pull off a Proustian science fiction space opera just by the sheer force of her skill and imagination.
My favorite tale is probably Dave Morrell's "Front Man," written as a kind of simpatico tribute to famed teleplay writer Stirling Siliphant. Morell is best known for afflicting the world with his creation Johnny "YOU JUST DON'T TURN IT OFF!" Rambo, but here he works at a different speed, bringing the reader deep into the world of an ageing screenwriter who has as much skill as ever, but is being blackballed simply because he's old.
Alas, the thing that keeps this collection from being great, and instead makes it simply very good, is the final (and by far longest) story "Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff," by Peter Straub. The guy's supernatural works may be great, but here his gothic, overwrought style mars the action and brings the previously smoothly flowing collection to a grinding halt. Others, however, may beg to differ, and end up digging the Straub story the most.
What do I know, right? Recommended, regardless.
August 8, 2025
A lot of unpleasant people doing unpleasant things, with bad attitudes to women. The first story is a serial attacker and killer of women getting jailed for killing one woman, reliving and fantasising over years. I don't know why an editor would put such an off-putting story first. They really do not improve and there is strong language, adult activity and violence throughout. American based but some are about people on travels.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
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September 15, 2025Technically this is a DNF for me, since I didn't read the last story (I found it too long and boring) but I don't care cos I enjoyed the rest of the book.
July 21, 2013
This is another themed anthology, this time around the concept of revenge. That’s a pretty loose theme as these things go. It’s got a big-name author list going for it though.
“Like a Bone in the Throat” by Lawrence Block starts the book off strong with a tale of a man condemned for a crime he certainly did commit. The death penalty isn’t enough for some people, but who gets revenge in the end?
“Power Play” by Mary Higgins Clark is most notable for starring Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter (this book came out in 1998, after Philosopher’s Stone came out, but well before the J.K. Rowling series became huge.) An ex-President visits an old friend in the Middle East, and is kidnapped by what appear to be terrorists.
“Fatherhood” by Thomas H. Cook retells a familiar story from a different perspective, one drenched in revenge.
“West End” by Vicki Hendricks is about a sailing trip with a control freak. That won’t end well.
“Caveat Emptor” by Joan Hess features a woman in distress who is taken further advantage of by a real estate agent, the story being told by a neighbor.
“Eradicum Homo Horribilus” by Judith Kelman is a bit over the top. It has a bully of many years trying to trick his favorite victim into coming around for one last humiliation. Too bad for him she’s taken up botany.
“Dead Cat Bounce” by Eric Lustbader is almost nothing like his usual novels. On the eve of a wealthy couple’s daughter’s wedding, it’s discovered that the groom has a few dark secrets. And so do everyone else.
“Angie’s Delight” ” by Philip Margolin has a man facing the death penalty unless he gets a good lawyer, one who can prove he didn’t commit murder. Luckily, this public defender is a tiger. Or is it luck?
‘Front Man” by David Morrell is about growing old in the world of Hollywood writing. Mort Davidson is still a heck of a writer, but the new blood in the front office doesn’t think he can connect with the money-heavy young audience.
“Murder-Two” by Joyce Carol Oates features a relationship between a lawyer and her client that might be the worst thing that fate could have arranged for either.
“The Enemy” by Shel Silverstein is a poem of revenge long-plotted and well-planned. Revenge served very cold indeed.
The volume finishes with “Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff” by Peter Straub. A financial planner hires hitmen, or thinks he does–their specialty may be a little different. It’s the longest story in the book, and is the poorer for it–Mr. Straub becomes self-indulgent and goes on and on. Chilling ending, though.
Overall, a strong collection, worth picking up if you like at least two of the authors (except Peter Straub as this is not his best work.)
“Like a Bone in the Throat” by Lawrence Block starts the book off strong with a tale of a man condemned for a crime he certainly did commit. The death penalty isn’t enough for some people, but who gets revenge in the end?
“Power Play” by Mary Higgins Clark is most notable for starring Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter (this book came out in 1998, after Philosopher’s Stone came out, but well before the J.K. Rowling series became huge.) An ex-President visits an old friend in the Middle East, and is kidnapped by what appear to be terrorists.
“Fatherhood” by Thomas H. Cook retells a familiar story from a different perspective, one drenched in revenge.
“West End” by Vicki Hendricks is about a sailing trip with a control freak. That won’t end well.
“Caveat Emptor” by Joan Hess features a woman in distress who is taken further advantage of by a real estate agent, the story being told by a neighbor.
“Eradicum Homo Horribilus” by Judith Kelman is a bit over the top. It has a bully of many years trying to trick his favorite victim into coming around for one last humiliation. Too bad for him she’s taken up botany.
“Dead Cat Bounce” by Eric Lustbader is almost nothing like his usual novels. On the eve of a wealthy couple’s daughter’s wedding, it’s discovered that the groom has a few dark secrets. And so do everyone else.
“Angie’s Delight” ” by Philip Margolin has a man facing the death penalty unless he gets a good lawyer, one who can prove he didn’t commit murder. Luckily, this public defender is a tiger. Or is it luck?
‘Front Man” by David Morrell is about growing old in the world of Hollywood writing. Mort Davidson is still a heck of a writer, but the new blood in the front office doesn’t think he can connect with the money-heavy young audience.
“Murder-Two” by Joyce Carol Oates features a relationship between a lawyer and her client that might be the worst thing that fate could have arranged for either.
“The Enemy” by Shel Silverstein is a poem of revenge long-plotted and well-planned. Revenge served very cold indeed.
The volume finishes with “Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff” by Peter Straub. A financial planner hires hitmen, or thinks he does–their specialty may be a little different. It’s the longest story in the book, and is the poorer for it–Mr. Straub becomes self-indulgent and goes on and on. Chilling ending, though.
Overall, a strong collection, worth picking up if you like at least two of the authors (except Peter Straub as this is not his best work.)
February 6, 2012
Meh. A couple stories were memorable, but most were the exact opposite of my taste and many those were just bad. One and half stars.
Like a bone in the throat / Lawrence Block
Power play / Mary Higgins Clark
Fatherhood / Thomas H. Cook
West end / vicki hendricks
Caveat emptor / Joan Hess
eradicum homo horribilus / judith kelman
Dead cat bounce / Erick Lustbader
Angie's delight / Phillip Margolin
Front man / david morrel
Murder-two / Joyce Carol Oates
The enemy / Shel Silverstein.
Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff / Peter Staub
Like a bone in the throat / Lawrence Block
Power play / Mary Higgins Clark
Fatherhood / Thomas H. Cook
West end / vicki hendricks
Caveat emptor / Joan Hess
eradicum homo horribilus / judith kelman
Dead cat bounce / Erick Lustbader
Angie's delight / Phillip Margolin
Front man / david morrel
Murder-two / Joyce Carol Oates
The enemy / Shel Silverstein.
Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff / Peter Staub
March 21, 2008
Don't know why this site doesn't have this book listed as a paperback, because that's what I read. It had 12 short stories where a murder was committed and the motive was revenge. I wasn't impressed by it. The last story was by Peter Straub, and I just couldn't get into it. The book was 388 pages, and I quit reading at page 300. I just could not get into that story to save my life.
April 17, 2015
Listened to this one...like most short story collections, pretty uneven.
The Straub and Joyce Carol Oates stories were both excellent.
The Straub and Joyce Carol Oates stories were both excellent.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews