What do you think?
Rate this book
MURDER-A-GO-GO'S
The Go-Go's made music on their own terms and gave voice to a generation caught between the bra-burning irreverence of the seventies and the me-first decadence of the eighties. Anthems like "We Got the Beat," "Our Lips Are Sealed," and "Vacation" are an indelible part of our collective soundtrack, but more than that, they speak to the power and possibility of youth. Inspired by punk but not yoked to it, the Go-Go's broke important musical ground by combining cheeky lyrics, clever hooks, and catchy melodies, perfectly capturing what it feels like to be young and female in the process.
But beyond the Go-Go's effervescent sound and cheerful pop stylings, a darkness underlies many of their lyrics and melodies, hinting at the heartache and frustration inherent in growing up. In other words, plenty to inspire murder and mayhem.
Net proceeds from Murder-a-Go-Go's benefit Planned Parenthood, a crucial provider of women's affordable reproductive healthcare.
With a foreword by Go-Go's co-founder Jane Wiedlin and original stories by 25 kick-ass authors, editor Holly West has put together an all-star crime fiction anthology inspired by one of the most iconic bands of the eighties and beyond.
But beyond the Go-Go's effervescent sound and cheerful pop stylings, a darkness underlies many of their lyrics and melodies, hinting at the heartache and frustration inherent in growing up. In other words, plenty to inspire murder and mayhem.
Net proceeds from Murder-a-Go-Go's benefit Planned Parenthood, a crucial provider of women's affordable reproductive healthcare.
With a foreword by Go-Go's co-founder Jane Wiedlin and original stories by 25 kick-ass authors, editor Holly West has put together an all-star crime fiction anthology inspired by one of the most iconic bands of the eighties and beyond.
- GenresMysteryShort Stories
344 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2019
About the author
Holly West
20 books194 followersHolly West is the author of the Mistress of Fortune series, set in 17th century London and featuring Isabel Wilde, a mistress to King Charles II who secretly makes her living as a fortuneteller. Her debut, MISTRESS OF FORTUNE, was nominated for the Left Coast Crime Rosebud Award for Best First Novel. Her short fiction has appeared in NEEDLE Magazine, Shotgun Honey, and numerous anthologies, including the upcoming PROTECTORS 2 anthology. She lives in the Sierra foothills of Northern California with her husband, Mick, and dogs, Stella and Brando.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 19, 2020
Most crime-fiction anthologies suffer from the same problem: the editor rounds up their writer pals for the literary equivalent of a sleepover party, but often can't see that not all good writer friends are good writers, regardless of their publication pedigrees (many publishers have the same blind spots). As a result, such collections—the ones I've read, anyway, and I've read a lot of them—have a clunker percentage pushing 50 percent.
Fortunately, Holly West has not only above-average taste in writer friends, but above-average taste in writer friends who can actually write. The choice of the Go-Go's as a collection theme is a curious one, given that while the Go-Go's had many great songs, they weren't together very long and so didn't have a deep bench of songs to draw from. But the themes of dark obsession in beachy sunlight and streetlight night, and black despair beneath pastel wear, make for a vein to tap that's as deep as a daily listing of million-dollar properties in the greater L.A. area. And the writers tapped for MURDER A GO-GO'S bring distinctive needles to that vein. Few more so than the introduction by Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's, a touching ode to the power of reading in one's formative years as a springboard to artistic pursuits of all kinds.
Personal favorites include:
— "Our Lips Are Sealed," Lori Rader-Day's spot-on depiction of a preteen slumber party in the early '80s (I might have done my share of spying on these as a kid myself and as such can vouch for the accuracy of the semi-bewildered sex chatter and smack-talk like "keep your Trapper Keeper shut.")
— Susanna Calkins's "You Thought," which will surely appeal to anyone who felt they've been screwed over in the search for affordable L.A. real estate, and longed for revenge against the cheerfully sociopathic agent who stuck them with an overpriced pile of bones.
— "This Town" by Greg Herren, which shifts the story to New Orleans but brilliantly captures the insecurity of being a follower of a charismatic but controlling pack leader, knowing it, and yet feeling powerless to pull away. (Steve Weddle's "Blades" mines this same territory just as capably.)
— Sarah M. Chen's "Fading Fast," which gives a refreshingly realistic, complicated depiction of how taking revenge requires as much skill as it does will.
— "We Don't Get Along," by Diane Vallere, is probably the most skillfully plotted piece of the bunch, a deliciously satisfying tale of payback cleverly disguised as a different kind of crime.
— Thomas Pluck's "We Got The Beat" puts a marvelously malevolent spin on the presumably sunny term "Beat Girls" in this high-school tale of rapey boys and backstabbing besties.
— Wendall Thomas's "Forget That Day" is a wonderful window into a world we rarely see — that of the actors and actresses on the fringe of Hollywood who do whatever they have to, to hang on to what little they have.
— Craig Faustus Buck's "Head Over Heels" puts a unique and refreshing twist on the trope of the private eye who falls for their client.
— Travis Richardson always delivers the goods, and "Johnny Are You Queer" is no exception, in a taut tale of a traditional victim turned murderous victimizer.
— Jessica Laine's "Lust To Love" is a wonderful tale of opportunism and revenge by a trophy wife who refuses to settle for the way the world decides to see her.
— "Girl Of 100 Lists" by Stephen Buehler puts a fresh spin on the time-worn tale of a professional killer turned target (though it succumbs to the time-worn trope of The Convenient Shoulder Wound That Doesn't Slow Down The Hero).
— Nadine Nettmann's "You Can't Walk In Your Sleep" is probably the pick of the litter in terms of sheer creepy atmosphere, as country neighbors come to dark epiphanies about one another that can only come to one conclusion .. in the dark.
— "Skidmarks On My Heart" by Eric Beetner is probably the most gonzo tale of the group, in its wacky depiction of a woman who needs a steady dose of blood and murder to drive her dark idea of love.
— Hilary Davidson's "Unforgiven" does a great job of mining a dysfunctional family dynamic — a family led by a father who controls his children well into their adult years, and dispenses twisted Father Knows Best justice according to his own twisted ideas of what men and women should be.
Fortunately, Holly West has not only above-average taste in writer friends, but above-average taste in writer friends who can actually write. The choice of the Go-Go's as a collection theme is a curious one, given that while the Go-Go's had many great songs, they weren't together very long and so didn't have a deep bench of songs to draw from. But the themes of dark obsession in beachy sunlight and streetlight night, and black despair beneath pastel wear, make for a vein to tap that's as deep as a daily listing of million-dollar properties in the greater L.A. area. And the writers tapped for MURDER A GO-GO'S bring distinctive needles to that vein. Few more so than the introduction by Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's, a touching ode to the power of reading in one's formative years as a springboard to artistic pursuits of all kinds.
Personal favorites include:
— "Our Lips Are Sealed," Lori Rader-Day's spot-on depiction of a preteen slumber party in the early '80s (I might have done my share of spying on these as a kid myself and as such can vouch for the accuracy of the semi-bewildered sex chatter and smack-talk like "keep your Trapper Keeper shut.")
— Susanna Calkins's "You Thought," which will surely appeal to anyone who felt they've been screwed over in the search for affordable L.A. real estate, and longed for revenge against the cheerfully sociopathic agent who stuck them with an overpriced pile of bones.
— "This Town" by Greg Herren, which shifts the story to New Orleans but brilliantly captures the insecurity of being a follower of a charismatic but controlling pack leader, knowing it, and yet feeling powerless to pull away. (Steve Weddle's "Blades" mines this same territory just as capably.)
— Sarah M. Chen's "Fading Fast," which gives a refreshingly realistic, complicated depiction of how taking revenge requires as much skill as it does will.
— "We Don't Get Along," by Diane Vallere, is probably the most skillfully plotted piece of the bunch, a deliciously satisfying tale of payback cleverly disguised as a different kind of crime.
— Thomas Pluck's "We Got The Beat" puts a marvelously malevolent spin on the presumably sunny term "Beat Girls" in this high-school tale of rapey boys and backstabbing besties.
— Wendall Thomas's "Forget That Day" is a wonderful window into a world we rarely see — that of the actors and actresses on the fringe of Hollywood who do whatever they have to, to hang on to what little they have.
— Craig Faustus Buck's "Head Over Heels" puts a unique and refreshing twist on the trope of the private eye who falls for their client.
— Travis Richardson always delivers the goods, and "Johnny Are You Queer" is no exception, in a taut tale of a traditional victim turned murderous victimizer.
— Jessica Laine's "Lust To Love" is a wonderful tale of opportunism and revenge by a trophy wife who refuses to settle for the way the world decides to see her.
— "Girl Of 100 Lists" by Stephen Buehler puts a fresh spin on the time-worn tale of a professional killer turned target (though it succumbs to the time-worn trope of The Convenient Shoulder Wound That Doesn't Slow Down The Hero).
— Nadine Nettmann's "You Can't Walk In Your Sleep" is probably the pick of the litter in terms of sheer creepy atmosphere, as country neighbors come to dark epiphanies about one another that can only come to one conclusion .. in the dark.
— "Skidmarks On My Heart" by Eric Beetner is probably the most gonzo tale of the group, in its wacky depiction of a woman who needs a steady dose of blood and murder to drive her dark idea of love.
— Hilary Davidson's "Unforgiven" does a great job of mining a dysfunctional family dynamic — a family led by a father who controls his children well into their adult years, and dispenses twisted Father Knows Best justice according to his own twisted ideas of what men and women should be.
January 15, 2019
Murder-a-Go-Go's edited by Holly West is a better at the idea than the execution in my humble opinion. The idea of creating short story murder mysteries created via the title of a song by the legendary rock band "The Go-Go's" sounds like a no brainier, especially for a fan of the band, like me, who even met them all back stage circa 1983.
Alas I was not as impressed with the stories. They were decent enough stories, and certainly creative, but beyond that it was a run of the mill collection that individually were not that interesting. Of course, I am older (about the age of the band members) and perhaps these stories might appeal to others, but not to me.
Fair warning for the reader, and though I did not have a problem with it, I have never read a book dedicated (in the editor's introduction) to an organization! With that to, and proceeds going to Planned Parenthood, I'm cool but boy did that announcement come out of left field. I see an editor as a guide that places choices before us, and not one sharing her or his own pet causes. It is her right, and yet it took a little something out of the collection for me. I want my fiction to help me escape, the intro sort of inhibited that for me.
Worth reading only to see how creatively writers deal with their song title. Otherwise let this one "go go."
Alas I was not as impressed with the stories. They were decent enough stories, and certainly creative, but beyond that it was a run of the mill collection that individually were not that interesting. Of course, I am older (about the age of the band members) and perhaps these stories might appeal to others, but not to me.
Fair warning for the reader, and though I did not have a problem with it, I have never read a book dedicated (in the editor's introduction) to an organization! With that to, and proceeds going to Planned Parenthood, I'm cool but boy did that announcement come out of left field. I see an editor as a guide that places choices before us, and not one sharing her or his own pet causes. It is her right, and yet it took a little something out of the collection for me. I want my fiction to help me escape, the intro sort of inhibited that for me.
Worth reading only to see how creatively writers deal with their song title. Otherwise let this one "go go."
February 2, 2019
“Murder-a-Go-Go” is a group of diverse, quick-to-read stories inspired by the music of the iconic eighties rock band “The Go Go’s.” Top mystery authors took inspiration from classic songs by the Go Go’s and built enthralling and shadowy stories with unusual twists.
“Good for Gone” by Jen Conley starts with a wife standing over her husband with a gleaming butcher knife. Readers may never listen to “Vacation” in the same way again after S.W. Lauden opens with messy handwriting and a specialist. Diane Vallere wants to be sure that even though “We Don’t Get Along,” that it does not hurt; “You’re not hurt, right?” Lori Rader-Day in “Our Lips Are Sealed” reminds readers that teen girls at sleepover are not at all well behaved. Wendall Thomas might “Forget That Day” when “I went to grab my purse. There was a gun in it.”
This collection has a story for every reader and every music lover. An anthology allows a fan to read and finish a compelling story all in one sitting. The problem is that after reading “just one quick story,” it is tempting to just “read one more,” and soon the entire book is finished.
I received a review copy of “Murder-a-Go-Go,” and every story was interesting and unique. The collection is entertaining and gripping, and the combination of mystery and music is impeccable. Thank you Down and Out Books, authors, NetGalley, and Evie.
“Good for Gone” by Jen Conley starts with a wife standing over her husband with a gleaming butcher knife. Readers may never listen to “Vacation” in the same way again after S.W. Lauden opens with messy handwriting and a specialist. Diane Vallere wants to be sure that even though “We Don’t Get Along,” that it does not hurt; “You’re not hurt, right?” Lori Rader-Day in “Our Lips Are Sealed” reminds readers that teen girls at sleepover are not at all well behaved. Wendall Thomas might “Forget That Day” when “I went to grab my purse. There was a gun in it.”
This collection has a story for every reader and every music lover. An anthology allows a fan to read and finish a compelling story all in one sitting. The problem is that after reading “just one quick story,” it is tempting to just “read one more,” and soon the entire book is finished.
I received a review copy of “Murder-a-Go-Go,” and every story was interesting and unique. The collection is entertaining and gripping, and the combination of mystery and music is impeccable. Thank you Down and Out Books, authors, NetGalley, and Evie.
October 7, 2021
Where to begin?
First off, this concept is an AMAZING idea. Using popular music as a jumping-off point into short fiction should be a norm. Every band with any kind of catalog at all should embrace this.
Second, like any collection of short stories, some are hits and some are misses. I won't say which ones are which, because your results may vary. But there were several selections here that I REALLY enjoyed, and I predict that you will too... just maybe not the same ones.
Third (and last), I will again say that a little more editorial input would have been nice. I can overlook the use of "surf" instead of "serf" in "The Whole World Lost Its Head," since serf isn't a very common word, but in "Girl of 100 Lists" the main character runs across a "Walter PPK"... misspelling Walther might be excusable in a romantic story, but in a crime story it shouldn't happen.
Overall, though, it was a good read. I hope other, similar collections follow (personally, I'd love to see short fiction inspired by Depeche Mode, REM, or The Cure, if anyone is taking orders).
First off, this concept is an AMAZING idea. Using popular music as a jumping-off point into short fiction should be a norm. Every band with any kind of catalog at all should embrace this.
Second, like any collection of short stories, some are hits and some are misses. I won't say which ones are which, because your results may vary. But there were several selections here that I REALLY enjoyed, and I predict that you will too... just maybe not the same ones.
Third (and last), I will again say that a little more editorial input would have been nice. I can overlook the use of "surf" instead of "serf" in "The Whole World Lost Its Head," since serf isn't a very common word, but in "Girl of 100 Lists" the main character runs across a "Walter PPK"... misspelling Walther might be excusable in a romantic story, but in a crime story it shouldn't happen.
Overall, though, it was a good read. I hope other, similar collections follow (personally, I'd love to see short fiction inspired by Depeche Mode, REM, or The Cure, if anyone is taking orders).
March 5, 2019
3.5 star rating.
It was the concept of this anthology that caught my attention: a collection of stories inspired by songs from the 80s pop-punk band The Go-Gos. How clever! I was impressed to see that the forward was written by bandmate Jane Wiedlin, herself.
The short stories cover a vast range of settings, characters and plotlines. Many of which have a common theme of revenge. The song titles allowed for the individual authors to explore their creativity. Even Jane Wiedlin couldn’t predict what each story would be about.
Murder-a-Go-Gos was an enjoyable reading experience, that introduced me to new authors, as well as songs by the band that I hadn’t heard before. Unfortunately, like with any anthology, there were some stories that missed the mark for me. There were a few that I felt didn’t fit in with the mystery/suspense theme. And there was one story; a dystopian, that I didn’t finish.
My personal favourite stories included the following:
Vacation by SW Lauden
This Town by Greg Herren
We Don’t Get Along by Diane Vallere
I would recommend Murder-a-go-gos to those who enjoy mystery anthologies and to fans of the band The Go-Gos.
I was sent a copy of Murder-a-Go-Go’s edited by Holly West, from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was the concept of this anthology that caught my attention: a collection of stories inspired by songs from the 80s pop-punk band The Go-Gos. How clever! I was impressed to see that the forward was written by bandmate Jane Wiedlin, herself.
The short stories cover a vast range of settings, characters and plotlines. Many of which have a common theme of revenge. The song titles allowed for the individual authors to explore their creativity. Even Jane Wiedlin couldn’t predict what each story would be about.
Murder-a-Go-Gos was an enjoyable reading experience, that introduced me to new authors, as well as songs by the band that I hadn’t heard before. Unfortunately, like with any anthology, there were some stories that missed the mark for me. There were a few that I felt didn’t fit in with the mystery/suspense theme. And there was one story; a dystopian, that I didn’t finish.
My personal favourite stories included the following:
Vacation by SW Lauden
This Town by Greg Herren
We Don’t Get Along by Diane Vallere
I would recommend Murder-a-go-gos to those who enjoy mystery anthologies and to fans of the band The Go-Gos.
I was sent a copy of Murder-a-Go-Go’s edited by Holly West, from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2019
I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher.
Growing up, I loved the Go-Go's. They were my favorite band.
This collection of short stories based off of the bands best songs was almost enough to kill my love of the music. Also, I disagree with a multi-million dollar corporation getting the proceeds from the sale of this book.
A ridiculous waste of time.
1 out of 5 stars. Do not recommend.
Growing up, I loved the Go-Go's. They were my favorite band.
This collection of short stories based off of the bands best songs was almost enough to kill my love of the music. Also, I disagree with a multi-million dollar corporation getting the proceeds from the sale of this book.
A ridiculous waste of time.
1 out of 5 stars. Do not recommend.
March 1, 2020
I've always been a fan of mystery short stories, and themed anthologies are my very favorite thing. In this one, all the stories are based on the titles (and sometimes the spirit) of songs by The Go-Go's.
Frankly, the first thing that surprised me was how many Go-Go's songs I was completely unfamiliar with, to the point of not even recognizing the titles. I mean, that is the music of my youth. I have an entire Spotify channel that's nothing but Go-Go's. I don't have Lorelei Gilmore-level knowledge of their repertoire, but I'm not exactly a Go-Go's novice, either.
The second thing that surprised me shouldn't have. The stories in this anthology, from a publisher I'd never heard of (but am glad I have now), are REALLY good. Some of them should definitely be in the running for awards, if they aren't already. I've picked up at least four new authors to follow, just from this anthology. And I'm definitely going to buy every anthology Holly West ever edits, because DAMN. She has my number when it comes to publishing stories I want to read. There were a couple of them I thought were not as strong, storywise, but even those were quite readable, and I finished them (which is more than I can say for most anthologies).
In short, this is a very satisfying read for mystery short-story fans. It's got *25* stories in it, which I think must be well over the norm (I read it entirely on my phone, which makes every book feel longer, but that still seems like a lot of stories). They range from straightforward crime stories to psychological twists to hard-boiled modern noir--if you're into cozies, this is the wrong book for you. :-) At $3 for the Kindle edition, it was a steal.
Frankly, the first thing that surprised me was how many Go-Go's songs I was completely unfamiliar with, to the point of not even recognizing the titles. I mean, that is the music of my youth. I have an entire Spotify channel that's nothing but Go-Go's. I don't have Lorelei Gilmore-level knowledge of their repertoire, but I'm not exactly a Go-Go's novice, either.
The second thing that surprised me shouldn't have. The stories in this anthology, from a publisher I'd never heard of (but am glad I have now), are REALLY good. Some of them should definitely be in the running for awards, if they aren't already. I've picked up at least four new authors to follow, just from this anthology. And I'm definitely going to buy every anthology Holly West ever edits, because DAMN. She has my number when it comes to publishing stories I want to read. There were a couple of them I thought were not as strong, storywise, but even those were quite readable, and I finished them (which is more than I can say for most anthologies).
In short, this is a very satisfying read for mystery short-story fans. It's got *25* stories in it, which I think must be well over the norm (I read it entirely on my phone, which makes every book feel longer, but that still seems like a lot of stories). They range from straightforward crime stories to psychological twists to hard-boiled modern noir--if you're into cozies, this is the wrong book for you. :-) At $3 for the Kindle edition, it was a steal.
September 26, 2019
Murder-A-Go-Go's is a mix of eclectic stories. There is a great variety of subtle and dark stories in here. I enjoyed seeing how the authors took the titles of songs and twisted them. Though all the entries were quite creative, a few of them stood out to me more than others, including "You Thought" by Susanna Calkins, "Fading Fast" by Sarah M. Chen, "We Don't Get Along" by Diane Vallere, "Forget that Day" by Wendall Thomas, "Johnny Are You Queer?" by Travis Richardson, and "Girl of 100 Lists" by Stephen Buehler.
Overall, a nice anthology of short stories to satisfy a mystery lover's cravings.
Overall, a nice anthology of short stories to satisfy a mystery lover's cravings.
April 16, 2019
I was wavering between three and four stars here because not all of the entries caught my fancy, but the lineup was loaded with a number of reliable writers who were familiar to me, and they came through as usual -- Jen Conley, Hilary Davidson, Sarah M. Chen, and Eric Beetner, among others. The real standout for me was from another familiar writer, Travis Richardson, and I also liked the one from Craig Faustus Buck a good deal. The most pleasant surprise was the delightfully wacky tale from Lisa Albers.
It's also worth noting that the field of women writing here is deep and talented.
It's also worth noting that the field of women writing here is deep and talented.
April 20, 2019
This is a great anthology of 25 short stories based on songs by The Go-Go’s. Revenge, betrayal, and obsession are the most prevalent themes, which totally fits titles like “Mercenary”, “We Don’t Get Along”, and “Head Over Heels”.
Some of the stories just riff off the song title - like Josh Stalling’s post-apocalyptic noir, “The Whole World Lost Its Head”. A lot of the stories, like the songs, speak to women’s experiences. “Our Lips Are Sealed” by Lori Rader-Day takes place at a slumber party and while no real “crime” is committed, this is probably the most disturbing piece in the book.
Then there are the stories that really get into the songs - title, lyrics, and feeling - adding a twist of crime. Thomas Pluck’s “We Got the Beat” features a vigilante gang of high school girls - exactly what I hoped to find in this book.
I started a list of the stories that I thought were highlights, but I realized I was listing most of the book. Just get the book! You’ll get your ‘80s pop-culture fix, support Planned Parenthood (yay!), and read some damn fine crime fiction!
Some of the stories just riff off the song title - like Josh Stalling’s post-apocalyptic noir, “The Whole World Lost Its Head”. A lot of the stories, like the songs, speak to women’s experiences. “Our Lips Are Sealed” by Lori Rader-Day takes place at a slumber party and while no real “crime” is committed, this is probably the most disturbing piece in the book.
Then there are the stories that really get into the songs - title, lyrics, and feeling - adding a twist of crime. Thomas Pluck’s “We Got the Beat” features a vigilante gang of high school girls - exactly what I hoped to find in this book.
I started a list of the stories that I thought were highlights, but I realized I was listing most of the book. Just get the book! You’ll get your ‘80s pop-culture fix, support Planned Parenthood (yay!), and read some damn fine crime fiction!
August 29, 2024
Susanna Caulkins You Thought
September 5, 2019
Not exactly what I was thinking it would be but def interesting.
January 30, 2019
Even if the level of the stories can be very different this was and enjoyable and entertaining read.
I appreciated the style of writing and I think the concept was great.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
I appreciated the style of writing and I think the concept was great.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews