Much Ado About Murder

by Anne Perry (Editor & Contributor), Jeffery Deaver, Simon Brett

Who hath done it? Shakespeare was the master of fiendish plots, devious motives, and murderous passions. But have you ever wondered what might happen to all those fascinating characters after the lights go down? Or what fate has in store for the audience, the players, or the author?

New York Times bestselling authors Anne Perry and Jeffery Deaver, Ellis Award-winner Peter Robinson, and a stellar cast of today's finest mystery authors have come up with a few rapier-sharp answers of their own - but whatever your poison, each story assures us that Shakespeare lives one... and the rest of us are quite mortal indeed.

Contents:
All the world's a stage / Jeffery Deaver --
Those are pearls that were his eyes / Carole Nelson Douglas --
The fall of the house of Oldenborg / Robert Barnard --
Jack hath not his Jill / Sharan Newman --
Gracious silence / Gillian Linscott --
A dish of poison / Lillian Stewart Carl --
Too many cooks / Marcia Talley --
Squinting at death / Edward Marston --
Exit, pursued / Simon Brett --
Richard's children / Brendan DuBois --
This world's eternity / Margaret Frazer --
Cleo's asp / Edward D. Hoch --
Much ado about murder / Kathy Lynn Emerson --
The serpent's tooth / P.C. Doherty --
The duke's wife / Peter Robinson --
Let the game begin / Peter Tremayne --
Ere I killed thee / Anne Perry.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 7, 2002

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

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short mysteries, based on Shakespeare's plays and, presumably, his life. For the most part, they're good stories. A couple of them sent me back to the original play ( Hen.VI, parts 1 and 2) One of my favorites tells how Portia (from Merchant of Venice) defends Caliban (Tempest) on a murder charge and we learn something new about Prospero.

[Kristy McRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Shakespeare, so I was intrigued by this anthology. As in any anthology, there were some great stories, and a few clunkers. Overall, an interesting collection, with many authors putting their own spin on various characters from Shakespeare's many plays. And murder, lots of murder! :)

[David F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given the "stellar cast" of authors promised by this volume, I found it pretty disappointing. Quite a few of the stories seemed to be nothing more than literary exercises in writing a short story in more-or-less the style of Shakespeare. Others did nothing but build up to some fairly pointless gimmick or idea. Only a few offered much of a whodunnit at all and none of them were all that good. When even the story by short story master Edward D. Hoch was rather disappointing, I knew this book wasn't worth what was paid for it at the remaindered table. Not recommended.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was loads of fun. They were great short mysteries. The writing was concise and gripping. Some stories were like CSI meets Shakespeare. Some stories were so funny. If you like Shakespeare or murder mysteries, find this book.

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing series of stories either concerning Sharkespeare, or inspired by his works.

[Dorothy Giebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories, sights,and sounds of that era.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion, short story collections are always a mixed bag, but I enjoyed the majority of these, and appreciated the Shakespearean flavor and allusions.

[Michael Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting takes on crimes with a classic placement of Shakespeare themes and some not very interesting nor well conceived.

[Vittoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stars are for lillian Stewart Carl's "a dish of poison"
Someday I'll get around to reading the rest

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird