...And the Dying is Easy

A Scumble River Mystery #2.5

by Annette Riffle, Hazel Holt, Peter King

This enticing anthology features a mix of established and new crime solvers who attempt to "get away from it all" in locations as diverse as Alaska and the island of Aruba. In "Porridge and Bess," Tamar Myers's Mennonite innkeeper-turned-crime solver, Magdalena Yoder, takes her first vacation in Charleston S.C., only to have Monty, her tour guide from hell, turn up dead. What follows is an investigation spiced with both Magdalena's delicious humor and a recipe for a Southern favorite, Shrimp 'n' Grits. JoAnna Carl's "The Chocolate Kidnapping Clue" introduces Lee McKinney, a teenager who spends her summer vacation working in her uncle's chocolate shop and investigating mysterious goings-on around Lake Michigan. This satisfying appetizer will leave fans hungering for the main course Carl's upcoming novel The Chocolate Cat Caper. Dana Stabenow, Max Allan Collins and Peter Tremayne are just a few of the authors included in this anthology; out of the 20 pieces here, only one seems to be a misfit: with its sexually charged content, Lydia Adamson's "A Case of Feline Psychopathology" contrasts sharply with the other cozies. All in all, though, this volume is a mystery-reader's banquet at a fast-food price.

"Salt on the Rim" by Jeff Abbott
"A Case of Feline Psychopathology" by Lydia Adamson
"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" by Ann Campbell
"The Chocolate Kidnapping Clue" by JoAnna Carl
"Never Neck at Niagara" by Edie Claire
"Unreasonable Doubt" by Max Allan Collins
"Murder Can Hurt Your Ears" by Selma Eichler
"Journey's End" by Hazel Holt
"The Body in the Bay" by Peter King
"The Jungle" by John Lantigua
"The Loch Ness Mystery" by Sam McCarver
"Porridge and Bess" by Tamar Myers
"Missing, Presumed . . ." by Dana Stabenow
"Call it Dead Time" by Andy Straka
"Not a Monster of a Chance" by Denise Swanson
"Corpse on a Holy Day" by Peter Tremayne
"Lightning Strikes Twice" by Judith Van Gieson
"Under the Big Black Sun" by k.j.a. Wishnia
"Serve and Volley" by Matt Witten
"Sweet Rewards" by Wayne Worcester

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Cozy Mystery

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Mailis · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason its not considered to be the best of collections, but i disagree with that notion. It might not be easy-breezy summer read, but there was very little to complain about in any of the stories presented. Im the type who tends to forget the story im reading in a collection book the moment i put the book down, and who immediately luckily remembers it when opening the page again where i left the story. I have read collections where everything you read is so pointedly artificially put together and i didnt get the feeling with these stories in this volume. Old-school murder mystery collection after my taste. With a bonus Sherlock Holmes story in the end.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and I really don't have the best luck with anthologies of any kind. Usually I find one or two gems, a few not-bad and the rest is dreck. Thankfully, I took a chance on this one, mostly due to Jeff Abbott is one of the authors, because it was really good. Only one stinker, at least to me, out of 20 stories.
The book starts with Jeff Abbott's "Salt on the Rim" with Whit Mosley as the main character. I might have a crush on Whit ever since reading A Kiss Gone Bad. I need to find this again and add it to my keeper shelf.
The anthology ends with Wayne Worcester's "Sweet Rewards" from his Sherlock Holmes and John Watson series. I'm going to look for this series. I enjoyed this story.
There are a few other authors I'd not heard of before and will be making an effort to add their books to Mt Git'r'Read: k.j.a. Wishnia, Judith Van Gieson, and John Lantigua.
I can happily recommend this book.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully diverse collection of short detective stories with the emphasis being of that particular detective being on holiday and encountering a crime or murder they have to solve. With famous names such as Max Allan Collins, Peter Tremayne and Jeff Abbott offset alongside other newcomers this is a refreshing and exciting mix of stores averaging in length at about 20 pages each so are great for a quick short read or devouring a few at a time. Set in different time periods, thrillers and noire from the 40s and 50s and even a Sherlock Holmes story this is a must for crime fans everywhere.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I pick up these multiple author editions when there's one I like since they're generally about the same in terms of style from author to author. I can then get a feel for some new authors without investing the time in a whole book. Since I've been on a mystery jag lately, I thought I would give it a try.
The premise behind this set of short stories is that these fictional detectives solve crimes while on vacation. On the whole, though, this seems like the authors were on summer vacation themselves. There were very few of the stories that actually seemed interesting or well-written. The only ones interesting to me were "The Loch Ness Mystery" by Sam McCarver, "Missing, Presumed. . ." by Dana Stabenow, "Not a Monster of a Chance" by Denise Swanson, and the last "Sweet Rewards" by Wayne Worcester. On the whole it wasn't worth the time though.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of summer themed short stories. Most of them were quite good, but there were a few that confirmed my opinion of some writers. All told, I enjoyed it.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

bought this for the joanna carl story, read a few more stories, not really into random short stories, my regular books always call louder!!! So am moving on!!