Crime in the City: The 2002 Crime Writers' Association Anthology

by Martin Edwards (Editor / Contributor), Lindsey Davis (Contributor), Andrea Badenoch (Contributor)

This first in a series of anthologies sponsored by the British Crime Writers Association features 22 short stories with urban themes. The editor notes that he was looking for stories that offered imaginative takes on the familiar idea of big-city crime. He certainly got what he wanted. Notable British writers, the majority of whom have at least one major mystery award under their belts, have contributed a fine collection of stories that are funny, tragic, offbeat, suspenseful, or plain weird. Ruth Rendell, Reginald Hill, Bill James, Val McDermid, and John Harvey are among the big-name contributors. McDermid's story of tragic love set in Russia and Rendell's bleak exploration of the effects of loneliness are among the highlights, but it's impossible to choose a favorite. All of these tales are eminently readable and will fill the bill perfectly when noir fans are looking for a quick read.""--Booklist

Genres: Short Stories

262 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Martin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Nancy]

A few very good short stories; some good, others okay. Hey! It is an anthology.

[Johanne]

good collection - some excellent stories - I particularly liked the last one - a cracking final line :-)

[Paula]

Love short stories and these hit the spot for summer reading. These were British writers that were new to me. Nice plots and twists that I didn't see coming. Not bad for short stories.