Music of the Night is a new anthology of original short stories contributed by Crime Writer’s Association (CWA) members and edited by Martin Edwards, with music as the connecting theme. The aim, as always is to produce a book which is representative both of the genre and the membership of the world’s premier crime writing association. The CWA has published anthologies of members’ stories in most years since 1956 with Martin Edwards as editor for over 25 years during which time the anthologies have yielded many award-winning and nominated stories by writers such as Ian Rankin, Reginald Hi l, Lawrence Block, and Edward D. Hoch. Stories by long-standing authors and ste lar names sit alongside contributions from relative newcomers, authors from overseas, and members whose work haven’t appeared in a CWA anthology before. Among the gifted stars of today whose fiction featured in a CWA anthology at an early stage of their crime writing careers are Mick Herron, Frank Ta lis, and Sarah Hilary. It isn’t a closed shop, and never has been.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to fu l-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thri ler categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at http://www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress
Martin Edwards (Editor) is the author of eighteen novels, including the Lake District Mysteries, and the Harry Devlin series. His ground-breaking genre study The Golden Age of Murder has won the Edgar, Agatha, and H.R.F. Keating awards. He has edited twenty eight crime anthologies, has won the CWA Short Story Dagger and the CWA Margery A lingham Prize, and is series consultant for the British Library’s Crime Classics. In 2015, he was elected eighth President of the Detection Club, an office previously held by G.K. Chesterton, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L. Sayers.
The CWA (Crime Writers’ Association) was founded in 1953 by John Creasey, and organises the prestigious CWA Dagger Awards which celebrate the best in crime writing. The CWA is a pro-active, thriving and ever-expanding community of writers based in the UK but with a reach that extends worldwide.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this collection of short crime stories, all linked by the theme of music. From murderous composers to tragic lives with a singular song as their backdrop. As a musical theatre fan, the title did remind me of a certain murderous Phantom, which was amusing.
There are short stories from existing series’ as well as standalones, but nothing you need to have read beforehand to enjoy these tales. Unless you want to! All of the authors are experts in their field and their victims, musicians, fans, or even just very annoying neighbours, all meet their ends in suitably macabre and definite ways. Perfect for crime fiction fans, whatever your preferred sub-genre.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 