Music of the Night edited by Martin Edwards!
I would like to thank Flame Tree Press and Anne from Random Things Tours for an advance copy of this anthology in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher - Flame Tree Press
Published - 22/2
Price - £9.95 paperback £4.95 Kindle eBook
Music of the Night is a new anthology of original short stories contributed by Crime Writers' 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 Hill, Lawrence Block, and Edward D. Hoch. Stories by long-standing authors and stellar names sit alongside contributions from relative newcomers, authors from overseas, and members whose work haven’t appeared in a CWA anthology before.
One of the joys of stories is watching authors play with themes. They can result in a background, a pun and even sometimes the murder weapon in crime tales. In the latest Crime Writers Association anthology Music of The Night edited by Martin Edwards we get an interesting assortment of crime tales, mysteries and thrillers all based around the theme of music.
Among the stories I enjoyed were
Be Prepared by Abi Silver - an unusual case of unreliable narrator with a a children’s camping holiday narrated by one of the older children who tells us all she sees but may not be reaching the right conclusions. The use of campfire tunes alongside the action helps set the scene for what may be actually going on.
A Sharp Thorn by Alison Joseph - I really liked this tale of a slightly withdrawn divorcee having to relive a sharp memory of her husband trying to buy a harpsichord. Despite being a crime tale this also is a tale of someone finding freedom and has some delightful emotional beats.
The Melody of Murders by Anthony M Brown - this is more a tale of spectacle with a serial killer using 1980s single covers as inspiration for various murders. It is more watch spectacle rather than a mystery to solve but has a point that the more bizarre tales tend to live the longest in our love of the macabre.
The Scent of an Ending by Brian Price - This is an interesting locked room mystery as a record enthusiast is found dead in his deluxe modern music room. Full of secrets and suspects a nice brain teaser to unravel.
Taxi! by Chris Simms - a tale of murderer and intended victim crossing paths late at night.. Dark, violent and full of a few interesting twists its a gripping story trying to work out who has the upper hand.
Violin-Ce by David Stuart Davies - the script of a crime being read out with an interesting twist. Won’t say too much but I really liked the reveal!
Requiem by Leo McNeir - two people on holiday stumble upon a church choir for a funeral. delightfully plotted to suddenly make the reader do a handbrake turn ad read back a page to understand something. Very smart!
4 x 33 by Ragnar Jonasson - a gloriously simple very short tale that is unsettling and explains everything. The music pun is worth revisiting too!
Overall a fun varied collection that has something for everyone and crime fans should be prepared to just browse and see what captures their eye!
