Playing Dead - by Martin Edwards (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Members of the Detection Club, the most prestigious group of crime writers in the world, celebrate the eightieth birthday of their former president - the original king of cozy crime, Simon Brett - with this stunning collection of all-new short stories.

A long-married crime-writing couple plot murder most horrid, with a jaw-dropping twist . . . A group of school friends dig up a long-buried dark secret . . . A widower joins a local amdram society, with surprisingly dramatic results . . . A deranged fan stalks a celebrated TV personality . . . An online romance turns sour . . . and much, much more.

From police procedurals to the sharpest satire, from historical mystery to dark and twisted chillers, these twenty-two original tales, written by some of Britain's most remarkable bestselling authors, are essential reading for crime and mystery fans.

With stories by Abir Mukherjee, Aline Templeton, Alison Joseph, Andrew Taylor, Ann Cleeves, Catherine Aird, Christopher Fowler, David Stuart Davies, Elly Griffiths, Frances Brody, John Harvey, Kate Ellis, L.C. Tyler, Liza Cody, Lynne Truss, Martin Edwards, Michael Jecks, Michael Ridpath, Michael Z. Lewin, Peter Lovesey, Ruth Dudley Edwards - and last, but very much not least, Simon Brett, who's brought back his much-loved amateur sleuth, washed-up actor Charles Paris, to tread the boards once again.

Review Quotes

A remarkable compilation of fresh and unexpected stories from the best in the genre-- "Library Journal on Ten Year Stretch"

An entertaining buffet for mystery fans-- "Publishers Weekly on Mystery Tour"

An excellent collection-every one of the stories is a treat to read-and a fine introduction to British crime fiction-- "Booklist on Deadly Pleasures"

Fresh and original-- "Library Journal on Many Deadly Returns"

Memorable. Future such anthologies will be welcome-- "Publishers Weekly on Many Deadly Returns"

This superior tribute anthology boasts an impressive roster of British talent-- "Publishers Weekly on Motives for Murder"

Top-notch talent . . . Entertaining-- "Publishers Weekly on Ten Year Stretch"