The CWA Anthology 2011: Guilty Consciences
Each year the CWA challenges its members to write new short stories on a given theme - this year, the very productive topic of 'guilty consciences'. Then editor Martin Edwards chooses the best stories for an anthology which gathers together the cream of contemporary crime fiction.
A woman mislays her new husband... the lure of notoriety proves too tempting for a small-time antiques thief... A butler keeps a close eye on a beautiful chambermaid with a surprising secret... A glimpse into the past of TV detective Vera Stanhope: Guilty Consciences delves deep into secret shames. From convicted killers, to experts in victimology, the characters in these eclectic tales from the CWA's finest mystery authors cannot fail to bring out the guilty consciences in us all.
Contributors are Robert Barnard, Ann Cleeves, Bernie Crosthwaite, Judith Cutler, Carol Anne Davis, Martin Edwards, Jane Finnis, Peter James, Alanna Knight, Susan Moody, Sarah Rayne, Claire Seeber, L.C.Tyler, Dan Waddell and Yvonne Walus, and there is an introduction from the current Chair of the CWA, Peter James.
Guilty Consciences is published by Severn House Publishers: read more on the publisher's website, order from Amazon UK
The CWA Anthology 2010: Original Sins
A verger's son, whose childhood playground was a graveyard, remembers a night best forgotten... Two drug addicts find that theft does not pay... A corrupt politician charges a curious vehicle to his expenses... The 2010 showcase of shorts from the CWA takes readers on a twisted route to the origin of evil: original sin. From a fish that can't help but dispense his own kind of justice, to an assassin handling a misogynistic client, these tales demonstrate that, for some, there's no going against their own nature.
Original Sins is edited by Martin Edwards and contains stories from Simon Brett, Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis, Chris Ewan, Christopher Fowler, Sophie Hannah, Tim Heald, Reginald Hill, Peter Lovesey, Rick Mofina, Barbara Nadel, Christine Poulson, Zoe Sharp, Chris Simms, Andrew Taylor, Charles Todd and Laura Wilson.
Read more about Original Sins on the website of publisher Severn House, order a copy from Amazon UK
Scorpion Press have produced a special signed limited edition, with handsome leather and marble binding, including an exclusive tribute to Lionel Davidson, the only author to have won the CWA's Gold Dagger three times.
The CWA Anthology 2008: M.O.: Crimes of Practice
The CWA's 2008 anthology picks up the primary scent of any investigation: the modus operandi; the signature that identifies any repeat offender, the 'how' that supersedes the 'why'. From the ex-doctor tenderly administering a final prescription to his victims, the party of finishing school debutantes exacting revenge on their lecherous host... these stories demonstrate that, even with the most despicable of crimes, there's methodology in the madness.
M.O. is edited by Martin Edwards, with stories by Robert Barnard, Martyn Bedford, Ann Cleeves, Bernie Crosthwaite, Carol Anne Davis, Martin Edwards, Jürgen Ehlers, Kate Ellis, Liz Evans, Paul A Freeman, Jim Gregson, Mick Herron, Sarah Hilary, Andre Marois, Amy Myers, Christine Poulson, Karline Smith, Douglas Stewart and Yvonne Eve Walus.
M.O. is published by Comma Press: read more (and order a copy) on the publisher's website, or order from Amazon or from any bookshop, quoting the ISBN: 978-1-905583-12-6.
The CWA Anthology 2006: I.D.: Crimes of Identity
The 2006 showcase of short fiction from the CWA celebrates the 'who' in the whodunnit, the psyche behind the psychological profile... Husbands lead double lives, psychologists confuse perpetrators with ex-partners, neighbours reassess the people they thought they knew. It seems if there's one thing you can't classify or slap an ID card on, it's the id.
Robert Barnard's Sins of Scarlet , included in this volume, won the CWA Short Story Award for 2006.
I.D. is edited by Martin Edwards, and includes stories from Michael Jecks – Bill Kirton – Peter Lovesey – Stuart Pawson – Christine Poulson – Zoë Sharp – Frank Tallis – Yvonne Eve Walus – Carla Banks – Tonino Benacquista – Robert Barnard – Natasha Cooper – Mat Coward – Martin Edwards – Kate Ellis – Paul A Freeman – Edward D Hoch.
Reviewing the Evidence said "This collection of short stories is a first foray into both crime and genre fiction for Manchester-based publishers Comma - and on this showing they're onto a winner."
Read more about it (and order a copy) on the website of publisher Comma Press; or order a copy from Amazon - or from any bookshop (help them to find it by telling them the ISBN is 1-905583-00-1).