“She died of ovarian cancer in 1944, and because of her fear of being buried alive (reflected in her novel The First Time He Died) she bequeathed her entire estate to her sister ‘on condition she pays a qualified surgeon to plunge a knife into my heart after death.'” (p. 39)
I’m a big fan of Martin Edwards’ British Library Crime Classics anthologies and that quote from Edwards’ introduction of Ethel Lina White’s “Water Running Out” shows why I’m such an admirer. Edwards supplies facts about writers that I didn’t know.
I’m also impressed by the quality of the stories Edwards includes in his anthologies. Take “The Murder in Judd Lane” by Fran Howel Evans from 1909. A pair of murders presents a puzzle with an ingenious solution. I also enjoyed the Carter Dickson (aka, John Dickson Carr) story, “Error at Daybreak” where a murder isn’t exactly what it seems to be.
Another unusual story is Cledwyn Hughes’ “The Strong Room” where a female bank robber provides some surprises. If you’re in the mood for an off-beat mystery anthology, you’ll find Crimes of Cymru a Wale of a book! GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction — vii
A Note from the Publisher — xiii
The Murder in Judd Lane/Frank Howel Evans — 1
Water Running Out/Ethel Lina White — 38
A Busman’s Holiday/Francis Brett Young — 55
Change/Arthur Machen — 78
Error at Daybreak/Carter Dickson — 96
Murder in Church/G. D. H. and M. Cole — 118
Brother in the Barrow/Ianthe Jerrold — 151
The Way up to Heaven/Roald Dahl — 160
Lucky Escape/Berkely Mather — 178
The Strong Room/Cledwyn Hughes — 185
Mamba/Jack Griffith — 196
The Chosen One/Rhys Davies — 202
No More A-Maying/Christianna Brand — 245
Y Mynyddoed Sanctiaidd/Michael Gilbert — 269
He does good work.
Todd, I have over a dozen of Martin Edwards’ anthologies. His informative introductions are a bonus.
I love that Ethel Lina White story! Did she do it?
I am also a big fan of Martin Edwards’s anthologies, and I have this one on hold at the library. I think I’ve read all of the others.
Jeff, I have a handful of Martin Edwards anthologies waiting to be read. Like you, I’ve enjoyed all of his anthologies I’ve read so far. Edwards doesn’t reveal whether Ethel Lina White’s wishes were granted…but it’s a great story!
I have a lot of the BLCC books, many of the short story collections, but I haven’t been assiduous in tracking new publications. I wish they’d organize their website like Hard Case Crime does, in order of publication with newest titles at the top. This one looks to be worth acquiring. The last one I sampled, though, Death of a Bookseller, was not very good. One of the sub-genres I hate, the “Beat the Hangman” motif with hero in a race against time to prove a condemned man innocent. A Woolrich staple – one of several reasons I don’t read him.
Art, I think the BLCC books offer a different kind of story mix by including more British crime writers. Like you, I prefer the Hard Case Crime website.
I am interested in this collection especially because of the setting in Wales. I am glad to hear you liked this one.
Tracy, I hadn’t read many mysteries with a Wales connection…until CRIMES OF CYMRU. You’ll enjoy reading it!
I am with Tracy. I think it is the setting that appeals the most.
Neeru, this is the only anthology I can think of that has Wales as its setting. You and Tracy would really enjoy CRIMES OF CYMRU!