A few weeks ago Jerry House mentioned he was read an anthology called Birds of Prey. I immediately ordered the book and finally got around to reading it over the weekend. As you know, editors love “themed” anthologies. In his Introduction, Halen Coben writes: “I challenged eleven of my favorite writers to write a short story containing a bird of prey.” (p. 8)

The results are mixed. I liked Tess Gerritsen’s “The Coffin Bearer” where a woman discovers a dead body. The twist to the story is the woman has fashioned a new identity and is afraid this murder could be a threat her.

The oddest story in Birds of Prey is Kathy Reichs’ “Owl.” The Government recruits a specialist known as Owl to investigate what might be an extraterrestrial. Plenty of surprises in this story!

I also enjoyed “The Falcon” by Robert Dugoni. Three Stanford students decide to buy a car at a police auction. But the students find out the car–a 1965 Ford Falcon–was owned by a gang member…who wants it back or else.

If you’re in the mood for an off-beat crime anthology, Birds of Prey will entertain you. GRADE: B

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction / Harlan Coben

The coffin bearer / Tess Gerritsen

Precious change / C. J. Box

Owl / Kathy Reichs

Kudzu / Ace Atkins

Silent as a shadow / S. A. Cosby

Jailbirds / Hank Phillippi Ryan

The falcon / by Robert Dugoni

Watchers / Allison Brennan

Red of beak and claw / Gregg Hurwitz

Hawkshaw hunting / Kelley Armstrong.