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Malice Domestic #5
Phyllis A. Whitney Presents Malice Domestic
Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Phyllis A. Whitney presents this anthology of original mystery stories by skilled authors, such as Peter Lovesey, Carolyn Wheat, Eve K. Sanderstrom, Jill Churchill, Dean Feldmeyer, Eileen Dreyer, Medora Sale, Patricia Moyes, Susan Rogers Cooper, and Nancy Atherton.
Contents: Mysteries of manners, labors of love / Phyllis A. Whitney — Conventual spirit / Sharan Newman — Double jeopardy / Eileen Dreyer — Shelved / Barbara D’Amato — Takeout / Joyce Christmas — Crossed keys / Patricia Moyes — Ham Grease Jimmy and the No Shirt Kid / Sue Henry — The death of Erik the redneck / Toni L. P. Kelner — The bun also rises / Jill Churchill — Hill people / Dean Feldmeyer — Barbecued bimbo / Susan Rogers Cooper — Honeymoon / Nancy Atherton — Vivian by moonlight / Medora Sale — A parrot is forever / Peter Lovesey — Married to a murderer / Alan Russell — Bugged / Eve K. Sandstrom — Accidents will happen / Carolyn Wheat
Contents: Mysteries of manners, labors of love / Phyllis A. Whitney — Conventual spirit / Sharan Newman — Double jeopardy / Eileen Dreyer — Shelved / Barbara D’Amato — Takeout / Joyce Christmas — Crossed keys / Patricia Moyes — Ham Grease Jimmy and the No Shirt Kid / Sue Henry — The death of Erik the redneck / Toni L. P. Kelner — The bun also rises / Jill Churchill — Hill people / Dean Feldmeyer — Barbecued bimbo / Susan Rogers Cooper — Honeymoon / Nancy Atherton — Vivian by moonlight / Medora Sale — A parrot is forever / Peter Lovesey — Married to a murderer / Alan Russell — Bugged / Eve K. Sandstrom — Accidents will happen / Carolyn Wheat
239 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
5 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Martin H. Greenberg
910 books163 followersMartin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.
For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.
For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 25, 2012
No anthology can be of consistent quality, but this one was better than most. I’m still not sure I followed “Vivian by moonlight”—in fact I’m sure I didn’t—but the last one, “Accidents Will Happen”, was particularly satisfying. Good reading.
May 4, 2022
In Conventual Spirit by Sharan Newman, novice Catherine gets in trouble with one of the sisters and is punished to wash muddy footprints off the floor of a passageway. But her punishments persist when, the next morning, the floor is still muddied. Puzzled when it happens a third time and suspecting a secret rendezvous, Catherine sets out to discover the culprit. What the heck was Sister Bertrada thinking giving Catherine that punishment? Did she really hate the girl so much as to give her a chore she would have to do every morning, with the possibility of its secret being discovered hanging over them? It just seemed counterproductive. More mystery than murder (or domestic), it was a simple story that didn't have anything interesting to it.
With murder and threats aplenty, our RN heroine isn't sure what to believe in this tale of two brothers. The evil twin trope is used beautifully in Eileen Dreyer's Double Jeopardy. The twists and turns of this plot had me confused and second-guessing myself right up to that stunner of an ending. An incredible plot and one of my top picks. It's the ideal suspense short story.
A theft takes place in a bookstore shortly after being invaded by a group of noisy teens. But what the thief isn't counting on is a police officer skipping her lunch break in favor of a little light reading. Officer Figueroa in Barbara D’Amato's Shelved would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Logically going through the circumstances and asking leading questions she arrives at the thief's identity in no time. A lovely story in a great setting.
Lady Margaret is a woman after my own heart. The well-bred, aristocratic woman has a fondness for Chinese food that may rival my own. She delights in the dish titles and takes special pleasure in the production of choosing which of her Takeout (by Joyce Christmas) restaurants she would oblige with her business. But when a wrong order sets off a series of events that puts her and her deliveryman in grave danger, she thinks it may be time to switch things up a bit. A wonderful story with a character I was excited to discover had her own mystery series. I'll be looking into this author again.
Mischief is afoot at an isolated resort in Crossed Keys by Patricia Moyes, and the police are the least of this crook's problems. Such a close call for this thief, if it hadn't been for one small mistake and an attentive policeman they would have gotten away with it. A damn good story that had me puzzling it out to the end.
Ham Grease Jimmy and the No Shirt Kid by Sue Henry is based on a true story, and tells the tale of two men hoping to strike it rich at the Klondike Gold Rush, only to drive each other so crazy that long first winter that each would happily settle for just striking each other dead. A funny story of two men trying their damnedest to kill each other off and a nice look at life in the Klondike during that first, unanticipated population boom.
The Death of Erik the Redneck raises strong opinions in his town, but mostly about how stupid he was to have been out drinking in his boat, and accidently set himself on fire once he was too drunk to think of jumping overboard. But as clear cut as the case looks, a fact comes to light that starts to make things look a little odd. Toni L. P. Kelner's story was a great police procedural and had a strong plot and interesting characters. The murder isn't cleaned up by deduction and jumps in logic, but by legwork. And the motive is about the most understandable, realistic, and doable one I've seen all month.
The Bun Also Rises, except in this case by Jill Churchill. A friend accidently signs as witness to a will of her soon to be deceased friend. When the paperwork is read, everything is left to the nurse who cared for the patient in her last days, instead of to the daughter as previously promised. But the nurse had been raising many red flags during the initial visit, and the proof of coercion might be in an old family recipe. It was a good story with strong characters and an enjoyable plot. So far this book is batting everything out of the park.
Hill People take care of themselves, even when murder is on the menu. Dean Feldmeyer gives us an isolated family whose father freezes to death. The women he leaves behind react appropriately given his history, and if it weren't for their natural frugalness their story might have stuck. The plot is fun and the characters are pleasant. Not great, but certainly a good one. I'm becoming quite fond of these deep woods murder stories.
Susan Rogers Cooper serves up an order of Barbecued Bimbo, when a serial bride is found murdered and stuffed in a barbecue pit. The cop's grating personality really brought the story down for me, despite its strong plot. And the time the lead character spends moaning about him makes her pretty annoying, too. But the rest of the characters were entertaining, especially the 'bimbo' and her mother.
On Bill and Lori's Honeymoon, by Nancy Atherton, a series of messages from the groom's father charts the path of a murderer. The story was funny and had an amusing premise, but how stupid were the cops? The family was dropping like flies and each body was found by the same person? There wasn't even healthy breaks between them, the murderer just up and decided, 'I think I'm going to go on a murder spree this week' and it took three deaths before anyone got suspicious? Seriously?? The story was fun but the premise was ridiculous.
Vivian by Moonlight by Medora Sale is a puzzling piece with a family playing for keeps. The plot was convoluted and you never quite knew what was going on. I still can't figure out what the name 'Peter' had to do with anything. But an alright story even if you don't completely understand the characters' reasoning, and their interactions were entertaining before the twists started tripping you up.
A young man discovers that A Parrot is Forever (by Peter Lovesey) when he inherits one from a black-sheep uncle. But tales of stolen diamonds leads to a theft that might turn into a lucky windfall after all. It's a great story with wonderful characters and an enjoyable ending.
In Married to a Murderer by Alan Russell, the wealthy Danielle is swept away by Clay, the death row inmate, and upon their marriage throws her wealth into setting him free. But marriage to a murderer doesn't quite live up to either of their expectations. I did not see that ending coming. The story finished with a lovely twist that's sure to throw you off course.
Paula is having some problems with her new old car, a Volkswagen she jokes might be haunted by a local murder victim. But her jokes rub some people a little too raw, and she soon finds the body count about to rise. In Bugged by Eve K. Sandstrom we're given an obvious murderer, but the meat of the story is in the action-packed ending and the satisfying conclusion.
Accidents Will Happen in Carolyn Wheat's story of elder abuse by a cruel night nurse. The woman takes great enjoyment out of forcing her ward to urinate on herself, but when diapers are suggested the patient's pride has suffered enough. A very satisfying ending, a frustrating and humiliating situation, and an antagonist who's truly evil and unfortunately found too often in real life.
The verdict? The Malice Domestic series tends to have a great selection of short stories to offer, and this edition is no different. Double Jeopardy blew me away, Takeout was classic cozy and had a great character, and Ham Grease had a charming dash of historical fun. It's another great addition to the title.
With murder and threats aplenty, our RN heroine isn't sure what to believe in this tale of two brothers. The evil twin trope is used beautifully in Eileen Dreyer's Double Jeopardy. The twists and turns of this plot had me confused and second-guessing myself right up to that stunner of an ending. An incredible plot and one of my top picks. It's the ideal suspense short story.
A theft takes place in a bookstore shortly after being invaded by a group of noisy teens. But what the thief isn't counting on is a police officer skipping her lunch break in favor of a little light reading. Officer Figueroa in Barbara D’Amato's Shelved would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Logically going through the circumstances and asking leading questions she arrives at the thief's identity in no time. A lovely story in a great setting.
Lady Margaret is a woman after my own heart. The well-bred, aristocratic woman has a fondness for Chinese food that may rival my own. She delights in the dish titles and takes special pleasure in the production of choosing which of her Takeout (by Joyce Christmas) restaurants she would oblige with her business. But when a wrong order sets off a series of events that puts her and her deliveryman in grave danger, she thinks it may be time to switch things up a bit. A wonderful story with a character I was excited to discover had her own mystery series. I'll be looking into this author again.
Mischief is afoot at an isolated resort in Crossed Keys by Patricia Moyes, and the police are the least of this crook's problems. Such a close call for this thief, if it hadn't been for one small mistake and an attentive policeman they would have gotten away with it. A damn good story that had me puzzling it out to the end.
Ham Grease Jimmy and the No Shirt Kid by Sue Henry is based on a true story, and tells the tale of two men hoping to strike it rich at the Klondike Gold Rush, only to drive each other so crazy that long first winter that each would happily settle for just striking each other dead. A funny story of two men trying their damnedest to kill each other off and a nice look at life in the Klondike during that first, unanticipated population boom.
The Death of Erik the Redneck raises strong opinions in his town, but mostly about how stupid he was to have been out drinking in his boat, and accidently set himself on fire once he was too drunk to think of jumping overboard. But as clear cut as the case looks, a fact comes to light that starts to make things look a little odd. Toni L. P. Kelner's story was a great police procedural and had a strong plot and interesting characters. The murder isn't cleaned up by deduction and jumps in logic, but by legwork. And the motive is about the most understandable, realistic, and doable one I've seen all month.
The Bun Also Rises, except in this case by Jill Churchill. A friend accidently signs as witness to a will of her soon to be deceased friend. When the paperwork is read, everything is left to the nurse who cared for the patient in her last days, instead of to the daughter as previously promised. But the nurse had been raising many red flags during the initial visit, and the proof of coercion might be in an old family recipe. It was a good story with strong characters and an enjoyable plot. So far this book is batting everything out of the park.
Hill People take care of themselves, even when murder is on the menu. Dean Feldmeyer gives us an isolated family whose father freezes to death. The women he leaves behind react appropriately given his history, and if it weren't for their natural frugalness their story might have stuck. The plot is fun and the characters are pleasant. Not great, but certainly a good one. I'm becoming quite fond of these deep woods murder stories.
Susan Rogers Cooper serves up an order of Barbecued Bimbo, when a serial bride is found murdered and stuffed in a barbecue pit. The cop's grating personality really brought the story down for me, despite its strong plot. And the time the lead character spends moaning about him makes her pretty annoying, too. But the rest of the characters were entertaining, especially the 'bimbo' and her mother.
On Bill and Lori's Honeymoon, by Nancy Atherton, a series of messages from the groom's father charts the path of a murderer. The story was funny and had an amusing premise, but how stupid were the cops? The family was dropping like flies and each body was found by the same person? There wasn't even healthy breaks between them, the murderer just up and decided, 'I think I'm going to go on a murder spree this week' and it took three deaths before anyone got suspicious? Seriously?? The story was fun but the premise was ridiculous.
Vivian by Moonlight by Medora Sale is a puzzling piece with a family playing for keeps. The plot was convoluted and you never quite knew what was going on. I still can't figure out what the name 'Peter' had to do with anything. But an alright story even if you don't completely understand the characters' reasoning, and their interactions were entertaining before the twists started tripping you up.
A young man discovers that A Parrot is Forever (by Peter Lovesey) when he inherits one from a black-sheep uncle. But tales of stolen diamonds leads to a theft that might turn into a lucky windfall after all. It's a great story with wonderful characters and an enjoyable ending.
In Married to a Murderer by Alan Russell, the wealthy Danielle is swept away by Clay, the death row inmate, and upon their marriage throws her wealth into setting him free. But marriage to a murderer doesn't quite live up to either of their expectations. I did not see that ending coming. The story finished with a lovely twist that's sure to throw you off course.
Paula is having some problems with her new old car, a Volkswagen she jokes might be haunted by a local murder victim. But her jokes rub some people a little too raw, and she soon finds the body count about to rise. In Bugged by Eve K. Sandstrom we're given an obvious murderer, but the meat of the story is in the action-packed ending and the satisfying conclusion.
Accidents Will Happen in Carolyn Wheat's story of elder abuse by a cruel night nurse. The woman takes great enjoyment out of forcing her ward to urinate on herself, but when diapers are suggested the patient's pride has suffered enough. A very satisfying ending, a frustrating and humiliating situation, and an antagonist who's truly evil and unfortunately found too often in real life.
The verdict? The Malice Domestic series tends to have a great selection of short stories to offer, and this edition is no different. Double Jeopardy blew me away, Takeout was classic cozy and had a great character, and Ham Grease had a charming dash of historical fun. It's another great addition to the title.
September 6, 2025
I did not know when I chose this random book but these are short stories.
Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audio book). In a way, versions of classic short stories - good stories but no punchline. Maybe I am just too dense.
Still, was worth the listen.
Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audio book). In a way, versions of classic short stories - good stories but no punchline. Maybe I am just too dense.
Still, was worth the listen.
Read
November 24, 2011Unread / only bought for front cover illustration
September 16, 2013
I was in the mood for a mystery and found this short story collection on my shelf. Just so-so. A few good stories, others rather amateurish.
January 4, 2015
A mixed bag. Liked some a lot, but overall it was just a nice light read between real books.
January 22, 2016
These were always a good read. Nice short stories and an introduction to new authors.
December 20, 2017
This was a fun little book, a change of pace for me. I enjoy anthologies from time to time, and this one is a throwback (published in 1996) "presented by" Phyllis Whitney, whose books I read back in the day. These were fairly simple, straight-forward mysteries with no foul language or graphic violence. I read a couple of stories a night to get a break from a huge novel I am trying to finish before 2018, and it served the purpose well.
April 6, 2021
A 1990s collection of agreeable time-killers, with a great story by Carolyn Wheat and some fun entries from Peter Lovesey and Nancy Atherton. None of the stories are really bad, but most of the authors aren't aiming for much more than placing their series detectives (the sleuths include a stand-up comedian, a medieval nun, and various small-town cops, ministers, and housewives) in a trauma-free mystery that gets wrapped up in under twenty pages.
April 29, 2018
Great book, a bundle of short mysteries for various readers. Good in either bit-sized stories or to just the entire book.
June 12, 2021
Actually probably 2-1/2 stars since I only really enjoyed 3 of the stories...I have to admit that some of the others were well written though, just not to my taste. Dark and grubby feeling.
June 20, 2023
I've listened to the first books in this series and they've been ok to pass the time. This book unfortunately had some really underwhelming, if not outright boring, short stories.
November 14, 2025
This was an uneven bunch. I almost didn't finish, but the last few were pretty good so keep going.
January 7, 2016
"Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Phyllis A. Whitney, author of more than seventy bestsellers, presides over a salon of today's wittiest writers of mystery in this sparkling new addition to the series. Malice Domestic 5 once again delivers the style of skillfully plotted crime writing that is a credit to the cherished Agatha Christie tradition."
~~back cover
Honeymoon by Nancy Atherton was the standout for me in this volume. The Aunt Dimity series read back to back begins to flag towards the end, but this short visit back to the Cotswolds and romance was charming.
~~back cover
Honeymoon by Nancy Atherton was the standout for me in this volume. The Aunt Dimity series read back to back begins to flag towards the end, but this short visit back to the Cotswolds and romance was charming.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews