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Fantastic Crimes: Four Bibliomysteries by Bestselling Authors
Book-centered mystery novellas from four masters of the craft.
From Anne Perry, the New York Times–bestselling author of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, comes The Scroll.
Hapless bookseller Monty Danforth’s recent discovery of a millennia-old manuscript plunges him into a cutthroat conspiracy.
“A master storyteller.” —The Star-Ledger
Christopher Fowler, author of the Bryant and May mysteries, presents Reconciliation Day.
One man’s obsession with a lost edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula sends him on a dangerous journey to Transylvania.
“If Edgar Allan Poe and Monty Python had lived in the same country and the same century and somehow struck up a creative collaboration, their work might have resulted in fiction similar to Fowler’s.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch
From F. Paul Wilson, the New York Times–bestselling creator of Repairman Jack, comes The Compendium of Srem.
Prior Tomás de Torquemada yields the ultimate power, deciding who lives and dies during the Spanish Inquisition, but an ancient, evil tome is about to change that.
“A great storyteller and a thoughtful one.” —David Morrell, New York Times–bestselling author of First Blood
Elizabeth George, the New York Times–bestselling author of the Inspector Lynley novels, brings you The Mysterious Disappearance of the Reluctant Book Fairy.
A woman’s gift for immersing herself in the plot of whatever book she likes draws overwhelming fame—and misfortune.
“An essential writer of popular fiction today.” —The Washington Post
From Anne Perry, the New York Times–bestselling author of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, comes The Scroll.
Hapless bookseller Monty Danforth’s recent discovery of a millennia-old manuscript plunges him into a cutthroat conspiracy.
“A master storyteller.” —The Star-Ledger
Christopher Fowler, author of the Bryant and May mysteries, presents Reconciliation Day.
One man’s obsession with a lost edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula sends him on a dangerous journey to Transylvania.
“If Edgar Allan Poe and Monty Python had lived in the same country and the same century and somehow struck up a creative collaboration, their work might have resulted in fiction similar to Fowler’s.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch
From F. Paul Wilson, the New York Times–bestselling creator of Repairman Jack, comes The Compendium of Srem.
Prior Tomás de Torquemada yields the ultimate power, deciding who lives and dies during the Spanish Inquisition, but an ancient, evil tome is about to change that.
“A great storyteller and a thoughtful one.” —David Morrell, New York Times–bestselling author of First Blood
Elizabeth George, the New York Times–bestselling author of the Inspector Lynley novels, brings you The Mysterious Disappearance of the Reluctant Book Fairy.
A woman’s gift for immersing herself in the plot of whatever book she likes draws overwhelming fame—and misfortune.
“An essential writer of popular fiction today.” —The Washington Post
177 pages, ebook
First published February 13, 2018
75 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
362 books3,374 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 16, 2025
(B) 75% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: Read in singles. Individual reviews for included stories can be found here:
- The Scroll
- Reconciliation Day
- The Compendium of Srem
- The Mysterious Disappearance of the Reluctant Book Fairy
Notes: Read in singles. Individual reviews for included stories can be found here:
- The Scroll
- Reconciliation Day
- The Compendium of Srem
- The Mysterious Disappearance of the Reluctant Book Fairy
October 7, 2024
Great collection of stories
I'm reviewing each here in order
The scroll
An Allegory, a Commentary, and a supernatural mystery rolled into one this story of a scroll collected after an owners death that may or may not contain answers to Religious questions
a well done treatise
4 stars
The compendium of shem
At the end of his life the infamous Tomás de Torquemada of the Spanish inquisition comes across a strange book and begins an inquiry 3 1/2 stars
Reconciliation day
pursuit of a rare Dracula manuscript takes an obsessed man into darkness
It's part adventure, part Thriller, part mystery and moral warning that really weaves an atmosphere of classic horror as you read 4 stars
A book lover with a extraordinary gift to actually go into the stories of books and experience them goes through her life from discovery to misuse to abandonment to exploited in this marvelous book lovers wish turned into quite a good tale 4 stars
I'm reviewing each here in order
The scroll
An Allegory, a Commentary, and a supernatural mystery rolled into one this story of a scroll collected after an owners death that may or may not contain answers to Religious questions
a well done treatise
4 stars
The compendium of shem
At the end of his life the infamous Tomás de Torquemada of the Spanish inquisition comes across a strange book and begins an inquiry 3 1/2 stars
Reconciliation day
pursuit of a rare Dracula manuscript takes an obsessed man into darkness
It's part adventure, part Thriller, part mystery and moral warning that really weaves an atmosphere of classic horror as you read 4 stars
A book lover with a extraordinary gift to actually go into the stories of books and experience them goes through her life from discovery to misuse to abandonment to exploited in this marvelous book lovers wish turned into quite a good tale 4 stars
March 15, 2019
Bibliophiles Unite!
Just loved these four novellas. Very quick read but satisfying. The first three were atmospheric and engaging; The Scroll was so good, I wished it was a full length novel. The Elizabeth George was a disappointment but had a cute ending. Who can resist a mystery about books? These are not The Shadow of the Wind, but that would be comparing apples and oranges. Get a cup of tea, wrap your feet in an afghan and have a delightful time!
Just loved these four novellas. Very quick read but satisfying. The first three were atmospheric and engaging; The Scroll was so good, I wished it was a full length novel. The Elizabeth George was a disappointment but had a cute ending. Who can resist a mystery about books? These are not The Shadow of the Wind, but that would be comparing apples and oranges. Get a cup of tea, wrap your feet in an afghan and have a delightful time!
March 27, 2022
Liked these stories, especially the one by Elizabeth George. Set in western Washington, mentions lots of familiar places, and even the small town I live near. Very different from her Lynley mysteries.
April 19, 2021
A collection of short stories, by various authors. Centered on rare or special books.
November 26, 2021
Fantastic Crimes is a Fantastic Read. Short stories that are excellent, capturing quirky ideas that are slightly off kilter. Well written science fiction concepts.
January 28, 2024
Elizabeth George’s book was the only one of the five I enjoyed. I’ll look for other books she’s written in the future.
February 14, 2024
The first few books were weirdly interesting. The last book couldn't end fast enough.
June 13, 2025
So many stories
Good stories; strange stories. All rife with emotion and question.
People are mysterious aren't we. It's all there isn't it.
Good stories; strange stories. All rife with emotion and question.
People are mysterious aren't we. It's all there isn't it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews