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Crime Wave: Women of a Certain Age
“…a pitch-perfect bedside anthology.”
Loreth Anne White, bestselling author of The Patient’s Secret
This second anthology from members of the Canada West chapter of Sisters in Crime follows women of a certain age through old crimes and new. Whether they be old women or little girls, women in dirigibles or women on their death beds, women in history or the woman next door, we know them through their experiences and ours.
From real estate agents to house cleaners, school girls to exterminators, you will find a delicious array of women, some with outrage in their hearts—and some with revenge—but all of them dealing with crime in new and imaginative ways.
The sixteen short stories in Crime Wave 2: Women of a Certain Age range from light-hearted to heart-breaking, and from romantic to treacherous.
Come. Catch the Crime Wave.
Loreth Anne White, bestselling author of The Patient’s Secret
This second anthology from members of the Canada West chapter of Sisters in Crime follows women of a certain age through old crimes and new. Whether they be old women or little girls, women in dirigibles or women on their death beds, women in history or the woman next door, we know them through their experiences and ours.
From real estate agents to house cleaners, school girls to exterminators, you will find a delicious array of women, some with outrage in their hearts—and some with revenge—but all of them dealing with crime in new and imaginative ways.
The sixteen short stories in Crime Wave 2: Women of a Certain Age range from light-hearted to heart-breaking, and from romantic to treacherous.
Come. Catch the Crime Wave.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2022
About the author
Elizabeth Bass
10 books266 followersElizabeth Bass grew up the youngest of four siblings in rural Texas, where she spent summers watching old movies and dreaming of living in a town big enough to have an Icee machine. She now resides in Victoria, BC with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 17, 2022
Crime Wave 2 Earns 5/5 Sleepless Nights…Enjoyable, Thought-provoking Fun!
What do you do when again a gaggle of Canadian Sisters in Crime authors write the perfect mystery short? You put “em in a book, call it Crime Wave 2, and release it in time for the Halloween season. These sixteen authors have run the gambit with their work from poignant to extreme with protagonists that illustrate perfectly women of a certain age, temperament, relationship status, and mental stability along with varying their motivations from righting a wrong to balancing the scales to wielding a bit of comeuppance. The easy-to-read vignettes may have readers identifying, others taking notes, and some looking over their shoulder, but always entertained by the clever and compelling predicaments in which they place their “women of a certain age.” From preteens to middle aged, retired to active, from pranks to revenge, accidents to flat out murder, each author poses fascinating questions about right, wrong, and that gray area in the middle. Each tale was great entertainment: short in length, long on creativity, varied in style, and always fun. I am interested in reading more from each of these authors.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Sisters in Crime. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
What do you do when again a gaggle of Canadian Sisters in Crime authors write the perfect mystery short? You put “em in a book, call it Crime Wave 2, and release it in time for the Halloween season. These sixteen authors have run the gambit with their work from poignant to extreme with protagonists that illustrate perfectly women of a certain age, temperament, relationship status, and mental stability along with varying their motivations from righting a wrong to balancing the scales to wielding a bit of comeuppance. The easy-to-read vignettes may have readers identifying, others taking notes, and some looking over their shoulder, but always entertained by the clever and compelling predicaments in which they place their “women of a certain age.” From preteens to middle aged, retired to active, from pranks to revenge, accidents to flat out murder, each author poses fascinating questions about right, wrong, and that gray area in the middle. Each tale was great entertainment: short in length, long on creativity, varied in style, and always fun. I am interested in reading more from each of these authors.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Sisters in Crime. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
November 13, 2022
Sometimes one is in in an uncertain mood, unsure of what to read next and wishing to try several things. Anthologies offer a selection of quick samples, showing windows into what might be worth exploring further.
What to Expect
Sixteen short stories, written by women and with female protagonist, all involving and revolving around a crime of some sort, and taking places around Canada. Don't be fooled by the 'certain age' in the title -- the protagonist cover anything from pre-teen children to the elderly.
What I liked
I tend to like the short stories that haunt you, the ones offering a perspective not commonly seen, evoking unexpected feelings. There were a couple of those in the anthology, which made the whole thing worthwhile.
What to be aware of
As with any Anthology, it's a mixed bag. There are the inescapable 'police are useless' tropes that read like an 80's detective, the flatly predictable, and the ones you just don't connect with. Not every story is ever for all readers, and the point of an anthology is the quick exposure to a variety of author voices in order to find what resonates with you.
Felix's Review
Unlike me, Felix is usually after the straight-up mystery. He found a couple to enjoy as well, with some better deduction process than others. Most of the stories though, just revolve around a crime, not necessarily a detective.
Summary
It's a good collection of crime stories, for when you're in the mood.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Sixteen short stories, written by women and with female protagonist, all involving and revolving around a crime of some sort, and taking places around Canada. Don't be fooled by the 'certain age' in the title -- the protagonist cover anything from pre-teen children to the elderly.
What I liked
I tend to like the short stories that haunt you, the ones offering a perspective not commonly seen, evoking unexpected feelings. There were a couple of those in the anthology, which made the whole thing worthwhile.
What to be aware of
As with any Anthology, it's a mixed bag. There are the inescapable 'police are useless' tropes that read like an 80's detective, the flatly predictable, and the ones you just don't connect with. Not every story is ever for all readers, and the point of an anthology is the quick exposure to a variety of author voices in order to find what resonates with you.
Felix's Review
Unlike me, Felix is usually after the straight-up mystery. He found a couple to enjoy as well, with some better deduction process than others. Most of the stories though, just revolve around a crime, not necessarily a detective.
Summary
It's a good collection of crime stories, for when you're in the mood.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
June 4, 2022
When it comes to multi-author short story anthologies, there's generally a story or two that just doesn't grab me. Such was not the case with this exceptional collection of short crime fiction penned by members of Sisters in Crime - Canada West.
While I thoroughly enjoyed every single story in the book, there were a few standouts for me:
On the dark (and I do mean dark) side, Laurie Wood's 'Natural Consequences' was both gritty and heart-wrenching. I also loved 'The Hand Off' by Nuala McNaughton, and understand it is her first published short story. I will be watching for more by Nuala. Winona Kent's 'Terminal Lucidity' was clever and conniving in the best possible way. But I believe my absolute fave was 'Done and Dusted' by Charlotte Morganti, which gives new meaning to cleaning.
Overall, one of the strongest short story collections I have read in a very long time. Recommended.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I thoroughly enjoyed every single story in the book, there were a few standouts for me:
On the dark (and I do mean dark) side, Laurie Wood's 'Natural Consequences' was both gritty and heart-wrenching. I also loved 'The Hand Off' by Nuala McNaughton, and understand it is her first published short story. I will be watching for more by Nuala. Winona Kent's 'Terminal Lucidity' was clever and conniving in the best possible way. But I believe my absolute fave was 'Done and Dusted' by Charlotte Morganti, which gives new meaning to cleaning.
Overall, one of the strongest short story collections I have read in a very long time. Recommended.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2022
A second volume of stories from the Sisters in Crime - Canada West Chapter writers
A splendid collection of intriguing stories featuring women 'of a certain age'. An interesting and varied selection that defies easy categorisation beyond that description... I bought it for the Shelley Adina story (an introduction to a new character in her steampunk stories) but I do not regret having to do so - I don't think there's a dud story in there. (And on the strength of this volume, I've picked up the first one, too.)
A splendid collection of intriguing stories featuring women 'of a certain age'. An interesting and varied selection that defies easy categorisation beyond that description... I bought it for the Shelley Adina story (an introduction to a new character in her steampunk stories) but I do not regret having to do so - I don't think there's a dud story in there. (And on the strength of this volume, I've picked up the first one, too.)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews